By Captain Bryan Brawner
As we wrap up another good year, albeit a lot different, I would again like to thank all my clients, customers, and good friends which have contributed to making this a fun successful year. 2021 was a lot of the same with all of the wet weather but we still had some good trips and made some good friends.

For the East Bay Area right now with warmer than normal temperatures, the flounder fishing as been hot with reports of nice catches coming from numerous areas of East Bay. Surf fishing has still remained good for reds and large whiting. Some keeper specks are being taken by waders and by fishing channels around marsh lakes on the high tide days. Specks have been reported good in far north areas of Trinity like Burnett Bay.

Back in January 2020 I wrote an article about the closure of Rollover Pass with hope that the changes for East Bay would be for the best as they were before the Pass was originally dug. My bottom line was ,” I don’t know but we will adapt. “ I have gathered the feedback from several guides, biologists and people familiar with the bay for years. The main consensus is that the Bay has suffered a major setback with the Pass closed. There are a lot of factors impacting the bay but the wetter than normal years, changes in drainage routed toward the bay, watershed changes from areas draining toward the bay, and general destruction of habitat have all contributed to the decline linked to Rollover’s closure.

With Rollover, there was just enough salty water mixed in to the runoff in the past to aid in a quicker recovery from the excessive rains in past years. With continual wetter than normal years, the low and negligible salinity has persisted throughout a large part of East Bay which has caused a large population of fish to leave permanently. Now there are lots of smaller fish when the water salinity is at reasonable levels.

With the changes, the redfish schools have remained in the bay and marsh lakes as long as there is bait for them.

Those that wade fish have had a definite advantage as fish are concentrated in shallower areas and shorelines adjacent to deeper water and marshes. Lots of fish have left the bay but this has really made the jetties and surf a hot area for fishing throughout the year. Also Galveston far west bay has been the go to place for big specks. If we get big spring rains, think jetty fishing.

With the opening of Sun Oil canal from the Intercostal to the bay, there will be more changes in the habitat, Dredging out more oyster shell and grass don’t seem like it will benefit a thing but there eventually will be a deeper channel with more current through it and probably boats stacked in on most nice days.

I am making some needed website changes so my my websites will be down the next few weeks until after the first of the year. Just text or email.

For those that have taken my class, don’t forget to follow up before your next trip for up to date fishing information on East Bay. As conditions are warmer than normal, there are more opportunities now than usual for this time of year for about another week. There are a limited number of places holding fish right now that I wont post but can keep you updated before your trips.

On the water class/seminars are one of the best investments you will make to further your success and knowledge of Galveston East Bay.

For an extra added value now we are offering classes run from the client’s boat where we download data into your GPS as we run the class throughout East Bay. Coordinates downloads on sd or mini sd chip included!

I am going to have my boat at Lake Conroe and be running some fresh water trips starting sometime early this spring. Lots of fun and action! I will also be offering limited on the water classes for Galveston East Bay. I will have more information on all of that after winter.

I will continue with updated report content after this winter from myself and several other contributors for East Bay and for other areas of the bay system.

[email protected]
www.fishinghouston.com
409-256-1265
Member-Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Learn Galveston East Bay! Private Classes from your boat! Chip Included. For exact fishing locations and techniques, I am conducting one-on-one classes of the Galveston East Bay System. We will spend a half-day trip exploring that bay and the techniques and timing of fishing there. Bring your hand-held GPS and a map and note pad and I will further your knowledge of the bay and patterns for fishing in all of the seasons of the year. These classes include everything from locations to tackle and lure selection; thus have a lot of content. We cover over 55 miles on the water in a class. Call 409-256-1265 for more information.

Text or call 409-256-1265 for availability of trips. You can also e-mail me [email protected] for updated fishing conditions and trip availability.

Check my website www.fishinghouston.com for prices and more information.
Website down for updates…TEXT ME

Captain Bryan Brawner

[Dec-28-2021]