We are in prime time for vacationers to visit the Galveston area and enjoy some of the great saltwater fishing both inshore and offshore that exist during the summer.

Tournament fishermen and others mark your calendar for July 7, as the West End Angler’s Fishing Club’s West Bay Slam Tournament and Fundraiser is that day.

Not much is taking place on the fishing scene and it likely will remain that way until we get this tropical system out of the way. While the rain should be tapering off, wind could continue to be an issue.

Although the weather has been terrible for fishing over the past few days, Greg Hagerud was back at it in the Galveston Ship Channel area Tuesday morning. Hagerud said the bite was on from 6 a.m. until 7:30 a.m., with trout from 17 to 25 inches hitting. Live shrimp was the bait and the water…

After many months of waiting, the twin boys have arrived. The names are Kent (yea!) and Dean.

Today we continue our discussion of sharks along the Texas Gulf Coast.

We are at the time of year when a lot of sharks are caught around Galveston, including in the bays, surf and offshore. The mere mention of the “S” word sends chills down the spine of many people.

Unsettled weather is with us again and it looks like it will be early next week before any relief is in sight.

Friday appears to be our best day for fishing if the weather forecasts hold. Light to moderate south and southeast winds are predicted, and that should create some nice conditions for fishing.

Father’s Day Weekend is approaching, and the weather forecasters are not lending much encouragement for outdoor activities, especially offshore fishing.

Prior to the return of the windy conditions, we talked about the excellent fishing that has been taking place around Galveston. One thing that occurred during this window was the appearance of fish that are unusual to find in the near shore waters off of Galveston.

The weather pendulum is swinging again, and it appears that windy conditions have returned for a while and could be followed by stormy weather.

Small craft advisories went into effect Sunday, as moderate to strong south winds were kicking up offshore and generating seas from 3 to 6 feet in height. On the inshore scene, conditions were not much better, as a southwesterly wind was messing up the bays and beachfront.

Excellent fishing prevailed through Saturday around the Galveston Bay Complex. Sunday, the wind is forecast to increase and blow from the south, which could put a damper on the situation.

Friday was another day of beautiful water around the Galveston area. Reports from the beach front, jetties, East and West bays indicate a lot of good fishing taking place.

We have had that change in weather pattern for which all anglers have been hoping. A light southeast wind prevailed Thursday, and the water is beginning to look like the Caribbean.

Calm conditions set in Wednesday around the Galveston Bay Complex and with them, the fishing turned on.

A hot, dry southwest wind has been plaguing the Galveston area and with it, fishing tends to come to a halt. This weather pattern is common in the summer, especially from mid-June to August.

Hot, dry weather has settled in around the Galveston Bay Complex, and fishing patterns are changing accordingly.

Sunday turned out just as the weather forecast called for diminishing wind, which set the stage for smaller boats to head offshore. The early morning group found seas still a bit choppy. However, as the day progressed, wave heights dropped to less than 3 feet.

Saturday was plagued by moderate to occasionally strong southwest winds that created poor and uncomfortable conditions for anglers, especially those fishing from boats.

For a number of days, the fishing around Galveston has been about as good as it gets. Both the offshore and inshore anglers were catching quality fish at almost every location.

Today begins the 2018 red snapper season in federal waters. Speaking of this season, a clarification needs to be made for Thursday’s Reel Report in which stated that the season runs through July 21. That is correct for the “boats for hire” group which includes charter boats, party and deck b…

The fishing reports today are centered on offshore fish, as the action is red hot on the pelagic and reef fish.

The Memorial Day visitors have departed and with many of them, some pleasant memories of a great weekend of fishing.

The Memorial Day weekend was one of the best we have had for fishing, with both inshore and offshore action excellent. Crabbing was about as hot as the weather, as well.

While the Galveston area is enjoying light winds and hot conditions this weekend, here in South Carolina the rain is pouring and it looks like we will be having the same all week because of the tropical disturbance in the Gulf.

This Memorial Day Weekend is starting out as one of the best in years for fishing. Water conditions are excellent along with good tidal movements.

The Memorial Day weekend is upon us and, based on fishing reports for Thursday and Friday, it should be a dandy for hitting the water and catching fish.

We are starting my favorite weekend of the year, the Memorial Day weekend. This year we will be watching the progress of a tropical system in the Gulf which is unusual for this time of year.

A tropical disturbance is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico and offshore boats need to keep close watch on its development and path. If the projected path holds, it will hit land on our dry side; however, it is likely it will cause higher seas and tides around the Galveston area.

Tuesday was a gorgeous day on the water; however, the number of anglers out enjoying the conditions reminded me of a dreary January day.

The Galveston area received some badly needed rain Monday morning which cooled things off for a while. Not much in the way of fishing was taking place; however, as the week heads toward the big Memorial Day weekend, look for that to change.

The weekend was a blowout as far as fishing was concerned, with only fair catches coming in from areas offering protection from the wind.

Moderate to occasionally strong south to southwest winds held fishing back again Saturday.

Friday was what I would describe as a typical mid-July fishing day, with hot temperatures and gusting southwest winds. Not the best conditions for fishing on a day in mid-May!

Great weather for fishing continued Thursday, with light winds prevailing all morning; however, by noon the velocities were picking up and gusts over 15 knots were prevalent during the afternoon.

Outstanding fishing conditions continue around the Galveston area with both inshore and offshore action looking good.

Tuesday was a picture perfect day for hitting the water. Light to calm winds made the bays slick and had seas in the Gulf of Mexico running less than a foot.

Excellent fishing conditions continued Monday; however, there were not many anglers taking advantage of them. With the exception of some wind direction changes, the remainder of this week looks excellent.

The 2018 saltwater fishing season is underway. Each year about this time just about every species of our summertime fish has arrived and, with the warmer waters continuing to set in, they will hang around.

Wind velocities were limiting fishing activity Saturday morning, as gusts from the southeast were running between 15 and 20 knots.

When the surf is almost flat like it has been all week, fishing is almost always excellent. This is especially true when the beach water temperature is in the mid-70-degree range and higher.

Speckled trout action along the beach front has been outstanding this week. Some of the largest fish of the year have been reported, along with stringers full of nice-sized trout in the 17- to 20-inch range.

Recently, we have been getting reports, along with pictures, of some of the largest speckled trout of the year being caught. Several readers have asked why we are beginning to see such large trout in the numbers that have been reported and if this is a trend we can expect to continue.

We are continuing with the offshore reports from last weekend, as the weekends are the times when most of the deep sea fishing by recreational anglers takes place this time of year. Inshore action has continued, with some of the largest trout of the year being reported.

Last weekend turned out to be excellent for fishing both offshore and inshore.

Great weather and fishing conditions were setting in early Sunday, and, while it will be Monday before the Sunday fishing reports are all in, one thing for sure, it is nice and comfortable out on the water.

Saturday morning, the weather was unsettled, as showers and northerly winds hampered action. Overall, fishing was slow; however, there were fish being caught.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed, as it looks like to be shaping up as a great weekend for fishing. If the forecasts hold, Saturday evening and Sunday look like they will be excellent days to hit the water around Galveston.

We are now into May, the month for which many saltwater anglers have been waiting. While action starts picking up in April, it is May when the water finally warms to the point that both offshore and inshore fish are moving around.

Last weekend was one of those windows of nice conditions to hit the water and several boats chose to test the offshore waters for pelagic fish.

Tuesday’s weather was not conducive for fishing, with strong southerly winds making things difficult for fishermen.

While we have had a reprieve from the lingering strong wind for a few days, April lived up to its reputation as the windiest month on its last day in 2018. Wind gusts to over 20 knots handicapped fishermen on Monday, and it does not look like any relief will be on its way for a while.