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Port guide / Upper Texas Coast / Texas
Crystal Beach fishing guide
Crystal Beach sits on the Bolivar Peninsula across the ferry from Galveston, with 27 miles of open surf on one side and the shell beds, grass lines and drains of East Galveston Bay on the other. Unlike Galveston there are no seawall piers here; locals wade the second sandbar in the surf, walk the North Jetty from the Bolivar side, and fish the Intracoastal rocks and East Bay reefs. Rollover Pass is now closed, so the bay side fishes as a quieter, wind-and-tide driven system where higher tides push redfish up into the grass.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Crystal Beach. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Goat Island, Sievers Cove, Galveston Bay, TX (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Galveston Bay Entrance, North Jetty, TX (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from High Island to Freeport TX out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Crystal Beach. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: Bolivar Peninsula Texas, East Galveston Bay Fishing Report (opens in a new tab) CrystalBeach.com, Captain Jeff Brandon Fishing Report (opens in a new tab) Captain Experiences Texas guide reports (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Crystal Beach. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled trout | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Southern flounder | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Slow | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good |
| Sand trout | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Sharks (bull shark and others) | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
Speckled trout
Peak: June, July, August
In summer when green water reaches the beach, wade to the second sandbar with live shrimp or a lure; in fall work East Bay shoreline shell, Intracoastal rocks and drains with light paddle tails.
Redfish
Peak: September, October, November
Slot reds and bulls push along East Bay grass lines and drains on higher tides with good movement, and bull reds show in the surf in fall.
Southern flounder
Peak: October
Flounder stage in the bay and near the jetties on their fall run, but Texas closes them November 1 to December 14, so October is the month to keep fish.
Sheepshead
Fish tight to the North Jetty rocks and other structure, where sheepshead keep biting when the rest of the winter bite slows.
Sand trout
Mixed in with specks on scattered shell beds and open-water reefs in East Bay when the wind lets you get out there.
Sharks (bull shark and others)
Summer surf anglers fish the beach from Bolivar Flats to the High Island curve, and an 8 foot 3 inch bull shark won the 2025 Bolivar Beatdown.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, Texas state waters
Open year-round for private recreational anglers in Texas state waters.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal waters (private anglers off Texas)
Opened May 22, 2026. As of October 23, 2026 it remains open, and TPWD will set the closure date by monitoring harvest.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal waters (for-hire boats)
Closed January 1 to May 31. The 2026 for-hire season closed October 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, federal waters
Closed January 1 to August 31. The 2026 season opened September 1 and closed October 1, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, federal waters
The season opens September 1 each year. The 2026 to 2027 season closed October 14, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, federal waters
Closed January 1 to February 28 and June 1 to July 31, so open March 1 to May 31 and August 1 to December 31.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Shallow-water grouper, federal waters beyond 20 fathoms
Closed February 1 to March 31 seaward of the 20-fathom contour.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Southern flounder, Texas waters
Flounder fishery is closed November 1 to December 14 (bag limit is zero).
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Jetty
North Jetty
At the end of 17th Street off Highway 87, about two miles east of the ferry landing, the rocks run nearly a mile out for reds, trout and sheepshead.
- Beach
Crystal Beach surf
Wade to waist-deep water on the second sandbar; best in summer when green water comes to the beach.
- Marsh
Frenchtown Road
Calm water near the ferry landing for reds, trout and flounder, and the site of the late October Snoopy Slam kids tournament.
- Channel
Intracoastal Waterway rocks
Rocks along the ICW behind Crystal Beach hold trout and reds, along with nearby grass lines, drains and windblown points.
- Reef
East Galveston Bay reefs and shell beds
Open-water reefs and scattered shell give up specks and sand trout when the wind lays down enough to reach them.
- Beach
Bolivar Flats to High Island surf
The stretch of beach shark and bull red anglers spread along for the summer Bolivar Beatdown.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilsner Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | End of 15th Street, Bolivar Peninsula, TX 77650 |
| Lauderdale Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Yacht Basin Rd, Bolivar Peninsula, TX 77650 |
| Stingaree Marina double boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 1297 N Stingaree Dr, Crystal Beach, TX 77650 |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (2)
Showing all 2 shops
- MarinaLive bait
Stingaree Marina
Call to ask what bait is in today.
1297 N Stingaree Dr, Crystal Beach, TX 77650
Full service marina at Stingaree Restaurant on the Intracoastal with a double boat ramp, gas on the water and live bait in season.
- Tackle shop
Harold's Tackle
Peninsula tackle shop that was the largest local sponsor of the October 2026 Snoopy Slam kids tournament on Frenchtown Road.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Get the Net Guide Services (Capt. Jeff Brandon) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Stingaree Saltwater Slam Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually the second weekend of October, trout, redfish and flounder, with a kids hardhead tournament
2026: October 10Snoopy Slam Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
late October on Frenchtown Road, everyone fishes a donated youth rod; set to return the last weekend of October
Bolivar Beatdown Shark Fishing Tournament (Texas Shark Radio) (opens in a new tab)
summer surf tournament for shark stringers and largest redfish, awards at Swedes Park Pavilion
CCA Texas STAR Tournament (opens in a new tab)
Summer, coastwide (late May to Labor Day)
2026: May 23 to September 7
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Crystal Beach, asked and answered
Where can I fish from shore at Crystal Beach?
Wade the surf out to the second sandbar, walk the North Jetty at the end of 17th Street off Highway 87, or fish the calm water along Frenchtown Road near the ferry landing. There are no seawall piers like Galveston has.
When is the best time for speckled trout at Crystal Beach?
June through August is peak in the surf when green water reaches the beach. Spring and fall are good too, and in fall the trout work East Bay shoreline shell, Intracoastal rocks and drains.
Where do I launch a boat near Crystal Beach?
Galveston County lists the Pilsner Boat Ramp at the end of 15th Street and the Lauderdale Boat Ramp on Yacht Basin Road on the peninsula. Stingaree Marina also has a double ramp at 1297 N Stingaree Drive.
Can I keep flounder at Crystal Beach in November?
No. Texas closes the flounder fishery November 1 to December 14 with a bag limit of zero, so October is the month to keep fish from the fall run.
Where can I buy live bait on the Bolivar Peninsula?
Stingaree Marina on N Stingaree Drive sells live bait in season, and Harold's Tackle is the local tackle shop. Call ahead, since bait supply is seasonal.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Crystal Beach
Sources for this guide (13), last checked 2026-10-27
- bolivarpeninsulatexas.com/bolivar-saltwater-slam (opens in a new tab)
- bolivarpeninsulatexas.com/east-galveston-bay-fishing-report-10-26-2026 (opens in a new tab)
- bolivarpeninsulatexas.com/east-galveston-bay-fishing-report-crystal-beach-texas-10-20-26 (opens in a new tab)
- bolivarpeninsulatexas.com/marinas-and-bait-camps (opens in a new tab)
- crystalbeach.com/area-information/what-to-do/fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- crystalbeach.com/news/big-smiles-and-pint-sized-rods-2nd-annual-snoopy-slam-fishing-tourna (opens in a new tab)
- crystalbeach.com/news/bolivar-beatdown-tournament-reels-in-big-wins/ (opens in a new tab)
- galvestoncountytx.gov/our-county/advanced-components/list-detail-pages/facility-directory- (opens in a new tab)
- getthenetguideservices.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- startournament.org/ (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/saltwater-fishing/bag-length-limits/flou (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/saltwater-fishing/red-snapper/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing/2025-2026-and-2026-2027-gulf-america-rec (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Crystal Beach
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.