Need Help!!! I recently bought a 24 foot center console triton, and am wanting to get into rig fishing. The Galveston area is the most accessible, but would listen to other options. How is the fishing at the first set of rigs going out of galveston? what kind of fish are expected? Is this boat large enough for the waves?

I think the nearshore rigs are pretty good spots during the late spring but as soon as summer rolls in they are hit or miss.


The main reason for that is they are heavily pressured and everyone and their grandma fishes them. Some times it's a real swarm of boaters and it gets old on the weekends.

In late late AUG and SEPT they heat up again but since the winds are low, you get a lot of the bay boaters out there along with the larger CC's. Plus everyone is trying to make a late summer push.

Other than that I think you would have better luck on the 20-30 mile mark. You boat can handle it, we have taken 21' Kenner's out to 40 on calm days.


-Z-

Thanks for the info Z. Thinking about making a trip next weekend depending on weather. Do I need to plan on heading out for the 30 mile rigs in winter?

Mmm ask me on Tuesday.. During winter it's all about the weather.. Gotta check the bouy's..

master angler,

The 10-12 mile rigs out of Galveston are not only heavily fished, but maybe more importantly, don't have the depth and water clarity that really enables great pelagic species fishing. If you can slide down the coast to Freeport, you will find better water quality much closer to shore and also hit deeper water quicker. Same for launching further south.

The single most important thing, IMO, is to have an unsinkable boat. Well constructed boats from 15 feet on up can handle offshore fishing...but every sport fishing boat that clears the jetties better have upright flotation to keep it from sinking. Things can happen fast out there and it is a totally unforgiving environment. It is great fun, but you should never relax out there and always should be on the alert to protect your passengers and yourself from disaster. Talk to guys that are out there every day like Mike Williams and they will absolutely tell you the same thing...unsinkable boat and caution are mandatory survival skills.

Be especially careful re weather in winter fishing out there. You definitely do not want to be out there in any size small boat in a blue norther....if you ever want to see land again.

Enjoy some of the best fishing you will find anywhere!!

I wouldn't recommend going 30 miles out in a 24' boat this time of year, unsinkable or not. Even 2-3 seas, which is calm for the gulf, will give you a rough ride. Wait until the weather settles down some in the Spring or Summer. Even then, watch carefully as squalls pop up and get on you quickly if you don't pay attention.

when fishing the Gulf, no matter where i 'am FL to Tx first always check out your chart and water depth on the chart, you want the deepest water closes in, when fishing small boats, that is always a rule of thumb to landing big fish, live bait and bottom structure and knowing where you are, and water temp, makes for a good day on the water to.

Drive 50 miles further and put in at Freeport. You will get to deeper water faster. Lots more to tell ya but I have to go.

We fish alot out of galveston from a small center console like you do. We have had pretty good luck considering. I don't fish a ton of rigs but other bottom structure. If you are gonna fish the rigs do stuff a little different than others. Instead of tieing directly to the rig, anchor up-current and chum your tail off. Sometimes this will get some keeper snapper hungry and you can have some fun. Other than that, there are actually quite a few kings and spanish macks around the close rigs. It all depends on what you are looking to catch. As for sow snapper...prolly not gonna happen but doesn't mean you wont have a blast fishing in your own boat and success is in the eye of the beholder.

Well....first i want to thank everyone for the great info.. I did go this past weekend, went out of galveston the fishing was not great out on the rigs and the weather prevented me going out further. I did get into some pretty good bay fishing that saved the trip. Will try going out of Freeport on next trip. Thanks again for the help.

what'd ya catch in the bay???