Best Times & Seasons to Fish Galveston (A Complete Guide)

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned angler, Galveston has a wide range of fishing options to suit your interests. Knowing the best times and seasons to fish in Galveston will make a huge difference in your fishing success.

The best season to catch drum, sharks, trout in Galveston is fall, to catch kingfish, mahi mahi, cobia, and grouper is spring, summer is best for sea trout and mangrove snapper, and winter in Galveston is good for redfish and sand trout.

Season	Best Species to Catch This Season
Winter	black & red drum, sharks, sand trout, speckled trout
Spring	kingfish, mahi mahi, cobia, sharks, grouper
Summer	redfish, sea trout, mangrove snapper
Fall	flounder, redfish, mackerel

One thing that makes the area unique is the ease with which you may catch your “lifetime catch” or simply arrange a family fun fishing excursion. Many different types of fish may be seen at various sites such as beaches, piers, and parks. In this article, we will break down the best times to fish in this area and how different seasons impact fishing.

Click here to find out the most successful fishing times in Texas. Check out this helpful guide to the best fishing times for South Padre. You may also be interested in this article on the best times for Corpus Christi beach fishing.

Best Times to Fish Galveston: Seasonal Guide

Spring

Many fishermen in Galveston choose to stay closer to shore during the spring months. But don’t be concerned! During this time of year, the shallows are bustling with activity.

Fishing expeditions around the bayside of the island in March and April are good for catching black and red drum and sheepshead. At this time of year, these brutal combatants congregate in great numbers along Galveston’s jetties and channels to spawn, offering fishermen a chance to catch enormous bulls.

Sand trout, speckled trout, flounder, and tiny sharks may all be found close shore during this time of year and can all be caught on a half-day excursion.

Summer 

Have you ever tried your hand at shark fishing? If you haven’t tried it before, summer in Galveston is a fantastic time to do so! These ferocious predators are frequently seen preying near oil platforms, deepwater reefs, and shipwrecks.

You’ll want to arrange a 6-hour excursion that takes you at least 30 miles offshore if you want to catch a large shark. These specialist charters travel to well-known locations known for thrilling encounters with hammerhead sharks, bull sharks, sandbar sharks, and blacktip sharks.

Other large fish are also biting at offshore locations throughout the summer months. Half-day trips in search of kingfish, mahi-mahi, and cobia are ideal between June and August.

Fall

Fishing expeditions off of Galveston are unexpectedly rewarding in the fall. These months offer a fantastic flounder run, as well as an abundance of redfish, sharks, trout, and mangrove snapper fishing.

This season, like spring, sees a lot of fishermen fishing closer to the coast. This will enhance your chances of a large haul and provide you with better circumstances.

While capturing flounder and snapper may not appear as exciting as going for the larger fish, it is the opposite. These species are not only tough fighters and a lot of fun to catch, but they’re also some of the tastiest fish in the area!

Wind and waves are common in this location throughout the fall months. However, the island’s bayside provides plenty of protection from the weather.

Winter

You’ll want to bundle up for a day on the sea in Galveston’s winter months since the weather may be shockingly chilly. Anglers who don’t mind a little cold can still have a good time at this time of year.

When the water cools, sizeable speckled trout and flounder, redfish, and mullet all bite near shore.

Offshore fishing in Galveston is also great in the winter. These all-day trips take fishermen to deeper seas farther away from the island, where they could hook onto mackerel, dorado, ling, and other species.

Recommended Fishing Charters in Galveston

These Galveston-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a great service. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Line Check Charters	Galveston, TX
Captain Mike’s Guide Service	Galveston, TX
Fish N Divers Fishing Charters	Galveston, TX
Grace Fishing Charter	Galveston, TX
Galveston Offshore Fishing Charter	Galveston, TX
Tejas Salt Fishing Charter	Galveston, TX
SeaPlay Sportfishing – SeaPlay VI	Galveston, TX
Rod Bending Charters	Galveston, TX
Salty Rods Charters	Galveston, TX
Texas Fishing Charters, LLC	Galveston, TX
Bite Me! Charters Galveston	Galveston, TX
Bravo Zulu Fishing Charters	Galveston, TX

Best Time to Fish Galveston

The best time to fish Galveston is really dependent on what you’re searching for. If sharks are your thing, I recommend going in the summer months. If you’re looking for flounders, go in the fall. 

Galveston is a prosperous location for fishing almost all year round! Below there is a seasonal breakdown of each season and the fishing conditions. 

Morning vs. Afternoon 

Just a tip about saltwater: monitoring the tides rather than the time of day is typically preferable. Sunrise and set are less effective in controlling the bite than tides. Sunrise and sunset are best used for fishing in freshwater.

This being said, the time of day does matter when temperatures are extreme. When fishing in mid-summer, when temperatures are the highest of the year, I recommend fishing in the morning. 

The opposite is true when temperatures drop. When air temperatures are cold, it will take longer for water temperatures to rise. I recommend fishing in the afternoon when it is colder outside.

Galveston Fishing & Tidal Impacts

Because tides force water to flow, they are linked to fishing conditions. Fish are more likely to eat and are easier to capture when the current or water flow increases. The increased activity of different marine creatures is caused by the flow of water.

Crustaceans and baitfish are among these creatures, and they are the primary food sources for saltwater game fish. This being said, high tide is generally better to fish on than low tide. 

Storms & Galveston Fishing

Storms will carry saltwater closer to the beach, making coastal wetlands saltier than usual. This will attract fish that generally dwell in the open ocean, causing problems and even death in species not accustomed to such high salt levels.

Freshwater from floods or heavy rain can be collected from the interior and dragged out to sea, in contrast to seawater brought in from the ocean.

Because freshwater is less thick than saltwater, it floats on top of the salty layer, preventing oxygen from mixing in. Fish living in deeper waters may experience stress and acquire deformations as a result of this.

Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Galveston?

When it comes to producing winter trout, the Galveston Bay system is no slouch. The West, Trinity, and East bays are the greatest places to look for them. These bays are the greatest places on the Texas Gulf Coast for superb wade fishing.

The weather prediction for January through March includes everything from blue northers to bikini-like temperatures. Speckled trout are game no matter what. Now is the perfect time to do it in the Galveston Bay complex if you like catching specks.

The advantage of fishing at this time of year is that there aren’t many other fishermen to contend with. The bulk of people will choose steady mild weather in late spring and summer.

That’s a pity. Because the trout fishing on the flats and in the canals surrounding Galveston right now is filled with silver potential. Right now, you may catch not only a lot of trout but also some wall-hangers.

Night Fishing in Galveston

I recommend night fishing for night-speckled trout. Make sure you light up the bay with artificial lights, which will attract all of the baitfish the speckled trout hunt, including shrimp, glass minnows, mullet, and other baitfish. These outings are ideal for beating the summer heat while also catching a lot of fish!

Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons 

In general, fish prefer to eat nearshore when there is enough cover in the surf zone to avoid predators while pursuing food. As a result, the optimum time of day for surf fishing is when the weather and wave conditions provide adequate shelter for the fish.

In other words, the optimum times to go surf fishing are at high tide and during low light hours, when the water temperature is between 61 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Galveston Species Breakdown: Best Time for Each Species 

Redfish and Speckled Trout

The best time to fish for speckled trout and redfish in Galveston is during the fall. With all due respect to Specks, there’s no denying which fish in this pair reigns supreme. Texan Bull Reds are known for crowding the local bays during their autumn migrations. They may even give seasoned fishermen a fight for their money.

Redfish and Speckled Trout are two species that are synonymous with Texas inshore fishing. These two species are a lot of fun to catch and are plentiful almost all year. Even better, Specks and Reds stay near the shore, making them ideal for novice anglers and families.

On the grassy flats around Galveston Bay and West Bay, look for Reds and Specks. You may catch this powerful combination from one of Galveston’s fishing piers if you want to stay on land. For a complete breakdown of the best fishing spots in Texas for redfish, please check out this article I wrote.

Red Snapper

Red Snapper is unbeatable when it comes to supper fishing. This gentleman is the most sought-after fish in the Gulf because of his bold attitude and gorgeous flaky flesh. Galveston seems to be one of the finest spots to catch one.

Every year, thousands of eager fishermen go to Galveston to try their hand at Red Snapper fishing. To accommodate all of these fishermen, the town boasts a similarly remarkable number of charter captains.

Obviously, a fish of this rarity need stringent restrictions. Compared to other Gulf states, Texas has always been more lenient with its seasonal and bag limits. Fishing is permitted year-round in state waters, but only for around 60 days per year in federal waterways.

Sharks

Blacktip, Tiger, and Hammerhead sharks are among the sharks you’re most likely to see. These creatures may be found anywhere, from local docks to manmade reefs and faraway oil rigs. If you want to catch a shark in Galveston, go-between late May and September.

If you want to spice up your fishing, Galveston’s shark population will be delighted to oblige. Galveston boasts a Shark for every angler style, from little feisty sharks inshore to enormous brutes offshore.

Anglers were permitted one Shark per person per day at writing, with a two-Shark possession limit.

Flounder

Two waves of flounder fishing arrive in Galveston. Between April and June, the first, more minor wave occurs. Between October and December, the second, bigger swell occurs. In Galveston, this is considered peak flounder season.

Flounder, another classic Texas fish, is a favorite of local anglers. These boys may not appear to be much at first sight. Sure, their filthy, fat bodies aren’t going to win them any beauty pageants. They’re also not very large. Flounders, on the other hand, make up for their lack of beauty with cunning and taste.

Flounder are masters of concealment, preferring to wriggle into the soft sandy bottoms of Galveston’s shallow waters. Such an unusual fish necessitates its unique fishing strategy. Flounder gigging comes into play here.

Gigging entails finding your Flatfish and piercing it with a spear, which is challenging but highly gratifying. These expeditions are often done at night, although many local charter guides specialize in this type of fishing.

Gigging is prohibited during the spawning season for flounders, which begins around November. However, you may still use your old pole and line to catch them.

Black Drum

Black Drum, while not as well-known as its red drum relatives, should not be disregarded. These fish are a well-rounded challenge, giving pleasure to the water while also delivering nutrition at the end of the day. They may get rather large in Galveston Bay, so you’ll discover that catching them isn’t as simple as some may claim.

If you go out to one of the piers in Galveston Bay or near bridges, you’ll readily see schools of Black Drum. They may grow as large as 90 pounds, with regular captures ranging between 5 and 30 pounds. So, if you’ve set your sights on this magnificent creature, prepare to put in some effort.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are one of the most visually appealing fish found in Galveston Bay. These fish are not only gorgeous, but they are also quite delicious. They stand out because of their black and white color pattern, and their exquisite flavor makes them highly prized and sought-after.

Do you think you should pursue them? Absolutely! They’re great for beginners, so whether you’re looking for some light tackle fun or taking your kids fishing for the first time, they’re a great choice. They’ll fight back, but you won’t have to strain your muscles to catch them. Sheepshead are incredibly photogenic, so be sure to take a picture.

Top 5 Fishing Spots in Galveston

1. The 61 St. Fishing Pier and the Galveston Fishing Pier are excellent places to capture Redfish, Black Drum, Spanish Mackerel, and Blacktip Sharks. Bait and tackle shops are available on both piers.
2. Seawolf Park, on Pelican Island, is an excellent place to catch Black Drum and Redfish. Nearby, there are fish cleaning stations as well as facilities.
3. Galveston Island State Park is a great place to catch redfish and speckled trout without needing a license. On-site, there is a camping area with showers and grilling amenities.
4. Hanna’s Reef in East Bay is an excellent spot for inshore fishing. This is a great place to catch Redfish and Specks. Check out West Bolivar Flats, right outside the Bay, if the waters are calm. If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, try the sand flats surrounding Pelican Island.
5. Typically, nearshore fishing takes you several miles out into the Gulf. These tours provide opportunities to catch Kingfish, Cobia, Wahoo, Mahi, and Sharks. Look for manmade reefs and shipwrecks; there are hundreds of them in these seas!
6. The goal of offshore fishing is to catch the biggest predators you can locate. This is the big-boy territory, both for anglers and for fish. Blackfin Tuna, Ling, and massive Jacks and Mahi, are all there for the taking. Offshore cruises might range from 60 to 100 miles out to sea, but the journey is well worth it.

Booking Charters in Galveston 

Half-Day, Full Day, Multi-Day Charters 

This, again, depends on what you’re searching for and what experience you want. If you’re looking for a giant shark and an actual hunt, I recommend booking yourself a multi-day charter. Multi-day has many benefits; you’ll see more areas and have more opportunities than you would on either a half-day or full-day. You will catch impressively more than you would on a shorter charter. 

The full-day trip is best for experienced fishermen that aren’t looking for a multi-day commitment. It can be tricky to find a few days in a row to take the fishing journey. Full-day trips still offer various locations and usually plenty of fishing. You won’t feel rushed, but you also won’t have as much time as you would on a full day. 

A half-day trip is best for families or fishermen who don’t want to have a full-day commitment. You will get to enjoy fishing with a professional, getting many tips and experiences while not spending your entire day out on the water. You may feel rushed or not have enough time to indeed lure what you were looking for.