Can you say wet? That is how I can describe this year. It has been a long time since our bay system has received this much rain and runoff. Some may think it has a negative impact for our waters. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. This year’s influx of fresh water helps all aquatic wildlife.
Locating Specks in Galveston Bay
Areas that have been slow for specks, due to the recent draught, will now become the go-to-places.
In July and August, look for the waters adjacent to the Houston/Galveston ship channel. The so-called spoil banks, along the channel from markers 46-54, should hold plenty of trout. Keying in on the shell reefs will be the ticket to catching fish. These spoils can be fished by either anchoring or drifting.
LIve shrimp is also a good choice for luring in trout.
When drifting, live shrimp under a cork and soft plastics lures should be utilized. When anchoring, live croaker will be the best bait. Although some folks like to dredge them, I prefer to anchor and fish them Carolina rigged with a 1/8 to 3/8 ounce weight. Maybe even just a split shot depending on the flow of the tide.
When fishing the spoils the use of a good depth finder is a necessity. The average depth of the area is 10 feet. Anytime your bottom reading changes by one or more feet, its a good indication that you’re on shell.
Sometimes fish will hold on top of the hump. Other times, they’ll be just off the edges of the shell. Fish the area thoroughly before moving to the next spot.
Always use caution when fishing along the channel. Wakes from passing ships can be dangerous. As a rule, use plenty of anchor rope and make sure you’re in deep enough water to ride out the passing wake. Anything less than eight feet is too shallow. Move to deeper water and once the wake passes you can move back to your spot.
For the past couple years, the dry conditions have limited the action in this area. This year’s rain should stack the fish along the spoils. They will hold there until their return to Trinity Bay and Upper Galveston Bay in the Fall.
