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One of the main reasons I love fall fishing is because it’s always been a family time for me to go out and land those huge Bull Redfish that you waited all year to be able to catch. When I was growing up, the fall was when my mom, dad, grandpa and I would fish – every chance we got.  The weather was a bit cooler (this is Texas, after all!) and the fishing was always great. You had the best opportunity of the year to catch a wall hanger, and we caught lots of them!

“Texas has its own running of the bulls each fall and the most savvy of anglers know that when it’s time to lock horns with a beast, you need look no farther than man-made passes that intersect the Gulf of Mexico for a stampede of fishing action.” – Texas Outdoor Digest

Redfish Season is Here

Red Drum (Redfish) are one of the gulf’s premier sportfish and one of the big 3 (redfish, speckled trout and flounder) that everyone wants to catch. October is prime redfish time as the Galveston bay complex is exceptionally large and where redfish spend their life. When they mature into spawning age, they then travel through the man-made canals and the ship channel of Galveston, to the deeper offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico to spawn. 

Of course you can fish for Redfish year round, but to understand why the fall is so special here in Galveston, we turn to the life cycle of the Red Drum, courtesy of Texasoutdoordigest.com: 

“Juvenile red drum spend their first few years in bays and other shallower areas, places biologists dub ‘surf zones,’ which are really just tidal areas near passes and jetties. When the fish reach maturity, they move out into the Gulf to breed and spend the rest of their days. Spawning season typically runs from mid-August to mid-October and the eggs laid near Gulf shores and passes ride the current into bay systems, turning into larvae that grow up in the shallows, using sea grass to hide from larger predators while they cruise sandy bottoms.”

Redfish are one of the largest and hardest fighting fish in the bay system. Redfish can be caught using many different artificial lures, fresh bait such as Shad, mullet, sand trout, or live bait such as shrimp or blue crab.

Flounder Fishing: Now and into the Winter

Flounder are another of the most sought-after fish in the bay complex. The southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma), is the largest of more than 25 species of flatfishes found in Texas coastal waters. They are challenging to catch (translation: FUN!), and of course they are prized for their wonderful taste and flaky texture. 

Flounder also spawn in the fall, and in the same way as the redfish, make their way through the pass into the gulf. August through November is typically the prime time for flounder, but often the season extends into December. Like redfish, they can be caught year-round but are much easier to target in the fall.

Flounder can be a challenge to catch because of the finesse that must be used in presenting the bait and waiting for the run before setting the hook. Bait most used is artificial like Gulp, flounder pounders or chicken boy lures. Live bait such as shrimp, mud minnows, finger mullet and croaker are also a good way to land these tasty fish. 

Ready for Some Great Eating?

Redfish are delicious table fare! Redfish have a mild, sweet flavor with a medium-firm texture. One of our favorite ways to cook redfish is Paul Prudhommes’ Blackened Redfish, but you will also love grilled redfish on the halfshell and Emeril’s crispy fried redfish. 

Flounder are one of the favorites on the table around the gulf coast. They are very mild in flavor, light and flaky and very easy to eat with just a fork.  Stuffed flounder is amazing, but baked flounder, fried flounder and grilled flounder are just a few simple, delicious ways to prepare it.  

What makes these recipes even better?  Knowing that you caught it yourself, and the memories made that you’ll have for a lifetime. 

Bring the Kids!

We love having kids onboard! We are a family business, and we have kids and grandkids of our own and a love for teaching ALL kids how to fish. On the boat, we teach them about safety, the water, the fish, how to rig their line (tie knots), how to cast and the techniques we use to be successful. We have had kids from 8 weeks old in an infant carrier, all the way up to adult, but the best age to learn and remember what they learned is 5 years and up.

Planning Ahead?

The Galveston area has different species of fish spawning from spring to fall.  Our best season runs from March (start of spring) through December. Fishing is great most of the year with the slowest months being January and February. Fall and winter fishing includes redfish, flounder, and speckled trout.  In the Spring, you’ll find speckled trout, redfish and sheepshead inshore, and cobia and kingfish offshore.  Summer?  Red snapper is in season in June and July.  Ask about all the fish in season when booking!

How far in advance should you book your Wave Dancer charter? At least 2-3 weeks in advance in the fall and winter and 4-5 weeks in advance for a weekend (Friday thru Sunday).  Of course it is not too early to think about Spring 2021!

Storm Updates  

Storm season starts every year in August and runs through November. Luckily we don’t get many storms in Galveston and most of the time the rain even goes around us in April and May (the normal rainy season), so we get to fish year round most of the time. 

Here are a couple ways to stay abreast of the weather conditions: ABC 13 Weather, Buoyweather now in Texas, and The Weather Channel Galveston Radar.

Call or text me, Capt. Greg Ball at 409-988-8888, message us on Facebook @2wavedancercharters or email us at [email protected] if you need current status updates, more information or want to book your charter.