Heading down to Galveston West Bay area Saturday for some evening/night fishing and probably early Sunday morning. Haven't done this in 10 years. 3 of us with kayaks. Any recommendations on where to go? Staying at a lodge near Harborwalk Marina, across the water from Tiki Island.

We have the typical bayfishing gear. Thinking of running 2 rods. 1 weighted with shrimp and another casting artificials. We honestly don't know where would even be a good area to paddle to and try and catch some trout or reds this time of year.

TIA

Anyone gone lately? Going to surfside in a couple of weeks.

bump. I've been looking at getting started! This was a great read

I haven't gotten after it as hard as usual this year but I've really had crummy luck this summer. Best I've done is a great big gafftop this past Saturday. Our neighbors down on the Galveston west end have put a lot of time in and they say it's the worst summer they've had in a while too. Water just hasn't laid down for any decent amount of time. Sauerkraut weed seems to be coming in now too...

I picked up some crabbing gear for tomorrow. Will bring net, twine, bucket, chicken legs and a cane pole for the kid.

Turkey necks are alot cheaper and hold up better...

Hitting the surf south of Bob Hall by "the sticks" this morning. I'll likely throw gulps on the light gear (maybe some live shrimp of I can find some) and rig up with cut skipjack on the long rod. Mainly a "get the grandson to the beach" trip.

Bump

Looking for recommendation on where to fish for reds this fall? Unfortunately, I don't have a boat or a kayak

What area would you be looking to go fishing? Ie. Port A, Galveston, etc.

Between Bolivar Peninsula and Surfside. Ive mostly gone to West end of Galveston

My favorite surf spot in the Galveston area is Quintana Beach just SW of Freeport. That has more to do with the lack of people on the beach vs Surfside or Galveston but you can catch there just as well as most other beaches.

Bumping this thread for a little advice.

Looking to put together a setup for fishing from the beach/surf in Port A. Came across this Penn Wrath II setup on Amazon, and it looked legit. Is 12 ft too much for that area? Is the 8000 reel overkill?

https://a.co/d/45bE55R

Seems like a fairly cheap price of entry, but wanted to ping the experts.

SuperAg05 said:

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Bumping this thread for a little advice.

Looking to put together a setup for fishing from the beach/surf in Port A. Came across this Penn Wrath II setup on Amazon, and it looked legit. Is 12 ft too much for that area? Is the 8000 reel overkill?


https://a.co/d/45bE55R

Seems like a fairly cheap price of entry, but wanted to ping the experts.

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The reviews for the rods are no bueno.

I have a couple Penn Pursuit surf rods that I picked up from Academy on sale. They are 10' with 8000 series reels. 8000 seems a bit big but it gives you plenty of line and performs well with big fish. When I can start getting myself to the beach more often I plan to get a couple bigger rods (12-14'). Haven't decided if I will stick with a similar size reel or go a bit smaller.

Headed to PINS the weekend after Christmas. Would like to target bull reds and drum. Any tips? Thinking 1/2 crabs for bait. What else should we be targeting this time of year?

Also, any thoughts on flounder gigging? We'll be wading. Low tide looks like it will be around 7 am, so I'm guessing we need to be out there at 4 am or so.

thanks!

Scott

Nick Meyer on YouTube posts near daily updates on PINS. Mullet, whiting chunks, skip jack chunks, all should do well.

Thanks, I'll check him out.

Scott

Would also add that if you happen upon some small stingrays while gigging, those cut in half are good bait as well.

I've also had good luck on cut ladyfish.

Kwade23, interesting that you mention stingrays....more details on those below...

Anyway, we fished PINS - mile marker 5 area - from Friday afternoon - Sunday morning. Surf was a bit rougher than I hoped and water was fairly murky, too, so we didn't catch anything on artificials. Did ok on bait - caught whiting and sheepshead on Fish Bites, caught a 3' hammerhead (released), and a 27" and 36" reds on whole crabs that we caught in the surf.

Trip got cut short on Sunday morning after I got nailed in the foot (barb went completely through) by a large ray. I was in PAIN for about 3 hours. Finally got some relief from warm water soak, but it was not fun for quite some time. I wasn't shuffling my feet and was just wearing regular water shoes. I'll know better next time.

Appreciate all the input from the OP and others. It was extremely helpful.

bulletpruf said:

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Kwade23, interesting that you mention stingrays....more details on those below...

Anyway, we fished PINS - mile marker 5 area - from Friday afternoon - Sunday morning. Surf was a bit rougher than I hoped and water was fairly murky, too, so we didn't catch anything on artificials. Did ok on bait - caught whiting and sheepshead on Fish Bites, caught a 3' hammerhead (released), and a 27" and 36" reds on whole crabs that we caught in the surf.

Trip got cut short on Sunday morning after I got nailed in the foot (barb went completely through) by a large ray. I was in PAIN for about 3 hours. Finally got some relief from warm water soak, but it was not fun for quite some time. I wasn't shuffling my feet and was just wearing regular water shoes. I'll know better next time.

Appreciate all the input from the OP and others. It was extremely helpful.

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Yow! That sounds painful

bulletpruf said:

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Kwade23, interesting that you mention stingrays....more details on those below...

Anyway, we fished PINS - mile marker 5 area - from Friday afternoon - Sunday morning. Surf was a bit rougher than I hoped and water was fairly murky, too, so we didn't catch anything on artificials. Did ok on bait - caught whiting and sheepshead on Fish Bites, caught a 3' hammerhead (released), and a 27" and 36" reds on whole crabs that we caught in the surf.

Trip got cut short on Sunday morning after I got nailed in the foot (barb went completely through) by a large ray. I was in PAIN for about 3 hours. Finally got some relief from warm water soak, but it was not fun for quite some time. I wasn't shuffling my feet and was just wearing regular water shoes. I'll know better next time.

Appreciate all the input from the OP and others. It was extremely helpful.

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Well damn. When I read the first sentence I thought you were gonna say you caught a door mat! Sorry to hear about the unfortunate event. I think I'm more scared of sting rays when I wade than I am of sharks. Sometimes the best lessons are learned the hardest ways. Prayers for a speedy recovery.

Thanks. Foot swollen and a bit tender, but appears to be healing fine. Supposed to go deer hunting Thursday - Saturday, so I'm hoping to still make the trip.

Assuming you went to the doctor and got antibiotics? My understanding is the barbs are extremely dirty and chances of infection are close to 100

Have to second this, you probably want to go get on anti-biotics as preventative with a wound like that. The infections can come on really really fast, and if you're gonna be out on the woods and on your feet, take care of yourself!!

Different note- anyone interested in some LBSF fishing this spring/summer between Sabine pass and galveston? I have a yak and a couple of 30-50 reels, just looking for connections, im still learning. Major bonus points if the GF( who has a mouth like a sailor and will drink half the men here under the table!!) And kiddos are welcome along, I want the little one to see a big shark landed!

Yes, I immediately went to an Urgent Care and they prescribed a 10 day course of Doxycycline (antibiotic) and Meloxicam (NSAID). They took x-rays, too, to ensure the barb wasn't still stuck in me.

Foot is much better. Wounds are healing, just a bit of swelling and tenderness now.

The important part is to clean the wound very well. I got hit by one in Port Mansfield back in Sept. Barb went in ~3/4". I was able to insert a tip soaked with antiseptic all the way in and get it cleaned out well. It healed up ok.