Will be going to kemah over memorial holidays never fished saltwater before and will be taking my CC boat closest thing I have fished was Texoma. Will anyone give me some tips as what type of structure to look for Interested in catching anything that will bite. Will there be dropoffs like lakes or just flat bottoms? Really hope for some input dont have a clue as to which way to point the boat. I was tolf by other tffers to fish channel at kemah bridge.How rough of water to expect there? Does big ships go there? Is there large wakes from them? I have a bayliner trophy 17 ft with bow to waterline about 30 inches is this enough boat to fish the galveston bay?

il Post

My suggestion is to take along a friend who is familiar with the area, your first time out, if possible. If your trailer isnt galvanized or aluminum, leave your boat at home and wade. Not worth it. The salt will eat it up. Be sure and flush your engine as soon as you get home, should you decide to put that rig in saltwater.

Thanks frog,
Yes I have a so called bay boat center console the trailer is galvanized.It never has seen a bay as well as I.I,m an avid fisherman fishing for striper and sandbass and big cats, with lots of success. I always bypass the shallow water looking for major dropoffs or humps and flats near deep water. The bay thing really dont understand what to look for. I hear look for shell reefs what would it look like on sonar? I have a lowrance color igps I have not purchased a hot maps chip yet. Once you locate fish whats a typical live bait rig like. Weight size hook size line size. I'm taking my grown sons hoping to catch some on our own without going out on charter.

Current, baitfish, water clarity are what you'll be looking for. The bottom changes are minute, and your sonar will be pretty well useless.

Get a good hooksetter map, study it, they show the major areas that hold fish. Galveston is the toughest nut to crack, muddy water and crowds tend to reward the most savvy.

I agree with Pat. You don't really use a fish finder in the bay other than to judge depth, which will generally be less than 10 feet. And usually 4-6 feet. Your map or navigation chip will put you on more structure than the fish finder. It's a whole different ball game than freshwater.

I have never fished kemah area, but I know alot about galveston and san luis pass area.......It is my favorite stomping ground.....We esp love the san luis pass area....Some great fishing there...You never know what you will catch. You can catch nice specs, reds, flounder, shark, or even get spooled by something unexpected, as I did, twice in 10 minutes...It won't happen again to me...

the channel is pretty protected from the wind...as far as big boat traffic concerning the size of your boat, i dont think you'll have a problem there...it's not located out in the middle of the bay so no tankers to worry about...if you plan to run out in the bay, then i suggest you do as others have said and get yourself a map....the kemah flats are an excellent place to fish just as long as you dont run too close to shore...alot of structure there to fish...tight lines to you!!!