Spring has finally arrived along the upper coast and fishermen should be taking advantage of some of the best fishing in years. GALVESTON BAY — Captain Pat Murray says, ” In May the trout start showing up along the shorelines in good numbers. This is the best time for wadefishermen to work shallow areas with topwaters looking for big speckled trout. Also, with our tremendous amount of redfish in the Galveston Bay complex, Fishermen shouldn’t have any trouble locating schools around the mouths of bayous and along the north shoreline reefs.” areas around Galveston Bay where fishermen should be able to find fish in May are the Galveston Causeway, Confederate Reef, the flats adjoining San Luis Pass, and the many reefs which dot East Bay. 
MATAGORDA BAY — More trophy trout have come from this area during the last few years, during spring, than any where else from Sabine to Rockport. Local guide, Captain Raymond Cox, is one of the few in the area and has no problem catching good numbers of speckled trout and redfish during spring. “Most people don’t think about Matagorda except during the winter, says Cox, and then we’re fishing in the Colorado River.” According to Cox and other fishermen experienced with the Matagorda area, May should see more trophy trout along the shorelines mixed with schools of redfish. Baits for the area include everything from live shrimp and finger mullet to topwater plugs and swimming shad. And don’t forget the wells around West Matagorda Bay. Fish hold on this structure and working the wells with live bait is an excellent way to land a limit of trout.O’Connor — Limits of trout on pumpkinseed/chartreuese shadtails are normal for this time of year, but many fishermen like to throw topwaters trying for a trophy. This is about as close to an all around fishing spot as it gets. Fishermen should concentrate their efforts in Espiritu Santo Bay and the surf, but the jetties should also be producing good numbers of fish, mostly on live bait. OFF SHORE — Springtime is a time when the weather begins to settle and the offshore season starts to kick into action. Early season kingfish were showing up at about 60 miles out in April and should be moving within reach of smaller boats in May. Also, ling are moving into nearshore waters and providing some excellent action and quality eating for fishermen lucky enough to land one. Red snapper are making their move to deeper waters, but May should make it easier for anglers to locate the bigger so snapper once the baits get through the triggers and angle fish.many of us are looking forward to the action in the bays and nearshore waters, May also brings with it the anticipation of rising billfish. Sabine, Galveston, Freeport, Matagorda, and Port O’Connor bluewater anglers have been waiting all winter for this time of year to begin their hunt for elusive marlin andwait is over. May brings warmer currents to the gulf and calmer weather so that these anglers can make their move. The Cervesa Rigs and the Flower Garden are two names that we’ll be hearing more about as reports of billfish increase.
– Texas Saltwater Fishing Guide
