Separating its eponymous bay from the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston, Texas, is known for its fishing prowess. The inshore waters are full of Texan favorites and the city boasts access to the blue waters offshore. Galveston deep sea fishing is sometimes overlooked but we’re here to tell you that it shouldn’t be the case!
Don’t believe us? By the time you’re done reading this, we bet you will. We’ll give you a rundown of what makes big game adventures out of this coastal city special. Find out what fish you can target, how to land them, when to come, and much more, as we let you in on the best of Galveston deep sea fishing. So let’s get cracking.
What can I catch when deep sea fishing in Galveston?
The first thing you want to know before deciding on a fishing destination is what you can catch. Well, the Gulf of Mexico’s deep waters offer up a who’s who of big game species. Head out beyond the reefs to the oil rigs, or go even further to the vast expanse of blue waters. Wherever you go, you’ll come across plenty of prized creatures. Here’s our pick of the best.
Snappers and Groupers
You may be surprised to see Snappers and Groupers make the list of deep sea fishing targets. Yes, they’re commonly associated with the reefs in the Gulf of Mexico but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The further out you go, the bigger these creatures get, and there’s a range of them on offer too.
The whole Gulf coast goes mad when the federal Red Snapper season hits. Book early to come in summer and you could get your hands on an oversized, delicious specimen. When it comes to Groupers, Gag, Scamp, Black, Red, Snowy, and Warsaw varieties are available depending on where you cast your line. The majority average around the 30 lb mark, but 100 lb plus creatures are not uncommon.
While Grouper season is open year-round, you’ll want to release the bigger creatures, as some of the species are endangered. However, smaller Scamps make for the best food anyway, so you can’t go wrong. Just get ready for a real battle against whatever you target here.
Cobia and Amberjack
Much like Snappers and Groupers, Cobia and Amberjack are ubiquitous in the Gulf of Mexico. And, just like them, they’re incredibly fun to target and delicious to eat. As with their feisty friends, they also grow to incredible sizes the further out you go. Texas’ Amberjack record stands at 121 pounds, with a Cobia of 108 pounds tipping the scales. Who knows? Your Galveston deep sea fishing adventure may rival those!
Unlike their counterparts, these creatures are not endangered and their populations are aplenty. Amberjack season is shut in Texas in June and July, but Cobia are available year-round. That means that whenever you hit the deep waters, there’s a good chance that you’ll be bringing home something delicious for dinner.
Mahi Mahi and Tuna
Speaking of dinner, there are few fish more revered in the world for their meat than Tuna and Mahi Mahi. Much like the creatures we’ve talked about already, these two offer all-around fun. From the moment you cast until long after you’re back on dry land, these fish will keep you entertained. Get ready for a serious workout to hook ‘em aboard, before reaping in the reward of a full cooler.
These pelagic creatures come to the oil rigs to feed, but are often at their best in the deeper waters beyond. Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna are the most common, along with the ever-present Mahi Mahi. However, Skipjack, Blackfin, Bigeye, and even record-sized Bluefin Tuna have been caught in the Gulf’s deep waters. One thing’s for sure, you’re in for plenty of fun when targeting these beauties.
Marlin and Sailfish
Okay, so we’ve gone through the tastiest creatures in the ocean, the only thing that’s left is to talk about the most sought-after. Wherever they can be found, Marlin and Sailfish tend to top the list of catches in the area and Galveston deep sea fishing is no exception.
Get ready for a serious workout and an aesthetic show that no other fish can manage when you hook these bad boys. Marlin will leap out of the water, putting on an acrobatic display for you to enjoy. Meanwhile, Sailfish are among the most attractive fish in the world. And, they also grow to incredible sizes here – imagine creatures nearing 1,000 pounds!
When the season hits, you can find these beasts less than 40 miles offshore, but you can target them on multi-day trips up to 100 miles out year-round. This is fishing for the pros, so if you fancy landing the fish of your dreams, come and make the most of it!
And More!
That by no means covers all the fish you can target on a Galveston deep sea fishing adventure, but we think they deserve a special status. That’s not to say that the other creatures you’ll find on the end of your line should be forgotten.
On the contrary! Oversized, tough-fighting Barracuda and delicious Kingfish can be found in abundance around the rigs. Meanwhile, Wahoo and Sharks offer up a worthy supporting cast in the deep. There’s also the chance to land some of the most delicious fish in the ocean if you go far enough. Try deep dropping for Tilefish and Swordfish, and you’ll be the envy of anglers all over (more on that later!).
When is the best time for deep sea fishing in Galveston?
The Texas coastline is known for its year-round warm climate, which means that you can go fishing whenever you want. However, the waters are murky in winter and spring, so you’ll have to go out beyond 50 miles to reach the honey holes.
May through October is the best time for a Galveston deep sea fishing adventure. Trips as short as 10 hours will give you the chance to fill your buckets, while multiday trips will see you really maximize your chances of landing a trophy and plenty of meat.
We’ve briefly mentioned some restrictions above, but Tuna and Mahi Mahi are available year-round to harvest, with their peak season coming in summer. This is also peak Billfish season, along with open Snapper season, so you can really grab a mixed bag!
How to Go Deep Sea Fishing in Galveston
So you know what to catch and when to come, now it’s time to explore some of the techniques you’ll be using on your Galveston deep sea fishing adventure. How you’ll cast your line depends on what you want to catch and how far you go. Whether around the rigs, on the open waters, or looking for something at the bottom of the ocean, there’s a different technique to get you the biggest bang for your buck.
Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing is a popular, hands-on fishing technique that provides fun for anglers of all skill levels. If you’re fishing around the rigs, this is your best bet, as you jig your bait near the structures or seabed to entice the bite. Snappers, Groupers, Cobia, and Amberjack are all possible catches with this technique, so get ready for fun, fight, and food!
Trolling
If you’re out on the open waters and looking for some monster big game creatures, sit back and let the trolling lines do the work. You or your captain can set up the lines with bait or lures, before you drag them behind the boat to mimic a swimming baitfish. Billfish, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Wahoo are all tempted by the prospect of food near the water tops, so you should be prepared for a serious fight when you hear the reels screech.
Deep Dropping
The clue’s in the name with this one! If you want to go after those bottom-dwelling monsters that taste so good, you’ll want some electric reels that drop to distances of 1,000 feet or more. Along with Tilefish and Swordfish, some of the bigger, more elusive Grouper species could be biting at the end of your line. Settle in for a long, hard battle when they take the bait. It’ll definitely be worth it!
Anything else?
Before you embark on your Galveston deep sea fishing voyage, you’ll need to make sure you’re fishing within the law. We’ve covered some of the regulations above, but there are also bag and size limits you should be aware of. Check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s website for the latest information.
Other than that, you’ll also need a Texas saltwater fishing license – if you’re over 17 years old, that is! And yes, even though you’ll be fishing in federal waters, you need one. Thankfully, we’ve got a handy guide to help you get yours.
And You’re Good to Go!
That pretty much covers what you can expect on a Galveston deep sea fishing adventure. While inshore fishing is plenty of fun, there’s nothing quite like hitting the open waters. Of course, the best thing to do is try it out for yourself. Head out with a professional guide and experience the fishing trip of a lifetime!
And now over to you! Have you ever been deep sea fishing in Galveston? How was it? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
