[m-keith]

I'm relatively new to this forum. I've lurked a little & posted a couple of times around this time last year. Anyway, I'm also a relative newbie to saltwater fishing, & I want to start shopping around for a Galveston Bay guide for later this summer or perhaps early fall. I seem to recall that there are a number of guides who are sponsors here. Is there a directory of sponsors on this site? I can't seem to find one.

If anyone has a recommendation, I'd be interested in hearing that as well. I'm looking for a guide that is a good teacher. I want to learn some basics that I can use to develop well thought out strategies when I go out in my own boat rather than wandering aimlessly around the bay & throwing lines in the water at random as I have been up to now.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Fishnut]

Dorado-Mahi (Ray Keeling) works the Galveston Waters

I have never fished with him as a guide but do know he's a stand up guy and will probably teach you a thing or two.

One thing you might consider, with todays gas price's some will be looking for people to share exspense's with in their boats this summer. (myself included) So stick around and you might get to jump in a boat with a local here that fish's Galveston.

I'm doing alot of traveling right now but go ahead and PM me your contact info. I'll call you if I'm in town and going and need an extra.

FN

 

[Slider]

Try Trout Scout.......or Red Nick from the *** board!!

 

[Copzilla]

Geez, I'd be picking Bubba Ray. That dude loves to pitch artificials, just can't always get his parties to agree.

 

[Mont]

TS isn't a good topic around here, Slider. Trust you understand. Enjoy your evening.

 

[allicat]

if it were me i would give ray keeling a call, and i am hoping to do that soon. i learn things just talking to him, im sure he would be great at showing you things you want to know.
http://shutterbugsaltwatercharters.com/

trudy

 

[CoolChange]

I second Capt.Keeling!

 

[Gary]

Ray Keeling

Very cool guy and one heck of a photographer.

 

[Hevy Dee]

Well .......

m-keith - there are a whole bunch of guides to choose from that meet your listed expectations. I have fished with Capt. Ray Keeling before and he is a good choice. You will learn and have some great photos to bring home. Ray seems to be on top of both the West Bay trout action as well as the "nearshore" stuff around the jetties and short rigs.

If you could isolate your area (East G-Bay, West G-Bay, Trinity, Christmas/Bastrop/SLP) it would help in recommending a guide for the area you want to learn. Also, give us a feel for how you like to fish..... artificials only, live bait ok, wading, drifting ..... trust me, it makes a difference in your choice of guides.

I know many guides in the area you wish to learn, but without the specifics mentioned above it is difficult to reccommend one for your particular needs. Capt. Ray is an excellent choice though. - HD

 

[Drew_Smoke]

Newbie In A Fishing Magazine?

Ray Rocks! And a beginner in a bonafide fishing publication? It could happen.... Capt Ray is a journalist in his spare time. And he just landed his FIRST OF MANY cover shots. Check it out on this months Gulf Coast Connections....Drew

 

[m-keith]

Thanks for all the input & for the link to Ray's web site. I'll definately be giving him a call. I guess some more info would be kinda helpful. I slapped that post together a few minutes before I left work on Friday.

I grew up fishing Toledo Bend on my grandfather's 14' aluminum boat. I fished for crappie with minnows & for perch from the dock with worms. So, I fish almost exclusively with live bait because that's all I really know. I've messed around with artificials a bit, but I don't really have any idea what to use where & why. That said, I'd like to learn some of the basics of artificials althought I'll probably gravitate to live bait for the time being.

I took up saltwater fishing for the first time (although I've live in the Houston area all my life) a few years back. I did some pier fishing without much luck & soon bought a ski boat (it was cheap) because taking up fishing again got me to thinking about all the fun I'd had on my grandfather's boat. Mostly fished Moses Lake & the surrounding area. Also caught some flounder under the causeway. I sold that boat & bought a Grady 225 Tournament in need of a little work this past Sept. I took it out to the north jetty once, & I've been working on it since then. It's just about done...just in time for a family vacation to Lake Ouachita July 4th weekend.

Because of my choice of boat, I don't think I can chase fish into the shallows. So, I'm mostly interested in Galveston Bay, the jetties, & some of the closer (< 10 miles) offshore structure. I sea trialed a boat in Bastrop bayou. I liked that area as well, but I don't know the first thing about fishing it. Really though, I'm open to suggestions here; as long as its an area that I can reach in my boat without running aground.

Fishnut- I would be interested in a trip on someone else's boat or even having a group on my boat. I'll send you a PM shortly.