The Galveston County Daily News

Saturday’s gorgeous weather apparently lured many anglers away from the water, as there were surprisingly few boats fishing West Bay. Those who opted for the water versus fall events, such as Oktoberfest celebrations, found the fishing to be good.

Saturday afternoon, I dropped by the sidewalk sale at Serious Tackle and visited with several fishing celebrities from our area. Among them was Capt. Billy Howell, who had just returned from a morning of flounder fishing with his dad and a friend.

Howell motioned me to his boat, which was parked nearby, and opened his live well to show a full limit of solid flounder.

We discussed this year’s flounder run, and Howell said he feels it is just beginning and November will be when we see the most activity and largest fish. He said based on his logs of flounder catches through the years, we are in a decline.

Howell said Saturday’s fish came from the typical flounder hot spots around Galveston and all were caught using JBC Goobers.

Michael LaRue, Chris Jamail, along with his brother, Steve, and Patrick Lemire were all giving pointers on where the action is taking place and their preferred baits.

The jetties continue to be dependable for good catches, especially if reds and gafftop are the fish you are seeking. Moses Lake is beginning to turn on as well.

Once good numbers of anglers return to the bays, we should hear of lots of trout being caught. Soon, West Bay will join Trinity and East bays as a prime spot for trout, flounder and reds.

It likely will take a further drop in water temperature before the action really gets under way.

Dickie Pike at The Fish Pot on Moses Lake reported customers Miguel Meyers, Victor Medina, James McAfee and Larry Sumeler having a great day of fishing on the lake.

Using dead shrimp for bait, their catch included four bull reds to 36 inches, 13 gafftop, 13 sand trout and three croaker.

Sarah Melcer and Abby, her dog, were back at the jetties Friday. Fishing about 100 yards from the end of the South Jetty, they landed 27 gafftop.

Melcer said Abby fell overboard in the choppy conditions; however, she was fine and went right back to fishing.

The Bayou Fest Kids Fishing Tournament took place on Oct. 17, and the winners were Britney Barmode (perch), Justin Martin (croaker), Ray Herrera (catfish), Kelly Batson (sandtrout), Adrian Arbize (redfish), Brianna Harms (black drum), Samantha Bundy (open), Jaromillo Dylon (speckled trout). Members of the Rusty Hook Fishing Club were on hand to help with the event.

Many of our readers are familiar with Capt. Chris Phillips, an icon in the Texas fly-fishing community and the fact that he is battling brain cancer.

Today, a fundraiser is being held at Blanco’s Bar and Grill, 3406 W. Alabama, in Houston to collect proceeds to help the good captain keep up his fight.

The event takes place from noon to 3 p.m. A fishing garage sale will be part of the activities, along with food and drinks, auctions and other things of interest to anglers.

For those unable to attend but desire to make a donation, Phillips’ Web site offers that opportunity and can be found at www.chrisphillipsfishing.com. For information, contact Andy Packmore at 281-481-6838.

To get your catch in the Reel Report, phone Capt. Joe Kent at 409-683-5273, or send an e-mail to reel.report(at)galvnews.com. There’s no charge for this service.