Wahoo fishing out of Galveston is a winter, bluewater game. Boats run past the 30-mile line, then troll fast over rigs and banks. The run is long and the window is short, and the numbers below come from the charters that work this water. Ramps, fuel and the entrance channel are on the Galveston port and launch details page. The fish itself is covered in our wahoo species guide, so this page sticks to what is specific to Galveston: when, how far, where, how it is fished, who fishes it, and the rules.
When wahoo are off Galveston
Charter sites publish different windows for Galveston wahoo season:
- Get Hooked: November to March.
- Up Above: late November to early March.
Both windows run through the winter, so plan around the overlap. For how this fits the wider picture, see wahoo across the Gulf (see also the Gulf of Mexico region guide).
How far boats run and where
Galveston Offshore lists wahoo 50 to 100 mi out in bluewater, past the 30-mile line. Work out your fuel needs against these distances. The table lists the grounds in order of distance.
| Ground | Distance from Galveston | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrecks and rigs | 30 to 60 mi | Not listed | Mid-range structure |
| Bluewater (Galveston Offshore) | 50 to 100 mi | Not listed | Listed wahoo water |
| Cerveza rig | Due south of the jetties | Not listed | Named rig |
| Flower Garden Banks (Get Hooked) | 90 to 110 mi | 200 to 1000+ ft | Bank structure |
| Nansen rig | 100 to 130 mi | Not listed | Listed for yellowfin at night |
Past the 30-mile line
Galveston Offshore puts wahoo 50 to 100 mi out. Boats run past the 30-mile line to reach that water.
Oil rigs and platforms
Up Above fishes oil rigs and platforms. Wrecks and rigs sit at 30 to 60 mi, while the bluewater wahoo grounds start farther out, at 50 to 100 mi. The Cerveza rig is due south of the jetties. Nansen is listed for yellowfin night fishing at 100 to 130 mi, so treat it as a yellowfin note rather than a wahoo spot.
Flower Garden Banks
Get Hooked puts the Flower Garden Banks 90 to 110 mi out, in 200 to 1000+ ft of water. It is the longest run in the table.
Nearshore reference points
These are departure and comparison points, not listed wahoo water:
- Galveston jetties: north jetty at Bolivar, south jetty at Galveston Island, 24 to 28 ft at the entrance channel.
- Big Man’s and Kate’s Nearshore Reefs: roughly 20 mi southwest of the jetties.
- 61st Street and 91st Street seawall piers: pay piers on the seawall, useful only as a shore comparison.
Reading conditions: NDBC 42035
NDBC Station 42035 readings come from a buoy 22 NM east of Galveston at 29.235 N 94.410 W. Read wind speed, wave height and dominant wave period. The buoy reports conditions at its own position, not 100 mi out. Check it and the NWS Houston/Galveston marine forecast before a long run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How wahoo are fished from Galveston
The local method is high-speed trolling with wire leaders. Up Above gives the specifics:
- Troll at 12 to 20 knots.
- Run outriggers.
- Work the 100 to 300 ft part of the water column.
For tackle detail beyond that, use the species guide linked above.
Who fishes wahoo out of Galveston
These operators list wahoo out of Galveston. Boats and captains are as each lists them.
- Galveston Offshore Fishing: Capt. Shannon LaBauve, Half Time, 31 ft Oceanmaster.
- Get Hooked Charters (Galveston Fishing Adventures).
- Galveston Sea Ventures offshore trips: Capt. Shane.
- Up Above Adventures wahoo trips: Got Her Hooked (Viking 55 Convertible), Freeman, Second Chance, Haynie Magnum.
- Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters: 33 ft Contender, covers Galveston and Freeport.
- Wave Dancer Charters: Capt. Greg Ball, Galveston Yacht Basin.
FAQ about wahoo fishing out of Galveston
When is wahoo season in Galveston?
Get Hooked gives November to March. Up Above gives late November to early March.
How far offshore are wahoo from Galveston?
Galveston Offshore lists 50 to 100 mi, past the 30-mile line. Get Hooked puts the Flower Garden Banks at 90 to 110 mi.
What speed do Galveston boats troll for wahoo?
Up Above trolls at 12 to 20 knots with outriggers and wire leaders.
Can you catch wahoo from the Galveston piers or jetties?
The jetties and the 61st Street and 91st Street piers are nearshore and pier locations. The listed wahoo water is 50 to 100+ mi out.
Which buoy should I check?
NDBC 42035, 22 NM east of Galveston. Read wind, wave height and period alongside the official forecast.
What other offshore species and rules should I look into?
See the guides to other coastal and offshore gamefish. Rules are in the Regulations section above.
