I just got a 20 foot CC and will be looking to go out from Galveston. not looking to go more then 10 miles or so. are there man made reefs? Oil rigs? whats the basic season for different kinds of fish? looking for some ideas so i can do some research.

thanks

you can go pretty much anywhere my friend..east and west bay, north and south jetties, the boat cut of the north jetties will produce some nice reds and trouts.

I did forget to say i wont be able to go for another 3 months or so. thanks

Anything more than 2-3 foot seas and your in for a rough ride in a 20' boat. There is some structure within 10 miles and lots of different kinds of fish, Reds, Jacks, Tripletail, some huge Tarpon and when conditions are good, you get Kings and Ling in that close. Buy a good offshore map and make sure your GPS is working.

What kind of fishing do you want to do? Bay fishing or offshore or both?

yes both, some offshore and bay. where would i find out about that structure around 10 miles out? Are there maps i can buy that will show it?

Academy has offshore maps.

CJG,

I'll do some quick narrowing down for you....Since your new to the salt...start planning trips to Galveston in March....you can fish year round though.....March through May you'll likely need to stay in the bays and Jettys with a 20 ft. boat....Target the North and south Jetty's.....the boat cut on the North Jetty...the south shorline of East Galveston Bay...theoyster reefs in East galveston bay and the gas rigs in the bay...(Tip_ always fish the east side of the gas rigs as thats where the construction crew dumped oyster shell mounds for structural rig support

I wouldn't plan on going offshore to the oil platforms until late June, July and August. Reason being these. The hot summer months bring high pressure which keeps storms away and wind and makes for small seas...you can get 2 foot seas or even less alot of the time through the heat of the summer.....Also its the hot time of the year when the really "blue" water comes in closer more often. The blue water is what going to hold species like Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, Wahoo, ling, tuna and even sailfish....if you put your boat in, at Galveston Yatch basin and head out to sea...you can reach the first oil platforms in about 25 or 30 minutes ride, assuming the seas are calm. The first rigs are 12-14 miles out....when you get back to Galveston Yatch Basin...you'll have about a half a tank of fuel left, assuming you dont do alot of trolling ( these numbers are based on a well running 125 horse motor and a 36 gallon fuel tank)

I will say this...offshore in a small vessel "aint no joke"...You will DEFINATELY need a GOOD marine radio and antennae incase you get in trouble or your motor breaks....you will also need 2 to 300 feet of anchor rope to set up where you want. The water at the first rigs is 50-55 ft. deep....you should also take a hand held GPS device....and definately install one of those floating compasses...All else fails...head north....Keep a set of flares and flare gun. You cant be too safe. And above all.....Keep your eye on the sky while out there....at 14 miles out...storms can build between you and land...its going to take you at least 30 minutes to get back in...but the minute the wind from a storm starts blowing, the ocean can go from 2 foot swells to 4 foot swells in 5 or 10 minutes...if you see anything that looks like a thunderstorm building....reel in and head to shore

thank you for the info that helps a lot. the boat does have 60 gallon tank with a 150hp. I do understand about those storms coming up real fast. I've fish out of pensacola a few times and its not worth taking a chance if the weather looks rough.

you can always hire a well known guide (mike william @ tarpon express)in galveston area and go out with them, trying to ask as many questions as possible and learn from that.

Yeah i've been thinking about doing that, have to wait and see how things are going.

Barstow tells the truth about a 20 footer offshore. Not trying to be a wise-arse, but you can DIE VERY EASILY in a 20 footer....especially before June or July. I grew up on the coast, and am no stranger to rough water.....that being said...there is no way I'd advise anyone to go offshore in a 20 footer. You dont realize how small you are until you hit 4-6 foot seas in a 20 footer. You have engine trouble 2 miles out in a 20 footer and add some wind.... you'll die. Too much can go wrong. Not saying it cant be done, because I've done it in my younger days. There's just no sense in it.

The good news is that there are LOTS of inshore or near inshore places down there to take it and catch all the fish you want.

well I guess I need to find out more about the near inshore fishing. I have been out 10 miles or so in a 20 footer and I think with the right cations and weather it can be down in a safe way. I will take yalls advice and wait till june, july and aug.

Thanks