| Wintertime fishing on Galveston Bay can be very | | | | a little less clear, about 2 to 3 feet. The wind also will |
| rewarding. With the fish bulked up for the cold | | | | allow the boat to drift better covering more water in |
| weather, there are often more large fish caught this | | | | less time. |
| time of year. They also tend to school up in larger | | | | Skies: Dreary winter days when the clouds are thick |
| groups this time of year making it easier to fill the box. | | | | can prove to be very productive. As mentioned above, |
| However, the biggest factor in catching these fish can | | | | the water clarity can be your enemy. By reducing the |
| be found by looking to the sky. | | | | amount of daylight the clouds are limiting the visibility in |
| During the winter months, due in part to wind patterns | | | | the water as well. A clear sky will not only result in a |
| and water temperature, the water in the bay can get | | | | bright sunny day it usually is the result of high pressure. |
| extremely clear. In fact. sometimes the bottom is visible | | | | The second thing you should consider, as always, is |
| in five feet of water. This makes fishing tough if not | | | | the tidal movement. Fish always tend to feed better on |
| impossible during these times. If fishing from a boat, | | | | a moving tide. In winter, my favorite time is a high tide |
| there are several things you should look for. | | | | that is receding. The fish will move up onto shallow |
| Number one for any occasion is the weather. The | | | | flats in the winter to absorb the warmth of the shallow |
| weather consists of the barometric pressure, the wind | | | | water. As the tide drops these fish will move into |
| and the skies. | | | | adjacent deeper water. |
| Barometer: If a front has recently moved through and | | | | Another phenomenon of the tide is that as it rolls |
| the skies are clearing, this means that the barometric | | | | through the undulation of the bottom of the bay it |
| pressure is rising. I like to use 30 inches of mercury as | | | | creates cloudy streaks in the water. Bait fish will |
| a mid point. Anything above is considered high | | | | congregate to these streaks for cover from the clear |
| pressure and anything below is low. A good website | | | | water. This will attract the trout and other game fish. |
| that shows an hourly log of the weather will allow you | | | | By keying in on the outer edges of the streaks you |
| to see if the barometer is on the rise or falling. As the | | | | can find the fish. |
| barometer climbs the fish will begin to feed less | | | | Popular baits for winter fishing are suspending plugs. |
| actively. As it falls they will feed more aggressively. | | | | The fish are sluggish this time of year and won't chase |
| Wind: On days with light winds the water will be its | | | | a fast moving bait. Hot Pink and Chartreuse are |
| clearest. This will cause the fish to be spooky and | | | | always at the top of the list. |
| either flee from your oncoming boat or just not feed | | | | So remember the next time you wake up to clear blue |
| well. On days with a good breeze, 8-12 mph, the water | | | | skies and light winds, fishing might not be your top |
| will stir a bit. This will not make the water dirty but just | | | | choice of outdoor activities. |