Capt. John - Galveston, Texas

Capt. John's Fishing Report
by
Patrick Lemire of Saltwater Adventures

OFFSHORE TRIPS SCHEDULE

36-hour trip schedule
Cost: $300
Click for more information

2007

• August 21-22 (Tuesday-Wednesday)
• Sept. 4-5 (Tuesday-Wednesday)
• October 4-5 (Thursday-Friday)
• October 18-19 (Thursday-Friday)
• November 3-4 (Saturday-Sunday)
• November 17-18 (Saturday-Sunday)
• December 1-2 (Saturday-Sunday)
• December 8-9 (Saturday-Sunday)
• December 22-23 (Saturday-Sunday)

2008

• January 5-6 (Saturday-Sunday)
• January 19-20 (Saturday-Sunday)

15-hour trip schedule
Cost: $110

2007

• November 10 (Saturday)
• November 24 (Saturday)
• December 15 (Saturday)

Monday, August 27

This offshore trip by the partyboat Capt. John was run with Capt. Johnny Williams in the driver's seat. The fishing destination for today was several wrecks about 30 miles to the south of Galveston. Cut squid or Spanish sardine baits of the 44 fishermen, worked from the near surface to the bottom in the 70 ft. deep water helped produce this catch:

The folks in the Capt. John office at Galveston's Pier 19 are the ones to call when making your reservations for your spot at the rail. Give them a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853, they are waiting to hear from you.

Wow! That was probably the comment about today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John that all of the 63 fishermen aboard would agree with. That term matched the weather, sea conditions, and last but not least, the excellent multi-species catch. With Capt. Tony Langston leading the charge, the 70 mile run to the SE started through the dead calm Gulf after their exit through the Galveston jetties.

Destination for the days fishing was rock formations and wrecks in about 150 ft. of water, with the locals down there waiting for their baits. The baits used were squid that varied from whole to small cut pieces and whole or cut Spanish sardines. Those baits, fished throughout the water column and the fishermen's efforts brought this catch aboard and into the fish boxes...

If today's catch doesn't qualify as rating a "Wow!", I don't know what does. To make your reservations on board the Capt. John and take your shot at possibly being part of one of these great multi-species catches, give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. You never know which day it's going to happen. It's only appropriate to describe all aspects of today's trip once again with one word..."Wow!". Make that call to the Pier 19 office.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was once again headed up by Capt. Tony Langston. The target area for today's fishing was to the same general area and structure as Friday's trip, along with rocks and wrecks in 80 ft. of water.

The 65 fishermen's Spanish sardine or cut squid baits coaxed this group into joining them on deck and then into the fish boxes:

With Capt. Tony Langston behind the wheel of the partyboat Capt. John, the offshore run to the SE began after exiting Galveston's jetties and entering the open Gulf.

After an approximately 40 mile trek, the 56 fishermen were set to fish this area's rocks and a wreck in the 80 ft. deep water over which Capt. Langston had positioned them.

Their cut squid and/or Spanish sardine baits fooled this catch into biting and coming aboard:

As you all know by now, red snapper season in Federal waters ends Oct. 31 at midnight.. However, there will still be many of the multi-species and great tasting fish out there, waiting for your bait to entice them onto the boat with you...call for reservations 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and book your trip(s) now. Also, check out our new schedule of 36 hour tuna safari trips.

Well, "Bumpy & Breezy" have returned to the area offshore of Galveston Island. With the catamaran hulls of the partyboat Capt. John slicing through the chop, Capt. Tony Langston motored south after clearing the end of the South Jetty.

After an offshore run of about 42 miles, the 42 fishermen played their baits out into the 100 ft. deep water. Their baits, cut squid and/or Spanish sardines were worked from near the surface to the wrecks on the bottom.

The baits, along with the fishermen's efforts, had this catch coming up, over the rail and eventually into the fish boxes:

Hopefully "Bumpy & Breezy" won't be around for very long, but at least a couple more days is forecast. Don't forget that the red snapper fishery being open in Federal waters is scheduled to last only through the end of October. Time's-a-wastin', as the saying goes. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations at the rail on the Capt. John...call today.

In spite of the upcoming bumpy forecast in the next few days, today was a relatively calm one offshore...sort of that "calm before the storm" that's supposed to be coming around mid-week. Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was run smoothly through the 2-3 ft. swell with the benefit of those long and slim twin hulls.

Capt. Tony Langston had the area about 50 miles SE of Galveston targeted for the 69 fishermen aboard. Fishing their baits of cut squid and/or whole Spanish sardines throughout the 110 ft. water column, over several rock formations, produced this catch:

The red snapper catch was an allowable daily limit for the 69 fishermen. Along with the bottom spots they fished, a shrimpboat drift was made, but no one was home, so to speak. That drift, while on the way back, was another of those efforts that can make the day, at times, it just didn't add anything to the fish boxes today...you can't catch 'em if you don't try. It's that extra effort the Capt. John, and Capt. Langston, is known for. Give us a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853, and make your reservations for one of these exciting trips.

After a few days off, Capt. Tony Langston was again at the wheel of the partyboat Capt. John. With somewhat bumpy conditions continuing offshore, the run to the South was smoothed to a great degree by the long, twin hulls of the Capt. John.

The destination for today's fishing was several wrecks about forty miles offshore in 90 ft. of water. With fishing for red snapper being on the slow side for some reason, those hard-pulling and great eating Atlantic spadefish, also know as tiger snapper, took up the slack for the 79 fishermen. This catch that attempted to eat their cut squid or Spanish sardine baits, was made up of:

With the weather during the next work week being influenced by the path of Hurricane Dean, the office is the source of information on scheduled trips in the near future. Give the Galveston Pier 19 office a call to make your Capt. John reservations at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. While Dean is forecast to be a distant concern, who knows what good effect its wave action might have on our near future fishing offshore out of Galveston.

With Capt. Johnny Williams at the wheel again, today's fishing by the 52 fishermen aboard the Capt. John started in the same area as the Wednesday trip. After those stops about 30 miles offshore, the run farther out to the wreck of the V. A. Fogg began. Fishing those wreck pieces in 100 ft. of water with their cut squid or Spanish sardine baits, they wound in this catch:

To be a part of winding in one of these multi-species catches, get your spot at the rail on the Capt. John by calling the office at Galveston's Pier 19. The numbers down there are 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. Call today, the office staff is waiting for your call.

Playing dodge'em with offshore thunderstorms was a part of today's fishing activity by the partyboat Capt. John, running out of Galveston's Pier 19. That run, in a southerly direction, had Capt. Johnny Williams taking the 66 fishermen about thirty miles offshore where they were to fish at several wrecks in 70 ft. of water. Their baits of Spanish sardines or pieces of cut squid produced this catch:

Shannon Williams, Alvin, (Capt. Williams' daughter), had a red snapper limit and a kingfish limit.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John had Capt. Tony Langston firmly planted in the driver's seat again. Destination was that productive area of the recent past, wrecks and a production platform about thirty miles south of Galveston Island. The 70 ft. deep water had this catch eating the 63 fishermen's baits of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines and joining them on deck:

Jim Marigliano, Dallas, with a red snapper limit to 7# and 5 mangrove snapper to 8#.

Pat Larson, Beaumont, had a red snapper limit to 7#.
Patrick Lemire, Texas City - I had a mangrove snapper and a red snapper limit to 7#, all on Carolina rigged Spanish sardines.

With Capt. Tony Langston behind the wheel of the partyboat Capt. John, the run to familiar waters about thirty miles offshore and to the area's wrecks and platforms in 70 ft. of water began. Five stops in that general area gave this catch to the 85 fishermen and their baits:

Michael Raiborn & 7 year old son Dylan from Arlington each had red snapper limits to go along with Dylan's Atlantic spadefish and lane snapper.
Jim Marigliano, Dallas, Michael's dad,with a red snapper limit to 8#.
Aaron Hardin, Texas City, had a red snapper limit plus Atlantic spadefish.
Kenny Swanson, Galveston, had a red snapper limit to 7#
Barry Axelrod, Houston, with a red snapper limit to 6#, a 20# kingfish and the 75# stingray.
Patrick Lemire, Texas City - my catch included the gaugauanche, a relative of the barracuda family, Atlantic spadefish, a.k.a. tiger snapper, bluefish, a rare hookup with a porpoise that ate a whole squid and I immediately broke off, 4 mangrove snapper to 9# on a pink/chartreuse 1/2 oz. Snapper Slapper Jr that was sardine tipped and a red snapper limit to 8# on Carolina rigged Spanish sardines.

Having those great Gulf conditions, 2 ft. or less swells, made for a nice day of fishing, other than the heat. Capt. Tony Langston headed the partyboat Capt. John through the calm waters of the Gulf in a sort of southerly direction, with the target area being about thirty miles out wth it's wrecks and rigs in around 70 ft. of water. Working their squid or sardine baits from the near surface to the bottom, the 83 wound in this catch:

It's apparent from three reports that the fishing has been pretty good lately. Unfortunately, the weather forecast for the Western Gulf is going down hill for the next couple of days due to a passing tropical system. That situation won't last forever though, give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations, call today.

With a virtually dead calm Gulf ahead of the partyboat Capt. John as Capt. Tony Langston made the turn around the end of the south jetty, everyone aboard knew the ride was going to be as smooth as glass. After a run of around forty miles in a southerly direction, they were over rocks and a wreck in about 100 ft. of water.

The eighty seven fishermen's baits such as Spanish sardines or pieces of cut squid brought up another multi-species catch. The catch that was taken from the near surface area to the bottom was made up of:

Jim Marigliano, Dallas - his catch, taken on Carolina rigged Spanish sardines or pieces of cut squid, was made up of a kingfish, a red snapper limit to 10 lbs. and 5 mangrove snappers to 10 lbs. Mangroves are generally considered to be the wariest and hardest to catch of the snappers and Jim fooled five nice ones today.

The forecast for the next three or four days looks to be pretty much the same offshore. Hopefully it turns out that way. To have your spot at the rail on the Capt. John during some of this great weather and matching fishing, give the office at Galveston's Pier 19 a call. The office manager, Dorothy, and her friendly and informed staff are waiting for your call; make it to 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

Time is running out on the red snapper fishery being open in Federal waters where the Capt. John fishes offshore. The last day it's open is October 31. Don't delay, if you're interested in red snapper, it will be closed, seemingly in a heartbeat, and for six to eight months. Call today for your reservations.

With 85 fishermen aboard the partyboat Capt. John, Capt. Tony Langston headed in a southerly direction after exiting the Galveston jetties into the calm Gulf waters. Destination was rocks and a wreck in 100 ft. of water about 50 miles offshore.

Their cut squid and Spanish sardine baits, fished from the bottom to the near surface, brought this catch to the fish boxes:

Today was another of a welcome string of virtually dead calm days offshore, a welcome change from a week or so ago. Make your reservations on the Capt. John to experience your part of bringing in one of these multi-species catches. You never know who's going to catch what out there, that's part of the excitement. Give the office a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was run with Capt. Tony Langston at the helm. This was a charter by LLC Management of Houston, headed up by Jim Washburn. What a day of great fishing they had to go along with the dead calm Gulf waters. Shortly after leaving Pier 19 with this group of 32 fishermen, the turn to the South after passing the end of Galveston's South Jetty was made. After a run of seventy miles, they arrived at the fishing area and its numerous rock formations in around 160 ft. of water.

Their baits, pieces of cut squid or whole squid and Spanish sardines, along with the fishermen's efforts, produced this catch from near the surface to the bottom:

What a catch, with sizeable fish in several categories, topped off with that really nice 32# bull dorado. They had one of those catches that could occur many days, but for some unknown reason, don't get there. This was definitely a trip the group from LLC Management won't ever forget ...really nice job for a group of 32 fishermen.

You certainly can't take part in one of those catches if you aren't on the Capt. John. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations.

This offshore 12 hour day trip was run with Capt. Tony Langston in the driver's seat. Shortly after leaving Pier 19 and entering the waters of the open Gulf, a turn was made in a southerly direction. His target area for the 48 fishermen was a series of rocks, wrecks and a production platform about 50 miels offshore.

Arriving at the fishing sites, the fishermen's baits of whole or cut squid and Spanish sardines were deployed throughout the 100 ft. water column. The fishermen's efforts and the appetite of various species down below had this catch ending up in the fish boxes:

Katy Langston, Dickinson, who is Capt. Langston's 13 year old daughter, with Atlantic spadefish (tiger snapper).
Aaron Hardin, 8 yrs. old, from Texas City, had Atlantic spadefish, vermilion snapper and a red snapper limit to 7-1/2 lbs.

Reservations for one of these offshore trips can be made by calling either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John, out of Galveston's Pier 19, was run with Capt. Tony Langston in the driver's seat. After a run through the bay and then passing through the jetties, the trip offshore, in a southerly direction, started. About 50 miles out, they arrived at the fishing area and its wrecks and rigs in 100' of water. The 50 fishermen, using their cut squid pieces, whole squid or whole Spanish sardine baits, wound this catch up and over the rail:

The consistency of the catches continues in this area roughly fifty miles to the south of the island, along with the great weather and sea conditions. Along with other species, red snapper limits to around ten pounds and boat limits as was again the case today plus numerous Atlantic spadefish have highlighted the fishing. To book your spot at the rail and take your opportunity to participate in one of these offshore catches, give the office a call, 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

The Capt. John had more of those swells of a foot or less for its twin hulls to smoothly slice through...a foot or less, nice problem. After leaving Galveston's Pier 19 with 42 fishermen aboard and later entering the calm Gulf, the offshore run in a sort of southerly direction started. After around 55 miles Capt. Tony Langston had them fishing over rocks in 120 ft. of water.

The baits, whole Spanish sardines, pieces of cut or whole squid, were fished throughout the water column. The baits, and the fishermen's efforts, had this catch ending up in the fish boxes...

With nice weather forecast for the near future, now is a great time to make your reservations at the rail on the Capt. John. The friendly and informed office staff at Pier 19 is anticipating your call to 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853...call today.

Although the swells in the open Gulf were only running a foot or less, squalls were out there also. With those squalls well off to the south, a choice was made to run to the SE for today's offshore fishing by the partyboat Capt. John. After turning the end of Galveston's south jetty, that offshore run began.

At around 55 miles out, Capt. Tony Langston stopped the Capt. John and the 83 fishermen started working their baits at a series of rocks in the area's 120 ft. deep water. Those baits, pieces of cut squid, whole squid, whole shad or Spanish sardines, were worked from the near surface area to the bottom. Those baits and the fishermen's efforts produced this catch:

Today's total catch was indeed one of multi-species qualifications. The red snapper portion was a little short of a boat limit for the 83 fishermen at a little over 85%. The individual catch highlight was the beautiful 60 lb. wahoo that Sharica Brown, a Washington Redskins cheerleader, coaxed into hitting her freelined shad. Later in the fight, she called for backup and her fiance, Rashan Clark finished the job off - teamwork wins again! That was a great tradeoff, a possible "whatever", i.e. snapper, ling, etc., while using a mono leader, for a magnificent 60 lb. wahoo. The bullet that Sharica dodged was those wahoo teeth, she had a mono leader and fortunately, a circle hook. A "J" hook could have struck home early, resulting in the mono being sliced clean in two by the wahoo's teeth. The circle hook penetrated the corner of the wahoo's jaw with the mono safety outside...whew! Had she known the wahoo was in the vicinity, the insurance of a wire leader would have been used. Looking at it another way, the wire may have caused the wahoo to shy away. You never know what's going to work out there.

Today's catch shows again that you never know what will show up on your hook. To get your ticket to this virtual fish lottery, give the office at Pier 19 a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservation at the rail on the Capt. John, Galveston's newest partyboat.

Sharica Brown & Rashan Clark with their beautiful 60 lb. wahoo.

Friday, August 3, 2007

Today's offshore trip by the Capt. John, Galveston's newest party boat, was indeed a good one. While They are all good, in different ways, today's highlights were the catch and sea conditions. When the entry was made into the Gulf, with its foot or less swell, Capt. Tony Langston had the twin aluminum hulls heading south.

With a run of about fifty miles behind them, fishing started at several wrecks in around 100 ft. of water. The 83 fishermen's efforts and their cut squid or Spanish sardine baits brought this catch into the fish boxes:

"Good" was mentioned earlier. Obviously, today's catch in particular wound way past good. Incidentally, the red snapper portion of the catch was an allowable daily boat limit for the 83 fishermen and the rest of the multi-species catch wasn't too shabby either.

To have your opportunity to participate in some of this offshore fishing at a bargain price, give the Capt. John office a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. The friendly and informed office staff at Pier 19 is waiting for your call -- do it today.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was headed up by Capt. Johnny Williams. After leaving Galveston's Pier 19 and later entering the Gulf, the run to the area of the wreck pieces of the V. A. Fogg began through the gentle swell of less than two feet. After a run of about 45 miles, they arrived at the day's first stop, with one of the wreck pieces 100 ft. below the surface.

Using the more or less standard baits, pieces of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines, the 78 fishermen went to work. Their efforts had this catch coming over the rail and later into the fish boxes:

The red snapper fishery in Federal waters has less than three months remaining open for this year. The closure could be from six to eight months, depending on the powers that be. While a multi-species catch is always the goal, the red snapper portion of the catch is an important factor also. Don't miss out if red snapper are of importance to you. To make your reservations on the partyboat Capt. John, give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was headed up by Capt. Tony Langston, who took the 42 fishermen about 50 miles to the south of Galveston Island. The run through the swells of two feet or less ended over several wrecks in 100 ft. of water.

The baits, used from the near surface area to the bottom, did their part in producing this catch:

Give the office a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations on the partyboat Capt. John; come out and see what multi-species you can reel in.

Mother Nature and King Neptune continued to do their part in keeping the Gulf's wave heights to what really amounted to a swell of two feet or less. These last four days have been really nice without "bumpy & breezy" being around. The entry into the calm Gulf waters began shortly after leaving Galveston's Pier 19, with Capt. Tony Langston pointing the twin hulls of Galveston's newest partyboat, The Capt. John, in a sort of Southerly direction. Several wrecks, production platforms and gas wells from 30 to 40 miles offshore, in 70 to 85 ft. of water were fished.

The baits of the 40 of us fishermen, cut or whole squid and whole Spanish sardines, "talked" this catch into joining us on the deck:

Those you really can't count included several amberjack that were a little undersize, one just undersize ling and an estimated 30# ling that came unhooked about one foot out of gaff range. You can't count 'em but you can talk about 'em. They are like strikes in baseball, a miss instead of a hit by less than an inch or a foot...a strike not a hit, either wy.

Aaron Hardin, Texas City, eight years old and his fishing buddy, sixteen year old "Bo" Steber (Capt. Steber's son) each had red snapper limits going to 3#, along with numerous Atlantic spadefish, a.k.a. tiger snapper.

Pat Larson, Beaumont, and his daughter Harley, with red snapper limits to 11#.

G. W. Engle, wife Gerri and her mom Jinni Harvin, all from Nacogdoches, each with red snapper limits that went to 5#, along with numerous Atlantic spadefish (tiger snapper). G.W. also had the just undersize ling that was released.

Patrick Lemire, Texas City, my red snapper limit that was taken on lighted weighted Carolina rigged Spanish went to 6 lbs.

This was one of those trips highlighted by fishing with old friends Pat and Harley, and meeting some other nice folks and fishing alongside the Nacogdoches 3...There's more to fishing than just catching fish. To have your opportunity to participate in bringing one of these multi-species catches over the rail of the partyboat Capt. John and meet some new friends give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. Getting on the boat at Pier 19 is where it all begins.

This day trip by the partyboat Capt. John was headed up by Capt. Johnny Williams. After leaving Galveston's Pier 19 with 54 fishermen aboard and later entering the calm waters of the Gulf, the run offshore began. The fishing area for the day was pieces of the V.A. Fogg wreck that are in 100 ft. of water, and spots further out in around 125 ft. of water. Using baits such as cut squid or whole Spanish sardines, they brought this catch up from the depths and near surface area:

This was another of those multi-species catches the Capt. John usually returns with. To participate in adding to this give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853

With Capt. Tony Langston at the helm again, and liking those seas of two feet or less, the twin hulls of the partyboat Capt. John headed to the East. After a run through the open Gulf of approximately seventy miles the fishing started at wrecks and rocks in the 90 ft. deep water.

The baits of the 68 fishermen, Spanish sardines or pieces of cut squid, had the fish biting from near the surface to the bottom. Catch totals were:

To make your reservations on the partyboat Capt. John, give the office at Galveston's Pier 19 a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. After receiving updated info about three weeks ago, the last day this year that the red snapper fishery in Federal waters is open is October 31. While three months sounds like a lot of time, it's really not. A delay here, a delay there about making your reservations and the next thing you know, the door on red snapper fishing is slammed closed...for at least six months. Don't delay, call the office today and make your reservations on the Capt. John. There's a lot of other species out there also, but if red snapper is of interest to you, the closure will be seemingly in a heartbeat.

Having seas of only two feet or less to run through, the passage to the South was a smooth one for the partyboat Capt. John. The area chosen by Capt. Tony Langston for the day's fishing was several rocks and a wreck in 70 to 100 ft. of water, about forty miles offshore from Galveston Island.

There baits, fished from the bottom to the near surface area, along with the fishermen's efforts, produced this catch:

Well, characters who affect the weather and wave heights offshore were still out there today, fortunately the Capt. John is designed to handle them. After leaving Galveston's Pier 19 and later entering the Gulf, the run offshore began. With the bumpy conditions, Capt. Tony Langston was able to maintain a speed of 18 knots for just about all of the 30 mile trip to the fishing area...technology soothes Mother Nature.

After arriving over the rocks and at a rig in the 70 ft. waters, the 68 fishermen began working their cut or sardine baits from near the surface to the bottom. The snappers were there as well as a Warsaw grouper and some of those "tigers". The catch totals were:

Hopefully, "Bumpy & Breezy" will be evicted soon. In the meantime, the fish out there don't seem to care, as those multi-species catches keep being reeled in. Give the office at Pier 19 a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations at the rail on the Capt. John.

"Breezy & Bumpy" were in the offshore neighborhood today. They weren't there so much at the start,but when they did show, they brought along cousin "Really Bumpy". Unfortunately, the forecast isn't a good one for the next couple of days. The good part is that we all know about forecasts, they aren't always correct. Hopefully, that's the case for the near future. With conditions being what they were today, the sleek twin hull catamaran design of the Capt. John dampened those wave motions to a great extent.

Leaving Galveston's Pier 19 and shortly thereafter entering the Gulf with 75 fishermen aboard, a southerly run offshore began. When the run of approximately fifty miles was complete, Capt. Tony Langston had the fishermen working their cut squid or sardine baits over wrecks and rocks in the 110 ft. deep water. Their efforts and the baits used had this catch biting and joining them on deck:

Despite the unwelcome return appearance of "Bumpy & Breezy" and cousin, "Really Bumpy", another of those multi-species catches managed to end up in the fish boxes. To secure your spot at the rail on the Capt. John, contact the office at Pier 19 to make your reservations. The office staff is waiting to hear from you. Call as soon as you know which day or days you or your group can go fishing with us. The numbers are 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

Today was the proverbial, at least in the forecast, day before the storm, since it's supposed to go downhill for the next few days. With calm conditions, Capt. Tony Langston pointed the twin hulls of the Capt. John in a southerly direction after entering the open Gulf.

A couple of drifts were made at anchored shrimp boats about forty miles out, on the way out and back. The majority of fishing was done about fifty miles out at a rig and a couple of wrecks in one hundred to one hundred ten feet of water.

The forty-eight fishermen's baits, whole Spanish sardines or pieces of cut squid, helped this catch into biting:

Once again, that "opportunity fishing" at the shrimpboats wasn't very productive, only one kingfish was caught. Shrimpboat drifts are always a welcome addition to any offshore fishing trip. The possibility of ling, kingfish, dorado(mahi-mahi), bonito or wahoo being hooked is always the thought. It's another exciting aspect of fishing offshore...the unknown residents at any of them.

Hopefully the forecast for the next few days is incorrect, but it doesn't look so. In any case, it won't last forever. Give the office a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. Our friendly office staff is waiting for your call – get your reservations in place for an offshore fishing experience aboard the Capt. John – come out and get in on some of this offshore multi-species fishing at a bargain price.

Today's offshore day trip by the Capt. John was run with Capt. Johnny Williams behind the wheel. With 81 fishermen aboard, the run began to the south and the pieces of the V.A.Fogg wreck. Having a calm Gulf ahead of them made the approximate fifty mile run out and back a smooth one.

Using Spanish sardines or pieces of cut squid baits, they wound in this catch from the area's 100 ft. deep water:

This offshore fishing trip on the Capt. John was headed up by Capt. Johnny Williams. The pieces of the V. A. Fogg wreck, which is about fifty miles to the south of Galveston in 100 ft. of water, was the target for the day's fishing. Also thrown in were drifts at several anchored shrimpboats on the way out and back from the Fogg.

The 41 fishermen and their baits, cut squid or whole sardines, worked throughout the water column, reeled in this catch:

Kevin Christ was out on his fifth Capt. John trip, this one as a birthday present and what a trip it was, not only did he have a red snapper limit, but also a kingfish and five Atlantic spadefish. His highlight catch, and the boat's, was his fish of a lifetime, a wahoo that was estimated to weigh 50-55#! It hit a freelined sardine, after a solid hookup it ran him around the boat four times before coming to the gaff. That's a hard day to beat, a birthday trip and a catch that included a drag-burning wahoo that had him doing a Capt. John marathon – four laps around the boat.

Today's shrimpboat drift, about 40 miles offshore, wasn't very productive, but it's one of those tactics that can be, most of the time - it's always worth a shot. The wahoo was a bit of a surprise, but not all that unusual. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853, get on the list to go fishing on the partyboat Capt. John and see what you can run across out there. Oh yeah...the wahoo came from the area of the Fogg.

With wave heights of only one to two feet awaiting the partyboat Capt. John, the turn south at the end of Galveston's jetties brought a smooth run through the open Gulf. Capt. Tony Langston had seemingly evicted "Bumpy & Breezy", at least for a while, which was good news for all 61 fishermen aboard today.

The run to about 50 miles offshore was to a series of wrecks in around 100 ft. of water. Working the standard partyboat baits of Spanish sardines or cut squid throughout the water column, this catch joined the fishermen on deck:

Sam Rosas, Sugarland, Jerry McCullin, (Texas City), Jamie McCullin, (Kemah) and Ray Yarbrough, (Texas City), all with red snapper limits that topped out at 6-7 lbs.

Not only did today's trip have great weather and Gulf conditions, but also another of those multi-species catches everyone looks for. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations on the partyboat Capt. John. It's blue water fishing at a bargain price, so come out soon and get your exposure to the Capt. John experience.

Having wave heights of only two to three feet forecast for the first part of the day and becoming smaller later, the ride was going to be a smooth one. Shortly after leaving Galveston's Pier 19 with 83 of us fishermen aboard the Capt. John, that ride offshore began. With the twin hulls splitting what little wave action there was, Capt. Tony Langston had them pointed in sort of a southerly direction.

Our first stops were at a wreck about 30 miles out in 70 feet of water. Although some red snapper and Atlantic spadefish, also known locally as "tiger snapper", were caught, fishing was a bit on the slow side. Running farther offshore with hopes of better fishing there and later stopping about twenty miles farther out at another wreck, fishing resumed. This stop produced the majority of the trip's red snapper catch, along with numerous "tiger snapper", plus vermilion snapper and gray triggerfish.

When we left the last wreck, a boat limit of red snapper to 8 lbs. had been decked and iced. Next on the plan of the day was stops and drifts by anchored shrimpboats while sort of fishing our way home. Names such as "Dr. Bill", "Provider", Rene Lynn" and "Miss Cindy" provided four drift fishing opportunities. These fish magnets can range from great to nothing, though. The thought is always ling, kingfish, dorado, bonito, sharks, etc. Well the first two produced nothing, but the third a bonito and a shark, while the "Miss Cindy" was Bonito City with a ling hookup thrown in. First, the estimated 50 lb. ling unfortunately was lost; second, the numerous bonito hookups had the folks on the rod end scurrying in all directions and back. No bonito alive seems to be able to run in one direction when hooked; they run in any and all directions, as if on some illegal drug. In spite of the over-and-under passing of rods, inevitable tangles and resulting lost fish, twenty were caught in about fifteen minutes. These offshore torpedoes are definitely string-pullers and excitement generators...a couple of things that offshore partyboat fishing is all about. Some of the others mentioned earlier would have been a good thing too, but as usual, the fish have at least fifty-one percent of the vote and today they voted to be elsewhere. Capt. Langston's decision to make these drifts on the way back did at least give us a shot at those others being there along with that group of bonito...you don't know what's there until you try, he gave us that.

Rob Richardson, Lone Oak, with a red snapper limit to 6# and a bonito taken on a 1 oz., pink/chartreuse Snapper Slapper that was sardine tipped.
Wes Richardson & Keri Pape, Dallas, each with a bonito to go along with their red snapper limits that was topped by Keri's eight pounder (the boat's heaviest today).
Jim Marigliano, Dallas, had bonito and vermilion snapper and a red snapper limit to 5 lbs.
Ronnie Vaughn, Dallas, his red snapper limit went to 4 lbs.
Mike Decuir, Brenham, and his sons, John Michael (13) & Colin (10), along with John Michael's friend John Murphy all had red snapper limits to 4 lbs., 3 mangrove snapper, 8 Atlantic spadefish (tiger snapper), a rockhind grouper and the trip's only kingfish, caught by John Murphy.
Patrick Lemire, Texas City - my red snapper limit went to 6 lbs. and was taken on a 1/2 oz., pink/chartreuse Snapper Slapper Jr., tipped with a Spanish sardine - hits came on the sink at about 40 ft. down.

Today's catch was as good as the ride was smooth, and it was pretty smooth. The memorable part of the week, other than the fishing, was that this past Monday through today was the annual week long fishing get together by various members of the Richardson Family group. They were headed up by brothers, Rob, Mike and Ricky, and have been making this trip in honor of their dad, Weldon, who passed away in 1995. This week of offshore fishing trips with Williams Party Boats started in 1997. They have a commemorative plaque in honor of their dad with engraved nameplates of the family member's name, species and weight of the year's winner with the heaviest fish. This year's winner is Weldon's great granddaughter, 12 year old Sara with her 22.7 lb. kingfish that is also being submitted for the new Texas Saltwater Junior Record. More Richardsons are what our world needs these days. I know I'm proud to have known them all these past ten years.

While it's hard for the rest of us to duplicate that last paragraph, there are a lot of great times and fishing to be had on the Capt. John. Make that call to the office for your reservations at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853, there's a lotto-like situation out there on the deck.

Sara Richardson, 2007 Richardson Family Tournament Winner.

Keri Pape and Bonito, along with ace deckhand, Kenny Swanson.

Some members of The Richardson Family.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Today's trip by the partyboat Capt. John was headed up by Capt. Johnny Williams. Departing Galveston's Pier 19 with 66 fishermen, he headed in a sort of southerly direction with the wreck of the V.A. Fogg as his destination for the start of today's fishing. Forty five miles later they were there and the fishermen began working their baits throughout the 100 ft. water column. The majority of the catch was taken at these wreck pieces. Drifts were made at a weed line and a couple of anchored shrimpboats, with ling, kingfish and dorado as the primary targets. These drifts can be very productive, but not today.

Jim Marigliano, Dallas - his red snapper limit went to 5 lbs.
Mike Richardson - Athens, with a red snapper limit to 7 lbs.
Jeff Richardson, Lone Oak, had a red snapper limit to 7 lbs.
Rob Richardson, Lone Oak, wound in his red snapper limit to 7 lbs. after they hit a black/purple, 1 oz. Snapper Slapper that was tipped with a Spanish sardine. Hits came on the sink at about 50 ft.
Roland Garcia, Houston, had a 25 lb. ling to go along with his red snapper limit to 5 lbs.

On this trip, "Bumpy & Breezy" weren't as prevalent as in the past few days, though the water wasn't "mill pond flat" by any means, but it was improved. Six of the past seven days have had red snapper limits – the one that was short even had over 90%. The multi-species description certainly holds on, with a variety catch coming in every day. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and see what brand of multi-species catch is out there waiting for you. Call the Pier 19 office today!

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John, out of Galveston's Pier 19, was headed up by Capt. Johnny Williams with squalls offshore. The run out after exiting the jetties was a bit on the bumpy side at times. Those conditions abated greatly by the time the day's fishing area was reached.

The 44 fishermen had their baits working at stops around the remaining underwater pieces of the old Buccaneer Field production platforms, located about 30 miles south of The Island. The pieces of cut squid, whole Spanish sardines plus several artificial baits had this catch biting in the 70 ft. deep water:

Steve Lappd from Ft. Worth had a red snapper limit and the trip's heaviest fish, a 33 lb. ling.

Rita Baumann, Texas City - her red snapper limit went to 6 lbs.
Mike Richardson, Athens, with a red snapper limit, several Atlantic spadefish and an Atlantic sharpnose shark that was released at boatside.
Olivia Cruzado, Athens, Mike's step-daughter, had a catch that was made up of a red snapper limit and several Atlantic spadefish.
Sara Richardson, also with several Atlantic spadefish to go along with her red snapper limit to 5 lbs.
Rob Richardson, Lone Oak - his catch included that estimated 4 ft. long blacktip shark that was released at boatside. He also had a mangrove snapper, 2 blue runner and 2 bluefish to go along with his red snapper limit to 8 lbs.

Once again, the weather and sea conditions were not perfect but the state of the art hull design of the Capt. John made up for Mother Nature's faults. The end result, at the direction of Capt. Williams, was another of those multi-species catches going into the iced down fish boxes.

Give that call to make your Capt. John reservations at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. The staff in the Pier 19 office is waiting to hear from you.

Leaving the end of Galveston's South Jetty, the twin hulls of the partyboat Capt. John's twin hulls were again slicing through the waves and going South. The destination chosen by Capt. Tony Langston was a series of rigs and a wreck about fifty miles out in 100 ft. of water. With an assortment of squalls in the area to dodge, the game of dodge 'em was to be played throughout the trip.

Several stops had the 42 fishermen working their baits from the near surface section of the water column to the bottom. Besides the rigs and wreck fishing, drifts were made by a couple of shrimp boats while on the way home. While exciting, the drifts only produced bonito.

The fishermen and their baits of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines and various artificials convinced this catch that it was time to eat and then go on a short cruise:

Kenny Swanson, Galveston, had a red snapper limit, 10 vermilion snapper, a rockhind grouper and an estimated 80 lb. stingray which was released at boat side.
Dakota Robinson & James Blake from Collinsville (Kenny's nephews), both had red snapper limits topped by Dakota's eight pounder.
Jim Marigliano, Dallas, with vermilion snapper and a red snapper limit to 6 lbs.
Ricky Richardson, Athens, had a red snapper limit to 6 lbs.
Samantha Cruzado, Athens (Mike's step-daughter) on her first offshore trip, had bonito, Atlantic spadefish and Bermuda chub to go along with her red snapper limit to 5 lbs.
Jeff Richardson, Lone Oak, with bonito, a 10 lb. mangrove snapper and a red snapper limit to 5 lbs.
Rob Richardson, Lone Oak, (Jeff's dad), had bonito, a 7 lb. mangrove snapper and a red snapper limit to 5 lbs. Most of rob's catch came on a 1 oz., black/purple Snapper Slapper that was sardine tipped, the rest on freelined or lightly weighted, Carolina rigged Spanish sardines.

The scattered squalls that were around didn't cause much of a problem, only a slight mist of rain at one stop. The rain that was unavoidable was passed through after entering Galveston Bay on the return home to Pier 19. Those added anchored shrimpboat drifts are a plus that could have resulted in a big ling, kingfish, dorado (mahi-mahi), etc. This didn't happen on the drifts today, but the unknown residents below the shrimp boats make for "opportunity fishing" excitement - you never know what may be at any of them.

Two more days this week for Marigliano and the Richardson group. The Richardson family group have been doing this week of family camping(at Galveston Island State Park), fishing, etc. on the island and with Williams Party Boats for ten years now; they, and Marigliano, are the type of folks we all need to meet somewhere along the line.

To make your reservations and possibly start a tradition for yourself and your family and friends, call the Capt. John's office at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. Call to make your start-up reservations or just to come out for a great day of offshore fishing on a great boat, with great captains, a great crew and great customers. That's enough greatness for one report - make the call and get on the Capt. John soon.

Samantha Cruzado proudly showing the bonito
she caught on her very first offshore fishing trip.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was run to the same general area as the past few days. Fortunately, the wind and sea conditions improved today. With 66 fishermen aboard, including that Marigliano and small school of Richardsons, a run to the South was begun with Capt. Tony Langston at the wheel.

With that fifty mile run completed, fishing began over several wrecks in the area's 100 to 110 ft. deep water. Using the standard baits, pieces of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines plus a variety of artificials, they wound in this catch:

Steve Narramore & son Mason, from Commerce - each had red snapper limits. Their trip highlight was a ling Mason had on until it unfortunately broke off at boatside. This was the seventeen year old's first offshore trip, and the ling, without a doubt assured that it won't be his last.
Jim Marigliano, Dallas, with a red snapper limit to 6 lbs. to go along with mangrove and lane snapper. He also had two of those hard-pulling and great-eating Atlantic spadefish, also known on the Capt. John as "Tiger Snapper".
Mike Richardson, Athens, had a red snapper limit to 7 lbs. and four mangrove to 8 lbs.
Rob Richardson, Lone Oak, with a red snapper limit to 6 lbs and a mangrove snapper of 6 lbs. Rob's catch came on a 1 oz, pink/chartreuse Snapper Slapper that was sardine tipped. Hits came in the mid-depths while on the sink.

Today had somewhat better operating conditions than the past few but those two factors, "B & B" were still in the area. This trip did have one of those multi-species catches the Capt. John is known for. To make your reservations to be a part of the catching that goes along with the fishing, give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

Well, "Bumpy & Breezy" were still here for today's trip - it's becoming a situation sort of like visiting relatives staying too long. The good things around for the week are a Marigliano and a school of Richardsons, at least, the ones from the Dallas and Northeast Texas area. These guys and an assortment of family members and friends fish the Capt. John for a couple of week long stings a year, plus numerous one day trips. When you're on the boat, ask if any of this group is aboard that day. They are all partyboat fishermen who are a must to meet. Enough about those guys - the guy at the top of the good chain, Capt. Tony Langston was again at the wheel of the partyboat Capt. John for today's trip.

After the familiar exit from the Galveston Jetties, a fifty mile run to the Sough began with "bumpy" passing around the sleek, twin hulls of the Capt. John. Arriving over several wrecks in the area's 105 ft. deep water, the words "all right, let 'em go" over the P. A. signaled the start of today's fishing. The 60 fishermen, using baits of cut squid, whole Spanish sardines or an assortment of artificials had this catch coming over the rail:

The highlight of the trip, at least for Sara Richardson,was her 22.7 lb. kingfish that's being submitted for the new Texas State Saltwater Junior Record. The currently listed record is 15.10 lbs. This kingfish was part of her limit, plus she also had a red snapper limit to 5 lbs.

Sara Richardson with her new Junior State Record 22.7 lb. kingfish.
Standing beside Sara are her grandfather,
Ricky and her uncle Rob Richardson.

Ricky Richardson, Athens, Sara's proud grandfather, had a kingfish limit and a red snapper limit which went to 7 lbs.
Mike Richardson, Athens, with kingfish and red snapper limits, the heaviest red snapper was 6 lbs.
Jeff Richardson, Lone Oak, and his dad, Rob each had kingfish and red snapper limits. Rob's red snapper to 7 lbs. hit a sardine tipped pink/chartreuse 1 oz. Snapper Slapper.
Olivia Cruzado, with a red snapper limit to 5 lbs.
Jim Marigliano, Dallas - his red snapper limit, taken on Carolina rigged Spanish sardines, went to 6 lbs.

Once again, "Bumpy & Breezy" while still around, didn't adversely affect the day's catch to a great extent. Still, it's past time for them to go - unfortunately,if the forecast is correct, these two may have turned into squatters.

Back to the highlights - Sara's Junior Record kingfish is her second; she also held the Atlantic spadefish, a.k.a. "tiger snapper" Junior Record until June 28, 2006, when Capt. Williams' daughter Shannon Williams topped her record while also fishing on the Capt. John. That phrase, "Take a kid fishing" certainly applies to the adults who come on the Capt. John(its owner included).In the past and recently, several Junior Records have come off the Capt. John. The records are great, but the most important part is the everyday fishing that's done by many youngsters on the Capt. John...along with adults.

Get on the partyboat Capt. John and have a first-hand experience of the fun and excitement of mostly blue water offshore fishing for a variety of species at a bargain price. Give the office staff a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations. When you're on the Capt. John, don't forget to ask about If, and Where, there's a Marigliano or Richardson at the rail. They, along with the rest of the Capt. John's fishermen plus the crew are a bunch of potential friends you just haven't met yet...the fish are farther away, you will meet them later. Make the call today, you'll be glad you did!

"Bumpy & Breezy" returned for today's offshore trip by the partyboat Capt. John. After leaving Galveston's Pier 19 with 83 fishermen aboard and later starting the offshore run, Capt. Tony Langston had the long and sleek catamaran hulls slicing through the chop.

About fifty miles after that southerly turn at the end of the jetty, they arrived at today's fishing area. Its various wrecks in the 100 ft. deep water had residents down there who wanted to come up and join the fishermen.

The cut squid or Spanish sardine baits, along with the fishermen's efforts, helped this group make the decision to come aboard:

The significance of that 3.1 lb. lane snapper is that it's being submitted for the new Texas State Junior Record. Ten year old Kevin Wilson from Oklahoma City caught it. The currently listed Junior Record for lane snapper is 1 lb., which was also caught on the Capt. John by Colin Decuir from Brenham. Kevin's dad, Paul was also aboard, but as it usually goes, the unwritten "one State Record per trip, per family" rule was in effect. He did, however, have the fortune of seeing his son's record catch. While the record fish was hooked on the Capt. John, Kevin is now likely hooked on the Capt. John also.

Kevin Wilson with his 3.1 lb. lane snapper that is being submitted for a new Texas State Saltwater Junior Record.

Even with the somewhat bumpy conditions offshore for today's trip, the total catch was a good one, especially for Kevin Wilson. Give the office a ring and make your reservations on the Capt. John. You never know what you will come back with – a new State Record?...probably not, but you never know until you get out there. The office at Galveston's Pier 19 can be reached at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

The partyboat Capt. John's destination for today's offshore fishing was in the area about 45 miles to the south. After passing the end of Galveston's south jetty, Capt. Tony Langston pointed the twin hulls in that direction with wrecks and rigs as the targets.

Those wrecks and rigs in 100 ft. of water held what he was looking for, a great day of catch by the 63 fishermen. The baits, pieces of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines fished throughout the entire water column, produced this catch:

To get your opportunity to participate in this offshore, multi-species fishing aboard the partyboat Capt. John, give the office at Galveston's Pier 19 a call. Their numbers are either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. Our friendly and informed office staff is standing by, looking forward to hearing from you. Call today and make your reservations to go fishing with us.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was run with 43 fishermen aboard. After passing the end of the jetties and entering the Gulf, Capt. Johnny Williams started the southerly run.

The destination for today's fishing was a series of rock formations about forty miles offshore of Galveston. Their efforts, along with the squid or sardine baits that were worked from the bottom to the near surface area, had this catch coming over the rail.

As we've reminded you recently, the red snapper fishery only has about two and a half months to be open in our offshore waters. While a variety of other species are targeted and caught, such as other snappers, kingfish, ling, Atlantic spadefish, now affectionately known as "tiger snapper", assorted groupers, etc., if red snapper is of interest to you, the clock is ticking. The red snapper closure will likely be from 7 to 9 months! Give the Capt. John a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and make your reservations at the rail. The Gulf's multi-species catch possibilities are out waiting for your bait to present itself...call today!

Capt. Tony Langston had the area 30 miles to the south of The Island in mind as the destination for today's fishing, and this offshore run began once the Capt. John exited the Galveston Jetties.

Assorted rock structure in 75 ft. of water was the 58 fishermen's cut squid or sardine baits target. This was a tall target since they worked all of the water column below the partyboat Capt. John. Their efforts brought this catch over the rail:

Kenny Swanson, Galveston, had a red snapper limit and the 26 lb. kingfish, all taken on freelined sardines.

Bryan Simms, Katy, with Atlantic spadefish (tiger snapper), triggerfish, kingfish, a red snapper limit and the day's only ling.

Besides the productive day trips by the Capt. John, 36 hour overnight trips are also run. Today, two of these trips have been added to the schedule, August 21-22 and Sept 18-19. Both are Tuesday-Wednesday trips and their cost is $300 per fisherman. Give the office at Galveston's Pier 19 a call to make your reservations on any of the Capt. John's offshore fishing trips.
The phone numbers are 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. The office staff is waiting to hear from you.

After entering the open Gulf with 45 fishermen aboard the partyboat Capt. John, Capt. Tony Langston began the 55 mile run South. The area chosen to be fished offered a variety of surface and bottom structure, made up of production platforms, gas wells and assorted rock formations.

Fishing their sardine or squid baits in the 125 ft. deep water, from the bottom to the near surface area wasn't quite as productive as it has been lately. The fish were marked on the bottom machine, but their 51% of the vote made the "catching" part of fishing a bit slow. Their efforts produced this earned catch:

Looking at recent reports does show that catch rates vary, that's why the old saying goes, "It's called 'fishing', not 'catching'", and today had a respectable catch for a bit of a slow day. Give the Capt. John's Office staff at Galveston's Pier 19 a call to make your reservations and be part of the "catching". The office numbers are 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

This offshore day trip by the partyboat Capt. John out of Galveston's Pier 19 was run with Capt. Tony Langston at the wheel. That familiar exit and turn after passing the end of the South jetty was made in a southeasterly direction. With the run of 60 miles completed, the 70 fishermen began working their sardine or squid baits throughout the 120 ft. water column.

Hopefully, those somewhat windy conditions will continue to give the area a break, this supposedly lucky day, 7-7-07, may be the start of a string of nice days offshore, if we're lucky.

The office staff is standing by for your call, get on the phone and make your reservations soon on the partyboat Capt. John. There's less than three months left for the red snapper fishery to be open in Federal waters, then it will be closed for at least seven months. While there are a lot of other hard-pulling and great eating species out there, if your interest is red snapper, the clock is ticking...make the call today-409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

Having only a few widely scattered showers to contend with after a series of thunderstorms passed over Galveston Island in the early morning hours, Capt. Tony Langston motored the partyboat Capt. John into the Gulf. With no showers between them and the fishing area, the 30 mile run in a SE direction was a dry and smooth one.

Fishing over several rock formations in around 70 ft. of water, the 64 fishermen's squid or sardine baits, worked from the near surface to the bottom, had this catch coming aboard:

Hopefully, the threat of thunderstorms will decrease soon, but even when around, they can be avoided for the most part. Give the Capt. John office staff at Pier 19 a ring -- 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 -- to make your reservations.

The Weather Gods still had something of a frown on their faces for this 36 hour tuna safari by the partyboat Capt. John out of Galveston's Pier 19. Having rain showers and a bit of a breeze to contend with at times, Capt. Johnny Williams, who also had Capt. Shane Steber aboard as the remaining second captain on this extended length trip, motored SE through the Gulf.

The first stop was Tuesday afternoon over rock structure about 70 miles offshore. Red snapper was the primary target for the 38 fishermen and the fishing was good. The bulk of the trip's red snapper catch to 12 lbs. was iced down in the fish boxes when they left this area. The next area fished was about 30 miles farther offshore in deeper water. Suspended vermilion snapper was the expected catch; they were home, and the fishing was good again, with many coming aboard. Upon leaving this area south of the Flower Garden, a run even farther offshore began, to a deep water rig for overnight tuna fishing. The production platform fished is in about 700 ft. of water around 120 miles SE of Galveston. Between showers, blackfin tuna were hitting an assortment of artificials, such as the ever effective chrome diamond jigs and various metal jigs such as those by Williamson, Shimano, Strike Pro, etc. When the move inshore for more fishing and the run home began after sunrise Wednesday, 33 blackfin tuna to 24 lbs had been decked, gutted and iced down.

The area fished on the way home was again about 70 miles to the SE of The Island. More red snapper, several dorado(mahi-mahi), plus more assorted bottom species and ling were decked. When the final leg of the run back to Pier 19 was started Wednesday afternoon, the fishermen's efforts in working various baits such as squid, sardines, assorted live baits and metal jigs had produced this catch:

An Vo, Miami, Florida - his catch was made up of vermilion snapper, red snapper and 10 blackfin tuna. His blackfin hit a Williamson "Bethnos" jig of 7 oz. in a blue/silver/white color pattern.

Colin "Tux" Tuxen, 16 year old son Cody & friend Jessie Purslo, all from Centerville, with red snapper, vermilion snapper, great barracuda and greater amberjack in their catch. Incidentally, the "great" and "greater" are actually part of the name of those species, not that one was better than the other.

Peter Letts, Dickinson, had 2 blackfin tuna, red snapper and vermilion snapper double limits.

Steve Saur, Beaumont - red snapper and vermilion snapper double limits and bonito & triggerfish.

Amos Wolf, Pflugerville - greater amberjack, dorado, blackfin tuna and vermilion snapper and red snapper double limits.

Mike Billiott and 12 year old son, Devin, Winnie - with dorado, vermilion snapper and red snapper limits.

Dan Jones and 16 year old son Jessie, Indianapolis, Indiana, had double vermilion snapper limit, horse eye jack, red snapper and triggerfish.

Ed Fegan, Middleburg Heights, Ohio - 3 blackfin tuna, red snapper, vermilion snapper, lane snapper and triggerfish.

Bryan "Mudskipper" Treadway, Houston, red snapper vermilion snapper double limits, 2 blackfin tuna to 20#.

Kyle "Billfish" Bradley, Houston - lane snapper, vermilion snapper double limit, a 20# scamp grouper, 1 greater amberjack and 3 blackfin tuna. The blackfin hit a 7 oz. Williamson "Bethnos" deep jig in a blue/silver/white color pattern.

This trip not only had another of those multi-species catches but a wide range of places the fishermen came from. While most were from somewhere in Texas, notice that fishermen from Florida, Indiana and Ohio were also in attendance.

Captains Williams and Steber did their part in placing the boat on the fish. The coaching, line untangling and gaffing by the deckhands Ben, John, Shane & Cory made the fishermen's efforts after their many hookups worthwhile, while David in the snack bar kept them all watered and fed.

To get in on one of these successful team efforts, give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and make your reservations. While no other 36 hour trips are on the schedule at this time, fishermen's interest could generate one. Otherwise, get on the Capt. John for one of the many 12 hour trips that are on the books. Call the Pier 19 office today!

It had to happen – yesterday's "Ice Cream Conditions" have, well, sort of "left the building"...the upper Texas coast offshore waters for sure. Today's breezy, bumpy and squally conditions were indeed a change but the catch results were close to normal. With Capt. Tony Langston at the wheel of the partyboat Capt. John, the run offshore in a southerly direction began, after passing through the jetties. Destination was a series of rocks about 50 miles offshore of Galveston Island in 100 ft. of water.

The baits of the 65 fishermen, pieces of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines, enticed this catch to join them on the deck:

The state of the art hull design of the Capt. John contribute greatly to the fishability of the boat when the Gulf gets on the bumpy side as it was today. Give the office a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations, your spot at the rail and the fish are waiting.

A call to Blue Bell was also made and the "Ice Cream Conditions" are on the way, when they'll get here is sort of iffy. In the meantime, get on the boat, enjoy the ride and catch some fish.

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:

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.
John 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.

With the "weather gods" still holding wave heights to two feet or less in our part of the Gulf, the 80 fishermen on the Capt. John were in for another smooth ride.

Upon leaving Galveston's Pier 19 and later starting the run to the SE, the 50 mile run offshore began.

The fishing spots Capt. Tony Langston selected for the day were several rocks and a wreck in 110' of water. The fishermen's cut squid and whole or cut Spanish sardine baits produced this catch:

To book your spot at the rail on the partyboat Capt. John, give the Pier 19 office a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. Get in on some of this cost-efficient, multi-species fishing – you will not likely be disappointed.

Once again, the pleasant conditions offshore that have been there for the last few days were still holding. Capt. Tony Langston pointed those sleek twin hulls of the partyboat Capt. John in sort of a southeasterly direction, entering the open Gulf and its two foot swell with 61 of us fishermen aboard.

The day's first stop was made at an area of rocky bottom about 45 miles offshore, in about 115 feet of water. Red snapper were there, along with an assortment of other bottom dwellers. When we left the area, something in the order of 99% of our red snapper catch for the day was on the boat.

Our next fishing opportunities were about twenty miles further offshore. Capt. Langston had big fish in mind to go along with the red snapper and other fish from the first stop; hopefully, they would be there.The next three stops were made in the Claypile area at different rock formations. These rocks, that came within 110-115 ft. of the surface, were indeed holding what the captain and all of us were looking for. The immediate success at the first rock was the hookup and, about ten minutes later, the gaffing and decking of Sam Rosas' 66 lb. wahoo! What a start! It hit a bullet-type lure with a chrome head and blue/silver mylar skirt. Other wahoo were seen at this rock and at the next one, but they gave a turndown to an assortment of baits and lures that were offered to them -- you can't catch 'em all. Sam also caught the biggest smile of the day at that first rock stop. Some of the other species taken in the area included ling, vermilion snapper, mangrove snapper, lane snapper, rockhind grouper, etc. The Captain's decision to make the run further offshore worked. One "big one" did get reeled in after it made about a 100 yard, drag-screaming run, and several others were seen in the clear blue water, plus an added assortment of species were also picked up.

After "motor fishing" that last rock, which had a squall nearby that provided a bit of a breeze and made anchor positioning difficult, with its changing wind strength direction, we headed home. "Motor fishing" is holding the boat in position over a particular spot by the captain keeping the engines running and applying power to the props, along with rudder positioning in order to maintain location in spite of different motions the wind and current put on the boat. Some of that sort of "juggling act" Capt. Langston's pretty good at doing in order to ensure your chances of a great catch.

Decked and iced down in the fish boxes was this list of the fish who volunteered to join the 61 of us fishermen for the ride back to Galveston's Pier 19:

Sam Rosas, Sugarland, had a red snapper limit to 5# and the catch of the day, that nice 66# wahoo that ran him from the stern to the bow before coming to the gaff.

Jim Marigliano, Dallas, had a red snapper limit to 6# to go along with several wahoo turndowns.
Patrick Lemire, Texas City – My catch was made up of a red snapper limit to 7#. Unfortunately, I had numerous wahoo turndowns while using an assortment of lures and baits – The captain puts the boat on the spot, but you have to catch 'em.

While all trips on the Capt. John aren't made this far offshore, when you are in a position to catch really large fish, which could be on any offshore trip, all you can do is make your best effort to hook 'em. Sam did a better job today than all of the other 60 fishermen. It was his day.

Get on the Capt. John – your personal best could be out there waiting for you. As we've said before, it's not knowing who's going to catch what at any particular spot, regardless of experience level that is one of the biggest attractions of partyboat fishing. Give the office a call at Pier 19, either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853, get on the boat and see what ends up on the other end of your line. Whatever it is, it's likely loaded with excitement!

This offshore fishing trip was run to an area about 50 miles SE of The Island. After leaving Galveston's Pier 19 with 33 fishermen and later entering the Gulf waters, Capt. Johnny Williams started the run offshore.

Rock formations in 100 ft. of water were the targets for the day's fishing. Using whole Spanish sardines or pieces of cut squid, fished from near the bottom to the near surface area, this catch was reeled in:

Don't forget, to get on the Capt. John for one of these offshore, 12 hour fishing trips, call the Pier 19 office for your reservations – 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

The general area of the claypile, which has produced good catches on the two previous days was again the target. With Capt. Tony Langston once more in the driver's seat of the partyboat Capt. John, the 68 mile run offshore began through the two foot swells after turning the end of the Galveston jetties.

The area fished today was another of the multiple rock formations in the 150 ft. deep water that projected up from the bottom about 50 feet. Using the standard partyboat baits, pieces of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines that were fished from near or at the top of the rocks to the near surface area, the 73 fishermen would in this catch:

Sam Rosas, Sugarland, had a red snapper limit, several vermilion snapper and the 10 lbs. scamp grouper.

With a catch that was similar to the previous two days, this was another good one, with weather and seas to match. As happens in life, the old saying "results may vary" comes to mind. One of the attractions of partyboat fishing is that you never know who's going to hook into what at any stop on any given day. Give the office a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations on the partyboat Capt. John and see what fishing memory is out there, waiting for you or one of your new found friends who could be fishing next to you.

For today's 12 hour deep sea fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John, the weather gods continued to smile, with seas of 1-2 ft. still hanging in there.

Leaving Galveston's Pier 19 with 82 of us fishermen aboard, Capt. Tony Langston once again pointed the Capt. John to the south, knifing through the light swell. Our first stop was at a rock formation in 100 ft. of water about 45 miles offshore. This stop resulted in an assortment of bottom fish, a few kingfish and about 140 red snapper being decked.

The next two stops were in the Claypile area, both over rocks in 130 to 150 ft. of water about 65 miles offshore. These stops produced amberjack to 50 lbs., mangrove snapper, vermilion snapper, red snapper, kingfish, ling, etc.

After those two Claypile stops, with time running out and the Spanish sardine and cut squid baits having done their job, we headed in with another of those multi-species catches. The day's catch included:

Mike Richardson, Athens, with a red snapper limit to 5 lbs., 6 vermilion snapper, a mangrove snapper and a kingfish.
Ronnie Vaughn, Dallas, had a red snapper limit to 5 lbs., a kingfish and 6 vermilion snapper to 3 lbs.
Jon Newman, Dallas, with vermilion snapper, a red snapper limit, a kingfish and the trip's heaviest fish, a really nice 51 lb. amberjack that hit a small piece of cut squid, fished about 15 feet off the rock.

Tom Hargrove, Columbus, Georgia; had a red snapper limit and an amberjack limit of 2 that went 25 and 30 pounds.
Greg Moliere, Houston, with a red snapper limit, vermilion snapper and a 22 lb. amberjack, his first one.
Patrick Lemire, Texas City: My catch was made up of 6 vermilion snapper to 3 lbs., 2 mangrove snapper of 6 lbs. each and a red snapper limit to 6 lbs.

Today's catch was a good one, but as in most cases, there was a missed opportunity which could have resulted in another prize coming aboard. At the first claypile stop, a ling had been hooked about ten spots down the rail. I put a whole squid out at about ten feet down on a mono leader, hoping the first ling had a running mate that wanted a squid snack. There was no second ling, but a big wahoo did join the scene - it ate the squid, cutting my mono leader in the process. This one was definitely an adult, an estimated 70-80 pounds. It flashed away and didn't come back; even the misses add to the excitement of fishing offshore. Without my polarized sunglasses, I wouldn't have seen any of this.

To see what your catch results will be, call the Capt. John's office at Galveston's Pier 19 to make your reservations. The phone numbers are 409-762-8808 and 713-223-4853. Don't forget your polarized sunglasses - wearing them gives you a view of what's going on below the surface and adds another dimension to the total experience of offshore partyboat fishing.

The Gulf maintained its 1-2 ft. wave heights for today's offshore fishing trip, making for smooth running again today. With 77 fishermen aboard, Capt. Tony Langston pointed the sleek, twin hulls of the partyboat Capt. John to the SE after entering the open Gulf.

Fishing over assorted bottom structure in 150 ft. of water had this catch biting the squid or sardine baits.

The term "Multi-species catch" is used quite often in Capt. John fishing reports. Without a doubt, today's results qualify for that term. What a great looking hang as the boat approached Pier 19! To make your reservations on the Capt. John, call the office, located at Galveston's Pier 19, at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. The office staff there is waiting to hear from you.

Today's fishing trip into the Gulf started off with a run SSE after passing Galveston's south jetty. The area selected by Capt. Tony Langston for today's fishing on the partyboat Capt. John was various types of bottom structure in 125 ft. of water, 55 miles offshore.

With 54 fishermen working their cut squid or sardine baits from the bottom to near the surface, this catch was decked and iced:

Kenny Swanson from Galveston had a kingfish limit and a red snapper limit plus one of the dolphin fish, a nice 8 pounder.

With the Gulf presently going through one of its calm periods, seas only ran from 1-2 ft., making for a nice ride out and back.

The numbers to call for making reservations on the Capt. John are: 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853; they're waiting to hear from you and so are all of those fish out there.

"Breezy & Bumpy" were once again waiting offshore for the partyboat Capt. John, and as usual, those long and lean twin hulls effectively knifed through those bumps.

The head swordsman, Capt. Tony Langston, pointed the Capt. John to the south after passing the end of Galveston's south jetty. Rocks about 40 miles out was the destination. Fishing baits of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines in the 80 ft. deep water, the 63 fishermen wound in this catch:

Katy Langston, Dickinson, Capt. Langston's 12 year old daughter, had Atlantic spadefish and a red snapper limit.
Aaron Hardin, Texas City, 8 years old, with Atlantic spadefish, a rockhind grouper and a red snapper limit.
Vicky Arnold, Texas City, Aaron's mother, had Atlantic spadefish and a red snapper limit.
Jennifer Jackson, Sugarland, also with Atlantic spadefish to go along with her red snapper limit.

Today's trip was the first this year with a sizeable number of those hard-pulling and great to eat Atlantic spadefish. Ninety-eight percent of the time you see them take the bait – usually a small piece of squid on a small hook. Squid and small hooks are supplied by the boat – all you have to do is hook'em, fight'em and land'em. To get your part of the multi-species catch possibilities that include those Atlantic spadefish, red snapper, kingfish and assorted groupers, etc., give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and get in on the fun of fishing on the partyboat Capt. John.

The breeze was back for today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John, along with a few squalls. With the twin hulls of the "Superboat" parting the Gulf swells, Capt. Tony Langston had a series of rock formations about 50 miles offshore targeted for today's fishing.

Shortly after arriving, the 60 fishermen began working their squid or sardine baits through the entire 110' water column. Their efforts had them reeling up this catch:

Reserve your space at the rail on the fish-catching, quiet and smooth-riding Capt. John - give the office a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. Some new fishing friends for you to meet will be aboard, too.

Today was another of those days hoped for when making a run offshore - seas of two feet or less, a slight breeze and sunny skies. With these great conditions to work with, Capt. Johnny Williams headed the partyboat Capt. John offshore with 44 fishermen aboard

The offshore run, to rock formations about 55 miles to the south of the Island, began shortly after leaving Galveston's Pier 19. Those first stops in around 125 ft. of water produced a red snapper limit for the boat, along with a kingfish, some vermilion snapper and triggerfish. The second area fished was the wreck pieces of the V.A.Fogg, 45 miles to the south of The Island in 100 ft. of water.

The Fogg gave up lane snapper, Atlantic spadefish and a really nice 65 lb. ling. With another of those multi-species catches in the fish boxes, the run back to Pier 19 began.

Sardine or squid baits, fished throughout the water column at all of the stops, brought this catch to the deck:

David Jaeger, Houston, had the 65 lb. ling to go along with his red snapper limit to 7 lbs.

Those surface types such as kingfish and ling are once again showing up in the catch reports with some regularity. They, along with the other species, make for some interesting days offshore. Give the office at Pier 19 a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853; reserve your spot at the rail and see how multi-species your catch will be.

Shortly after leaving Pier 19 and entering the calm Gulf waters, Capt. Tony Langston pointed the twin hulls of the Capt. John sort of SE. After a run of around 50 miles, they arrived at the target area for today's fishing.

Using freelined Spanish sardines fished near the surface, and pieces of cut squid or Spanish sardines, at or near the bottom in the 80 ft. deep water, the 35 fishermen reeled in this catch:

The dolphin fish and kingfish show that surface fishing action ramped up a bit today from recent catch totals. The kingfish total of 70 was a two-per-person daily limit for the 35 fishermen. The dolphin and kingfish were taken on freelined Spanish sardines.

Make your reservations on the Capt. John by calling the office at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853...get on the boat and see what catch is out there, waiting for you.

This offshore day trip by the partyboat Capt. John was run with Capt. Tony Langston in the captain's chair. After leaving Galveston's Pier 19 with 59 fishermen aboard, about a half hour later they entered the calm Gulf waters.

With an offshore run of about 55 miles to the SE completed, fishing over several rocks in the 110 ft. deep water began. When the run back to The Island began, their baits had brought this catch total to the deck:

To make your reservations on the Capt. John, give the office a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 today. Kingfish, dolphin, ling, etc. are starting to show along with those fun to catch and great to eat Atlantic spadefish...make the call!

With relatively calm conditions still holding in the Gulf, the partyboat Capt. John was once again headed offshore in a southeasterly direction. After leaving Galveston's Pier 19, Capt. Tony Langston made the decision to try a slightly different area today. The stops were made over similar structure as previous days, rocks and a wreck. These stops, in 110 ft. of water 55 miles offshore gave up this catch to the cut squid or Spanish sardine baits:

Paul Wilson, Oklahoma City, with a smoker kingfish to go with his red snapper limit.

Sam Rosas, Sugarland, had a kingfish limit of 2 to go along with his red snapper limit. Sam's catch came on Carolina-rigged or freelined Spanish sardines. To get on the Capt. John where you'll probably meet some new friends and catch some fish too, give the office a ring at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations.

Capt. Tony Langston once again had the twin hulls of the partyboat Capt. John parting the swells in a run offshore from Galveston Island. After leaving Pier 19 with 74 of us fishermen aboard, and passing the end of the south jetty, that 50 miles run through the gentle, three to four foot swells began.

At the end of the offshore run SE, the first of the day's stops was made over a rock in 110 ft. of water. This stop and others resulted in a red snapper catch that was just short of a limit, along with a few grouper, kingfish and a nice dolphin.

The baits, such as Spanish sardines or pieces of cut squid, and the fishermen's efforts, brought up this catch:

The group of 17 from MLL Plumbing in Dallas, headed up by Ricky Knapp, had red snapper limits to 5 lbs, a kingfish and 2 of the gag groups.

R.V. of Dallas with red snapper to 4 lbs and a kingfish.
Joel Shelton, Farmersville, had a red snapper limit to 4 lbs.
Sara, Ricky & Rob Richardson, from Athens and Lone Oak, all with red snapper limits that went to 4 lbs. Sara also had a kingfish and rob with that nice 12 lb. cow dolphin(mahi-mahi) that hit a freelined sardine near the surface, about 50 ft. behind the boat.

Patrick Lemire, Texas City -- my red snapper limit to 4 lbs. was taken on a pink/chartreuse, 1 ounce Snapper Slapper that was sardine tipped. Hits came on the sink about 50 ft. down.

This was another of those really nice days offshore, fishing with some of your friends, and we caught fish, too. To extend, or get your string of experience started, give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and make your reservation at the rail of the Capt. John.

As these 36 hour tuna safaris by the partyboat Capt. John go, this one was excellent as far as the multi-species catch and the weather in the open Gulf was concerned. Virtually without saying, the captains and crew, as always, fell into that category of excellent also. With Capt. Johnny Williams at the wheel as we left Galveston's Pier 19 and Capt. Shane Steber aboard as the second required captain on these extended length trips, the forty of us fishermen were set on "go".

Leaving Tuesday a little after 7 AM and shortly thereafter entering the calm waters of the Gulf, the trek sort of ESE began. Two stops were made over rock structure in around 80 ft. of water, about 70 miles out. The target was primarily kingfish, and they were home. When we left the area, 25 had been decked and iced, along with a ling, a couple of big Jack Crevalle and some red snapper. Most of the kingfish were over 20 lbs., the heaviest being 26 lbs. After leaving this area, a run farther offshore to the south began. Our next stop was at a "hump" about 126 miles offshore that came up to 200-300 ft. from the surface. This stop has red snapper to 16 lbs, a ling, scamp grouper and a yellowmouth grouper all joining us on deck. Next, a run farther offshore for the over night tuna fishing was begun.

Shortly after 8 PM we arrived at a "floater" rig about 150 miles offshore, in around 3,800 ft. of water. With no moon yet and a swell of about 2 ft., all looked sort of "swell". Looks can be deceiving, as we all know, and the six drifts that were made from the platform to about a mile down current were less than productive, again, "sort of". The less than productive part was the six blackfin that were on the small size - the up side was the trip's one keeper yellowfin tuna. On the second drift, James McCrory had his 7 oz. Power Jig inhaled. This is one of those saltwater deep jigs in the "Butterfly Jig by Shimano" design. This particular jig, by ProFish Co., was a silver/white with a read head section. This family of deep, vertical jigging design lures are usually intended to be retrieved with a fast, erratic retrieve motion. In this case, while fished deep, just a slight rod tip motion was used. This, combined with rod bend and mono stretch, was without a doubt imparting little motion to the jig, still the strike came. In the next 10 minutes or so, James' line was involved in several tangles as his yellowfin made its fast and erratic runs, twists and turns at boatside. His 80# mono also rubbed hard on the bottom of the Capt. John. With tons of luck on his side, along with the untangling efforts of the deckhands, his tuna was brought to gaff and onto the deck; a nice 65 pounder. James' winding, pulling, cranking, listening to the deckhands and staying calm with his first yellowfin tuna fight was an important part of his "luck".

With that smattering of blackfin and the one yellowfin tuna being the total take at this deep water platform, a decision was made. Around 12:30 AM Wednesday a run of about two hours to another platform was started. This production platform, about 120 miles offshore in 700 ft. of water was the tuna hotspot of the trip. No yellowfin were taken, but 86 additional blackfin tuna were. These were a much better size and weight class; over 90% of them were 20 lbs. or more, topped off by three from 30 to 34 lbs., indeed sizeable blackfin tuna. They hit chrome diamond jigs and deep jigs by Williamson, Shimano, Pro Fish, etc. Eight hit Tuna Hunter top water plugs and several ate Spanish sardines. When we left this platform and its blackfin tuna bit a little after 7 AM, deckhands Ben Arnold, Dan Bunday, Payton Martin and David Hicks were tired and ready for a move, too -- it doesn't work without their smart and hard work, always remember the deck work. When we left this platform, the run back to Pier 19 began.

Stops at two more production platforms about 70 to 80 miles offshore, in 170 to 210 ft. of water were fished. They produced red snapper, vermilion snapper, lane snapper, Warsaw grouper, ling, bluefish and Atlantic sharpnose shark.

The next scheduled stop was at Pier 19. With another of those multi-species catches to unload, this had indeed been a 36 hour trip that will be burned into the memory of all the 40 fishermen, from the many first-timers to the regulars. It was a beautiful hang as we approached Galveston's Pier 19 with a lot of tired but smiling fishermen.

I told you that this was a multi-species catch! Now, for several of the individual catch totals:

It was a great catch, with weather and fellow fishermen to match, along with the captains and crew to top it all off. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations on one of the Capt. John's offshore fishing trips. Whether it's of the 12 hour variety or one of these 36 hour tuna safaris, the Capt. John is the place to be.

Today's deep sea fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was run with Capt. Tony Langston at the wheel. The fishing destination picked for the 75 fishermen was a series of rock formations and a wreck about 50 miles to the south of Galveston.

Fishing their baits from the bottom to the near surface area in the 110' deep water produced this catch:

The red snapper total is a day's limit for all the fishermen. The seas of about 2' also made for a smooth ride back to Galveston's Pier 19.

The office phone numbers are 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. Give the office staff a ring and make your reservations soon on the Capt. John – your catch is out there, waiting for you!

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John out of Galveston's Pier 19 was run with Capt. Tony Langston in the drivers seat. With the twin hulls slicing through the open Gulf in a southerly direction the 81 fishermen looked forward to the first stop of the day. These stops, about 55 miles out in 115-120' of water were over several rocks, wrecks and old coral outcroppings.

The baits used were cut squid chunks and whole Spanish sardines for the most part. These bait offerigs were fished from the bottom tot he near surface area and enticed this group into biting:

The red snapper catch was a daily limit for all of the 81 fishermen, which is always nice to see. As has been mentioned recently, it's getting to be time for more of the "surface types" such as kingfish, dolphin, ling and wahoo to show up. On today's trip three of those four did make an appearance. The kingfish and dolphin not only made an appearance, some of them ended up in the fish boxes. A large wahoo made a brief showing but didn't take any of the baits presented to it. Another flash of excitement was an estimated 8' hammerhead shark that was hooked by Sam Rosas and later released alive. It's yellowish color was described as being almost McDonalds arches yellow.

Sam Rosas & Jennifer Jackson from Sugarland each had red snapper limits and kingfish limits that included Sam's 25 pounder.
Leston Reeves, Denver, CO, had a kingfish to go along with his red snapper limit.
Johnny Crabtree, Idabel, OK, with a red snapper limit to 16#.

Offshore partyboat fishing, once again you never know what you may see or who will catch what at any stop - excitement at a bargain price. Give the office a call today to make your reservations on the Capt. John at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853; get out there and see how high your excitement level can go.

With the Gulf still showing its calm side, today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was indeed a smooth ride. Leaving Pier 19 with 81 fishermen aboard and making the run through the bay, Capt. Tony Langston made a turn to the SE after passing the end of Galveston's South Jetty.

The targeted fishing area for today was the area of rock formations about 55 miles offshore, in 115 ft. of water. Squid chunks and whole Spanish sardines, fished from near the surface to the bottom, convinced this catch to join us on deck:

Aaron Hardin,an 8 year old fisherman from Texas City had a red snapper limit that went to 6 lbs. and was taken on squid chunks.

As the offshore water temperatures continues to rise, so should the numbers of surface fish, kingfish, ling, dolphin, etc. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and make your reservations on the Capt. John to see what comes to the surface for you.

The destination for the partyboat Capt. John and the 60 fishermen aboard was a series of rock formations about sixty miles south of The Island. After leaving Galveston's Pier 19 and turning the end of Galveston's South Jetty about half an hour later, Capt. Tony Langston started the run offshore into a slightly choppy Gulf.

Fishing their sardine or cut squid baits throughout the water column's 125 foot depth, they wound up this catch to be decked and iced:

Over the course of the day, the Gulf had calmed to about a two foot swell, making for a smooth ride back to The Island with another of those multi-species catches. The office staff is waiting for your reservations call, let 'em hear from you soon at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

Having just a slight breeze to contend with was a welcome end for the month of May. Looking back at the month's reports, a "slight breeze" or close to it wasn't mentioned often. Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was once again headed up by Capt. Tony Langston. Leaving Galveston's Pier 19, the trek to the east through the open Gulf began. After a run of about 50 miles the day's fishing area for the 35 fishermen was reached. Production platforms, rocks and a wreck in the 80 ft. deep water was fished.

With fishing turning out to be a little on the slow side as it is at times (why it's called fishing rather than catching), the fishermen and their cut squid or whole Spanish sardine baits worked hard for today's catch. Using those baits mentioned, and trying numerous spots, their catch was made up of the following: A smattering of Atlantic spadefish and triggerfish along with a couple of kingfish and 44 red snapper. The high point was the three sow red snapper that weighed in from 16 to 18 lbs.

Mason Stapp (age 11), and his dad, Greg, from Frisco, with red snapper limits, topped by Mason's 8 pounder.

While the catch totals were down a bit on today's trip, there were individual highlights - just ask Mason Stapp about it if you see him on the boat. To make your reservations on the Capt. John, call the office at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. One of the many attractions of offshore party boat fishing is that you never know, at any stop, who will catch what -- it could be you personal best of a variety of species. Make the call and get on the Capt. John. Entertainment, and hooking into a who-knows-what is the name of the game.

This 36 hour tuna safari by the partyboat Capt. John out of Galveston's Pier 19 was headed up by Capt. Johnny Williams. Aboard as the second captain was Capt. Shane Steber. After entering the somewhat calmed Gulf that only had a gentle four foot swell, the run offshore to the south began. The swell diminished over the course of the trip to an almost slicked off condition, quite an improvement over the last few days offshore.

First stops were made Tuesday afternoon over a couple of rock formations in 120 to 150 ft. of water, around 65 and 80 miles offshore. The majority of the trip's red snapper were taken from there by the 34 fishermen aboard. After leaving those spots, the run further offshore to the BoomVang Spar platform began. Drift fishing for tuna during the overnight period started at this platform, located about 127 miles south of The Island in 3,450 ft. of water. While there, there were a couple of hard hits and strong runs, resulting in break-offs that were highly suspected to have been yellowfin tuna. The tuna that did hit were blackfins and they were few and far between. A decision was made to move back inshore a bit to the Tequila production platform. Nine blackfin tuna had been decked, gutted and iced before leaving BoomVang.

About 1 AM Wednesday, the Capt. John was tied off to the Tequila platform, about 88 miles SSW of The Island in 650 ft. of water. Tuna fishing was a little on the slow side there also. When they left, shortly after daybreak, ten more blackfin were in the boxes. Also taken was an amberjack, a rainbow runner and a 42 lb. king snake eel.

Leaving Tequila, the run inshore to the Salvador Ridge area began, with vermilion snapper the primary target. Salvador is located around 73 miles SSW of The Island where rock formations in around 180 ft. of water

were fished. Vermilion snapper were there and biting, and quite a few of the fishermen had their allowable two day limit of 20.

When the run back to Pier 19 began after leaving Salvador Ridge, another of those multi-species catches was in the fish boxes:

In addition to our daily 12 hour offshore trips there are two more of these 36 hour tuna safaris scheduled at this time, June 5-6 and July 3-4, both are Tuesday-Wednesday trips. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to reserve your spot on the Capt. John.

Well, the unwanted friends of offshore fishing, "Breezy and Bumpy" were back today. Having those breezy and bumpy conditions to contend with, the 64 fishermen aboard the partyboat Capt. John managed to reel in a red snapper limit to 6 lbs. and two Warsaw grouper.

After leaving Galveston's Pier 19, they later headed offshore in a southeasterly direction with Capt. Tony Langston at the wheel. The area roughly fifty miles out, with its rock formations in 85 to 90 ft. of water was fished. Their baits, Spanish sardines and pieces of cut squid, fished at or near the bottom, produced that catch of 128 red snapper to 6 lbs. and those Warsaw groupers. An important point about the Warsaw is that the boat limit is one per day, so the second one was released alive at boatside to fight again some day with another lucky angler. Speaking of a lucky angler, the same woman caught both of those Warsaw groupers today.

To get a shot at a Warsaw or one of the other species that are caught on board the Capt. John, give the office a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and make your reservation.

This Memorial Day weekend day trip on the partyboat Capt. John was run out of Galveston's Pier 19 with Capt. Tony Langston behind the wheel. Heading offshore with the twin hulls slicing through the moderate swell was a welcomed change from yesterday, when rough seas caused the offshore trip to be changed to a bay trip.

After a run offshore to about 60 miles south of The Island, the 77 fishermen wet their baits at several rocks in 125 ft. of water. Their baits, pieces of cut squid and whole Spanish sardines, fooled the following into biting and joining them on the boat. Their catch included a red snapper limit (to 7 lbs.) for each of the 77 fishermen, a kingfish of 24 lbs. and one 22 lb. Warsaw grouper.

Call the office at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations aboard the Capt. John – Dorothy, Vicki and Dee are waiting to hear from you.

Remember the reference to "Bumpy, breezy", etc? Well, they were back today. Shortly after leaving Galveston's Pier 19 with Capt. Tony Langston at the helm, the party boat Capt. John entered the breezy and bumpy Gulf and motored offshore. The 30 or so mile run to the south ended with the 44 fishermen working bottom structure and a production platform in around 70 ft. of water.

The highlights of the trip, fishing wise, were a 22 lb. sow red snapper and four ling of 35 lbs. each, who were decked and iced. The four ling were especially exciting since a group of fifteen or so came charging from near the rig to the boat. That charge was led by an estimated 70 pounder. As in football, those big linemen don't run as fast as a running back - the big lineman is still out there somewhere. Fortunately, those four hard fighting and great eating 35 pounders made the trip back to Pier 19. Sight fishing for ling is truly "high excitement".

A combination of cut squid or whole Spanish sardine baits, the fishermen's efforts and the bumpy sea conditions all played their part in today's catch - the total included 34 red snapper to 22 lbs. and those four ling of 35 lbs. each.

With questionable conditions forecast for the next few days, trips will be run as conditions permit. Hopefully, acceptable will be included in later forecasts. To make your reservations on the Capt. John, give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. Although it's obvious that not everyone will reel up a sow red snapper or nice ling, they are out there and could be waiting for you – could be.

The party boat Capt. John's offshore fishing trip today was run to an area 45 miles to the south of The Island. About thirty minutes after leaving Pier 19, that turn tot he south was made after exiting the Galveston Jetties.

Using squid chunks and/or Spanish sardines, the 35 fishermen managed to pull up another of those multi-species catches. The wreck pieces fished were in 100 ft. of water.

The red snapper total is a daily limit for 34 fishermen - not quite a full passenger limit.

Give the office at Pier 19 a call to make your reservations on the Capt. John -- your personal multi-species catch is waiting out there.
The numbers are 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

A Gulf with only 2 to 3 ft. swells welcomed the 76 of us fishermen aboard the partyboat Capt. John as the twin hulls pointed in an easterly direction. Our destination for the day's fishing was rocks and wrecks about 50 miles out in around 80 ft. of water.

Using various baits besides the usual, pieces of cut squid and whole Spanish sardines, were live piggies, live ruby lipped grunts, whole squid and sardine tipped Snapper Slapper lures. These baits, fished from the near surface area to the bottom, generated the following list of "cooler fish"...

What a beautiful "hang" as the we approached Galveston's Pier 19 with those many respectable size red snapper and others. A few of the individuals that come to mind with their catch results are these folks:

Michael & Camysha Wright, Galveston, and Michael's mother, Jimnah Nesbit, Georgetown, SC, on her first offshore fishing trip and belated Mother's Day gift. Their red snapper limits were taken on sardine tipped pink/chartreuse or black/purple, 3 ounce Snapper Slappers. Most hits came on the sink at about 40 ft. They also had vermilion snapper and blue runner on cut squid baits.

Monty Hale, Tomball, along with friends Jim Conley & Mat Brennan from Austin, all with vermilion snapper. They each also had red snapper limits to 10 lbs. taken on pink/chartreuse or blue/white, 3 ounce Snapper Slappers that were sardine tipped. Most red snapper strikes came in the 30 to 40 ft. depth range; the vermilion were a bit deeper.

Sam Rosas & Jennifer Jackson, Pearland - their red snapper limits were topped off by Jennifer's nice 10 pounder.

Patrick Lemire, Texas City - My catch included 4 vermilion snapper; the trip's only kingfish and a red snapper limit to 11 lbs. The red snapper and kingfish hit a black/purple, 1 oz. Snapper Slapper that was sardine tipped. The vermilion snapper came on Carolina rigged sardines.

For today's trip by the Capt.John, the weather along with the fish cooperated to everyone's satisfaction. To make reservations for your spot or spots at the rail, give the office at Pier 19 a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. It won't be long before the variety of catch possibilities has the added attraction of ling, kingfish, dolphin, etc. and occasionally even wahoo.

The gulf was much more cooperative, wave-wise, than the previous two days -- three foot, then down to less than a foot in the afternoon. With 83 fishermen and 3 riders aboard the partyboat Capt.John, a turn toward the Heald Bank area began shortly after leaving Galveston's Pier 19.

Two stops were made in 90 ft. of water over rock formations at Heald Bank. The next move was to make a run farther offshore to the SE where several stops were made at rocks and a wreck in 90 to 95 ft. of water. Along the way farther offshore, a stop was made at a bouy where three ling quickly came into view and disappeared into the depths almost as quickly. The largest of the group was estimated at 90# plus. Heart rates increased at the sighting, but no takers of the baits offered was forthcoming. Three stops were made in the area of 90 ft. rocks, about 45 miles SE of The Island.

On the way home, another stop was made at that bouy that held the ling earlier. This time, none were sighted. Two more stops were made in the Heald Bank area before starting the final run home.

Fishing was spotty at most of the stops today, even though numerous fish were marked at all of them, I guess that's why it's called "fishing", not "catching". The day's multi-species catch was taken on pieces of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines fished from the mid depths to the bottom and consisted of:

Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make reservations on the Capt. John -get on board and see what part of the "catching", and of what species, will come your way - could it be a 70# ling like we saw today? Not likely, but you never know who's going to catch what on any offshore trip.

To put it in simple words for today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John -- the breeze got a bit "breezier" than yesterday and the Gulf was a bit more choppy. With 56 fishermen aboard, the twin hulls of the Capt. John sliced through the chop, it's destination fifty miles south of Galveston Island to rocks and wrecks in a little over 100 ft. of water.

Baits used were pieces of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines, fished throughout the water column. These baits, coupled with the fishermen's efforts, produced a catch made up of about a dozen each of lane snapper and Atlantic spadefish, along with a 25 lb. kingfish, a 12 lb. Warsaw grouper, a 36 lb. ling and 86 red snapper. The two heaviest red snappers were 14 and 15 lbs. The red snapper total catch was just over 3/4 of a limit.

To make your reservations on the Capt. John -- give the office a call at Galveston's Pier 19 at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was the first since last Saturday. While the last several days found the Gulf in a virtually flat calm condition, today's trip had a bit of a breeze to contend with. These choppy conditions weren't a problem, though, for the twin hulls of the Capt. John.

Two areas were fished; the old Buccaneer Field platforms and the wreck of the V.A.Fogg. Their 80 to 100 ft. deep waters about 30 and 45 miles to the south and southwest of The Island. These spots gave this catch to the 51 fishermen:

Various numbers of Atlantic spadefish, triggerfish, lane snapper, vermilion snapper and a red snapper limit for all of the fishermen. The red snapper went to a little over five pounds; squid and Spanish sardines were the baits used.

With most schools' summer closings coming in the near future and family vacations shortly to follow, now is the time to think about and make your reservations on the Capt. John. Weekends especially fill up first -- give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to stake out your spots at the rail.

Running a bit farther offshore than on the previous day trips had the partyboat Capt. John fishing over rocks & a wreck about fifty miles out. Shortly after leaving Galveston's Pier 19, the twin hulls began slicing their way to the south through the virtually flat calm Gulf waters.

Fishing over rocks and a wreck, the 74 fishermen reeled in this catch from the 130 ft. deep clear blue water:

Ronnie Vaughn, Dallas - his red snapper limit went 12 and 13#; they hit lightly weighted Carolina rigged Spanish sardines.

Colin "Tux" Tuxten, Centerville, with a red snapper of 5 & 6 pounders, taken on Spanish sardines.

The red snapper were a daily allowable limit for the 74 fishermen, also included in this multi-species catch were numerous red snapper in the 3-5# class. Although not part of the catch, a couple of slightly undersize ling were pulled up and released alive at boat side...it won't be long before some truly sizeable ones show up, stay tuned. Another of those "wow factor" fish, an estimated 70 lb. wahoo, was at one of the stops but wouldn't take any of the bait offerings. Several of these guys have been around the boat lately -- they are due to make a mistake soon and take a hooked bait -- another "stay tuned" situation. These warm water travelers, ling and wahoo, are showing up with increased frequency. Along with kingfish, they plus the cast of regulars out there are waiting to join you on the deck of the Capt. John. To make your reservations, call the office at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and check out the possible "wow factor" for yourself.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was a charter by Pyramid Waterproofing Co. from Houston. Their group of 45 was headed up by Pat Smith.

Leaving Galveston's Pier 19 and entering the calm Gulf waters, a turn was made to the south in the direction of the V.A.Fogg wreck. This area contains several pieces of bottom structure as well as the pieces of the Fogg and is located about 45 miles offshore.

Stops were made at the Fogg, four surface platforms and a bottom stop. In that general part of the Gulf, water depth ranges from 100 to 55 ft. of water. Baits used throughout the water column were pieces of cut squid, whole or cut Spanish sardines and Snapper Slapper lures.

Today's catch for their group and two added guests was made up of the following species:

Jeff Powell wound in a kingfish to go along with his red snapper limit; they were taken on Carolina rigged sardines.

Lynette Holman had a red snapper limit to go along with her kingfish limit; this was her first fishing in about 20 years.

Maria Garcia also had a red snapper and kingfish limit. She had never before been fishing, and her heaviest kingfish won their kingfish "pot".

Daniel Cruz came in with another of the kingfish limits and a red snapper limit to 11#. His heaviest red snapper won the red snapper "pot".

Patrick Lemire, Texas City - what a privilege to once again be invited to join this group's annual offshore fishing trip. This was my fifth or sixth year with them and their ninth with Williams Partyboats. While There, I also "snuck up" on a red snapper limit, using a sardine tipped black/purple,1 oz. Snapper Slapper - hits came on the sink at around 30 feet. Seeing and fishing with friends and meeting new ones is what fishing is all about, and today certainly proved this.

A company fishing trip is a great opportunity for an away from work, relaxed atmosphere gathering -- it's obviously been working for Pyramid Waterproofing for a number of years. To have your company set up a trip or schedule one for yourself or your group, the office phone numbers are 409-762-8808 and 713-223-4853. Give them a call -- you and your group won't be disappointed with your fishing trip on the partyboat Capt. John.

With 59 fishermen aboard, the partyboat Capt. John headed offshore in a southerly direction shortly after departing Galveston's Pier 19. The area chosen for today's fishing was around 50 miles with 110 ft. of water covering the rocks that were fished.

Pieces of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines did their job, prompting the fish mentioned below into biting:

Although not really part of "the catch", a couple of undersize amberjack and ling were brought to boat side and released alive. While amberjack are in our deeper waters year 'round, ling are move seasonal with the larger ones generally showing up first...as in "soon". Give the office a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to reserve your spot on the Capt. John as your personal best of a variety of species may be out there waiting for you--come see.

This trip was one of those 36 hour tuna safaris that are run out of Galveston's Pier 19 by the partyboat Capt. John. With Capt. Johnny Williams at the wheel and Capt. Shane Steber aboard as the second captain, entrance into the open Gulf was made and a turn SSE had us on our way.

Our first stop was a little after noon at a production platform about 71 miles out in 180 ft. of water. Leaving this platform, we fished next at a bottom spot in about 200 ft. of water, then came another production platform in 220 feet of water that's about 83 miles offshore. Our fourth stop was at a rock formation with 210 ft. of water over it. These stops produced red snapper, vermilion snapper, amberjack, triggerfish, etc.

We reached our destination for the overnight tuna fishing just before sunset, the Gunnison Spar platform. This platform is located about 125 miles to the SSE of the end of Galveston's South Jetty in 3,150 ft. of water. A dozen or so drifts were made from the platform to around a mile or so down-current during the overnight period. When we left after sunrise on Wednesday, 141 blackfin tuna to 18# and 3 skipjack tuna to 16# had been decked, gutted and iced. They hit chrome or green Diamond jigs, Williamson Bethnos Deep Jigs or Shimano Butterfly jigs for the most part; a few were taken on freelined sardines. No yellowfin tuna were taken.

The stops made on the return trip home included two shrimp boat drifts in around 250 ft. of water that didn't produce a catch at either of them. Four more bottom stops were made over old coral outcroppings and rock formations. Depths ranged from 220 ft. at the most down to 120 ft. These stops produced more red snapper and vermilion snapper, also, several porgy and Atlantic sharpnose sharks. The trip's heaviest red snapper and a nice Warsaw grouper were caught at the last two stops; each of them weighed in at 19-1/2 lbs. at Pier 19.

The totals for the various species taken by the 36 fishermen aboard for the two days were:

The Kelly Owens group of 5 from Anna had 25 blackfin tuna, double red snapper limits of 4 each to 11 lbs, along with numerous vermilion snapper. Kelly's catch included 20 of the group's 25 blackfin tuna. His blackfin hit a 7 oz. black, blue, silver Shimano Butterfly Jig. Strikes came mostly on the sink from 30 to 100 ft. down.
Andy Mayes, Dallas, with a double red snapper limit to 8 lbs., 4 blackfin tuna (chrome Diamond jig), 2 Atlantic sharpnose sharks & 7 vermilion snapper.
Jack Coleman, McKinney, had a double red snapper limit of 4; 5 blackfin tuna (chrome Diamond jig); several vermilion snapper and the 19-1/2 lb Warsaw grouper (squid on the bottom at 120').
Don Huffstickler, Frisco, with a double red snapper limit, 5 blackfin tuna on chrome Diamond jigs along with vermilion snappers. His red snapper catch included the trip's heaviest at 19-1/2 lbs. It hit a big squid chunk on the bottom at 150'. Jack and Don were part of a group of 12 from Frisco, Texas and Colorado. They all had blackfin tuna, red snapper & vermilion snapper in their catches and 5 Atlantic sharpnose sharks.
Patrick Lemire, Texas City - my total catch consisted of vermilion snapper to 4 lbs. and 16 blackfin tuna to 14 lbs. The blackfin all hit a 7 oz. silver/white deep jig by Williamson, their Bethnos model. I also hooked and released two undersize ling which hit a 4-1/2: Flex-X Lure by Strike Pro America. This hard body, jointed lure virtually comes alive - can't wait to throw it or one of its larger relatives at a really big ling real soon. I recently came across this family of lures and they virtually look alive on the retrieve, without the hassle of live bait.

There are two more of these 36 hour trips by the partyboat Capt. John scheduled at this time, May 29-30, Tue-Wed, and June 5-6, Tue-Wed.
Give the office a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and make your reservations to be part of this exciting fishing experience!

Breezy, that's the way today's trip by the partyboat Capt. John started, and as the day progressed, wind speed crept up. Because of increasing wave heights, the trip returned early. Today's fishing was done about 40 miles to the south of the Island, at several production platforms in around 85 ft. of water. That southerly turn was made upon entering the Gulf, shortly after departing Galveston's Pier 19.

Baits fished for the 81 fishermen aboard were from near the surface to the bottom for today's catch, which included a smattering of Atlantic spadefish and triggerfish to go along with the red snapper limit of 162 for all the fishermen, which included two that went 12 and 14 lbs.

With sea conditions worsening, a decision was made to come back early after the red snapper catch was made, instead of changing fishing areas and methods. When that choice was made, everyone aboard was ready to point the bow in the direction of Pier 19. Winds forecast to increase overnight and Sunday caused Sunday's trip to be canceled.

Aaron Hardin, Texas City, 8 years old, was one of those anglers with a red snapper limit today.

To make your reservations and possibly be able to fish on the Capt. John with an hard-core fisherman like Aaron, give the reservations office a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John, Pier 19, Galveston, was run with 60 fishermen aboard. After entering the open Gulf, a southerly turn was made just past the end of the South Jetty. Designated fishing area for the day was about 40 miles out, over rock formations in 80 to 85 feet of water.

Using the old standards, cut squid pieces or whole Spanish sardines, fished from the near surface to the bottom, this catch was reeled up:

The red snapper part of today's catch was a limit for the 60 fishermen. Since May second, the allowable red snapper catch has been set at two per person, per day in Federal waters. Those other species will be targeted as well, as the water continues to warm. The ling, kingfish, dolphon, etc. populations will be welcome additions to the list. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations on the Capt. John.

If fifty miles to the south of The Island and 105 to 110 ft. of water sound familiar, you've most likely been reading the Capt. John fishing reports. This was the case again today; another repeat was a red snapper limit of four for all of the fishermen.

The forty-one fishermen effectively worked their baits throughout the water column over several rock formations and wound up with this catch:

Today was the last day we recreational fishermen were able to keep four red snapper per person, per day in federal waters. Starting tomorrow, May 2, that limit drops to two and continues through Sept. 30. Call the office at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations. Come join us on the Capt. John, running out of Galveston's Pier 19, and experience the excitement and entertainment of offshore fishing with us.

Wrecks in 105 to 110 ft. of water were the targets for today's offshore fishing by the partyboat Capt. John. Shortly after leaving Galveston's Pier 19, the entry into the open gulf and a southerly turn was made. About 45 miles later, fishing began for the 64 fishermen aboard.

Baits that were fished from near the surface to the bottom coaxed this catch into being decked and iced:

Karen Hayes, Houston, had a nice 30 lbs. Warsaw grouper that ate her squid bait that was fished right on the bottom to go along with her red snapper limit of four.
Brian Sullivan, Richardson, with the 31 lb. ling, added to his four fish limit of red snapper.

The red snapper portion of today's catch was an allowable four per person limit for each of the 64 fishermen and the full crew of 6. Tomorrow is the last day of the four per person per day; it drops down to two, starting Wednesday.

With an assortment of species to be targeted besides red snapper, the multi-species catch is always the goal. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations on the Capt. John and see what your multi-species catch will consist of.

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John (out of Galveston's Pier 19) was run to the Claypile area. Several rock formations in the 140 ft. deep water about 65 miles ESE of the Island were the targets.

The 75 fishermen worked their baits or whole Spanish sardines throughout the water column, resulting in this catch:

Dee Brown, Galveston, had a red snapper limit of 4 to 4 lbs.
Ronnie Vaughn, Dallas, with a red snapper limit to 8 lbs.
Sam Rosas, Sugarland, came in with a red snapper limit to 12 lbs.

While today's catch didn't include a red snapper limit for all of the 75 fishermen, it did contain a variety of species and almost had a couple of colorful speedsters added to the total. One of the stops had a couple of large wahoo that couldn't be tricked into striking the various bait presentations offered. The excitement of seeing these speedsters and the frustration of on one being able to generate a strike are just a small part of the unexpected, exciting things that can happen on just about any offshore fishing trip.

Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations on the Capt. John. Who knows what you may hook into or see out there.

Today found the 83 fishermen on the partyboat Capt. John fishing in the same general area as previous trips. They worked their baits at structure such as a wreck and several rocks. These stops were made about 60 miles to the south of Galveston Island in around 120 ft. of water.

Their efforts brought up this catch using pieces of cut squid or Spanish sardines

The Gabriel Loya Group of 9 from Dallas each with red snapper limits and a rockhind grouper.

Ronnie Vaughn, Dallas, had a red snapper limit to 5 lbs. and 1 rockhind grouper.

John Mongognia, Princeton, with a red snapper limit to 4# and the 42# Warsaw grouper.

Well, it finally had to happen; today was the day the trip was a bit short of a red snapper limit. While that's not really all that unusual, it's not the target the Capt. John shoots for.

To have your opportunity to experience some of this offshore, multi-species fishing, give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations.

The 73 fishermen aboard the partyboat Capt. John were taken to the same general area as the preceding few days. These rocks and wrecks around 50 miles to the south of Galveston island once again gave up a four per person limit of red snapper for all the fishermen.

Bait types that were again eaten by the locals down thee to around 120 feet were pieces of cut squid, whole Spanish sardines and whole Tinker mackerel. The day's catch was made up of:

Stephanie Witowski, Jason Danks, Gizella & Bob Goyak, Jack Williams, Rob & Mike Richardson (Mike had 12 & 14 pounders), Larry Reiter, Gino and Kay Asuncion, Robert Cannon and myself, Patrick Lemire.

Since the red snapper fishery in Federal waters reopened on the 21st of this month, the Capt. John has been offshore every day except Wednesday of this week, when it was too rough. All of the trips so far have come back with a red snapper limit for all of the fishermen, topped off by Rob Richardson's really nice 28-1/2# sow on Sunday; the Capt. John record, so far. How long these 4 red snapper per person catches will continue is unknown. What is known is that Wednesday, May 2, the per person per day limit drops to two red snapper in federal waters.

While a variety of other species are and will be targeted, such as vermilion snapper, lane snapper, mangrove snapper, Atlantic spadefish, triggerfish, ling, kingfish and an assortment of groupers, red snapper is a primary interest to some fishermen. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to take a shot at your primary interest species or all of them!

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John out of Galveston's Pier 19 was run to the area 50 miles to the south of the Island.

Using baits such as pieces of cut squid, whole or cut pieces of Tinker mackerel and Spanish sardines, the 49 fishermen landed a catch that included:

The red snapper portion of the catch was a four fish limit for the fishermen, and came from fishing rocks and a wreck in 115-120 ft. of water

Rob Richardson, Lone Oak, had a red snapper limit to 8 lbs that hit Carolina rigged Spanish sardines.

This trip was the fifth in a row with a red snapper limit of four for all of the fishermen since the red snapper fishery reopened in Federal waters on the 21st. There was no trip Wednesday due to high winds and rough seas. To book your spot at the rail on the Capt. John, give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

With Capt. Tony Langston at the wheel, the partyboat Capt. John headed once again in a southerly direction after departing Galveston's Pier 19, and later exiting the jetties.

The 42 fishermen worked their baits in the 80 to 85 ft. deep water covering several rock formations and a wreck. This run of about 40 miles was made under somewhat breezy and bumpy conditions.

Their pieces of cut squid and Spanish sardine baits did fool a red snapper limit of four into biting for each of the fishermen.

The total catch consisted of two kingfish, several Atlantic spadefish and triggerfish to go along with the 170 red snapper to about 7 lbs. that made up the limit.

Daryl Charbula & son Samuel, Pasadena, had red snapper limits to 6 lbs. Samuel, on his first trip offshore, also had one of the kingfish.

Nathan, Wade and Joseph Crist, all from Yancis, came in with red snapper limits to 5 lbs.

In spite of the bumpy sea conditions, the Capt. John came in with a red snapper limit for the fourth day in a row.
Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and make your reservations on the Capt. John. Whatever your catch, it's sure to be an adventure offshore!

Today's offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John, out of Galveston's Pier 19, was run to the area about 40 miles to the south of The Island.

Fishing spots that Capt. Tony Langston selected for the 60 fishermen were a couple of wrecks in around 80 ft. of water. Using the more or less standard partyboat baits, cut squid pieces or whole Spanish sardines, this catch was coaxed into joining them on deck:

Kenny Swanson, Galveston Island, with a red snapper limit to 7 lbs., taken on Spanish sardines.

Rob Richardson, Dallas, his red snapper limit of 4 went to 8 lbs. and hit Carolina rigged Spanish sardines fished in the mid-depth area of the water column.

This trip by the Capt. John is the third one since the reopening of the red snapper fishery in Federal waters. So far, all three have come back with red snapper limits for all the fishermen. Who knows how long that will continue? Give the office a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and make your reservations on the Capt. John. Don't forget that we target a variety of species which include vermilion snapper, kingfish, an assortment of groupers, lane snapper, triggerfish, Atlantic spadefish, ling, etc., plus a variety of sharks...make your phone call soon and join us on one of these exciting offshore trips.

This 12 hour offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was once again headed up by Capt. Tony Langston. With 80 fishermen aboard, the area fished was about 60 miles south of Galveston Island. Rock formations and a wreck in the 120 ft. of blue water were the targets on this second trip since the red fishery reopened Saturday.

Baits used were the standards, pieces of cut squid and Spanish sardines. These baits, fished at or very near the bottom, produced another outstanding catch. This catch included numerous red snapper in the 6 to 12 lb. range. It also had in it the heaviest red snapper that has been caught on the Capt. John - a true sow red snapper of 28-1/2 lbs.! Rob Richardson, one of the Richardson family members who fish on the Capt. John regularly, brought it to the gaff. It hit a Carolina rigged 8" Spanish sardine, fished a couple of feet off the bottom. When the return trip back to Galveston's Pier 19 began, the Capt. John's fish boxes held the allowable 4 red snapper per person for each of the 80 fishermen. Those limits for all of the fishermen are nice but not always attained; two days in a row is an excellent start, though.

Two exciting red snapper fishing days in a row, again a great start of the opening of the red snapper fishery in Federal waters. Rob Richardson's well deserved 28-1/2# red snapper, he fishes hard on every trip he takes, is going to be hard to top. Not knowing who's going to hook into what, when is a great part of offshore partyboat fishing. To get on the Capt. John for your shot at the unknown, give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservation. There's also a lot of fish out there besides red snapper, such as those hard-pulling and tasty Atlantic spadefish, along with vermilion snapper, an assortment of groupers and soon to be showing in increasing numbers, kingfish and ling. Come join us in the hunt.

Today's offshore day trip by the partyboat Capt. John, out of Galveston's Pier 19, was headed up by Capt. Tony Langston. After exiting the jetties, a turn to the south was made, and the first trip of the reopened red snapper fishery in Federal waters began.

Three stops at some rock formations in 110-115 feet of water about 50 miles out were fished. Baits used, from the mid-depths to the bottom, were cut squid pieces, Spanish sardines and an assortment of sardine-tipped Snapper Slapper lures. By the time we started back, a full boat limit of 4 per person for the 83 fishermen plus the captain and crew had been decked and iced. The red snapper allowable daily limit of four per person, minimum length of 16" will be in effect through May 1st. Starting May 2nd, the limit will drop to two and none for the captain and crew.

This first day of the red snapper fishery reopening was indeed a good one for everyone on the Capt. John, with the day's catch total of:

What an exciting opening day red snapper catch! Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 71-223-4853 to make your reservations on the Capt. John. Get on the boat and see what you come up with.

This 36 hour offshore fishing trip was an ideal one for those who think offshore fishing is a "breeze". For this trip, the breeze was provided by Mother Nature. With the passage of a front and its subsequent stalling offshore, this trip gave a breezy, bumpy ride for the 37 fishermen. Another part of that mix was some rain, and of course, one of those multi-species catches these trips are best known for.

Leaving Galveston's Pier 19 Saturday morning, the first stop that Capt. Tony Langston targeted was Stetson Rock and its anticipated kingfish bite. Alone as second captain on this 36 hour trip was owner, Capt. Johnny Williams. They arrived at Stetson, located about 73 miles SSW of the exit of the Galveston Jetties in mid-afternoon. The Stetson Rock formation is in around 180 ft. of water with a depth of about 65 ft covering its top. Well, the kingfish weren't there in quite the umbers they have been during the winter. By the time the move farther offshore began for the overnight tuna fishing, a great hammerhead shark of 141 lbs. and 13 kingfish to 25 lbs. had been decked and iced. Baits used for the most part were freelined Spanish sardines.

The next stop, the first one for the overnight tuna fishing, was at Boom Vang Spar production platform. This floating piece of manmade structure is about 127 miles to the south of The Island, in 3,450 ft. of water. Other platforms fished include Tequila, 88 miles SSW of the Jetties in 650 ft. of water. Besides blackfin tuna, several greater amberjack and the trip's only wahoo were taken. These platforms also produced 74 blackfin tuna to 28#, a skipjack tuna of about 20# and one yellowfin tuna of 30#. The majority of tuna hit chromed diamond jigs. The big bottom fish of the trip had an "April Fool" moment of its own at Tequila platform when it bit a live blue runner at around 500 ft. that was presented by John Jeffries. At the dock, his Warsaw grouper weighed in at a really nice 110#.

Another stop was made Sunday before the run home was started at the Sunrise Rig at around sunrise, in 363 ft. of water. This platform is a little over seven miles NE of Tequila. Salvador ridge, in about 180 ft of water, which is a bit inshore from Tequila, was fished next. An assortment of bottom fish were reeled in along with 251 vermilion snapper and a second great hammerhead which was released at boat side.

With "breezy and bumpy" still hanging in there, the sort of sprint back to Pier 19 began with this catch boxed and iced:

John Jeffries, Houston, had the 110 lb. Warsaw grouper, 10 blackfin tuna and a 45 lb. greater amberjack.

Scott Kelley & Kevin Walker, both from College Station, with a total of 8 blackfin tuna, 20 triggerfish, 30 vermilion snapper and a kingfish.
Richard Eberle, Texas City, 20 vermilion snapper (an allowable double daily limit on one of these extended length trips), 1 greater amberjack, 6 blackfin tuna, 2 kingfish and the trip's only wahoo. His wahoo hit a chromed diamond jig.
The David Jaeger Group of Four, Houston, with 20 blackfin tuna, 15 triggerfish, 20 vermilion snapper. One of his sons, Jon, from Dallas, wound up the estimated 135-140 lb great hammerhead shark that was released at boatside.
Tom Gregory, Magnolia, and Brent Laurie, Dallas, with 3 kingfish, 20 vermilion snapper, 4 triggerfish, 14 blackfin tuna. Tom also had the trip's heaviest fish, the 141 lb. great hammerhead.
Dartanian Chandler, Dallas, 3 blackfin tuna and a double vermilion snapper limit of 20.

Despite the somewhat breezy and bumpy sea conditions these overnight trips can have, as this one did, respectable catches such as this one do come aboard. To book your reservations on one of these 36 hour trips on the Capt. John, give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. Your "personal best" of an assortment of species could be out there waiting for your bait presentation on one of the trips scheduled in the near future. Book your next great fishing experience today – on the Capt. John.

April 21 and the reopening of the red snapper fishery will be here in a heartbeat. Give a call to the office to make your reservations today.

Today's 12 hour offshore fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John, out of Galveston's Pier 19, was headed up by Capt. Tony Langston.

Fishing today was done in the area of the pieces of the V.A.Fogg wreck. The Fogg is located about 45 miles SSW of the entrance to the Galveston Jetties in 100 ft. of water.

Under somewhat breezy and choppy sea conditions, the 29 fishermen, using mostly pieces of cut squid or whole Spanish sardines, reeled up this catch:

Katy Langston, Dickinson, Capt. Langston's daughter, had vermilion snapper and released red snapper to 4 lbs.

Aaron Hardin (9), from Texas City, with vermilion snapper and released red snapper.

This was the first 12 hour trip by the Capt. John in 2007. Call the office at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853, and sign on to get a jump on the summer's offshore fishing fun.

This was one of those 36 hour tuna safaris run by the partyboat Capt. John out of Galveston's Pier 19. With Capt. Tony Langston at the helm, the trip departed with 40 fishermen aboard, a little after 7 AM Saturday morning. Also on the Capt. John as the required second captain on these extended length trips was owner, Capt. Johnny Williams.

We arrived at Stetson Rock, about 73 miles SSE of The Island, at around 1 PM. The 65' deep water covering the rock at the mooring bouy where we tied off was teeming with fish. By the time the smoke had cleared, a double limit of 160 kingfish to 30# had been decked and iced. Most were taken on freelined Spanish sardines while others were hooked on bullet or bomb type casting lures.

A little after 3 PM we began the move further offshore to the first deep water platform where we were to fish during the overnight period. We arrived at the Nancen Spar production platform, located in 3,675 ft. of water, about 117 miles south of the Island. Three drifts were made from up current of Nancen to about a mile or so down current. The hoped-for yellowfin tuna apparently weren't in the area or they had lockjaw. What did strike our assortment of artificial baits such as butterfly type jigs, diamond jigs, chunk baits and sardine baits was blackfin tuna. These three drifts resulted in around 35 blackfin tuna joining us aboard.

which is around 8 miles to the west of Nancen. This production platform is in around 3,450 feet of water. During the next 8 hours, several drifts were made from up current of Boom Vang to as far as about 3 miles down current. These drifts were more productive while using basically the same fishing techniques, with an additional 121 blackfin tuna coming to the gaffs. When we left Boom Vang, the blackfin tuna total was up to 156, with the heaviest going a little over 20 lbs.

We left Boom Vang shortly after 6 AM Sunday and headed inshore to the Salvador Ridge area. Around 9:30, we began fishing for vermilion snapper, grouper, amberjack,etc. at a rock in 195 ft. of water. Eight to ten amberjack responded to our bait presentations but were just short of being legal and were released to fish another day. However, numerous vermlion snapper, gag grouper, lane snapper were decked and iced. Four other stops in this general area were made before we began the run home at a little after 1 PM. Over the course of these stops, three sandbar sharks of around 7 ft. each were hooked and brought to boatside. Two were released at boatside and one was gaffed, decked and iced.

We arrived back at Pier 19 a little before 7 PM with the following catch totals:

Bill Reid and sons Cody (16 yrs.) and R. J. (11 yrs), from McKinney, had blackfin tuna, vermilion snapper and triggerfish along with a double kingfish limit of 4 for each of them. R. J. also fought one of those sandbar sharks to boatside and it was released alive.

Peter Letts, Dickinson, had 7 blackfin tuna, a double kingfish limit and 11 vermilion snapper.
Douglas Tigtig, Houston, with 6 blackfin tuna, a double kingfish limit and 12 vermilion snapper
Gerry Deguzman, Houston, had 6 blackfin tuna, a double kingfish limit, 10 vermilion snapper and the one sandbar shark that was kept.
Kip Assenheimer, Houston, had 2 blackfin tuna, a double kingfish limit, vermilion snapper and triggerfish.
Lorenzo Deguzman & Jerod, of Houston had double kingfish limits and 6 blackfin tuna.
David Jaeger (Houston) & son Jon (Overland Park, Kansas), with vermilion snapper, double kingfish limits and 27 blackfin tuna. Jon also had one of the estimated 7 ft. sandbar sharks which was released alive at boatside.
Patrick Lemire, Texas City, My catch included a double kingfish limit, blackfin tuna that hit Williamson jigs, five just undersize amberjack, released, and the trip's two scamp grouper. The amberjack and scamp grouper hit a 7 oz. Braid Tantrum Fin Tail 200 jig in a green mackerel color pattern. Strikes came just off the top of rocks in 160-195 ft. of water.

There are four more of these great 36 hour trips scheduled by the Capt. John in the next months. Give the office a call at either 713-223-4853 or 409-762-8808 to become a part of this far offshore fishing action.

This morning, the partyboat Capt. John ran a 4 hour bay and jetty fishing trip which was headed up by Capt. Tony Langston.

Using crab and shrimp baits while fishing at Galveston's North Jetty, the 76 fishermen wound in this catch from the 20-30 ft. deep water:

The heaviest of the black drum was a really nice 45 lbs. It was released to fight again another day. With these hard pulling black drum and bull redfish being hooked, along with those sizeable and good-eating gafftops, now is an excellent time to get a taste of Galveston bay fishing.
Give the office a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations...both of these numbers go to our office at Galveston's Pier 19.

This 4 hour bay & jetty fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was headed up by Capt. Tony Langston. After leaving Galveston's Pier 19 with 42 fishermen aboard and making a run through the channel, fishing started in the North Jetty area in 20 ft. of water. Crab and shrimp baits brought the hookups. The catch consisted primarily of large black drum and redfish. Some of the fishermen taking and then releasing their catches were as follows:

Johnny, James, Kristen, Dakota and Cheyenne Robinson, all from Collinsville. Also aboard was Shane Steber and his son, Bo and daughter Amber from Galveston.

Many oversize and hard pulling black drum are now being taken with great consistency around the Galveston jetties and near bay areas. Get on the boat now and have your string pulled by some of these brutes - it's a blast. Give the office a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and make your reservation, it will be $25 well spent.

This 36 hour tuna safari by the partyboat Capt. John was run February 10-11, with 32 fishermen aboard. After leaving Galveston's Pier 19, running the Galveston channel and then turning in a southerly direction around the end of the South Jetty, Capt. Tony Langston started the run offshore on Saturday morning. Also aboard as the second required captain on these extended length trips was Capt. Johnny Williams. Their first stop was at Stetson Rock which is about 72 miles to the SE. The 75 ft. deep water gave up 63 kingfish to a really nice 41 pounds by the time they left. They then left Stetson, arriving at E. Cerveza production platform for the start of the overnight tuna fishing. This platform is about 87 miles south of The Island in 900 ft. of water. The action was a bit slow, and after about a dozen blackfin tuna were taken, a move to the W. Cerveza platform was made, where a few more blackfin were taken. They then moved on to Tequila platform which is a number of miles off to the west in about 650 ft. of water. Again, blackfin tuna fishing was a bit on the slow side. The highlight of the Tequila platform fishing was two Warsaw grouper taken by Brian Christensen. They each hit live blue runners fished about 100 feet off the bottom. A decision was made to run to a production platform a bit inshore, about 7 miles, the Sunrise platform which was in about 360 feet of water. This was a good move. The blackfin tuna were there. Many multiple hookups immediately followed. The guys working the deck and the gaffs, Ben Arnold, Kenny Swanson and Dan Bunday, had their hands full for a while. When the bite ended at around sunrise the blackfin tuna to 24 lbs. that had been decked, bled, gutted and iced now totaled 171. The next and final stops were made at Salvadore Ridge which is about 73 miles SSW of The Island. Along with other species taken from the approx. 180 ft. deep waters were 326 vermilion snapper to about 4 lbs., along with numerous other species.

With the multiple fish boxes loaded, for the most part, the approximate 4-1/2 hour trip home started Sunday afternoon. The deckhands took a welcomed but short break and Tony Noehl in the snack bar continued to keep them all fed and watered.

Brian Christensen, Tomball, to say that Brian had a "nice catch" would be an understatement, with 4 kingfish to 21 lbs., a 46 lb. greater amberjack, 13 blackfin tuna, all taken on Shimano butterfly jigs and a double limit of vermilion snapper taken on cut squid. Add to that group the trip's allowable limit of Warsaw grouper for the boat, two nice ones of 56 and 61 lbs. Brian also caught 5 blacktip sharks, of which 4 were slightly undersized; all were released live at boatside.

Dartanian Chandler, Dallas, with a double vermilion snapper limit of 20, 10 blackfin tuna and 3 kingfish. The blackfin and kingfish hit Shimano butterfly jigs.

Bill Sarvis,Houston-his catch included 16 vermilion snapper, 15 blackfin tuna and 4 kingfish. His heaviest kingfish and the trip's, was a really nice smoker of 41 pounds that hit a freelined sardine at Stetson Rock.

John McCracken, San Leon - his catch was made up of 1 greater amberjack, 2 kingfish, 20 vermilion snapper and 14 blackfin tuna. The blackfin were taken on Williamson lures' Speed Jigs in a pink color.

Steve Britt and Kathy Fowler, both from Arlington. They came in with a rainbow runner, 2 rock hind grouper, 4 kingfish, 6 blackfin tuna and 20 vermilion snapper.

With seas running a little over six feet at times and with the possibility of it going higher, this trip was run at the farthest to the string of platforms about 90 miles to the south of The Island. When weather and sea conditions allow, these 36 hour trips would likely include those floaters that are located up to around 125 miles offshore and beyond, such as the Nancen, BoomVang or Gunnison Spar platforms. The primary target around those deep water production platforms would be yellowfin tuna.

At a cost of $300 per person which includes rod, reel and squid for bait, these are truly a bargain, considering the great experience of far offshore, deep sea fishing. The high probability of reeling in a portion of one of these multi-species catches is there for most everyone.

At this time, there are three more of these trips scheduled, all on weekends. Give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 to make your reservations. Don't hesitate as these last three trips before the spring and summer day trips start will fill up fast.

This 36 hour overnight fishing trip by the partyboat Capt. John was run with Capt. Tony Langston heading up the effort. Also aboard as the required second captain on these extended length trips was owner, Capt. Johnny Williams.

Leaving Galveston's Pier 19 Saturday morning, and passing through the channel, the turn to the SSE was made. The target for these first stops on the trip was at Stetson Rock. The expected kingfish bite didn't disappoint the 32 fishermen, they were home. By the time they left, 85 had been decked and iced. Most hit freelined Spanish sardines at this sometimes hotspot for kingfish that's located about 73 miles SSE of The Island.

Having left the Stetson Rock area, a run to the BoomVang Spar platform began. This platform, about 127 miles SSE off the end of Galveston's south jetty, floats in 3450 feet of water. The primary target species was yellowfin and blackfin tuna. Also fished furing the overnight period was the Nancen spar production platform that's in around 3675 ft. of water and about 8 miles East and a bit inshore of BoomVang. Using mostly diamond jigs and chunk baits, 124 blackfin tuna and 2 yellowfin tuna were decked, bled, stacked and iced in the fish boxes. Heaviest of them all was a nice 68 poind yellowfin. Numerous drifts were made at these two platforms, from slightly upcurrent to around a mile downcurrent.

Just after sunrise Sunday, the run towards home and fishing stops along the way started. Several stops were made over rocks and wrecks in 190 to 200 feet of water, which produced an assortment of bottom fish, greater amberjack, a few great barracuda and 469 vermilion snapper.

When the fishing was done and the final leg of the trip home started, these totals were on ice:

Daniel Lucas, Dallas, included in his catch was kingfish, vermilion snapper, blackfin tuna and the 68 lb. yellowfin tuna.

Kirk Dillard, Pasadena, also had kingfish, vermilion snapper, blackfin and the trip's heaviest greater amberjack, a nice 59 pounder.

Mike Flinn, Galveston, with blackfin tuna, kingfish and vermilion snapper.

Mike Douglas, Baytown, had a catch made up of blackfin tuna, kingfish and vermilion snapper.

This was one of those trips where a welcome change in the offshore weather forecast was for the better. Seas ran 3-4 ft at times, but were mostly 2-3 ft. - excellent! While the yellowfin weren't there in the numbers anticipated, the total catch was a good one.

There are five of these 36 hour trips scheduled through the end of February, '07, along with one 50 hour trip in January. Give the office a call at either 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853 and make your reservations today to get on the Capt. John and see what you can get to pull your string really tight!