By Captain Bryan Brawner
We are still looking at challenging fishing conditions in Galveston East Bay due to the fresh water persisting in the bay with salinity content nil and water conditions bad on most days. You can see by the latest map that the salinity content of a good portion of the bay is at the lowest end of the scale. These conditions here and in Trinity Bay have pushed most of the existing fishing action west to reefs and rocks around Texas City. There might be several keepers caught in certain areas there for a day or two by a few boats but those reefs are heavily pressured now leaving a lot of gafftop catfish, which seem to have taken over the area the last few days.

The jetty area and areas west can offer some fishing opportunities now that rough weather is gone for a few days at least. Although they are hard to get in Bolivar, live shrimp are the best to fish the jetty area successfully for game fish unless going for sharks or drum.

No changes on the beachfront as surf fishing continues to be excellent with speckled trout and sharks being caught at the beachfront. Now is the time to be in the surf as that’s where the fish went. Topwaters and spoons working early. Miss Nancy’s Bait camp and Sea Pony Tackle in Winnie will have you covered for surf fishing bait and tackle.

For those that have taken my class, no changes, we are in late summer patterns with fresh water conditions still present. Only a few scattered spots within running distance are fishable but change quickly. Redfish summer patterns as we discussed. Also, check out the summer areas that we stressed for drifting and birds. Don’t forget to ask for your included updates for bay and surf fishing before you go out.

Now is the best opportunity to invest your time in a private on the water class/seminar to be ready when fishing finally turns around into the fall. There are some days now open in August for reserved private on the water classes. Reserve your time now as we have had to work around the persistent strong winds and storms to conduct classes in the best conditions.

This time of year we can run trips where the whole family can be successful with a large variety of fish. Email for questions and availability. Now is the time to book an East Bay Class with the prime fishing just around the corner.

For exact fishing locations and techniques, I am conducting one-on-one classes of the Galveston East Bay System. We will spend a half-day trip exploring that bay and the techniques and timing of fishing there. Bring your hand-held GPS and a map and note pad and I will further your knowledge of the bay and patterns for fishing in all of the seasons of the year. These classes include everything from locations to tackle and lure selection; thus have a lot of content. So, I limit them to 2 persons max at a time. Call 409-256-1265 for more information. We cover a lot of area and burn a lot of gas.

Text or call 409-256-1265 for availability of trips and to reserve your fishing adventure. You can also e-mail me [email protected] for updated fishing conditions and trip availability.

Check my website www.galvestoncoastalfishing.com for prices and more information.

Captain Bryan Brawner

[July 27, 2021]