Gulf Coast Mariner Boating & Fishing

By Capt. David C. Dillman

Legendary Places

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Throughout life our travels often takes us to places that are legendary, the Alamo, Tombstone Arizona, and Gettysburg just to name a few. What places are legendary when it comes to fishing? In Galveston Bay, that legendary place has to be San Luis Pass. The place has been labeled Satan’s Corridor, where the gulf meets the bay. Extremely hazardous but still one of the best places to intercept schools of surf run trout. Capt Sammy Orlando of Fish 409 Guide Service and I planned to fish this fabled area together for almost a year. A couple weeks ago, that plan came together. Conditions were horrible, storm cells all around and rain. When you try to plan a fishing excursion in order to gather enough material to write about, the weather never cooperates. I met him at Sea Isle Marina where he keeps his boat. Brief down pouring rain just passed as we loaded up my gear. Sammy’s plan was to take me to that place of legendary catches, San Luis Pass. He is one of the few guides that fish this area extensively. We head out of Sea Isle in his big Transport cat boat. Wind was gusting to twenty, as he headed West towards the pass. I asked what is the game plan? He said “we are going to tuck in behind Bird Island and fish the gut that runs between the shallow sand bars”. As he maneuvered his boat around the shallows of San Luis Pass we eased up behind the island. It offered just enough protection from the wind as he set his power pole anchor into the sand. The bait well had was full of live croakers on this day. Water clarity was just okay, not great. Less than five minutes after making our first cast, Sammy sets the hook and a fish splashed on the surface, letting us know it was a Speckled Trout. A couple minutes later it comes to the net and we quickly take a photo and release the fish unharmed. We must have caught ten trout in the twenty plus inch class and four reds within the first hour. Wind now was howling over twenty knots and storm clouds looming in the gulf. Capt. Sammy repositioned the boat, only moving about 60 feet. Within two minutes fish were aggressively feeding. It was a trout on every cast, then I began to question him as to why they are here? What holds them to this area? After all there is no oyster reef and structure. Often you can learn by just listening and not talking, so I let Capt. Sammy talk. He described the pass as a highway. The fish come from the gulf, into the pass, utilizing the guts between the sand bars. As he stated “ they do not hold but come in waves during the incoming tide”. These fish are commonly called “surf runners”. This was surely evident on our day at the pass. Where are they going? Capt. Sammy hypothesized that they are moving into Chocolate Bay, Bastrop Bay and West Galveston Bay. Why? To do their thing, that is to spawn. Trout can spawn throughout the Summer months. I then asked, what happens when you can’t fish the pass? Sammy commented, on days where the pass is too rough and dangerous I then seek the shelter of Mud Cut, Christmas Bay, Cold Pass, and Bastrop Bay. He also noted that on those days he will carry live shrimp. Like most good guides you have to adapt to the ever changing weather conditions along the coast. I never really fished this area in my years on the bays. The reason in doing this article was to highlight the area and let people know that the pass offers many options. While Capt. Sammy is relatively new to the guide business starting in 2018, his knowledge of the area is extensive. He has a laid back personality acquired from being in the service industry for over 10 years. He is very family friendly enjoying watching children catch fish. He also can accommodate those hard core anglers. San Luis Pass is a place that every angler should experience at least once in your life. The pass does have access for those without boats. Longtime guide Capt. Mike Williams named the pass “Satan’s Corridor” for the lives it’s claimed. Word of caution, wear a life jacket at all times if you venture into the water.

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