Fishing the Beaches, Surf, and Waters of Galveston Island
Not just for swimming and sun-worshiping, Galveston is rated by SaltWater Sportsman Magazine as number three on its list of top 10 saltwater fishing locations in the United States.
Whether you prefer to cast from the beach, wade into the surf, or chase those fish into the Gulf of Mexico or Galveston Bay from your own boat or a charter vessel, Galveston Island has something for you.
Fishing in Galveston Island
- Like the fish but hate to get wet? Try the Seawall between 10th and 61st streets, where you can fish off of any of the 15 rock groins jutting out from the beach. These projecting groins will get you out deep enough where you might catch speckled trout, black drum and plenty of hardhead catfish. Most folks think of the hardheads as ‘nuisance’ fish and don’t eat ‘em.
- There’s also the 61st Pier and the Galveston Fishing Pier. Old timers advise arriving a couple of hours before high tide to reel in drum, sheepshead, sharks, and stingrays.
- If wading into the surf is more up your alley, grab your fishing license and bait bucket, and head out to the 32 miles of beach on Galveston Island early in the morning when the southeast breeze smooths out the waves and brings speckled trout and other gamefish close in.
- When the surf is rough, you might have better luck on the bay side of the island. A good bet is Galveston Island State Park (no license required with paid admission to the park). Pelican Island also offers access to the bay and the Galveston ship channel. Seawolf Park charges $6 to fish off its rock groins and paved bulkhead, which is ideally located to catch fish passing in and out of the channel.
Chase Those Fish
If the fish won’t come to you along the shore, the only thing to do is get in a boat and go after them.
If you have a kayak or small powered vessel, you probably should fish on the bay side where the water is usually smooth and the breezes are gentle, even when the surf is up in the Gulf.
But if it’s bonito, king mackerel and billfish you are angling for, take your own boat and purchase a guide map at any tackle shop to go 8-10 miles offshore where they gather amongst the artificial reefs, oil platforms, and shipwrecks. The nearest natural reef is the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary located roughly 100 miles offshore. While fishing is quite good there, it does require a full day’s trip to get out and back.
Looking for expert guidance or don’t have your own boat? Nearly three dozen charter boats operate out of the Galveston Yacht Basin, as well as other marinas around the island. Most offer half and full-day outings for parties of up to six fishermen.
Whether you want to brag about your catch or lament the one that got away, take yourself to Jimmy’s on the Pier for seafood, ice-cold beer, and convivial fisher folks.
All this fishing fun is yours when you bring your fishing tackle and make a reservation at Stella Mare RV Resort, your premier RV Park in Galveston. Easy, breezy summer is always busy here and we fill up fast.