papamike33 Loc: Houston, TX

I'm looking for the best place on the Dike to catch fish. I have caught flounders. However, I have never caught a Bull Red.
What's the best bait for Bull Reds. Best method- top water with float or on the bottom?

Any help is welcome.

James E

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

James E: Welcome to the Stages, and thanks for completing your profile, that helps a lot. I have wade fished from the Texas City Dike, but not for Bull Reds, I should think you would be best served out on the very end at the T-head. Now if you are going after humongous Bull Reds, you will need a reasonably heavy outfit, Rod, Reel, line, hooks, everything... And be willing to stay in the fight, perhaps for an hour.

Finally, the bait I would suggest is a piece of cut mullet. Big fish, big bait, maybe a half of an entire mullet and fish it deep even on the bottom. Be prepared for a long battle. If you are on the T--Head, may need something to capture the fish, like a dip net on a rope, or if you are on the rocks, you will need to have some shoes with cleats to keep from slipping and falling on those wet rocks in the dark. A fall out there on those big rocks in the dark could mean a trip to the emergency room!
Just Sayin...RJS

papamike33 Loc: Houston, TX

Thanks for that information Robert. I have been using everything but cut mullet. I will try the mullet when I go again.I will let you know how it works.

Thanks Again,
James E

CamT Loc: La Porte, Texas

Robert said it best, ya might catch a huge black drum or big stingray also. We saw a man catch a ray near the end on right side that was a good 4 feet or more across. He fought a long time then at shore after every one got a look he just cut the line, he didn't want to get too close lol. Lots of surprises out there

papamike33 Loc: Houston, TX

I caught a flounder about half way up the right side. I got it to the surface. I could see it was about 3 feet wide. It flipped it's head and tail. My line sounded like a fiddle string and just snapped. I had 20 pound test on my reel then. Since then I put 50 pound test on my new reel.
I think I am going to start using Braided line. You don't really know what you might catch off the Dike. I was wade fishing off the little island on the left as you first come on the Dike. I caught a small flounder and attached the string to my belt. Everyone was catching fish. Suddenly, no one was catching anything.
While standing in a little over waist deep water. Something hit my leg like a linebacker. I went down to my knees and came up running. I knew immediately it was a Bull Shark. I have never waded since. I read in the fish report about 2 or 3 weeks latter. A man was killed by a Bull Shark while wading about 50 yards from where I was wading.
Have a good one CamT and stay safe
James E

CamT Loc: La Porte, Texas

You have a good/safe one also. We used to fish the dyke alot about 35+ years ago, some good times. Me and wife still go and cruise the dike just see what's happening! went last week.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, where the bull shark was encountered, that is were most people waded. There was a shallow spine of sand about 1 to 2 feet deep that ran maybe half mile out north from the dike. On either side was deeper water and at times was great fishing, but as the other fisherman related, could also be where one could encounter sharks of fearsome size. I never did but guess I was just lucky. Just Sayin...RJS

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

When I got my first new boat, a 21 foot Cajun bay boat, the bait stand right at the base of the dike was where I would launch my boat. On one trip, still early in the spring, I rescued a guy who was maybe 300 yards out in the bay and having trouble with a para-sail. We pulled him to shore and he said "you saved my life!"

On another trip, I was coming back from somewere south to the Dike and came across some boy scouts with a sail boat that had jammed it's mast into the bottom and they weren't able to get the mast up and their boat righted. I think it was the scoutmaster's effort in teaching them how to do that task. I pulled the boat enough to free it and then it began to sail off without them. Most of the scouts were either in my boat or hanging on to the sides. We caught up again so they could take control.

About a half mile away, after leaving the scouts, i saw two guys in a boat and they waved me down. Their motor was dead and I threw them a rope and towed them back to the dock were I had launched. So two in one day! You always want to pay it forward because you never know when you are going to need help yourself. Just Sayin...RJS

papamike33 Loc: Houston, TX

Robert; I think that narrow spine of sand is where I was when I encountered the shark. I walked out on the sand. However, I had to wade across a deep spot to get back on the sand. This deep spot was deep enough for a Bull Shark to swim through. I know he patrolled that area because there were a lot of Flounders there.

James E

papamike33 Loc: Houston, TX

Robert, I am amazed at how many people get stranded in boats on the Dike.One bad place for boat accidents is the Flood Gates. I see boats come through there doing 40-50 mph. I read about one crash there. I do not know what makes them speed through the gates. I had to stop fishing there because of the fast boats. It's also hard climbing up and down the hill on both sides of the gate.

James E