East Bay - Anytime & Often

You don’t need a huge bay for good fishing. A small bay with great structure plus marsh embossed borders can fill the bill.

That’s the case of East Bay, the smallest of the major bays in the Galveston Estuary. For years it was the best redfish bay on the upper Texas Coast, but back in those years it was also the best kept secret. East Bay is still the best upper coast redfish bay, but that’s no longer a secret, and the bay now gets heavy play from boaters and waders alike.

Starting with Hanna’s Reef on the southwest end, East Bay is rich with structure: scores of deep oyster reefs and pipe stands, Hanna’s Reef is a favorite of anglers who like to anchor their boats to fish cuts and drop-offs along the reef. Drift anglers favor the deep reefs to the northeast of Hanna’s Reef and Intracoastal Waterway and those who like to fish the birds. Areas like deep or Whitehead come to this writer mine………

Recently, Mike Heidemann and myself tested the waters in East Bay. With a stiff North wind we found protected shoreline. I knew fish were holding, especially on an outgoing tide, flushing the bait out on the flats, but to both our amazement, we had no idea what was to follow.

Using lime-truse Salt Water Assassins and pearl chartreuse Stanley Jigs, Mike and I found a bonanza of fish. Mike limited on reds to 27 inches and I had only 1 redfish. Then Mike caught another fish, thinking it was another red. He made the statement, “I’ll work on your limit”. This time when the fish surfaced, it was a huge speckled trout. Later we weighed the fish on a certified scale at Eagle Point Camp; it was a healthy 8.7 pounds and 27-3/4 inches long. Mike and myself scored numerous other big trout that day. Our total that afternoon was 13 trout and 5 reds.

Awesome Day……………

The boarders of East Bay offer excellent wade fishing, especially the stretch along the Bolivar Peninsula side. This stretch from Goat Island, the bay’s junction with Lower Galveston Bay, back to Elm Grove, offers excellent fishing for speckled trout, redfish and flounder. When the wind is light and parallel to the length of Bolivar Peninsula, some of the bigger coves can be fished by drifting. Whether you drift or wade, a boat is needed to reach these waters because you have to cross the Intracoastal Waterway that runs the length of Bolivar Peninsula.

The whole of Chambers County side of East Bay can be waded, with the best action generally on the flats behind the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. Access is either by the refuge or near Smith’s Point.

Some of the best redfish action in this bay is during the oyster season. Working oyster boats make the bay quite sandy and at times downright muddy. This isn’t conducive to decent fishing for speckled trout. The working oyster boats, however, stir up a lot of marine life upon which redfish feed. Don’t bother to fish in the immediate vacinity of the oyster boats. Instead, fish the flats and along the saltgrass marshes on the Bolivar Peninsula side of the bay.

East Bay is like West Bay in that it is a Galveston Estuary body of water little affected by fresh water runoff from heavy rains. This bay has two close connections with the Gulf of Mexico. Consequently the salinity level in this bay remains fairly constant, The connection with the Gulf of Mexico is Rollover Pass about 20 miles from the tip if the Bolivar Peninsula. The other connection is the Lower Galveston Bay at the mouth of the entrance to the seaway between the North and South Jetties.

Rollover Pass deserves special attention; it offers boatless anglers excellent flounder and golden croaker fishing every fall and spring.

There is no lack of fishing facilities (tackle and bait stands, boat-launching ramps, eating establishments) on Bolivar Peninsula. They are located all along the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s a different story on the Chambers County side of the bay. There are launching facilities on the roads leading to the bay, but all the concession stands selling bait; tackle, ice and food are located near Smith’s Point.

Located near Rollover Pass in East Bay, is two very important Bayou’s (Yates and Big Pasture). Wade near the mouths of either on a falling tide, and you will be rewarded with good stringers of spec’s and redfish. The bottom is a little soft. Wear proper boots with ray guards. Move slowly, always keying on nervous mullets or shad. Use top waters in this area for those speckled trout or redfish. Best bait is Baby Spooks or She Pups. Colors should be light in clear water and dark colors when the water is off-colored.

Access to most of the south shoreline by boat is through String Ray Cut or Seivers Cut. Boat launching from the end of the Dike is by far the closest, unless you use the Bolivar Ferry and make use of a few ramps along the Intercoastal Waterway.

Recent runoffs from the San Jacinto and Trinity Rivers have placed a great amount of timbers and other materials in the waters. Leaving before daylight could have serious consequences.

Look forward to seeing some of you wading or drifting East Bay.

CaptPaul Marcaccio

Fish Slow and Deep for Winter Bay Action

When winter cloud cover prevails, fish the deep holes located on your Hot Spot maps. Should the sun come out, simply move to the flats adjacent to these holes.

A bit later, we will discuss how to fish the flats, but first, we will work on those deep holes.

Even though you are anxious to bring home that big catch, take the time to use your fish finder to locate the pockets of fish suspended at different depths. Each day the fish will move to different parts of the deep structure. Always take the time to check out the entire hole and don’t just fish blind in deep water. Your catch will no doubt reflect the efforts of your search.

Once you have located schools of fish, mark the location with orange floaters. While drifting over the area, bounce the bait off the bottom as if you were jigging in freshwater. Always cover the entire area around your boat, and if the prevailing winds move you along too fast, simply use your drift anchor. Of course, you must not forget to check out those favorite spots you have developed from previous experiences in deep water.

Each time you cast, allow the bait to reach the bottom. Point your rod tip toward the water and jig up or twitch it side-to-side. Usually a trout or red will strike as the bait begins to fall. Always keep the bait moving in the area in which you are fishing since the fish are not considered aggressive and may need enticement to assume they have located a wounded fish. Fishing during January and February does require significant patience and dedication, bur generally, fish caught this time of year will put up a better fight and can weigh 3-to-5 pounds each.

Fish feed differently and less frequently during the winter and tend to nip or peck similar to some perch. Simply wail for a two-count, then set your hook.

Live bait is often difficult to find during the winter months, so you might want to try soft plastic shrimp tails, shad imitations and jerk worms. The best colors being strawberry with white fire tail, pearl with chartreuse tail, smoke, grape, or root beer. For additional movement, you may add the Flex-Jig.

The use of   ¾ - to - 1 ounce spoons are excellent, Try gold or silver with teaser. The fish can feel the vibration with their lateral lines.

Generally, you can cover more water with soft plastic and spoons, both vertically and horizontally.

Now its time to discuss fishin’ those flats after the sun has come out and begun to heat everything up.

You might try a topwater lures (Mirrolure Top Dog and She Dog, or Baby Spooks.

Any large bait is good to imitate the specific fish both the trout and redfish are looking for.

Most smaller bait is absent in the winter. You should look for slicks or pockets of live bait.

Always remember to relax and have fun outdoors and the best time to go fishin’ is anytime you can.

See ya’ll on Galveston Bay.

Capt Paul Marcaccio

East Galveston Bay - Best kept Secret.

 You don’t need a huge bay for good fishing. A small bay with great structure plus marsh embossed borders can fill the bill.

That’s the case of East Bay, the smallest of the major bays in the Galveston Estuary. For years it was the best redfish bay on the upper Texas Coast, but back in those years it was also a best kept secret. East Bay is still the best upper coast redfish bay, but that’s no longer a secret, and the bay now gets heavy play from boaters and waders alike.

 Starting with Hanna’s Reef on the southwest end, East Bay is rich with structure: scores of deep oyster reefs and pipe stands, Hanna’s Reef is a favorite of anglers who like to anchor their boats to fish cuts and drop-offs along the reef. The deep reefs to the northeast of Hanna’s Reef and extending back to the bay’s connection with the mouth of the Intracoastal Waterway are favored by drift anglers and those who like to fish the birds.

 The borders of East Bay offer excellent wade fishing, especially the stretch along the Bolivar Peninsula side. This stretch from Goat Island, the bay’s junction with Lower Galveston Bay, back to Elm Grove offers excellent fishing for speckled trout, redfish and flounder. When the wind is light and parallel to the length of Bolivar Peninsula some of the bigger coves can be fished by drifting. Whether you drift or wade, a boat is needed to reach these waters because you have to cross the Intracoastal Waterway that runs the length of Bolivar Peninsula.

The whole of Chambers County side of East Bay can be waded, with the best action generally on the flats near the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. Access is either by the Refuge or near Smith’s Point. Reefs like Stephenson Pt., Deep, and Robinson Bayou, just to name a few good ones.

 Some of the best redfish action in this bay is during the oyster season. Working oyster boats make the bay quite sandy and at times downright muddy. This isn’t conducive to decent fishing for speckled trout. The working oyster boats, however, stir up a lot of marine life upon which redfish feed. Fish in the immediate vacinity of the oyster boats. Fish the flats and along the saltgrass marshes on the Bolivar Peninsula side of the bay. As a rule of thumb, let the tidal movement move the sediment toward where you are drifting. Great production will results in following the oyster boats at times………………….

 East Bay is like West Bay in that it is a Galveston Estuary body of water little affected by fresh water runoff from heavy rains. This bay has two close connections with the Gulf of Mexico. Consequently the salinity level in this bay remains fairly constant. The connection with the Gulf of Mexico is Rollover Pass about 20 miles from the tip of Bolivar Peninsula. The other connection is the Lower Galveston Bay at the mouth of the entrance to the seaway between the North and South Jetties.

 Rollover Pass deserves special attention. It offers boatless anglers excellent flounder and golden croaker fishing every fall and spring.

There is no lack of fishing facilities (tackle and bait stands, boat-launching ramps, eating establishments) on Bolivar Peninsula. They are located all along the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s a different story on the Chambers County side of the bay. There are launching facilities on the roads leading to the bay, but all the concession stands selling bait, tackle, ice and food supplies are located near Smith’s Point at the far northwest corner of the bay.

 Take advantage of the north shoreline, reefs like Deep, Whitehead and Richards, are excellent reefs to drift and find good solid speckled trout and redfish. Make use of the Salt Water Bass Assassins or Mirrolures baits in soft or hard plastics. Colors include bone-diamond, limetruse, Texas roach and pearl-chartreuse. Top water products like the She Pup or the Baby Super Spook are great tools for those elusive fish over 25 inches. Colors should be light in clear water and dark in off-colored water. Present temps are in the mid-70?

 Recent winds and rains from the upper watersheds have had a great effect on quality catching of speckled trout and redfish. Spring tides are up 2-3 feet at present. Fish are close to drains and bayous on the incoming and out some on the outgoing tide periods.

  Always file a flight plan. That way, someone can start to look for your group should you break down or worse, need medical assistance.

God bless you and your families.

Capt Paul Marcaccio

Fishing Trinity Bay

In general, the temperature slowly starts to drop from the dog days of summer and the speckled trout and redfish move into Trinity Bay, which is bordered on three sides by land (mostly marshes).

It is often said we fish all year to get ready for the final part of the season, known to most anglers as “Trinity Bay in the Fall”.

Everyone has a particular time of the year to fish or method to use, but I really enjoy the fall fishing patterns that develop from mid-September to late-December each year. These patterns include wade fishing, drift fishing, fishing gas wells and pipe stands, and the most popular of them all “chasing the birds”.

Salinity plays a major role on the trout’s ability to stay in the area, and any excessive amount of fresh water coming from several water sheds in the bay will push the trout out of the area towards Galveston, appearing in large numbers around the north and south jetties. This year, with the San Jacinto and Trinity Rivers out of its banks, fish are staging near the channel markers 50 to 72……………..

They will also fan out on the beachfront where or wade fishermen Can catch their limits. The fish will return to Trinity Bay when the salinity is stable.

Most of this bay is only accessible by boat, but some can reach public ramps by using their ‘Hot Spot’ map, and may elect to trailer to some of these ramps instead of traveling across the open bay. It doesn’t take very long for Mother Nature to turn Trinity Bay into an ugly sea with waves in excess of five to seven feet.

It is best to wade or drift fish early in the day. This is the time when the speckled trout are in shallow waters looking for bait fish.

While wading, use your previous experience and knowledge to scan the waters for signs of trout. ‘Slicks’ will pop up generally in these areas, about the size of a washtub. Position yourself upwind of these telltale signs of feeding trout and cast around and inside of each one. Not always will you catch trout, but I have found these slicks to have gaff-top and sometimes hardheads in them.

Be assured that if you work several slicks that day, your stringer will be rewarded with trout.

Look for pockets of bait that appear to be nervous or being herded around. The trout are under them and the bait is not sure when they will feed. Areas like Hodges, Submerged, and Double Bayou are noted for quality fish to 25 inches.

As the day begins to heat up from the sun, move to the open bay and work the gas wells and pipe stands or some of the large separators. Also, work structure like oyster beds or areas that have guts running parallel with the shoreline. Lady’s Pass or Deep Reef is excellent ones. You will find success because these trout will wait in ambush in these guts or oyster beds and feed on the bait as it crosses these areas.

A good method is to drift on either side of the wells and if you pick up a trout, return and anchor in the general area. Sometimes, if the fishermen in your boat are quick enough to tell you of their catch, you may want to anchor.

Keep moving from well to well until you find the fish and be alert to tide and current in these areas. Most of your fish will be caught on the down side of the well from which the tide is moving.

Another option is to set out your anchor at a particular well and work it for at least 30 to 45 minutes, Remember; fish patterns can change, so be patient in these areas.

Each year, the birds in Trinity Bay lead fishermen to limits of trout and redfish. It sounds so simple, but in practice is not often so.

Once you locate the flock, make a turn upwind approximately 100 feet and drift into the area. Schools of speckled trout and occasionally big gaff top will work under the shrimp and herd them to the surface where they catch the attention of the gulls.

Speckled trout will often go on a feeding frenzy and hit anything you throw in the area. Be sure and cast around the edges, and if you can get your bait down quickly enough, solid trout to three pounds will be your reward.

The trout near the surface will be smaller, but more aggressive. Use ‘Bass Assassin’ or even a gold spoon. There is no point anchoring here unless there is a complete absence of wind.

Once you move out of the area, crank up and move upwind and start another drift.

Some anglers prefer the “sling-shot” method, which may or may not be good in certain situations. This method means to go full tilt with your engine until you are right in the middle of the diving birds, shut your engine down and work in he area 360 degrees around the boat. While this may be successful, be sure other boats are not already working the same set of birds.

Pay attention to gulls that fly for a minute and return to the same area and set upon he water. The shrimp and trout are down deeper and the birds are waiting for them to be driven to the surface.

Take special note to be careful and not disturb other boaters working a particular set of birds. If there are three or more boats in the area, move off and start a look through you binoculars. There are sure to be other birds working over schools of bait.

As always, enjoy the day fishing and catching your favorite species.

Remember what you have learned and pass it on to the little ones. You too, were young once.

Good lock and good fishing.

See you’ll on Galveston Bay.

Capt. Paul Marcaccio