The Galveston County Daily News

September, known as a transitional month for coastal fishing, is about to give way to October, one of, if not the best, month for fishing the bays.

The water temperature begins to drop and with it, fish start moving.

The cooler water and shorter days send a signal to just about every species to start gaining weight for the winter. Crabbing usually is outstanding in October.

Areas that were dormant during the hot summer months, such as the shallower back bays, come to life and offer some of the best action of the year.

Trout have moved from the jetties and beach front back into the bays, where many will make their winter home.

Reds will take their place at the jetties, and a number of offshore fish will make a final run along the rocks and beach front before departing farther south for the winter.

Bull red activity at the jetties and along the beachfront is usually at its peak this time of year.

October is one of the best months for wade fishing the bays, as the fish start feeding in the shallower waters along shorelines and in the marshes. Also, conditions for wading are quite comfortable, too.

Trinity Bay is at its best during October and November, with large schools of trout roaming the shorelines and shell reefs looking for food.

Upper West Bay will begin to show signs of life as the popular wintertime fishing area starts to attract trout, reds and flounder.

By mid-month, flounder will begin moving toward the passes. The period between the full moons of October and November is one of the best times to find large concentrations of the flat fish stacking up around Pelican Island, Cold Pass, Rollover Pass and other outlets into deeper water.

October is the time when the big golden croaker run usually gets under way. Large croaker, also known as bull croaker, make their way out of hiding and follow flounder to the deeper waters for the winter.

Back bays that begin their prime time fishing include Christmas, Chocolate, Greens Lake, Swan Lake, Moses Lake and the marshes, bayous and inlets along the south shoreline of both West Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula.

Anglers in mid-Galveston Bay who found good action last summer around the spoil banks of the Houston Ship Channel off San Leon will switch to the shorelines from San Leon to Sylvan Beach. The mouth of Dickinson Bay and Moses Lake will be drawing a number of sports fishermen as well.

Mid-bay reefs and shell pads in the upper reaches of Trinity and East Bays will turn on with a variety of fish, including the big three — trout, reds and flounder.

Artificial baits are quite popular and productive during the fall. This is a welcomed change for waders who struggled to keep shrimp alive while fishing during the warmer weather. With artificial baits taking the pressure off using live shrimp, bait supplies at the camps are more plentiful and dependable than during the summer months.

While October is one of the best months for fishing and the most pleasant to be on the water, the crowds are thinned out by other activities competing for their time.

Hunting seasons, along with football games, keep large numbers of anglers away, which results in less competition and more space for those able to hit the water.

Give it a try during October, and you may find yourself hooked on fall fishing in the Galveston Bay Complex.

Capt. Joe Kent writes “Reel Report” for The Daily News. Call 409-683-5273, or e-mail reel.report(at)galvnews.com.