FS Digest

I am moving in the Galveston area, and I am looking at jumping into saltwater fishing.

The main goal at the moment is solid table fare, right now I don’t have the budget for a ton of gear. All the stuff I already have available is freshwater, including the only rod and reel I own so I would be starting almost entirely from scratch.

I have done some research and, when cross referencing with the Texas bag limits, I think Spanish Mackerel will be my target fish (15” minimum length, 25 fish bag limit and it seems that mackerel are fairly easy to catch), but I have been wrong before.

I will be fishing from shore (which I have never done successfully in any setting, much less saltwater so any advice is helpful), as I won’t have the option to fish from a boat for a while.

I currently don’t have a budget set aside for this (focused on getting stuff ready for a new job), but right now I am worried more about having a plan set up so I can budget for it later on.

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by s_poster9000

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Welcome to the Forum, s_. Fishing from the shore in salt is much easier than fishing from shore in freshwater. You have the piers, jetties, beaches and banks. I would go to walmart and pick up a cheap outfit, and some live shrimp, and then go fishing. Good luck!

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Go to Home Depot or Lowes or Ace Hardware and buy some Schedule 40 PVC. About 6 foot to make 2 rod holders. 1 and 1/2 to 2 inch diameter. Slant cut the PVC in the center and you will have 2 nice rod holders for about $6. That way when you leave one at the beach, you will still have one. LOL You can make them longer if needed. You can put the rod and reel in it at home and then drill a hole on both sides just above the bottom of where the rod seats. Take a Lag bolt and a wing nut and now you rod will not bottom out in the holder. You can keep the bottom from getting wet that way. You can spend more money for rod holders but you can make your own much cheaper and custom fit them for your rods. The Schedule 40 PVC you can also drive into the sand/dirt with a 3 LB hammer hitting it with the flat of the hammer with out breaking the PVC.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

S Poster9000: well you have come to a place that offers an amazing variety of spots to fish. All along the shore line of Galveston, plus the bay system (however most of the thousands of square miles of Galveston bay waters are accessable only by boat. If wading is out, you can also walk out one either jetty far out into the gulf and fish there.

One of my favorite locations for wade fishermen is the Boliver Pocket. ( Get a local map to orient yourself.) This location is the water in the corner of the East Galveston jetty and the shore line. Usually, there are a lot of both trout and Spanish mackarel in there since the current will have a lot of shrimp trapped there. You will find it best in the early morning perhaps up till 10:00 AM or so.

There is also pier fishing for a fee. The Pier extends out into the Gulf several hundred yards. I don't know what they charge, but I suspect the best time there is at night.

Now as far as bait, live shrimp is the best and universal bait. But then you have to have a bucket or some manner of keeping them alive and with you while fishing. Next, is fresh dead shrimp which also works. Finally, if you wade the Boliver pocket, a top watere lure works well. I have caught a double limit of trout there in one morning and then kept only the limit after culling my catch. My favorite lures for the Boliver Pocket are top water lures that imitate a mullet, and can be eithr a bone color, or natural, like a mullet. if the fish are in the pocket, almost any color will work!

I suggest you get a wade fisherman's belt, and to this belt, you should have a knife that is handy, alont with a stringer for your catch because you will want to keep fishing after catching your f''irst catch. Be aware that there are sharks in the water at times as well, so don't tie the stringer, but just have it so you don't play "tug of war" with a hungry shark!

Remember when wading, to always wear shoes of some type and to shuffle your feet. Do not ever pick up your feet because of the possibility of stepping on a sting ray. If you step on one, they are more than likley going to sink their barb into your foot or ankle, which means a trip to the Emergency room at John Sealey Hospital, whose doctors are experts at this procedure.Good luck, tight lines, and be sure to post pictures of your catch!

just Sayin...RJS

Pounding banks Loc: South Central Texas

RJS sounds like he knows the deal over there. I occasionally fish near chorpus christie and port aransas and have had great success with croakers. On the jetties I'll use a 3 oz. Spoon. If you are gonna use your freshwater rod and reel, wash off the reel when you are done.

RedmanRand Loc: Texas

I would fish for red fish,speckled trout,black drum,and flounder.Just need some lures or shrimp live or dead.Or take a cast net and catch Mullet for bait.Silver and gold spoons Shad swim baits

Bass Zombie Loc: Lake Fork Texas

Sounds like you are getting some good advise
One of the cool things about fishing the gulf is everything eats everything.
Meaning it’s not expensive to fish with bait.
I have found that the sand trout and croaker are real easy to catch on cut bait, usually piggy perch, which you can catch on almost any bait. They are good tableware and I don’t believe either one has a limit.
I have found some Awsome piers to fish from Aransas to Rockport to Polacios , nights like late night always best for me specks and sand trout on swim tails glo at nights
Best piers are found in close proximity of the main channel
Good luck
Keep your line tight and your troubles light