UTERBlue marlin fishing in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake
In Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake, blue marlin peak June–September and are around May–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: Blues on the floaters and the canyons.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Blue marlin in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArriving
- JunePeak
- JulyPeakBlues on the floaters and the canyons.
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish blue marlin near Matagorda, Freeport, Galveston
Galveston Bay's East, West, Trinity and Christmas bays, Matagorda's East and West bays and Sabine Lake — shell reefs, mud flats, marsh drains and bayous behind barrier islands — with jetties at Galveston, Freeport and Sabine Pass, and a ring of oil and gas platforms just offshore.
What to use for blue marlin
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
- Opelu (mackerel scad)Bridled live and slow-trolled or drifted down for ahi, ono and marlin; cut for bottom fishing.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 74–88°F water, best at 78–84°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch blue marlin in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake?
Peak season is June–September. Blue marlin are in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake May–October. July: Blues on the floaters and the canyons.
Where do blue marlin hold in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around Matagorda, Freeport, Galveston, Kemah, Anahuac, High Island.
What is the best bait for blue marlin in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), goggle-eyes, opelu (mackerel scad). Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for blue marlin in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and change — read the current rule at https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/saltwater-fishing before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses.
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