Galveston Bay Entrance / North Jetty is a major Texas jetty fishery where the Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay meet Gulf water. Red drum, spotted seatrout, southern flounder, and sheepshead are the principal supported targets.
Current Coastal Rating
Fair · 63
Beta
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Should I Go?
Trip conditions only. Target-species activity and seasonal fishery patterns are not yet included.
Consider
Trip conditions may be workable, but important cautions or data limitations remain.
High confidence in the evaluated inputs — observational coverage is partial. — Required data sources were available and the key inputs were current.
Evaluates trip conditions using weather, tides, currents, waves, daylight, and active alerts.
This coastal rating is in public beta.
Missing waves are not calm. Forecast is not an observation. Prediction is not an observation.
Because this rating is in public beta, recommendations are capped at Consider when evidence is limited.
Recommended window
Tuesday · 9:00 AM–12:00 PM CDT
Window score
81
Max wind
14 mph
Max gust
19 mph
Daylight
100% of window
Tide state
falling
Max current
0.6 kn
Why
Strong daylight coverage supports the evaluated window.
Current Readings
Updated Oct 20, 2026, 6:44 AM
NOAA Station selected
Source
NOAA CO-OPS
Galveston Bay Entrance, North Jetty station
0.0 mi from destination
Water level
2.4 ft MLLW
Updated 9 min ago
Water temperature
71.4°F
Updated 9 min ago
Past 7 Days
NOAA Station selected
Water level
Window Oct 13, 2026, 6:44 AM – Oct 20, 2026, 6:44 AM (rolling 168 hours)
Water level over the past 7 days. 1679 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 6:48 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 6:36 AM Range 0.2 ft MLLW to 3.1 ft MLLW.
Readings increased over the available period.
1679 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 6:48 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 6:36 AM
NOAA CO-OPS · Galveston Bay Entrance, North Jetty · Station 8771341
These values are tidal-current predictions, not real-time observed currents. They describe conditions near this prediction station rather than the entire surrounding coastal area.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Galveston Bay Entrance / North Jetty fishery
A current-driven Upper Texas Coast jetty and ship-channel fishery at the Galveston Bay entrance. The North Jetty granite, channel edges, and Gulf-side wash concentrate red drum, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, and southern flounder. This is the entrance / North Jetty only.
Fishery type
Jetty pass ship channel
Fishing modes
Shore
Inshore boat
Habitat and structure
North Jetty granite protecting the Galveston Bay entrance · Deep Galveston Ship Channel between Bolivar and Galveston Island · Gulf-side wash, rock toes, and current breaks along the jetty
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 15, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Red drum, spotted seatrout, and sheepshead are North Jetty targets. They occur here, but they are not typical every month. Southern flounder typically use channels and passes during fall emigration toward Gulf spawning, generally October through December per TPWD; that is not year-round occupancy at this Gulf entrance and is not a legal harvest season. TPWD magazine also documents Spanish mackerel on the Gulf-side wash;
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Red drum
Primary
Sciaenops ocellatus
Also called Redfish
No seasonal pulse known
These fish use the jetty and the pass.red drum is not typical every month.
Spotted seatrout
Primary
Cynoscion nebulosus
No seasonal pulse known
These fish use the jetty and the pass. spotted seatrout is not typical every month.
Southern flounder
Secondary
Paralichthys lethostigma
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: OCTOBER — DECEMBER
TPWD: fall emigration through channels and passes toward Gulf spawning, typically October to December. Spring return and spring/summer fishing are described farther inside bay systems.
Sheepshead
Secondary
Archosargus probatocephalus
No seasonal pulse known
Sheepshead use the jetty structure and are not typical every month.
Typical Seasonal Targets
Southern flounder — OCTOBER — DECEMBER
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
How to Fish Galveston Bay Entrance / North Jetty
Typical October approaches include bottom and structure presentations for Southern flounder.
Bottom and structure presentations
Fish shrimp or jigs against the rocks for sheepshead and along channel edges for southern flounder.
Best for
Southern flounder
Modes
Shore
Inshore boat
Setup
North Jetty bottom setup
Common Tackle Setups
North Jetty bottom setup
Heavier shore or boat tackle to hold bottom against granite for sheepshead and flounder.
Rod
Medium-heavy rod for current and rock.
Reel
Reel with a solid drag.
Main line
Abrasion-resistant braid.
Leader
Shorter heavy leader for barnacles.
Terminal tackle
Sinkers or jig heads heavy enough to hold in the channel.; Hooks suited to shrimp around structure.
Presentation
Keep baits close to the rocks; most jetty fish hold tight to structure.
Used for
Bottom and structure presentations
Typical October Lures and Flies
Common lure and fly families associated with this month’s techniques.
Hop, swim, or drift depending on depth and current speed
Soft-plastic jig head
Lure
Southern flounder
Midwater, Bottom, Variable · Jig, slow, drift
Keep intermittent bottom contact around structure and soft edges
General seasonal guidance, not a live recommendation, product endorsement, or guarantee of success.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
Reach the North Jetty from the Bolivar Peninsula after the TxDOT Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry. TPWD's Bolivar Loop describes the North Jetty via TX 87 to 17th Street, about 1.8 miles from the ferry landing. Boat anglers work both faces of the jetty from the channel and Gulf side. Confirm current ferry, parking, and navigation postings. This destination is not the South Jetty and not Galveston Channel.
Primary hazards
Algae-covered granite is slick in the intertidal zone. Strong current, ship traffic, and limited exit points require careful footing. Boat anglers should not pull an anchor near the rocks without the engine running. Heat, lightning, and wakes are routine hazards.
Fishery considerations
The Galveston Bay entrance is a thoroughfare between the bay and the Gulf. Moving water along the rocks is typical.
Southerly wind against outbound current can make the channel face rough.
Regulations
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
