Gafftop!?!

[trozy55]

I know this sounds crazy but where can I catch some good Gafftop not to be confused with hardhead. Were headed to Jamaica Beach area between Galveston and Surfside in a few weeks. Thought it would be an easy fun way of putting my 5yr old on some fish that put up a good fight. Any input would be appreciated, Im sure I will be hitting the surf EARLY in the mornings and don't think hes quite ready for that just yet, Thanks!

[Txjourneyman]

Not crazy at all. I had a Vietnamese buddy when I lived in Houston that could cook the heck out of a Gafftop. Tasty! And this reply was no help to you at all! We used to catch them off Galveston Pier before it was destroyed.

[SCREAMINREELS]

If too young for the jetties We've caught plenty off of the big t head pier but it's hit and miss sometimes they are there so stones there not..there good about giving you reports of what's hitting if you call...if you haven't been it's a pretty big pier with rails safe for a 5 year old

[Hydestik]

61st pier is a good spot to catch them. Seawolf Park on the channel side off the rocks, Texas City Dike and they also school up in the beach front at times. They are a pain in the arse . Try wading the beach front ( east beach ) near the south jetty .

[Spearchunker]

Just be sure to be very careful. Get poked and you will never forget it.

[Neck]

Just get out in the surf. Those bait thiefs are all over the place.

[Speedgoat]

One of the best eating fish in the ocean. I actually like fried hardhead though, so don't take my word for it, lol

[apc10]

We caught some big gaffstop in the surf last week and filleted them and fried them up. Nothing wrong with them.

[crawdaddct]

Those slimer's can put up a fight. I use to read a report from a lady on Bolivar that was always catching them. Ive always hooked up with them around rock, so I would try Texas City Dike or Sea Wolf.

[breederbuck33]

Go out there NOT wanting to catch them and you'll destroy them! Thats the key...

[Mayhem]

The surf is where i would start. I have caught them on artificials.

[KenWood]

Not familiar with area your heading to but I always caught em on bay jetties more than gulf. Usually any rock piles near channel cuts.

[CKolar]

I've always had good luck in the channels. We make a trip to Port A most every year and have always used a public pier at the end of Station street. Its in the channel between the ferry landings and the jetties. Gafftop are stacked in there as well as just about anything else you can imagine. Locals tell me there is a large rock shelf out about 50 yards off the pier so I suppose that why it hold so many fish. We use cut bait and dead shrimp and fish on bottom with standard freshwater tackle and 20# line. Always make for a good fight. Kiddos love it!

[froghunter]

Go out there NOT wanting to catch them and you'll destroy them! Thats the key...

Amen!!!! Use live bait and try to catch trout.

[AtTheWall]

Sand eels are the best gafftop bait in the Galveston surf. If you can find sand eels, buy one, they stay on the hook forever!

Gafftop are excellent eating fish! Hate cleaning them though so I really have to be in the mood to do it. Stuff them in a burlap sack or string them on a stringer, avoid the ice box due to the slime effect.