Galveston, Matagorda, Surfside, Freeport ........  Saltwater Fly Fishing

I've been fishing the bays and marshes from West Galveston Bay to Port O'Connor for over 40 years.  My passion is sight fishing for redfish, sheepshead, and speckled trout on the flats with fly and light tackle.  Saltwater fly fishing in the bays of the upper coast has improved over the years, with more grass flats and sight fishing opportunity.  There is very little shrimping and commercial fishing in these bays today, habitat improvement and fish numbers may well be results of these changes.  From my home base in Lake Jackson, which is 50 miles south of Houston on Hwy 288, we either fish east in the Christmas/Bastrop bay complex near Freeport and Surfside, or the Chocolate/West Galveston bay waters along Galveston Island.  Often we head west to fish East and West Matogorda bays, all this depends on conditions and fish.

Of course there is an accompanying downside to the increased popularity of saltwater fly fishing, which is the number of sport fishing boats that make fishing a challenge on weekends.  So I encourage my fishermen, if they can, to break away during midweek for less crowded conditions.  We do fish on weekends and holidays as well, if that's the only time you can go, and we still find fish. Best fishing is June through September (for stable weather).  If you are in town and want to go fishing other times, it can be great, just be prepared for some erratic weather issues. 

 
In my opinion, sight fishing is the most exciting form of fishing.  It's a natural evolution for experienced fishermen to graduate to the next level of fishing skill and excitement.  Don't ask a sight fisherman "how many fish did you catch?"  Instead,  ask them "how many fish did you see?"  Once you see the fish, the fun begins.  All you need is a perfect cast, the right lure or fly, the perfect presentation, a hungry fish,  etc.  But when that all comes together, it's a very satisfying experience you remember forever.
 
But beginners are welcome, too.  A lot of fishermen have caught their first "sight cast" redfish off of my boats, everyone has to start sometime.  What you need is the ability to make a reasonably accurate cast 20' to 30', whatever the wind, which is about how far away you can actually see a fish underwater.  It's helpful for saltwater fly fishermen to be able to "double haul" and throw a reasonably tight loop.  This fishing is much different from fresh water stream fishing.  Here you must cast the line to the fish, not drift it to them. 
 

I provide all the high quality fishing tackle, but bring your own if you like.  If you want, I can help with casting instruction, lure presentation, knot tying, and everything you need to know to be successful in the future.  My goal obviously is for you to catch fish, but at the same time learn some things and have a great time on the water.

Make sure you bring some good polarized glasses; copper color seems to give the best contrast in our bays.  I can provide non prescription polarized glasses if you don’t have them; I carry several types, some that fit over prescription glasses.  Wear a good hat and comfortable light colored shoes.  Be prepared to enjoy a day of being up close and personal with the wide variety of wildlife the Galveston/Matagorda area has to offer.

Contact me 979-297-9240  (cell) 979-239-7222 to book a trip and discuss further details
or e-mail me gagimber@hotmail.com

$400.00 per day (2 Anglers)