Freeport Jetties Info

[Transport]

Could someone explain how to fish the jetties? Always fish the bays and never really had a chance to fish the jetties but have been taking the kids and would like to take them. Not looking for your spot just general do's/ donts and how to fish it. How to anchor and what dangers to look out for, besides being elbow to elbow. Any and all help / tips are appreciated. I have a 21 bay boat and understand you have to pick your days but would just like to hear some of your lesson learned espcially since i will have the kids with me. Lastly i assume the best place to launch would be the ramp ruight below the big bridge?

[WestEndAngler]

I have never fished the Freerport Jetty.

Galveston, yes.

From my experience fishing the Galveston Jetty:

Fish Channel Side
Have enough rope 100' minimum w/ ample chain near anchor.
Live Shrimp free lined out tossing as close to rocks as possible.

Deep drops produced Black Drum & Bull Reds.

Spanish Macks and Kings along with ling can be caught at jetty... If you start having a lot of break off it could be the toothy critters slicing through your line, try using tiable wire leader or something to prevent breakoffs by teeth & tails

[Moonpie]

The closest ramp to the Freeport jetties is located under the Surfside/ICW bridge.
There is a free ramp located under the Quintana/ICW bridge but its a couple/three miles further away.

Nothing special about fishing the rocks.
Keep your tackle off the bottom.
If using a bait/cork rig, fish it deep(like 6ft+).
Use small hooks. Don't use treble hooks. Use small shrimp.

Be prepared to lose the anchor(or be ready to swim down and free it! ).
Lots of snags that hang them.

[SUPER SPOOK]

freeport jetty sucks,go to galveston! it could be worth the trip.

[vjer]

You didn't say if you were boating or jetty hopping...

The Freeport Jetty is not like the Galveston Jetty. You get to close to the FJ, you may find some lead being casted your way. Normally, it is better to fish from the jetty. How you fish is up to you.

If you bottom fish, have lots of terminal tackle...leaders, hooks, and weights, because you will loose some.

Plastics arn't to bad to chunk and I have had some moderate success with them.

If you use live bait, then there are several ways to do this. I do alot of free shrimping...small hook, nice sized shrimp. If you do get stuck on a rock, chances are that you are hung in some of the vegitation growing on the rocks. Don't just rare back and pull, just pop the rod tip up and release. Keep doing this and you will usually work your way out of the vegitation.
A cork is also a good way to fish off the jetties. With this, you can set your depth, usually 18 to 24 inches. The larger trout are usually caught in 6 to 8 ft of water. The best way to reach those depths are...your cork should be the kind that has a plastic stick with a hole running the length of the stick. Thread your line thru the stick. Then place a 3/8 to 1/2 oz egg weight on the line. At the end of this tie on a small swivle and then add about 18 inches of line and your hook. Now measure about 6 to 8 ft above your hook and then tie a small piece of rubber band in that area.
This facilitates casting and when the rig hits the water, the weight will pull your bait down to the desired depth.

I hope this helps with your fishing the Freeport Jetties...Vic

[lurefisher]

The Freeport Jetty is not like the Galveston Jetty. You get to close to the FJ, you may find some lead being casted your way. Normally, it is better to fish from the jetty. How you fish is up to you.

If you bottom fish, have lots of terminal tackle...leaders, hooks, and weights, because you will loose some.

Plastics arn't to bad to chunk and I have had some moderate success with them.

If you use live bait, then there are several ways to do this. I do alot of free shrimping...small hook, nice sized shrimp. If you do get stuck on a rock, chances are that you are hung in some of the vegitation growing on the rocks. Don't just rare back and pull, just pop the rod tip up and release. Keep doing this and you will usually work your way out of the vegitation.
A cork is also a good way to fish off the jetties. With this, you can set your depth, usually 18 to 24 inches. The larger trout are usually caught in 6 to 8 ft of water. The best way to reach those depths are...your cork should be the kind that has a plastic stick with a hole running the length of the stick. Thread your line thru the stick. Then place a 3/8 to 1/2 oz egg weight on the line. At the end of this tie on a small swivle and then add about 18 inches of line and your hook. Now measure about 6 to 8 ft above your hook and then tie a small piece of rubber band in that area.
This facilitates casting and when the rig hits the water, the weight will pull your bait down to the desired depth.

I hope this helps with your fishing the Freeport Jetties...Vic

Very good info Vic.

[Moonpie]

Freeport Jetties can be a productive spot.
They're much shorter than the Galveston jetties.
Fish the out side of the jetties.
I prefer to fish the Surfside jetty over the Quintana side jetty.
This is because the water is usually better color and less rough than on the Quintana side.
With a typical south breeze the Quintana pocket will be catching the big rollers coming in from the gulf.
Although when the conditions are right the Quintana side can be just as productive.
Its a day by day thing.

[FP10]

Did you ever go?