You can fly fish in Galveston, Texas year-round, but in the winter months of January, February and March in many bays produce good catches of speckled sea trout. During this time of year, the water cools and the fish move into the shallow areas on the bays. These shallow areas allow for easy wade-fishing access. Even if you’re looking for fishing areas from your boat, wading lets you quietly approach the fish.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Things You’ll Need:
- Waders
Step 1
Select a fast-action, 8- to 10-foot, 6 to 10 weight fly rod. Because you’re stalking fish while wading, you want to get your fly as far away from you as you can. Heavier weight rods help bring in larger saltwater fish in without straining too much.
Step 2
Fish the leeward shore on a high tide. Speckled trout move to areas that remain out of the wind for a few days and the higher tides bring them onto flats. Robert Sloan of Gulf Coast Fisherman Magazine notes professional guides find fish year-round with this technique.
Step 3
Cast larger saltwater shrimp or streamer fly patterns. Larger trophy fish feed only a few times a day and they go after larger prey. You want your flies to look large to attract the trophy trout. Try bright colors, like silver, chartreuse and orange.
Step 4
Watch for jumping baitfish. If you see a few minnows jump out of the water, then there’s a predator fish chasing them. Cast your fly towards where you saw them.
Tips & Warnings
- Look for slick or green water. When trout feed, they let out some of the prey’s oil. It makes the surface look green or slick.
- Look for seagulls hovering over the water or diving into the water. Seagulls look for bait fish. There’s a good chance that if the seagulls have seen the bait fish, then the trout are pushing them to the surface.
- Some of the most accessible areas for wading include Dollar Flats, Seabrook Flats and Sylvan Beach. All offer easy wading with hard sand bottoms and no tricky drops.
- While wading, keep your catch on a long stringer to help keep the sharks away from your body.
- If you get a cut, clean it quickly. It could prevent a Vibrio infection.
