UTERAtlantic sharpnose shark fishing in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake
In Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake, Atlantic sharpnose shark peak May–September and are around April–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Sharpnose in the surf.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Atlantic sharpnose shark in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilArriving
- MayPeak
- JunePeakSharpnose in the surf.
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish Atlantic sharpnose shark 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 Atlantic sharpnose shark
- 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 66–90°F water, best at 72–86°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch Atlantic sharpnose shark in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake?
Peak season is May–September. Atlantic sharpnose shark are in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake April–October. June: Sharpnose in the surf.
Where do Atlantic sharpnose shark hold in Galveston Bay & Sabine Lake?
Look on beach / surf, pass / inlet, grass flat, channel edge — around Matagorda, Freeport, Galveston, Kemah, Anahuac, High Island.
What is the best bait for Atlantic sharpnose shark 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 Atlantic sharpnose shark 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.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores Atlantic sharpnose shark for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about Atlantic sharpnose shark · The Upper Texas Coast, the whole year