Texas Gulf Coast INSHORE Fishing Report Week of June 28th 2023

Sabine Lake

GOOD. 87 degrees.  Jetties are good for speckled trout, redfish, sheepshead and drum on the rock piles with live shrimp under a popping cork. Trout and redfish are biting in the ICW and Sabine Channel reefs and humps, rock piles. Redfish are good on lake points and bayous. Look for the bird action on outgoing tides in the morning. Neches River holding speckled trout in 14-25 feet of water using ¾ ounce jighead glo chartreuse tail, jigging silver or gold spoons. Redfish are on the flats in Bessie Heights early in the morning live shrimp under a popping cork, or live mullet on a Carolina rig. North Levy is on fire for trout with topwaters early, switching to live shrimp under a popping cork and crankbaits, ¾ ounce jigheads with glo chartreuse plastics. Report by Captain Randy Foreman, Captain Randy’s Guide Service Sabine Lake.

Bolivar

GOOD. 80 degrees.  The surf is holding lots of black drum, pompano, sharks and redfish biting live or fresh dead shrimp. The North Jetty Gulf side holding limits of sheepshead and trout against Rocks look near the end on popping cork with shrimp. The wreck has good numbers of trout on free-line shrimp or croaker close to rocks. Channel side holding some nice trout close and big redfish on the bottom. Shark on the end of jetty towards gulf side. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.

Trinity Bay

SLOW. 87 degrees.  Small protected bays in the northwest region producing black drum, redfish on live shrimp under popping corks. Open bay fishing is on hold due to southwest winds. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing.

East Galveston Bay

FAIR. 88 degrees.  Open bay water is off-colored due to southwest winds. Best catches of trout and reds, coming from protected shorelines and deep bayous on live shrimp and soft plastics. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter. Surface water temps 85 degrees, water clarity good in most places within East Galveston Bay. Surface water temps 86 degrees, water clarity varies depending upon what part of the bay you are in. Winds have been out of the Southwest most of the week, in the 12-25 mph range, making it difficult to fish the open water reefs on most days, and has muddied up the water in a number of areas. When the conditions allow, we have been catching solid trout and bull reds over reefs, making for some great fun. When the wind is up, we have been limited to fishing drains, grass lines, and protected shell beds. This week we have been throwing blue moon artificials, as well as shrimp imitation lures under popping corks, with both working well when we locate baitfish and shrimp in the area. Birds are still working in the bay, but this week they only produced small trout when we found them. Live shrimp has produced Reds and trout, on our live bait trips, but catching slot reds has been more difficult than previous weeks for us in East Bay. Please remember to drink plenty of water and bring plenty of sunscreen, as we have ventured into the time of year when it gets extremely hot on the water and it is critical you stay hydrated and do not get overheated or sunburned. Report by Captain Jeff Brandon, Get the Net Guide Services, LLC. Yates Bayou and Siever’s Cut are still holding redfish against grass line on popping cork and shrimp. Hanna’s Reef and Deep Reef are holding fair numbers of speckled trout early on shrimp under a popping cork or twitching artificial paddle tails. Look for birds, baitfish and slicks- watermelon smell in the air look down and you may find a slick. Deep Reef, Pepper Grove Cove to Moody’s Pass holding fish. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.

Galveston Bay

FAIR. 88 degrees.  Speckled trout catches scattered for those anglers throwing live croakers and shrimp. Good numbers of black drum and a few redfish being caught along bay structure with live shrimp under popping corks. Southwest winds causing open bay to be off-colored. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. The piers on the island are on fire for redfish, sharks, and jack crevalle. Before the storm the surf was on fire from Pleasure Pier to Surfside is hot for redfish, speckle trout, pompano, jacks all on live shrimp under a popping cork, croaker on an OCTO Circle with small chatterweight. The South Jetty holding big redfish, some nice shark on the end. gulf side on fire speckled trout, sheepshead, pompano and redfish close to rocks on popping cork with live bait, free-lined shrimp, or Carolina rigged float with shrimp, or chatter weight and croaker. Channel side holding trout close to rocks popping cork with live shrimp. 61st Pier has some bulls with a few jack crevalle mixed in being caught on spoons as well as bait. The causeway and Pelican Island Bridge are holding redfish. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.

West Galveston Bay

GOOD. 88 degrees.  Protected shorelines with structure producing scattered catches of speckled trout on live shrimp and croakers. Open bay is off-colored due to southwest winds. San Luis Pass fishing is slow, with few trout being reported. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. South Shore holding a lot of speckled trout and redfish around the coves and grass lines from south deer Island to San Luis Pass. Both sides of Bird Island holding fish Bird Island flats holding good numbers of speckled trout, and some redfish for Wade Fisherman. North shorelines between Carancahua and green cut holding fish under birds. Mecoms Reef will have fish on it early up by rocks with artificial or live bait free-line or under cork. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.

Houston

FAIR. Water stained; 85 degrees; 0.07 feet above pool.  Catfish are good on cut bait and on baited holes. Crappie are fair on submerged structures with jigs and minnows. Bass are fair with an early morning topwater bite, transitioning to deeper structure with crankbaits and Texas or Carolina rigged worms.

Texas City

FAIR. 87 degrees. Anglers fishing from the dike at night finding fair action on speckled trout using live shrimp. Daytime catches are slow. Galveston jetties producing catches of bull reds, sharks, keeper black drum, sheepshead, and a few speckled trout. all on live natural baits. the beachfront remains off-colored. Those battling the rough seas, are finding snapper 60 miles offshore of Galveston. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. The Dike has trout at night under lights as does SWP day and night free line shrimp or under Popping cork the Fish are near the rocks. Campbell holding fish under birds. Limits of trout near the rocks early live shrimp. Mosquito Island holding trout and occasional redfish early. Moses Lake holding fish under birds early. Fish holding near the piers from top water grill to eagle point. Gas wells in front of Topwater all the way to A1 has good trout action on Croaker. Todd’s Dump holding some fish. Be careful around the channel, the ships push big waves and you can get in trouble if you do not pay attention. Report provided by Captain Raymond Wheatley, Tail Spotter Guide Service LLC.

Freeport

FAIR. 80 degrees.  Fishing is steady in the bays for trout, redfish and gafftop along the south shorelines using live shrimp under popping cork. Wade fishing the south shorelines throwing down south lures and topwater early in the morning will land catches of trout, redfish and flounder. Harbor is good for trout, redfish, flounder, mangroves snapper and sheephead using live shrimp. Report by Captain Jake Brown, Flattie Daddy Fishing Adventures.

East Matagorda Bay

SLOW. 80 degrees.  Southwest wind. Best success for redfish is drifting off colored water with Vudu shrimp or gulp under a cork. Live shrimp will attract the hard heads and gafftop. Wade fishing with croaker early in the morning for trout, artificial bite is tough wading. Report by Captain Charlie Paradoski, Captain Charlie Paradoski’s Guide Service.

West Matagorda Bay

SLOW. 80 degrees.  Southwest winds and low tides have slowed the bite. Best success in the bayous and sloughs. Report by Captain Charlie Paradoski, Captain Charlie Paradoski’s Guide Service.

Port O’Connor

GOOD. 80 degrees.  Trout are good outside of jetties on croaker early in the morning. Oversized redfish are good at the ends of the jetties on Spanish sardines. Slot redfish are spotty in the middle of the jetties on Spanish sardines. Black drum dead and live shrimp in the middle of the jetties. Report by Captain Marty Medford, Captain Marty’s Fish of a Lifetime Guide Service.

Rockport

GREAT. 80 degrees.  Redfish are great in 2-4 feet of water on grass flats and wind blown shorelines on cut bait and soft plastics. Trout are great in 4-6 feet of water on natural colored soft plastics and live shrimp under a popping cork. Drum are good in 4 feet of water on dead shrimp and gulp. Report provided by Captain Damian Hubbs, Top Gun Outfitters.

Port Aransas

SLOW. 83 degrees.  Redfish, and mangrove are slow on the rocks at the ends of the jetties. Lydia Ann Channel along Quarantine Shores holding trout on croaker in 5-6 feet of water, closer to the bank under the birds throw cut or live mullet for redfish. Black Drum in Sailboat Channel sight cast dead shrimp into the schools. Report by Captain Doug Stanford, Pirates of the Bay Fishing Charters.

Corpus Christi

SLOW. 80 degrees.  The water has been murky and muddy in the bay. Best fishing is in Ingleside on the backside of Berry Island. Wade or fish from the boat in the grass flats for redfish. Trout can be caught on the rocks with coraker. Report by Captain Doug Stanford, Pirates of the Bay Fishing Charters.

Baffin Bay

SLOW. 86 degrees.  Conditions continue to be tough here in Baffin Bay, with temperatures still reaching the 100s and a water temperature of 86 degrees. The wind has been picking up quickly in the mornings and increasing as the day goes on. Water levels are extremely low right now as we are currently in a drought. Fish have moved out deeper in structure such as grass beds where the water is cooler. Deeper pot holes and grass is where you want to focus on. Lures such as mirrordines, spoons, and anything with a reflective base has been persuading redfish and trout nestled in those grass areas.

Port Mansfield

GOOD. 91 degrees.  Extreme heat and high winds have made it challenging for wade anglers this last week. Early mornings have been best for trout and redfish using topwaters, then switching to plastics shortly after sunrise. The best bites are on deep ledges and drop offs. Report by Captain Wayne Davis, Hook Down Charters.

South Padre

SLOW. 86 degrees.  Trout are fair with very few keepers. A few redfish at the jetties and a few kingfish still around. Been a lot of bonnethead shark around old causeway and Walt’s Bar early most over 25 inches. Also a few pompano mixed in with the shark. A few anglers fishing at night with cut mullet and croaker taking redfish near Port Isabel. Stay safe out there. Report by Captain Lou Austin, Austin Fishing South Padre.

Port Isabel

SLOW. 86 degrees.  Trout are fair with very few keepers. A few redfish at the jetties and a few kingfish still around. Been a lot of bonnethead shark around old causeway and Walt’s Bar early most over 25 inches. Also a few pompano mixed in with the shark. A few anglers fishing at night with cut mullet and croaker taking redfish near Port Isabel. Stay safe out there. Report by Captain Lou Austin, Austin Fishing South Padre.

Source: TPW