Differing views on holiday weekend

The last big holiday weekend of the year is upon us, and it is one that is viewed differently by a number of folks. Merchants and other retailers see this as the last chance for good sales before the September downturn sets in after Monday.

Families see this as the last chance to enjoy summertime water activities before all of the distractions of school and work set in; however, for many sportsmen, they welcome the passing of this weekend.

Years ago, one of the well-known Galveston area fishing guides would broadcast that this was his favorite holiday, as it signaled the end of the heavy mid-week boating traffic.

Sportsmen also look upon the passing of this weekend as the start of a different fishing season. I will address that aspect in an upcoming Reel Report.

For now, let’s take a look at what has been taking place on the fishing scene.

Early Friday, scattered thunderstorms had anglers cautious about hitting the open water until later in the morning. A light northeast wind prevailed early then picked up steam about noon.

Higher-than-normal tide levels did not help fishing; however, those who gave it a try had mixed results. Surf action was good most of the morning, and the upper West Bay area seemed to be the best location for action.

Lots of ladyfish or horse mackerel are snatching baits all around the Galveston Bay complex.

Priscilla, from Galveston Bait and Tackle’s causeway location, reported a nice catch by Don and Donnie Knapp. The anglers fished under the big bridge and landed 14 trout and a flounder.

Not far away in West Bay, Capt. Mark Salazar and his friends landed 30 trout.

Jason Reuter, Aunt Margie’s Bait Camp, had one of his customers, Dorina Stevens, hit the jackpot on reds while fishing under the 61st Street bridge connecting Offatts Bayou to English Bayou. Using live shrimp for bait, she landed 10 reds, all measuring 26 inches, along with a number of smaller reds. I assume she retained only three, a limit for one person.

Richard Belleau, 61st Street Fishing Pier, reported one of the better catches since the pier reopened. The first jack fish of the year was decked. Bud Miller landed the 30-inch jack Thursday.

Other fish caught by customers included bull reds, blacktip sharks, whiting, sand trout and specks. Cut bait accounted for the sharks and reds, shrimp and squid for the sand trout and whiting and the specks preferred live shrimp.

Belleau said the water was green all the way to the beach.

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.