If the forecasts hold, this could be the best week so far this year for fishing. The water is warming and a light wind is supposed to prevail most of the week, with very small chances of thunderstorms. Monday, the beachfront was almost flat and the water was rapidly clearing up after last weekend’s strong winds and thunderstorms. This could be one of those opportunities to get in on some early-season action around the jetties and the beachfront. Offshore seas should be tolerable for smaller boats, and, for those who are able to head out this week, some of the first pelagic fish of the year could be your reward. Ling in particular are likely to be making a run to the shallow waters along the beachfront and around the jetties. Early Monday, there were no signs of activity in the surf; however, keep an eye open for mullet jumping and birds, especially pelicans and seagulls, diving for bait. That will be a sure sign that fish are feeding along the beach front. East and West Bays will benefit from the nice conditions, and, as a bonus, tides will become progressively stronger as the week goes on and as we head for next Monday’s full moon. Our only fishing report Monday came from the 61st Street Fishing Pier where whiting, gafftop and Atlantic sharp nose sharks were being caught. We all know that in April we cannot depend on light winds lasting long. So, the next few days could be an excellent time to take advantage of this window of opportunity.

Other activities displaced fishing for anglers on Wednesday. Gusty wind and a tornado watch discouraged most people from getting on the water. It appears that conditions will settle by this weekend and we can get back into business on the fishing scene. The flood tides generated by strong southeast winds Wednesday afternoon will benefit fishermen, as they are flooding the marshes and wetlands with clean Gulf waters that will have a positive impact on the estuaries. Add fresh rainfall that is in the forecast to be associated with the passing frontal system and the reproductive cycle in the coastal nursery grounds should be given a big boost. The upcoming Easter weekend likely will draw a good number of anglers to the Galveston area. Each year we get questions from readers planning to visit Galveston and the surrounding areas on how the fishing will be this weekend. Almost always I respond by saying that it will be determined by the wind. How strong it blows and from what direction will dictate what kind of fishing we can expect. Based on the forecasts, it appears that the weather will start settling by Friday, and that is good news for many anglers as that is a holiday for many people. Prior to this spell of turbulent weather, nice catches were reported from all around the island. The annual black drum run was in full swing and should continue where it left off last weekend. Reds are being caught, along with good numbers of sizable sheepshead. We are in that time frame when some of the largest speckled trout of the year are caught. Recent reports indicate that the big sows are spawning and anglers who know where to find them are scoring well on the 25-inch and larger trout. Hopefully, we can get an indication of where the action might take place by the time Friday’s Reel Report goes to press.

We welcome the first wave of spring break visitors this week, and those interested in fishing the Galveston area will face the same dilemma that confronts anglers each spring break and that is erratic weather. The two big weeks of spring break, which usually begin in early March and end in middle March, are times when cold fronts stir things up, with either strong prefrontal winds from the south and east or gusting northerly winds associated with the passage of a cold front across coastal waters. This week we will be dealing with a cold front early in the week, and hopefully by Wednesday, conditions will settle enough for anglers to hit the water. We should be in the middle of the annual black drum run; however, few reports have been received of action on the big uglies. Most likely the reason lies with the windy weather we have seen early this month that has discouraged anglers from fishing. Saturday morning winds were on the light side; however, by noon, a gusting southeast wind took over and although the beach front was on the choppy side, it was fishable. Galveston Bait and Tackle reported some nice catches of sheepshead and black drum coming from the jetties and a few nice specks being caught around the causeway area in the afternoon. Reds have been the predominate catch from around upper West Bay lately, with natural baits working the best. Jamail Bay Park along 61st Street saw a good number of anglers fishing from its piers Saturday, with mostly pan fish being caught. A six-pound sheepshead was caught