July 8, 2008- Summertime Fishing Report:
I started off the 2008 Tarpon season down in South Texas. The fishing in South Padre Island started out pretty good for both Tarpon and Snook then declined towards the end of the first week of June. The first Tarpon caught on my boat was on June 1st and we went 3 for 5 on June 2nd. The corps of engineers started doing major dredging in the Brazos-Santiago Pass around the 4th of June and it really stained the water and seemed to push the Tarpon and bait out of the pass. The wind never really was conducive to fishing the beach. It blew 15-20 on average every day for the first 2 weeks of June down there. The uncontrollable elements really affected the Tarpon Fishing. When the wind blew we spent most of the mornings concentrating on Snook and did quite well with quite a few fish in the 5-8lb class.

Tarpon fishing in Galveston has been consistent when the weather allows us to get out there. We have been battling storms and wind the past week and a half. After returning from South Texas my boat went 1 for 4 on Tarpon on June 18th. On June 19th we went 2 for 3. Last week Bobby Gunther and I had a pretty good day, going 2 for 3 on Tarpon up to about 130 lbs. On July 8th my boat is 9 for 19 for the 2008 Tarpon Season. All of my Tarpon bites have come on jigs, in 40-50 of water. Finding the bait has been the key.

Trout fishing in upper Galveston bay has been consistent on days with good tidal movement and manageable winds. Most action has been drifting in 3-5 foot of water concentrating on Slicks and Bait. I have been using Limetreuse Bass Assasins rigged on 1/4oz jig heads. The Galveston harbor has produced a few fish on outgoing tides. The Surf has been holding allot of trout in the 2-3lb range but the wind has been too strong to get to them on most days.

I had a chance to go offshore a couple of days ago with my friend in his new 33 contender. We went out of Freeport concentrating on a billfish bite. We ended up catching 1 Blue Marlin about 130lbs and 3 nice Wahoo. We also had one other marlin bite that missed the hook. All bites came on Islanders rigged with ballyhoo.

The Galveston Tarpon fishing will only get better as we get closer to August. I am currently booking Galveston Bay Fishing Trips and Galveston Tarpon Trips through the end of September. I am also booking October Tarpon and Snook Trips for South Padre Island, I have the following dates available: October 4th thru 11th.

For more information or to inquire about open dates I can be reached at (409) 789-8044 or by email at jakereaves2000@yahoo.com.

Tight Lines, Capt. Jacob Reaves

Clcik here to watch a video clip of a nice 120lb tarpon caught on June 19th.

any redfish and flounder successes?

Thanks for the report.