Galveston Pier Fishing Tips to Help You Change Things Up

By Andy Whitcomb

Dec 19, 2017

When saltwater fishing in Texas, a Galveston fishing pier can provide great access to an outstanding fishery.

There are many great Texas fishing spots for both fresh and saltwater. When deciding where to fish for saltwater species, keep in mind that access to deeper water can be an issue, especially if you don’t happen to have a boat or are just there for a few days of vacation.  A pier, then, that extends a long distance into the ocean and then forms a long “T” shape to accommodate many eager anglers can be a handy fishing facility and Galveston pier fishing can be loads of fun.

Galveston pier fishing reaches depths unattainable when casting from the shore especially when the seas are rough and cold.  By using this stable, secure platform there may be less of a chance of getting seasick for those prone to motion sickness. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department even lists the Galveston Fishing Pier as one of several wheelchair accessible fishing locations along Galveston Bay.  Another perk of fishing a pier is that the support poles serve as fish attracting structure.

Traditional saltwater rigs work well here and Galveston fishing bait is readily available in several locations. Shrimp, crabs, squid, or mullet can tempt such species as redfish, sharks, sea trout, sheepshead, and black drum. The 61st Street Fishing Pier even has an online streaming pier cam so you can check the ocean conditions and maybe even watch a lucky angler reel in a fish.  Admission is very reasonable at Galveston fishing piers, considering the immediate convenient access and the potential amount of reel-screaming fun available. Bait can be purchased on this pier as well as rods rented that are completely rigged to catch “whatever is out there.”

When fishing one of these great Galveston fishing spots, be sure to familiarize yourself with all Texas state fishing regulations. For example, anglers fishing off a Galveston fishing pier are limited to 2 fishing rods per angler and a fishing license is required for any angler over 17 and can be purchased as freshwater, saltwater, or “all water.” It’s all good. 

Andy Whitcomb
Andy Whitcomb
Andy is an outdoor writer (http://www.justkeepreeling.com/) and stressed-out Dad has contributed over 380 blogs to takemefishing.org since 2011. Born in Florida, but raised on banks of Oklahoma farm ponds, he now chases pike, smallmouth bass, and steelhead in Pennsylvania. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State.