Texas Fishing Forum

Galveston Surf Question (and West Bay)

Posted By: LeonSulak

Galveston Surf Question (and West Bay) - 06/17/19 04:35 PM

What weight jig head do you prefer in the surf?

Also, is it worth wading in West bay by the Kayak drop in? I noticed on the map there are some flats around deer island.

Thanks for any input. Family will be there for a week in late June.
Posted By: Sgrem

Re: Galveston Surf Question (and West Bay) - 06/17/19 05:09 PM

1/8 ounce to 1/4 ounce.

But i very often throw a top water.

Also simply an unweighted or very lightly weighted hook with a Troutsupport Lure Grasswalker is deadly. Throw them much much more than jig heads in the surf. Easier to cast and much better to work that water column in surf conditions.
Posted By: LeonSulak

Re: Galveston Surf Question (and West Bay) - 06/17/19 05:38 PM

Would I have better odds of trout in late June in the surf or bay? I know many factors play into this, but asking generally. Thanks
Posted By: Sgrem

Re: Galveston Surf Question (and West Bay) - 06/17/19 06:12 PM

Not to be pretentious....but....if the surf is right....surf. If the bay is right....bay. You wont know unless you go. Turn the corner and give it a look.

I would relax and not try to analyze the sun, moon, tide, winds, solstice, phase, barometric pressure, and internet reports. Always go when you can go.
Posted By: karstopo

Re: Galveston Surf Question (and West Bay) - 06/17/19 09:24 PM

If the surf is wadeable, it’s hard to pass up. I’m prone to loading up the kayak and then driving by and taking a look at the surf. If I see something interesting, I’ll start the day with a wade in the surf. Then I might hit the bay in the kayak later. They really aren’t all that far apart in distance, so you can potentially do both in one day without it being too hard on the body.

I don’t tend to use jig heads with soft plastics a lot in the surf. I like 1/8 and 1/16 ounce heads for the most part, but it’s no trouble carrying a few heavier ones just in case. I’ve enjoyed using topwaters like skitterwalks in the surf, but really lots of things can work. Spoons, suspending type plugs, etc.

A good day in the surf with lots of action is about tops, but it’s hard to predict exactly when the wind, waves, sargassum and anything else you can conjure up will combine to allow for comfortable wade fishing.

If I get a relatively flat surf, I’m going to try and make it work, whatever the water looks like or the bait is doing before I think about going to plan B.
Posted By: Pat Goff

Re: Galveston Surf Question (and West Bay) - 06/17/19 11:26 PM

Technology is great, there's surf cams all up and down the coast, when you see the surf fall flat, that's when you go, if it's messed up, you fish the bay.

https://www.livebeaches.com/state/texas/page/2/
Posted By: LeonSulak

Re: Galveston Surf Question (and West Bay) - 06/18/19 01:40 AM

What pound fluro can I get away with in the surf?
Posted By: karstopo

Re: Galveston Surf Question (and West Bay) - 06/18/19 02:21 AM

For leader? Use what you want. Ladyfish abrade fluorocarbon so bring extra if those happen to be in the surf. Bluefish, sharks and Spanish mackerel will sever fluorocarbon, but 25 or 30# material might last through one or two of those fish. Some of those fish might hit your barrel swivel if you use one of those. I like using a knot to join the fluorocarbon leader to the braided line, that avoids the barrel swivel strikers.

15# fluorocarbon material is good for trout. That’s generally what I have on. I go heavier when there’s something else to consider like sharp structure or problem fish. I guess you could go lighter to something like 12#, but I don’t see the 15# material causing any presentation issues. I like a loop knot to join the leader to the lure. I’m just not a fan of swivels when using anything in the line of artificial lures, but plenty use swivels, both barrel type, snap, and other types to facilitate quick lure changes or handle lures that cause line twist.
Posted By: RO519

Re: Galveston Surf Question (and West Bay) - 06/20/19 05:43 PM

I'm headed down to Crystal beach this weekend. It looks like its going to be too windy to hit the surf... Any truck accessible areas I can go wade? I don't have a kayak or anything. Just wade booties and a belt.
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