HOUSTON/GALVESTON/UPPER COAST EDITION
FREE
SNOOK SEASON
@CAMTAMagazine
MUST HAVES
FALL’S FALL’ BOTTOM BONANZA
LOCAL REPORTS & CATCH PHOTOS VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 378
PHOTO CREDIT: CAPT. SHANE TROTTIER WHATEVER TURNS U ON FISHING CHARTERS WWW.WHATEVERTURNSUONFISHING.COM IG: @WHATEVERTURNSUON
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM
F R A N C H I S E
O P P O R T U N I T I E S
A V A I L A B L E
SEPTEMBER 2026
W O R L D W I D E
®
ADDITIONAL $250 REBATE ON NEW 250HP ELIGIBLE MODELS
A WHOLE NEW LEVEL Introducing Dometic’s DG3 Gyro
Smooth Sailing Experience a new level of comfort on the water with our DG3 Gyro Stabilizer. By minimizing boat roll, it ensures a smooth, steady ride, even in choppy conditions. Whether you’re fishing, dining, or just unwinding, the Gyro creates a more enjoyable and stable environment. Operating quietly and without the need for external fins, it lets you focus on what matters most: making every moment on the water truly relaxing.
dometic.com
ADVERTISEMENT
five things you should know about boat insurance Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are five things to know about boat insurance.
1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected financially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.
4. Most lenders require boat insurance If you financed your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.
2. Accidents can happen to anyone When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to specified limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.
5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages Ever worry about getting stuck on the water? Progressive’s Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage** can help. It’s an additional coverage that steps in if your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, paying for on-water towing, jump starts, soft ungroundings, and fuel delivery. Fuel cost isn’t included.
3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.
Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your voyage. Cruise with confidence thanks to Progressive Boat insurance. Because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.
Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and affiliates. Product features are subject to policy terms and conditions and may not be available in all states or for all vehicles and coverage selections. No. 1 rating based on boat market share data from Ratefilings.com. *
** Sign & Glide® is an optional coverage you can add to any Progressive Boat policy and costs $30/annually ($50/annually in Florida). Prices are subject to change.
Scan to get a quote in as little as 4 minutes. Go to progressive.com to learn more.
o or
**
r or
He gave her fuel. She gave him thrills. Progressive gave them peace of mind— with up to $10,000 of optional fishing equipment coverage because rods and reels are replaceable, even if the stories aren’t. 1-80 0 -PROGR E S SI V E
PROGR E S SI V E .COM
Get an online quote in as little as 4 minutes
Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. & affiliates. No. 1 rating based on 2023 filings with state departments of insurance. Fishing Equipment coverage is subject to policy terms. Prices vary based on how you buy.
PRO FISHING TECHNIQUES
Snook Season Must Haves
F
CAPT. MIKE SMITH
inally, September is here and everyone’s favorite inshore fish is back on the menu. This article will cover the best bait and tackle to hunt down slot-sized linesiders. Check your local rules and regulations before keeping any snook. You can do jail time and get heavy fines by harvesting under- and over-slot snook.
WHAT TACKLE DO YOU NEED TO CATCH A KEEPER SNOOK?
It really depends upon where you are fishing for them. If you are out on the flats or on the beach, then you can get away with lighter tackle. You can land a slot snook with a medium-action rod, a 2500 series reel spooled with 10 pound braid and a 30 pound leader. You don’t need heavy tackle when there is no structure around to get cut off on. If you are fishing for snook around docks, bridges, rocks, mangroves or oyster bars, then you might want to use heavier tackle. A medium/ heavy rod with a 4000 series reel spooled with 20 pound braid and a 40 pound leader will usually do the trick.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BAITS FOR CATCHING SNOOK?
Natural baits usually work the best for snook. Snook love croakers, pinfish, mullet, shrimp and white baits like threadfin herring. The key to using natural baits is using the correct sized hook for the bait that you are using. You wouldn’t want to use a 5/0 hook with a shrimp or a white bait because it’s too heavy to allow the bait to swim. You would want to use a 1/0 or 2/0 hook for those smaller baits. Conversely, you would not want to use a small hook for a large, 10-inch mullet. The small hook would most likely not set properly once the snook ate it. You would want to use a 5/0 or larger hook for a large mullet. You want to match your hook to the bait
4 NATIONAL
SEPTEMBER 2026
size, not the size of the fish that you are trying to catch.
WHAT ARE THE BEST LURES FOR SEPTEMBER SNOOK?
The best thing about September is the mullet run typically begins about then. Millions of mullet will flood the inshore and offshore waters of Florida; a little later for Georgia and the Carolinas. Every marine predator will be gorging themselves on these delicious baits. Mullet imitations of varying sizes will be a good bet when the schools are passing through. The key is to match the size of the mullet in your area. Mullet within the schools might range from 15 inches down to 4-inch finger mullet. Large topwater lures work great around the outer parts of the schools. My personal favorites are Heddon’s Super Zara Spooks in pearl white, but oftentimes they will hit any color that mimics the size and profile of the fish they are feeding on correctly. Another great choice is the D.O.A. Bait Buster Shallow Runner. This is a soft plastic topwater/ subsurface lure that perfectly matches 4- to 5-inch mullet. Go get ’em. Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass Off Charters, has been fishing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass flats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 339-2317, email: contact fishyourassoff.com or visit fishyourassoff.com.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
YACHTS 360
WHAT IS YOUR BOAT WORTH TODAY? Get a free, no-obligation market value report from Texas’s top-listing yacht broker. Cory Webster - YACHTS360 Top Listing Broker, Multiple Years Running 281-636-2228 | CORY@YACHTS360.COM
Now located at Seabrook Shipyard! FREE MARKET EVALUATIONS Know exactly what your boat is worth in today’s market. Includes recent comps for your make and model.
GET MY BOAT VALUE NOW! Scan, answer a few questions, get your report. Receive a market evaluation on your vessel!
CAST OFFERS - Close in days, not months. ADVERTISED ON EVERY MAJOR SITE - When a brokered sale get you more.
READY TO SELL? ASK ABOUT A SAME-WEEK CASH OFFER. Visit our website or connect with Cory Webster today for more information. www.Yachts360.com
THE BIG HUNT CAPTAIN MICHAEL OKRUHLIK
T
MyCoastOutdoors@yahoo.com www.MyCoastOutdoors.com
here is a special kind of chaos that happens when you put your entire family on a center-console boat in the Florida Keys with a pile of lobster gauges, oversized gloves, nets, and tickle sticks. Everyone starts the day believing they are an expert lobster hunter. That confidence usually lasts until the first person gets into the water. Our mission was simple: catch Florida spiny lobsters. They have long antennae, great camouflage, and the ability to shoot backward faster than you would think possible. The basic idea sounds easy. You snorkel across the shallow reef, look under rocks and ledges, and watch for antennae sticking out. Once you find a lobster, you slide a tickle stick behind it and gently tap it forward. Then you position your net so that when the lobster shoots backward, it goes right into the net. At least, that is how it is supposed to work. With my family, it looked more like an underwater comedy show. At one point, my teenager managed to guide a lobster straight toward his own shorts. Then we tried to measure our first catch underwater with the required
lobster gauge and accidentally let it escape. Watching it disappear while everyone was laughing through flooded masks was probably the funniest part of the day. For the first few hours, the lobsters were winning. We missed with the nets, bumped into each other and wasted plenty of time chasing lobsters that had already found another hiding place. Eventually, though, we started to figure it out. We found several lobsters tucked beneath a patch of seagrass and finally got into a rhythm. One person worked the tickle stick while another handled the net. Every lobster was measured carefully before going into the bag. By the end of the afternoon, we had a legal catch and enough lobster for a meal none of us would soon forget. One of the best things about lobstering in the Keys is that some dockside restaurants will cook your catch. We pulled up to a restaurant offering “Hook and Cook,” handed our bag to the chef, grabbed a table seaside and waited. The chef served the lobster 5 different ways. We had split tails grilled with garlic butter, lightly
Photo courtesy of Knockin Tail Lures®.
fried lobster, blackened, chilled lobster with mango and lime, and a few others. Every dish was different, and every plate came back empty. By the end of the night, we were tired, sunburned and covered in dried saltwater, butter and mango juice. We didn’t catch the biggest lobsters in the Keys, and we definitely didn’t look like professionals doing it. But we caught enough for an incredible family meal—and made the kind of memories we will probably laugh about for years.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor and owner of Knockin Tail Lures® SEPTEMBER 2026
HOUSTON 1
HOUSTON
|
G A LV E STO N
|
UPPER COAST
BRAG BOARD
F
h
CATCH MORE
CUSTOMERS IN
C
S
24 Le
D
L
SPONSORED BY
14 Le
L
G
17 D
C
N
36 Te
L
W
12 M
Submit pics to: kenny@coastalanglermagazine.com or text to 281-610-4432 Photos submitted courtesy of Coastal Angler Readers and Contributing Writers
L
W
15 M
CA
Look
Look
Freedom Boat Club
has MANY locations in Texas! CLEAR LAKE
LAKE TRAVIS
2400 South Shore Harbour Blvd, League City, TX 77573
105 Yacht Club Cove, Lakeway, TX 78734
SOUTH SHORE HARBOUR MARINA
ROUGH HOLLOW IN LAKEWAY
DALLAS
LAKE TRAVIS
1481 E Hill Park Rd, Lewisville, TX 75056
8714 Lime Creek Rd, Leander, TX 78641
LAKE TEXOMA
AUSTIN
LAKE LEWISVILLE
GRANDPAPPY POINT 1789 Harbor Dr, Denison, TX 75020
CENTRAL TEXAS NORTH POINT MARINA 3681 Cedar Ridge Park Rd, Temple, TX 76502
LAKE CONROE WALDEN MARINA
12050 Melville Dr Suite 6, Montgomery, TX 77356
LAKE CONROE
WATERPOINT MARINA 15320 TX-105 Suite 500, Montgomery, TX 77356
Boats available for members to enjoy fishing and exclusive amenities.
SANDY CREEK MARINA DALLAS
LAKE TEXOMA
1705 S Quinlan Park Rd, Austin, TX 78732
CORPUS CHRISTI MARKER 37 MARINA 13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418
GALVESTON
CENTRAL TX LAKE TRAVIS
PELICAN REST MARINA 7819 Broadway St, Galveston, TX 77554
AUSTIN
CLEAR LAKE
ROCKPORT
COVE HARBOR YACHT CLUB
GALVESTON
121 Cove Harbor Rockport, TX 78382
CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION 281-503-8303
CORPUS CHRISTI
S E D I e TSeptemb r 2026
Lee's
RED BY
SO PON
BAIT&TACKLE BAIT&
port bolivar, TX
Port Bolivar, TX - Sep 2026 High
Date
AM
ft
www.USHarbors.com
www.USHarbors.com
Eagle Point, Galveston Bay, TX - Sep 2026
Low
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
0.2
6:56
7:41
1
Tue
6:09
1.6
2:00
2
Wed
5:27
1.7
2:45
0.0
6:57
7:40
3
Thu
4:28
1.9
3:37
-0.1
6:57
7:38
4
Fri
4:43
2.0
4:36
-0.2
6:58
7:37
5
Sat
5:21
2.1
5:44
-0.2
6:58
7:36
6
Sun
6:07
2.1
6:56
-0.1
6:59
7:35
7
Mon
6:53
2.0
8:07
0.0
6:59
7:34
8
Tue
7:25
1.9
1:02
1.9
9:43
1.8
9:11
0.1
7:00
7:32
9
Wed
7:17
1.7
2:27
1.9
9:52
1.6
10:06
0.3
7:00
7:31
10
Thu
6:36
1.5
3:43
1.8
10:28
1.4
10:53
0.5
7:01
7:30
11
Fri
6:01
1.5
4:59
1.8
11:09
1.1
11:33
0.8
7:01
7:29
12
Sat
5:46
1.5
6:19
1.7
11:51
0.8
7:02
7:28
13
Sun
5:43
1.6
7:54
1.6
12:08
1.2
12:30
0.5
7:02
7:26
14
Mon
5:44
1.7
12:35
1.5
1:08
0.3
7:03
7:25
15
Tue
5:36
1.8
1:45
0.2
7:04
7:24
16
Wed
2:57
1.9
2:25
0.2
7:04
7:23
17
Thu
3:11
2.0
3:10
0.3
7:05
7:21
18
Fri
3:47
2.1
4:03
0.3
7:05
7:20
19
Sat
4:28
2.1
5:06
0.4
7:06
7:19
20
Sun
5:10
2.1
6:14
0.5
7:06
7:18
21
Mon
5:48
2.0
7:20
0.5
7:07
7:17
22
Tue
6:15
1.9
8:16
0.5
7:07
7:15
23
Wed
6:17
1.8
1:35
1.8
10:27
1.7
9:01
0.6
7:08
7:14
24
Thu
5:38
1.7
2:45
1.7
10:19
1.5
9:40
0.8
7:08
7:13
25
Fri
4:56
1.7
3:53
1.7
10:27
1.3
10:14
1.0
7:09
7:12
26
Sat
4:40
1.7
5:02
1.8
10:50
1.0
10:44
1.2
7:09
7:10
27
Sun
4:36
1.8
6:13
1.8
11:19
0.6
11:08
1.5
7:10
28
Mon
4:35
1.9
7:35
1.9
11:53
0.4
11:05
1.8
29
Tue
4:27
2.0
12:32
30
Wed
3:47
2.1
1:16
EAGLE POINT • GALVESTON BAY, TX
S
Moon
ft
Low PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
1
Tue
1:30
1.1
4:47
0.2
6:57
7:41
2
Wed
3:53
1.3
5:33
0.1
6:57
7:40
3
Thu
5:25
1.4
6:29
0.0
6:58
7:39
4
Fri
6:39
1.5
7:36
0.0
6:58
7:38
5
Sat
7:48
1.6
8:50
0.0
6:59
7:37
6
Sun
8:53
1.6
10:02
0.0
6:59
7:36
7
Mon
9:48
1.6
11:08
0.0
7:00
7:34
8
Tue
10:23
1.5
7:00
7:33
9
Wed
10:29
1.3
7:01
7:32
10
Thu
10:16
1.2
5:08
11
Fri
9:29
1.0
12
Sat
8:18
1.0
13
Sun
6:57
1.1
14
Mon
12:44
15
Tue
16
1.2
12:56
0.3
1:23
1.1
7:01
7:31
8:00
1.1
1:43
0.5
1:59
0.9
7:02
7:29
10:23
1.2
2:30
0.7
2:37
0.6
7:02
7:28
3:20
1.0
3:14
0.4
7:03
7:27
1.3
3:52
0.3
7:04
7:26
2:38
1.4
4:33
0.2
7:04
7:25
Wed
4:08
1.5
5:18
0.2
7:05
7:23
17
Thu
5:18
1.5
6:12
0.2
7:05
7:22
18
Fri
6:20
1.6
7:15
0.3
7:06
7:21
19
Sat
7:14
1.6
8:24
0.3
7:06
7:20
20
Sun
8:02
1.6
9:29
0.3
7:07
7:18
21
Mon
8:39
1.6
10:25
0.3
7:07
7:17
22
Tue
9:04
1.5
11:11
0.4
7:08
7:16
23
Wed
9:14
1.4
11:53
0.5
7:08
7:15
24
Thu
8:57
1.3
7:09
7:13
25
Fri
8:04
1.2
7:07
1.1
12:34
0.6
1:32
0.9
7:09
7:12
26
Sat
7:23
1.1
9:02
1.2
1:18
0.8
1:45
0.7
7:10
7:11
7:09
27
Sun
6:15
1.2
10:47
1.3
2:09
1.0
2:09
0.5
7:10
7:10
7:10
7:08
28
Mon
5:17
1.3
3:15
1.2
2:41
0.3
7:11
7:09
0.1
7:11
7:07
29
Tue
12:33
1.5
3:20
0.2
7:11
7:07
0.0
7:11
7:06
30
Wed
2:21
1.6
4:07
0.1
7:12
7:06
Moon
ED BY SOR
N SPO
www.USHarbors.com
www.USHarbors.com
Clear Lake, Galveston Bay, TX - Sep 2026
Galveston Pleasure Pier, TX - Sep 2026 High
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
0.3
6:56
7:41
1
Tue
5:54
1.7
8:40
2.1
12:46
1.3
12:48
2
Wed
5:48
1.8
10:15
2.3
2:21
1.7
1:40
0.1
6:57
7:40
3
Thu
11:49
2.4
2:41
-0.1
6:57
7:38
4
Fri
3:48
-0.2
6:58
7:37
5
Sat
1:03
2.6
4:57
-0.3
6:58
7:36
6
Sun
1:58
2.6
6:03
-0.3
6:59
7:35
7
Mon
2:42
2.6
7:05
-0.3
6:59
7:34
8
Tue
3:17
2.5
12:28
1.9
9:17
1.8
8:03
-0.1
7:00
7:32
9
Wed
3:46
2.4
1:58
2.0
9:26
1.6
8:57
0.1
7:01
7:31
10
Thu
4:10
2.2
3:12
2.1
9:48
1.3
9:49
0.5
7:01
7:30
11
Fri
4:31
2.1
4:21
2.1
10:17
1.1
10:41
0.8
7:02
7:29
12
Sat
4:49
2.0
5:27
2.2
10:49
0.8
11:36
1.2
7:02
7:28
13
Sun
5:05
1.9
6:34
2.2
11:25
0.6
7:03
7:26
7:46
2.2
12:43
1.5
12:03
0.5
7:03
7:25
9:07
2.3
2:22
1.7
12:46
0.4
7:04
7:24
10:42
2.3
1:36
0.4
7:04
7:23
2:35
0.4
7:05
7:22
Mon
5:16
1.8
15
Tue
5:18
1.8
16
Wed
17
Thu
18
Fri
12:07
2.4
3:39
0.4
7:05
7:20
19
Sat
1:05
2.4
4:43
0.4
7:06
7:19
20
Sun
1:48
2.4
5:41
0.4
7:06
7:18
21
Mon
2:21
2.4
6:32
0.4
7:07
7:17
22
Tue
2:46
2.4
11:48 AM
1.8
9:44
1.7
7:17
0.4
7:07
7:15
23
Wed
3:07
2.3
1:12
1.9
9:15
1.7
7:59
0.5
7:08
7:14
24
Thu
3:25
2.3
2:18
2.0
9:07
1.5
8:41
0.7
7:08
7:13
25
Fri
3:40
2.2
3:18
2.1
9:16
1.3
9:25
0.9
7:09
7:12
26
Sat
3:54
2.1
4:17
2.3
9:36
1.0
10:12
1.1
7:09
7:10
27
Sun
4:07
2.0
5:16
2.4
10:04
0.7
11:07
1.4
7:10
7:09
28
Mon
4:16
1.9
6:19
2.5
10:39
0.4
7:10
7:08
29
Tue
4:20
1.9
7:27
2.6
12:16
1.7
30
Wed
8:44
2.7
11:21 AM
0.2
7:11
7:07
12:11
0.0
7:11
7:06
CLEAR LAKE • GALVESTON BAY, TX
GALVESTON PLEASURE PIER, TX
AM
0.1
ED BY SOR
14
High
Date
12:05
N SPO
Date
D BY
ORE
NS SPO
Moon
High
Date
AM
ft
Low PM
PM
ft
Rise
Set
1
Tue
2:53
1.1
7:01
0.1
6:57
7:42
2
Wed
5:01
1.2
7:55
0.0
6:58
7:41
3
Thu
7:11
1.3
9:04
0.0
6:58
7:40
4
Fri
8:29
1.4
10:23
0.0
6:59
7:39
5
Sat
9:37
1.4
11:41
0.0
6:59
7:37
6
Sun
10:35
1.4
7:00
7:36
7
Mon
11:18
1.4
12:49
-0.1
7:00
7:35
8
Tue
11:44
1.3
1:45
-0.1
7:01
7:34
9
Wed
11:50
1.2
2:32
0.0
7:01
7:33
10
Thu
11:23
1.1
8:36
1.1
3:15
0.1
3:46
0.9
7:02
7:31
11
Fri
11:10
1.0
10:43
1.1
3:57
0.3
4:19
0.7
7:03
7:30
12
Sat
10:50
1.0
4:42
0.6
4:54
0.5
7:03
7:29
13
Sun
12:21
1.1
5:32
0.9
5:30
0.3
7:04
7:28
14
Mon
1:55
1.2
6:07
0.2
7:04
7:26
15
Tue
3:54
1.3
6:48
0.2
7:05
7:25
16
Wed
5:47
1.4
7:34
0.2
7:05
7:24
17
Thu
7:06
1.4
8:31
0.3
7:06
7:23
18
Fri
8:15
1.4
9:38
0.3
7:06
7:21
19
Sat
9:14
1.4
10:45
0.3
7:07
7:20
20
Sun
9:59
1.4
11:43
0.3
7:07
7:19
21
Mon
10:32
1.4
7:08
7:18
22
Tue
10:54
1.4
12:31
0.3
7:08
7:17
23
Wed
10:55
1.4
1:14
0.3
7:09
7:15
24
Thu
10:25
1.3
6:16
1.1
1:57
0.3
3:09
1.1
7:09
7:14
25
Fri
10:15
1.2
8:57
1.2
2:43
0.5
3:23
0.9
7:10
7:13
26
Sat
9:40
1.1
10:57
1.3
3:34
0.7
3:48
0.7
7:10
7:12
27
Sun
8:47
1.1
4:33
0.9
4:16
0.4
7:11
7:10
28
Mon
12:30
1.4
4:50
0.3
7:11
7:09
29
Tue
2:02
1.5
5:31
0.2
7:12
7:08
30
Wed
4:21
1.5
6:25
0.2
7:13
7:07
9:51 AM
ft
1.0
AM
ft
TIDES collected from
Moon
Y
www.USHarbors.com www.USHarbors.com
Jamaica West TX2025 - Aug 2025 Jamaica Beach, Beach, West Bay, TXBay, - Aug Date
High
High
Date AM
ftAM
PMft
ftPM
Low
Low AMft
ftAM
PMft
ftPM
ft Rise
Rise Moon Set Set
1
Fri1
Fri 9:28
9:28 0.8
0.8
9:08
9:08 6:38 0.0 0.0
6:38 8:12
8:12
2
Sat2
Sat 7:09
7:09 0.9
0.9
9:50
9:50 6:39 -0.1 -0.1
6:39 8:11
8:11
Moon
ors.com
Moon
eLe 's
I'D RATHER BE FISHING AT
ors.com
Moon
Best Bait on Galveston Bay since 1929 • At the Center of Galveston Bay • Skilled staff • Boat ramp • Boat storage • Live bait • Tackle shop • RV park
230 DIKE RD TEXAS CITY, TX 77590 409-945-5675
BAIT&TACKLE BAIT&
101 1st Street San Leon, TX 77539 281-339-1131
KING•WAHOO•MAHI
! E R E H D A YOUr TODAY ne n a i r a M L L A C FO FOR MORE IN 548 281-229-2
TUNA•SAIL•MARLIN
TKO Spreader Bar $89.95
UmBrella riG CaSt to tarGet or troll $19.95
Grand Slam SerieS $28
BiG Bird $28 Kona SerieS $28
Since 1985
CUSTOM CRAFTED LURES COMPANY DIRECT SALES ONLY!
Call to Order 281 - 852 - 2330 www.TKOLures.com Email gccafreeport@aol.com for Brochure
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
SEPTEMBER 2026
HOUSTON 5
FLOUNDER FISHING – FOR EVERYONE CAPT PAUL MARCACCIO
S
T.P. & W. & USCG License Marcaccio Fishing Academy captpaul@gofishgalveston.com www.gofishgalveston.com
uccessful flounder fishing isn’t always easy. If you simply cast out a bait and wait, you may catch a flounder or two, but chances are you’re in for some frustration. Successfully catching flounder on hook and line takes skill. If you can do it consistently, you’ve earned some bragging rights! I can give you plenty of tips for catching flounder, but when it comes to setting the hook in the mouth of a flatfish, it boils down to two things: concentration and experience. “It seems everyone else can catch flounder except me.” I hear that often this time of year as flounder begin their migration toward the Gulf. Flounder have no swim bladder, meaning they spend their lives swimming or lying on or near the bottom. They normally feed by ambush, partially hiding until prey moves close enough to strike. The flounder quickly rises, grabs its meal, and settles back to the bottom. This is where experience comes into play. Unlike many fish that immediately engulf a bait, flounder will often grab and hold it before swallowing. If you set the hook the instant you
feel the pickup, there’s a good chance you’ll pull the hook right out of the bait and give that flounder a free meal. Instead, wait about 10 seconds before setting the hook. I prefer to palm my reel, letting the line run lightly between my thumb and forefinger. You’d be surprised what a flounder can telegraph up a taut line. You can feel the fish working the bait and eventually taking it deeper into its mouth. That’s the moment of truth—set the hook! Experience it a few times and you’ll never forget the feeling. Successful flounder anglers cover as much bottom as possible. Slowly inch your bait along, working every foot within casting range. When
the line suddenly comes tight, treat it as though a flounder has grabbed the bait rather than assuming you’ve snagged the bottom. Wait those magical 10 seconds, then set the hook. In wading depths, you can also use a float positioned so the bait stays just a few inches above the bottom. Cast up-current and let the float drift naturally. When a flounder takes the bait, the float may simply stop or lean over in the current. Again, wait before setting the hook. For terminal tackle, I prefer a slip sinker followed by a swivel, 18 to 24 inches of 20- to 30-pound leader, and a No. 2 or No. 3 widegap hook. Live mud minnows and finger mullet are excellent baits. When bay temperatures drop below 70 degrees, live shrimp can also be productive. Soft plastics are excellent artificial choices. Bass Assassin, MirrOlure Lil John, shrimp tails, and shad-style baits all work well on 1/8to 1/4-ounce jigheads. Work them close to the bottom with a yo-yo action by lifting and dropping the rod tip. Artificial lures are the exception to the 10-second rule. When you feel the strike, set the hook! Hopefully, these tips give you a leg up on your next flounder trip. Good luck and good fishing. See y’all outdoors on Galveston Bay!
C
D
footba sense the m eviden Th daylig Fish b in Sep Octob will be and th Wi begins trout, shorel reache baitfis from t fish fo can ea An variety baits. F
6 HOUSTON
SEPTEMBER 2026
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
SEASON OF CHANGE CAPTAIN DAVID C DILLMAN Fishing out of Eagle Point Marina 409-632-0924 galvestonbaycharterfishing.com
D
o we see the change from summer to fall? I see the signs: school begins, traffic increases, daylight gets shorter, and football season kicks off. But do fish and wildlife sense the change? For those who are observant, the movements and changing patterns are evident. The most notable change is the amount of daylight. The sun rises later and sets earlier. Fish begin to change their patterns—very subtly in September and much more noticeably in October. In September, their slight movement will be directly related to the decrease in daylight and the gradual cooling of the water. With each passing cool front, which usually begins around the middle of September, speckled trout, redfish, and flounder will begin seeking shorelines and moving toward the northern reaches of the bay. This movement follows baitfish and shrimp as they begin their migration from the marshes into the open bay. Remember, fish follow the food chain. They go where they can eat! Anglers will be able to pursue these fish with a variety of soft plastics and, of course, live natural baits. For flounder, live mud minnows and finger
mullet will be go-to choices. Although finger mullet can sometimes be scarce, Eagle Point generally has some of the best live bait available anywhere on the Texas coast, and at times they may have both mullet and mud minnows available.
Trout and redfish will readily take live shrimp fished under a popping cork. For anglers who enjoy throwing artificials, a variety of soft plastics should also produce well as fish become more active in the cooling water. Anglers searching for something big should look no farther than the Galveston jetties. The annual bull redfish run will begin in September. Live bait will catch them, but often nothing beats a fresh halved crab or dead gizzard shad. Tarpon fishermen will also have a chance to catch some of the largest fish found along the Texas coast as the silver kings move along the Galveston beachfront. It has been a rather slow start to the tarpon fishery this year, but I really think we'll see an uptick in catches along the beachfront during September. So far, hurricane season has been lackluster, and I pray it stays that way. Finally, don't forget to renew your fishing license. For most anglers, annual licenses expire August 31, 2026, and that's something that can easily be overlooked. You can bet a dollar that Texas game wardens will be out and about during the long Labor Day weekend. So, while September may still feel a lot like summer along the Texas coast, the signs of change are already here. Pay attention to the shorter days, the first cool fronts, and the movement of bait—and you'll find the fish won't be far behind.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
SEPTEMBER 2026
HOUSTON 7
G AL VE S TO N S A L T W A T E R C HA RTERS SERVING THE BAY AREA JETTIES
. S E M I T GOOD S T I H D R A ER LOUND F H E V S I I DF MASS LED TROUT BIG RE S CK SHARK M SPE EPSHEAD DRU SHE BLACK
BAY TRIP
(UP TO 3 PEOPLE)
$695
BIG FISH TRIP
H LASTING MEMORIES
LET’S GO
! G N I H S I F $850 (UP TO 3 PEOPLE)
BACK BAYS & DEEP
G EVERYTHIN INCLUDED: RODS, REELS, BAIT, TACKLE, ICE & FISH CLEANING
OVER 300 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
Call or text
(409) 795-1839
GALVESTONSALTWATERCHARTERS.COM
BIG PULLS & BIG BULLS
Be patient—it’s fishing!
CAPTAIN DONNIE WOOD
Owner/Operator, Galveston Saltwater Charters (409) 795-1839 donniewood13@gmail.com Galveston Saltwater Charters
S
eptember is a month when the seasons are trying to change, but most years it stays unpleasantly warm. A mild cool front in the heart of Texas is always a welcome sight, bringing lower humidity and cooler temperatures. One thing that doesn’t change is the migration of the ever-popular bull redfish. Hot or not, giant schools of massive reds invade our waters— hungry and on a mission. This magical time of year produces big fish in quantity, giving anglers the opportunity to battle powerful fish without having to break the bank. It’s not uncommon to make a run around passes, deeper channels, guts, and cuts and catch multiple bruisers that will test both angler and equipment.
HOW TO TARGET THEM
Most of these fish have been around awhile, and they aren’t picky eaters. On charters, we’ll use our smaller setups, such as a good Shimano spinning combo with FISHBITES and a small hook, to catch sand trout, croaker, whiting, piggies, and other baitfish. We’ll also cast-net mullet and use larger baits such as shad. All of these make premium bull redfish food. 8 HOUSTON
SEPTEMBER 2026
Local bait camps will usually have good mullet and shad on hand for anglers who aren’t having success catching their own—or simply don’t have the time. The jetties and passes leading into our bay system are prime areas to target these big fish. Anywhere from 10 to 45 feet of water can be productive. With a good tide, patience, quality bait, and the right setup, you can have an incredible day. Time and again, I’ve found that waiting for the feeding window instead of constantly moving from spot to spot can be much more productive. A tide change, major or minor feeding period, or even a change in water clarity can suddenly turn on the bite.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
I like using a bigger, beefier setup, such as my Shimano Torium 40s and Shimano Tekota 800s paired with Shimano Talavera extra-heavy rods. These setups are built for days when you encounter double-digit numbers of big fish. On any given day, catching 10 to 20 bruiser redfish measuring more than 40 inches can happen. A 6- to 10-ounce egg sinker paired with a 12/0 circle hook works just fine. I like a Carolina rig with a heavy-duty swivel and 100- to 200-pound-test leader for added protection from some of those toothy critters still hanging around. On charters, I also like the added bonus of throwing out a chum bag filled with ground-up fish for some extra scent in the water. It never hurts, and it might even bring in a bonus blacktip or another shark to battle. Whether you’re in it for the PULL or the BULL, these are majestic fish that we’re fortunate to have here in Texas. They’re powerful, beautiful, and an absolute joy to have return to our waters year after year. They probably should have been called goldfish... but I guess that name was already taken.
Saltwater Therapy is a must!
Fishing the Wild Waters of
Cay Sal Bank By A. deGruchy
O
ur Cay Sal trip started at Cat Cay, just south of Bimini, where we checked into the Bahamas before heading south in a 47foot Freeman. Once you leave Bimini behind, the water keeps getting better. Cay Sal Bank is remote, beautiful and surrounded by the kind of bright blue tropical water that makes you want to stop the boat and jump in. The fishing was just as good as the scenery. We fished everything from shallow reefs in about 50 feet of water to deep drops reaching nearly 1,500 feet. On the reef, we caught yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, rock hinds and several other types of grouper. You never really knew what was going to eat next, which kept things fun. Our main setup was Penn International VISX reels paired with custom Connolly rods. We mostly used chicken rigs baited with squid. We also used a ton of virtual jigs. The deep water was one of the coolest parts of the trip. Dropping a bait more than 1,000 feet takes some patience, but it is always exciting when the rod finally loads up. We caught mystic grouper, yelloweye snapper and queen snapper. Watching one of those bright red deepwater fish come into view after a long fight never gets old. We also found tuna and mahi while moving between spots and fishing along the deeper edges of the bank. Out there, you always have to keep an eye out for birds, current lines or floating debris because the action can happen fast. Cay Sal is not only about fishing. We spent time snorkeling, exploring
the reefs and checking out the area’s historic lighthouses. The water was incredibly clear, and it was great to take a break from fishing and see everything below the surface. The lighthouses also give the trip a little bit of history. Being that far from land, surrounded by reefs and open water, really makes you appreciate how wild and remote the area is. A trip like this takes planning. Cay Sal is a long way from help, so having a capable boat, experienced crew, plenty of fuel, reliable navigation and the right safety equipment is important. The 47-foot Freeman gave us the speed, range and room we needed to explore comfortably. Between the reef fishing, deep dropping, tuna, mahi, snorkeling and tropical scenery, Cay Sal delivered a little bit of everything. It is the kind of place where every stop feels like a new adventure, and you never know what might come up on the next drop. Follow all of deGruchy’s adventures at @bean_sportfishing on Instagram and YouTube.
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
SEPTEMBER 2026
NATIONAL 5
The September Season of Change TIM BAREFOOT
T NORTH CAROLINA’S TWO-WEEK RECREATIONAL FLOUNDER SEASON OPENS SEPTEMBER 1
N
orth Carolina anglers will get a short window to target flounder this fall when the state’s 2026 recreational harvest season opens September 1. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open the 2026 recreational flounder harvest season from September 1 through September 14 in Inland Fishing Waters and Joint Fishing Waters. Anglers may harvest flounder by hook and line during the two-week season. The regulations allow anglers to keep one flounder per day, with a minimum size limit of 15 inches. The limited season is part of North Carolina’s ongoing effort to carefully manage its flounder fishery while still providing recreational anglers with an opportunity to harvest the popular coastal species. The season and regulations are consistent with the state’s flounder fishery management measures. Anglers should be aware that the season applies specifically to the waters and fishing methods covered by the Wildlife Commission’s regulations. With only two weeks available, anglers hoping to put flounder in the cooler will want to plan ahead. As always, checking the latest regulations before heading out is recommended, particularly for anglers fishing waters where jurisdiction can change. For North Carolina’s flounder fishermen, September 1 marks the beginning of a short but highly anticipated opportunity to get back after one of the state’s most popular coastal game fish. Visit https://www.ncwildlife.gov/fishing to learn more.
he middle to end of September is when we should start getting our first good cold fronts. This will start to change the surface temperature and begin the mass migration of cigar minnows and sardines to the traditional nearshore spawning grounds. This will trigger the migration of a lot of the pelagic and bottom fish that are following these huge schools of bait. September is also the height of hurricane season, which can change things drastically, but we always work around that. Hopefully it will be like last year with a minimal amount of hurricanes. Of course we are hoping for zero hurricanes, but we’ll see what happens. September is always the month of surprises with wahoo and yellow tuna very close to the beach in and around big schools of bait. This is also the time of year when the bottom fishing starts to kick into gear. You can expect the best snapper fishing of the year for the next couple months, and certainly the grouper action is just starting to take off. Some of the best scamp bites I’ve ever been on have been in September. I understand that it takes precious time away from the fishing day, but I would strongly suggest spending the first hour or more catching live cigar minnows and sardines. Certainly, I always take two boxes of frozen cigar minnows in case “Plan A” doesn’t work out. Yes they will eat frozen cigars, however, a live one is an instant bite they cannot deny. If you have at least two people on the Sabiki and you get into decent schools of minnows, you will quickly put 100 baits in a live-well in an hour. This will definitely pay dividends. September is also the time of year to go to the edge to bottom fish and keep someone specifically in charge of the light line. Depending on the current, you may not need a float, but if there is not much current, a float tackle is always a good idea. Again, don’t be surprised if there’s not a wahoo bite on the light line. Blackfin and dolphin are given the light line and if they don’t want frozen cigar minnows, a whole squid is an excellent choice. Dolphin simply cannot swim by a whole (frozen) squid on the light line. The bottom line is this…bag all the trolling and go sit on some pretty bottom. Put some baits out on the light line behind a boat and let the fish come to you. Cut off the motors and the radio and listen to the beauty of the ocean and reels screaming. Sound travels long distances underwater, and the fish are very much aware of you if you’re making a bunch of noise, so don’t slam cooler lids or stomp around the deck, and don’t have the music rumbling. Make sure that everyone on board has good raincoat. Please take your children fishing and take plenty of photos and videos they will remember forever. Check out my website for our new 16 ounce Octopus Decoy Jig. To learn more tips and techniques from Tim Barefoot, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com and his YouTube channel: @timbarefoot5698.
Wholesale • Retail CUSTOM MADE TO ORDER. Since 1967
(321) 508-2836 CALL TO ORDER! HANDMADE IN THE USA 206 Pine St. • West Melbourne, FL 32904 6 NATIONAL
SEPTEMBER 2026
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
tart to ration wning ic and ember things be like we are
o and of bait. o kick or the arting e been
priority service for members
fishing more s take work nstant Sabiki ly put dends. m fish nding much prised hin are ows, a m by a
some a boat io and travels of you stomp
se take ey will
oy Jig.
That’s in our wheelhouse Boating can be unpredictable and you don’t want to be left waiting during stressful situations. With a BoatU.S. Towing Membership, you come first! For a year of worry-free boating, take US with you on the water.
24/7 Towing by Local Captains You Can Trust
Scan the QR Code or visit BoatUS.com/Wheelhouse
Details of services provided can be found online at BoatUS.com/Agree. TowBoatU.S. is not a rescue service. In case of an emergency, contact the Coast Guard or a government agency immediately.
CAPITALIZING On the Summer-to-Fall Transition T
By Pro Bass Angler Joey Bloom
he transition from summer into fall is a great time of the year to chase bass. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. A lot of anglers assume bass immediately flood the backs of creeks as soon as the calendar says fall, but that’s rarely the case. What really gets the transition rolling is a combination of shorter days, cooling water temperatures, and one of the biggest factors of all— heavy rainfall. After weeks of hot, stable summer conditions, a good stretch of rain can completely change a lake overnight. Rising water levels flood fresh cover, increase current, and wash nutrients into the system. That fresh influx of water attracts baitfish, and wherever the bait goes, the bass aren’t far behind. One of the first places I look after heavy rains is newly flooded shoreline cover. Bushes, grass lines, willow trees, laydowns and isolated wood suddenly become prime ambush points. Bass move shallow because they now have fresh cover to hide in and an endless buffet of bluegill, shad, crawfish and other forage moving into these areas. My approach during this transition is to cover water until I locate active fish. That’s where the Bait Cave Customs Bloom Shad really shines. Its realistic baitfish profile perfectly imitates the young-of-the-year shad that become abundant this
time of year. Whether I’m rigging it on a Big Daddy Baits jighead, fishing it weightless around flooded cover, or using it as a trailer on a vibrating jig, the Bloom Shad consistently produces bites from bass feeding on roaming schools of bait. As I narrow down productive areas, I slow my presentation with one of my favorite confidence baits—the Bait Cave Customs Zora. This versatile soft plastic urchin style bait is the hottest bait craze on the water anywhere. During the summer-tofall transition, bass often position around the first available piece of cover just outside spawning flats or creek channels before making a full migration into the backs of creeks. The Zora allows me to thoroughly pick apart those high-percentage areas. Another overlooked factor after heavy rains is water color. While many anglers avoid stained or muddy water, I actually embrace it. Bass become more comfortable moving shallow in reduced visibility, allowing anglers to get much closer without spooking them. I simply adjust my bait colors to match the conditions—natural shad colors in cleaner water and darker, high-contrast colors when visibility is limited. Current also becomes a major player. Water flowing through creek channels, around bridge crossings, or across points positions bass in predictable feeding locations. Even subtle current can turn an average stretch of bank into a feeding
frenzy, so always pay attention to where the water is moving. The key during the summer-to-fall transition is staying flexible. Bass are constantly relocating, and conditions can change daily. Keep an eye on rising water levels, follow the bait, and don’t be afraid to fish newly flooded cover that wasn’t in the water just days before. For me, having confidence in proven baits like the Bait Cave Customs Bloom Shad and the Zora makes adapting to changing conditions much easier. When heavy rains begin to raise the lake and fall starts knocking on the door, that’s when some of the biggest bass of the season become catchable. Stay mobile, trust what the conditions are telling you, and you’ll be ready to capitalize on one of the most exciting transitions of the year. Follow Joey Bloom on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at Joey Bloom Fishing.
WHY BUY NEW WHEN YOU CAN RENEW?!?
YOUR GAUGE RESTORATION SPECIALISTS
5049 HWY. 17 SOUTH • GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL 32043 904-701-9726 • GAUGESAVER.COM 8 NATIONAL
SEPTEMBER 2026
COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
Throw Yourself a Bone Full tang stainless steel blade with natural bone handle —now ONLY $79!
T
he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature. If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship EXCLUSIVE with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for. The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but Stauer® Pocket extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The Binoculars blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its -a $99 valueresistance to corrosion. with purchase of Huntsman Blade The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world. This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers. But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of What Stauer Clients $99 Stauer power pocket binoculars Are Saying About and a genuine leather sheath FREE Our Knives when you purchase the Huntsman Blade. Your satisfaction is 100% “This knife is beautiful!” guaranteed. Feel the knife in your — J., La Crescent, MN hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, “The feel of this knife send it back within 30 days for a is unbelievable...this complete refund of the item price. is an incredibly fine Limited Reserves. A deal like this instrument.” won’t last long. We have only 1120 — H., Arvada, CO Huntsman Blades for this ad only. BONUS! Call today and Don’t let this beauty slip through your you’ll also receive this fingers. Call today! genuine leather sheath!
FREE
Huntsman Blade $249*
Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $170
1-800-333-2045 Your Insider Offer Code: HBK353-03 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.
Stauer
®
Rating of A+
14091 Southcross Drive W., Dept. HBK353-03 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.
California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product. • 12” overall length; 6 ¹⁄2” stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath
Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®
TZT16X | 22X | 24X
9"- 24" MFDs
Level Up
TZT9E | 13E
TZT10X | 13X
Your Helm
When helm space is at a premium, the 9" and 13" TZtouchE MFDs give you maximum screen area to view their eye-popping TZ MAPS charts and builtin TruEcho CHIRP™ Fish Finder with Side-Scan. Plus, TZtouchE is fully networkable with the TZtouchXL family of 10", 13", 16", 22", & 24" MFDs and a wide range of best-in-class sensors – legendary Furuno Radars, Sonars, Fish Finders, Autopilots, and more. Furuno... The reason to level up your helm!
Marine Electronics