The Galveston County Daily News

Friday’s strong northerly winds caught no one by surprise as all forecasts predicted the arrival of the cold front, and the strong wind is expected to continue through today.

Friday afternoon, the surf along the beach front was rough and muddy and much to the liking of bull reds.

Thursday, Offatts Bayou was the place to fish when the wind started kicking up. Two reports indicate a variety of fish holding in the popular wintertime fishing area.

Rayla Barron, along with his wife, Robun, son, Clayton, and granddaughter, Nevea Croom, caught a nice mix of fish while fishing Offatts on Thursday. Their catch included five reds, three trout, and huge sheepshead and drum.

Cary Richardson and Sam Lucas fished the lights around Teichman Point on Thursday night and caught 14 trout to more than 3 pounds, three reds, three flounder and a large southern stingray. Live shrimp free-lined was the bait employed.

George Hale, Galveston Bait and Tackle at the causeway, reported good action on large croaker around the point on the Galveston side, near his bait shop. Reds were being taken in good quantities as well.

A reported fish kill in Chocolate Bayou was checked out by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department earlier this week and remains under investigation. The location of the big kill is up the bayou near Liverpool.

According to the department’s regional director, Lance Robinson, all indications are it is due to low dissolved oxygen levels in the water. Robinson said this was not an uncommon event in that area as almost annually, oxygen depletion takes its toll on some fish.

I will pass on any more information I obtain regarding the fish kill.

Earlier this week, Sea Center Texas released another batch of fingerling red fish into the Galveston Bay Complex. This time, the release took place at the boat ramp at Terramar Beach on the West End of Galveston Island.

According to Capt. Lloyd Pepper, also known as the mayor of West Bay, this makes 4 million fingerling reds that have been released into Galveston Bay this year. Pepper and his wife, Capt. Cookie Pepper, a well-known West Bay fishing guide, are actively involved with Sea Center Texas.

Speaking of the big aquarium and hatchery in Lake Jackson, Sea Center is having a free fishing day for kids 15 and younger. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to noon today. Participants need to furnish their own rods, reels, tackle and bait. All fish caught must be returned to the water.

To get your catch in the Reel Report, phone Capt. Joe Kent at 409-683-5273, or send an e-mail to reel.report(at)galvnews.com. There’s no charge for this service.