Types of fish commonly caught when fishing in Galveston Island, Texas.

1. Get outdoors and fish Galveston
Common fish waiting to be caught
when fishing in Galveston, TX.

2. Red Drum
You know it’s a Red Drum when you see that unique mark, the large black spot
on the upper part of the tail base. The most distinctive color is reddish-bronze.
One good-looking characteristics of this particular fish species is its
enthusiasm to take most kinds of bait, both natural and artificial.

3. Black Drum
The black drum is a rounder, arched backed fish with many types of stubble under the lower
jaw line used to feel and smell food. Youthful fish have four or five dark vertical stripes on the
sides of their body but these tend to go away as the fish ages. The common bate used to
catch Black Drum is fresh, dead and alive shrimp, bait fish and even squid.

4. Spotted Sea Trout
One of mine and many anglers’ personal favorites is the Spotted Sea Trout. This beautiful fish
can range up to 19 inches and believe it or not, the female trout tend to be a bit larger on
average reaching to about 25 inches in span. Make sure you watch your fingers because Sea
Trout have one or two noticeable canine teeth usually around their upper jaw line.

5. Sea Bass
Believe it or not, Sea Bass are the largest species of saltwater fish found
in the world to date. The larger types of these fish are usually black while
the smaller fish are more of a dusky brown color.

6. Southern Flounder
Could you imagine looking at the world sideways your entire life? All flatfishes, including the
southern flounder, are compacted sideways and spend most of their life lying and swimming
along the bottom of the ocean on their side. While your fishing in Galveston during the Spring
and Summer, the best place to find these remarkable fish are in dark lagoons or grassy areas
where they blend in for defense mechanism.

7. Gafftopsail Catfish
Gafftopsail catfish are named for their distinct dorsal fin that rises from the top of
their back. Trust me, you will know this fish when you see it for many reasons! This
dorsal fin reminds me and I am sure others like a sail on a sailboat. To land these fish
it is suggested to use live shrimp, small crabs and even small live fish for baits.

8. Pig Fish
Pig fish are beautiful in color and they have a district name. Pig fish can
be caught around docks and piers while using peeled shrimp or even live
shrimp for bait.

9. Atlantic Croaker
Atlantic croaker is about 12in long and weighs 1/2 to 2 pounds. These little guys have individual features including
three to five pairs of small stubbles on their chins to help them feel for food on the sea floor. It is known that this
smaller fish prefer estuaries and bays through the spring and summer, then make the trip offshore in the fall to
breed.
For more information, see Texas Parks and Wildlife:
https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/aquaticspecies/marine.phtml)