When sailfish are around Galveston
Sailfish fishing out of Galveston falls inside the port’s deep-sea window, which Sea Ventures calls best from around mid April to mid October. No sailfish-specific months are published for this port, so plan around that window.
Boats leave between the north jetty at Bolivar and the south jetty on Galveston Island, and every distance on this page is measured from the jetties. Launch, fuel and channel details are on our Galveston port page. For the wider picture across the northern Gulf, see our Gulf of Mexico sailfish guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide).
How far boats run for sailfish from Galveston
Boats that list sailfish out of Galveston run 40 to 100 mi on full-day trips; Sea Ventures full-day trips are listed at that range.
The bands below show the structure boats run to and past on bluewater days. They are reference points, not sailfish spots:
- About 20 mi southwest: Big Man’s and Kate’s nearshore reefs
- 30 to 60 mi: wrecks and rigs
- 90 to 110 mi: Flower Garden Banks
- 100 to 130 mi: the Nansen rig, on yellowfin night trips
The Flower Garden Banks and the Nansen rig sit at or beyond the outer end of the 40 to 100 mi full-day range.
Reading the water at NDBC 42035
NDBC 42035 sits 22 NM east of Galveston, at 29.235 N 94.410 W. NDBC Station 42035 readings give wind, wave height and dominant period as measured conditions. The forecast is a separate thing, so read the official Houston/Galveston marine forecast as well before a 40 to 100 mi day.
Who fishes for them out of this port
Two Galveston charters list sailfish:
- Galveston Offshore Fishing charters: Capt. Shannon LaBauve runs the 31 ft Oceanmaster Half Time.
- Galveston Sea Ventures: lists sailfish on its 40 to 100 mi full-day trips. Capt. Shane is named in a customer review.
For a guided first trip before running your own boat, start with our billfish fishing guides.
Grounds and structure off Galveston
Offshore of the Galveston jetties, boats pass nearshore reefs at about 20 mi, wrecks and rigs at 30 to 60 mi, and the Flower Garden Banks at 90 to 110 mi.
| Ground | Distance or location from the jetties | Depth or note |
|---|---|---|
| Galveston jetties (north at Bolivar, south on Galveston Island) | At the entrance channel | 24 to 28 ft where bull reds were taken |
| Big Man’s Nearshore Reef | Roughly 20 mi southwest | Nearshore reef |
| Kate’s Nearshore Reef | Roughly 20 mi southwest | Nearshore reef |
| Wrecks and rigs | 30 to 60 mi | Mid-range structure |
| Cerveza oil rig | Due south | Oil rig |
| Nansen oil rig | 100 to 130 mi | Yellowfin night fishing, per a trip recap |
| Flower Garden Banks | 90 to 110 mi offshore (Get Hooked) | 200 to 1000+ ft |
Galveston jetties
The jetties are the departure point. Bull reds have been taken at the entrance channel in 24 to 28 ft.
Big Man’s and Kate’s nearshore reefs
Both reefs sit roughly 20 mi southwest of the jetties and are the first named structure on the way out.
Wrecks and rigs at 30 to 60 mi
This is the mid-range band of structure between the nearshore reefs and the outer banks.
Cerveza rig
The Cerveza rig lies due south of the jetties.
Nansen rig
The Nansen rig is 100 to 130 mi out, per a trip recap, and is fished at night for yellowfin. That puts it beyond a standard 40 to 100 mi full day.
Flower Garden Banks
Get Hooked puts the Flower Garden Banks 90 to 110 mi offshore, in 200 to 1000+ ft.
The 61st Street and 91st Street seawall piers are pay piers for shore fishing.
These grounds can be viewed on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation, so run on official charts.
How sailfish are fished from this port
Galveston boats that list sailfish do so on full-day trips of 40 to 100 mi, and the local method detail is not published. For methods and biology, see our sailfish fishing guide.
FAQ about sailfish fishing out of Galveston
How far offshore are sailfish from Galveston?
Charters that list sailfish run 40 to 100 mi on full-day trips, per Sea Ventures. No spot is a promise of fish.
When is the season for sailfish out of Galveston?
Sea Ventures calls deep sea fishing best from around mid April to mid October. No sailfish-specific months are published for the port.
How far are the Flower Garden Banks from Galveston?
Get Hooked puts them 90 to 110 mi offshore, in 200 to 1000+ ft.
Which buoy should I check before running offshore?
NDBC 42035, 22 NM east of Galveston at 29.235 N 94.410 W. Read wind, wave height and dominant period, then read the official forecast.
Who runs sailfish charters out of Galveston?
Galveston Offshore Fishing (Capt. Shannon LaBauve, 31 ft Oceanmaster Half Time) and Galveston Sea Ventures, where Capt. Shane is named in a review.
