UTERGafftopsail catfish fishing in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake
In Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake, gafftopsail catfish peak May–September and are around April–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Gafftop in the Galveston surf and the bays.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Gafftopsail catfish in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilArriving
- MayPeak
- JunePeakGafftop in the Galveston surf and the bays.
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish gafftopsail catfish 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 gafftopsail catfish
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 64–90°F water, best at 72–86°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch gafftopsail catfish in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake?
Peak season is May–September. Gafftopsail catfish are in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake April–October. June: Gafftop in the Galveston surf and the bays.
Where do gafftopsail catfish hold in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake?
Look on channel edge, grass flat, pass / inlet, bridge — around Matagorda, Freeport, Galveston, Kemah, Anahuac, High Island.
What is the best bait for gafftopsail catfish in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake?
Live bait: live shrimp, finger mullet. Live shrimp: Under a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for gafftopsail catfish 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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