Black Drum Run: Seawolf Park 2-21-14

Back Story

My brother-in-law Brendt decided to come into town and asked me if I could take him saltwater fishing.  Initially I thought kayak fishing for slot reds and trout.  Brendt was coming in late Thursday night on the 20th (like 11pm late!), so I didn't have time to borrow a kayak for him to use.  Earlier on in the week it was looking like the weather wasn't going to be so cooperative either.  I left town on a Monday and flew back to the same airport as him on Thursday night.  With no time to pick up a kayak, I started checking the fishing reports and saw a lot of black drum being caught.  Those are pretty fun and I haven't caught one in awhile so I thought we'd go out to Seawolf and try our luck.

Seawolf Park

I had never been to Seawolf Park in Galveston before, though I knew it gave access to some of the Galveston ship channels.  Deep channels are places I have had luck with black drum before.  They can be difficult to fish if there is a strong current moving through, as in the Galveston Ship Channel.  Additionally, it is a popular fishing destination and there were several reports of people catching big uglies (oversized drum) this time of year.  If you're not familiar with Seawolf Park, click here

Upon arrival at the park, we learned there was a $6 fee per car and a $6 fee per angler, or $18 for the two of us to fish for the day.  It's not free, but not terrible either.  The park is pretty large and has some nice facilities.  Plenty of porta potties, fish cleaning stations, parking, etc.  Some of the fishing spots are a little walk, so a cart or a friend would make things easier.  There is one lighted fishing pier, and fishing from the rocks is prohibited after dark.  There were several places to access the Galveston Ship Channel as well as some shallower areas. 

The Fishing

Having never been there, we asked the employees where they recommended fishing.  They recommended the bulkhead, having just been opened.  We decided to give it a shot.  After promptly hanging up our first two bottom rigs, we decided to move further towards the mouth of the channel.  From the bulk head, it looked like there was a layer of shell on the bottom that had been dredged up from the channel, and we couldn't get past it with our gear.  However, this section of the beach did provide some relief from the swift moving currents moving through the channel.

We brought with us blue crabs, horse mullet, dead shrimp, and fish bites - all of which were reported to have caught big uglies.  Additionally, this is a popular spot to catch bull reds from the bank, sheephead and flounder.  Honestly my goal was just to help Brendt get a fish on the bank, no matter what species.  Upon arrival, we noticed that there was a strong wind blowing in our face.  There were people already fishing off the bulk head, but we thought we'd give it a shot.  We put out a half crab on the bottom and a dead shrimp under a cork and started throwing it around the rocks. 

After realizing this spot was not going to work and taking a walk around the whole park, I decided to give it a go off the rocks on the right side of the park.  In the map above, from satellite view, you'll see a brown square that is the swing set.  We fished right in front of that.  The current is much stronger on this part of the channel.  We made a pre-trip to Academy and bought several sizes of weights.  I started with the 5 oz bank sinker, and felt the familiar "tick tick tick" of it bouncing across the bottom.  We added an additional 3 oz pyramid sinker and the 8 oz of weight was enough to hold the bottom.  A 5 oz spider weight would have probably sufficed as well.  The wind was blowing hard in our face and we decided to ditch the trout rods and just focus on the bottom baits.

About 30 minutes after setting out the first rod, the clicker starts going off and the rod starts running.  Brendt grabs it and the fight is on.  After a fun 10 minute or so fight, he pulls in the biggest fish he's ever caught, and our first big ugly of the day.  We didn't have a measuring tape or a weight scale with us, but what a fish!

Rod: 7' Ugly Stik Catfish MH 15-30lb
Reel: Abu Garcia C3 6501
Line:  Powerpro 50lb
Bait: 1/2 Blue crab - click here to see how to rig blue crabs
Leader: 4' 400lb mono with a sliding clasp for a sinker 1/2 way up w/ 8oz of weight
Hook: 16/0 Mustad Circle
Presentation: On bottom w/ clicker on

We were stoked having caught our first fish.   We went to setting the lines back out and waiting.  After checking them every 30 minutes or so and putting on fresh bait, we started running low on leaders.  The reels we used have a low gear ratio and with the amount of weight on the leader, its important to reel fast to keep the hook from snagging in the rocks near the shore.  Sometimes, this is easier said than done though, but our snags were probably mostly operator error.  So running low on pre-made leaders and weights, we decided to improvise.  I had some large swivels, some 25lb mono, and some 8/0 Gamakatsu circle hooks in my box - they'd have to do.

We set the lines back out with the last of our tackle and waited.  I had just told Brendt he caught the only fish in the gulf when one of the reels started peeling off.  What a rush!  It was my turn so I ran over and picked up the reel and started fighting the fish.  This time I was using a heavier rod and heavier reel than previously, and the fish didn't have as much of a chance.  Not to mention when I landed the fish, it had swallowed the hook way down deep.  There was no way of getting it out, so I had to cut the leader off at the fish's mouth.  I was extremely happy to catch our 2nd big ugly of the day!  I can't say if this was my PB or not, but I can say it was FUN!

Rod: 7' Ugly Stik Tiger MH 20-50lb
Reel: Avet MXL
Line:  Stren 40lb Mono in Hi Vis Green
Bait: 1/4 Blue crab - click here to see how to rig blue crabs
Leader: 4' 25lb mono with 8oz of weight rigged in line above the leader's swivel on the main line
Hook: 8/0 Gamakatsu Circle
                                                 Presentation: On bottom w/ clicker on

We kept at it for a little while longer, and while we were packing up were getting a few tugs on our last leaders, but could never hook up.  We stayed out for a total of about 4 hours in between moving spots and setting up and managed two nice fish.  All in all it was a successful trip and a great day!