Catch Starts Here
Galveston’s mix of Gulf surf, protected bays, and a busy ship channel gives anglers more variety in one stretch of coastline than almost anywhere else on the Texas coast. Dozens of species move through the area over the course of a year, from redfish and speckled trout in the bay flats to red snapper, tuna, and mahi mahi offshore.
Whether you’re planning to grab a rod and walk out on a public pier, or you’d rather skip the crowds and let a private crew put you on fish, here’s a current guide to where people fish in Galveston — including one major change that’s been years in the making.
Shore & Pier Fishing
For visitors who want to fish without renting or chartering a boat, Galveston’s public piers and jetties are the place to start.
Galveston Fishing Pier
This has been a Gulf Coast staple since 1971, open 24 hours a day, weather permitting. Admission is $16 for adults and $8 for kids ages 5-10 (kids 4 and under fish free), and each angler can bring up to three rods, none longer than 10 feet. A Texas fishing license is required, closed-toe shoes are mandatory, and cast nets, glass containers, and outside alcohol aren’t allowed on the pier.
61st Street Fishing Pier
The 61st Street Fishing Pier is another 24/7 option, with rod rentals, bait for sale, and a viewing deck for anyone along for the ride who isn’t fishing. It’s a solid pick for redfish, black drum, Spanish mackerel, and the occasional blacktip shark.
Seawolf Park
Out on Pelican Island, this sits right on the Galveston Ship Channel and is a reliable spot for black drum and redfish. Daily fishing passes run $6 for resident adults and $9 for non-residents, with discounted rates for seniors and kids ages 5-11 (kids 4 and under fish free). A season pass good from January through September runs $250 for adults or $150 for seniors and kids. Parking is $6 per car.
Seawall Rock Groins
(10th-61st Streets)
These free-to-fish rock groins jut out from the beach and put you in slightly deeper water than fishing straight off the sand, a good option if you don’t mind walking.
Rollover Pass Is Coming Back — Just Not the Way You Remember It
If you fished Galveston before 2019, you remember Rollover Pass — the narrow cut on Bolivar Peninsula that connected East Bay to the Gulf and produced some of the best inshore fishing on the Texas coast, before the state filled it in.
It’s not reopening as a pass. Instead, the Texas General Land Office is building a 1,000-foot, T-shaped fishing pier on the same site, extending out into the Gulf. The roughly $32 million project will include a bait shop, a fish-cleaning station, and a beach divided into umbrella-rental and camping sections. Across Highway 87, a companion Bayside Park is planned with hiking trails, a birdwatching tower, and a kayak-rental kiosk for paddling East Bay.
Construction delays from storm damage in 2024 and additional site work have pushed back the original schedule, and the project’s contract now runs through December 24, 2026. That date isn’t locked in either, so if a trip to the new Rollover pier is part of your plans, it’s worth checking current status before you make the drive out to Crystal Beach.
Bay & Backwater Fishing
East Bay
The eastern arm of Galveston Bay north of Bolivar Peninsula, East Bay is known for oyster reefs and a strong population of redfish and speckled trout. Productive spots throughout the bay include West Bolivar Flats, Fat Rat Flats, Elmgrove Flats, Robinson Flats, Pepper Grove Reef, Smith Point, Cow Shed Reef, and Northwest Flats, most of which are easiest to reach by boat.
Galveston Island State Park
This park offers both bay-side and beach-side fishing for redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and flounder, and unlike most spots on this list, you don’t need a fishing license to fish inside the park. There’s also a fish-cleaning station on-site, along with camping and several miles of hiking and paddling trails if you want to make a full day of it.
San Luis Pass
At the island’s southwestern tip, this pass connects West Bay to the open Gulf and is a well-known surf and pass fishing spot. Swimming or wading in the restricted channel area is against county order, so plan to fish from the bank or a boat.
Offatts Bayou
Reachable from the boat ramp near 61st Street, this is a quieter, more sheltered option for shore anglers who’d rather fish away from the beach crowds.
Marinas, Reefs & Deeper Water
Eagle Point Fishing Camp
(San Leon, TX)
About 15 minutes north of Galveston (and roughly 45 minutes from downtown Houston), this has operated as a full-service marina since 1929 and is a common launch point for anglers heading out into Galveston Bay.
Hanna Reef
A productive structure in Galveston County, this reef holds spotted seatrout, red drum, and black drum. Early morning tends to be the best window here.
Beyond the bay, Galveston’s real trophy fish — red snapper, tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, and marlin — live well offshore, reachable only by boat.
Best Time of Year, By Species
- Redfish & speckled trout: Productive nearly year-round in the bays, with spring and fall especially active.
- Red snapper: Texas’s private recreational season and the federally permitted charter-boat season run on separate windows each year; see our Red Snapper Season in Galveston guide for the current 2026 dates and limits.
- Tuna: Best in the warmer months, typically late spring through fall, well offshore.
- Wahoo: Peaks February through March, when they congregate at offshore pinnacles like the East and West Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank, often 100+ miles out.
- Sharks: Active through the summer along the surf and jetties.
Why Book a Private Charter Instead
Every spot above is free or low-cost but also first-come-first-served, weather-dependent, and limited to whatever’s swimming close enough to shore to reach. If you want a real shot at species like red snapper, tuna, or mahi mahi, or you’d simply rather not fight for a spot on a crowded pier, a private charter gets you there.
With Up Above Adventures, no experience is necessary; our captain and crew handle everything, from bait and tackle to cleaning your catch at the end of the day. There are no booking or credit card fees, and free cancellation is available, so planning around Gulf weather doesn’t mean risking your deposit. Trips range from a few hours nearshore to multi-day offshore charters aboard Got Her Hooked, our 55′ Viking sportfishing yacht.
Galveston Fishing FAQs
Ready to Fish Galveston the Easy Way?
Skip the crowded piers and the guesswork! Book a private charter with Up Above Adventures and let our crew put you on fish. Call (409) 761-5550 or contact us online today to reserve your trip.