Inevitably, the calm Gulf will have a change in attitude, but not today. With sea conditions that ranged from one foot to dead calm, it fell into the category referred to as "Ice cream conditions".

Capt. Tony Langston didn't have Blue Bell on his mind as he pointed the twin hulls of the partyboat Capt. John to the east after passing through the Galveston jetties...it was kingfish. After a run of approximately 65 miles they were there, and the kingfish were home. Fishing mostly freelined Spanish sardines in the near surface area of the 90 ft. deep water, the 61 fishermen reeled in 42 of them, to 35 lbs.--mayhem in the water and on the deck! This area also produced lane snapper, red snapper and several dorado (mahi-mahi).

Baits used, besides the sardines, were pieces of cut squid. All were fished from the near surface area to the bottom. Today's total catch consisted of:
?Ģ 35 lane snapper
?Ģ 77 red snapper to 6 lbs.
?Ģ 3 dorado (mahi-mahi) of 8 to 15 lbs.
?Ģ 42 kingfish to 35 lbs.

Patrick Murphy , Gainsville, Fl - This University of Florida student had red snapper, kingfish and one of the dorado.

Sam Rosas , Sugarland, had red snapper and kingfish limits and one of the dorado.Reuben Villareal , Houston, also had red snapper and kingfish limits.?ĮJohn Jefferies , from Houston, went home with red snapper and kingfish limits.

While other species were targeted and caught, it was the kingfish what were the trip's highlight. Their line stretching, knot tightening and drag screeching runs in who-knows-what direction is what makes kingfish one of the most fun to catch fish offshore. Just ask Patrick Murphy about it if you ever run into him.

Obviously, not all trips will have this sort of kingfish catch -- they are an important part of our upper Texas coast offshore fishery, but just a part of it. Give the Pier 19 office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to book your trip on the partyboat Capt. John. Get out there and see what part of our total offshore fishery you can come back with.