About Basford Bayou, TX

Basford Bayou is a stream located in Galveston County, Texas. The coastal bayou runs seven miles southeast and feeds the area of Jones Bay near North Deer Island. It is part of a larger coastal basin called Moses-Karankawa. Its upper reaches have been channelized to reduce flooding, but a large portion of it is still in its natural form. 

Basford Bayou can be quite hard to reach, mostly because it is surrounded by private lands and housing developments that close out easy access, but anglers would find it a useful way to enter Pierce Marsh. Kayaks may be launched near the Harborwalk Bridge along Highway 6 or at the boat ramp near Louis Bait Camp. There is also a TPWD ramp access in Tiki island.

Because of the year-round warm temperature, Basford Bayou and all of the areas surrounding it is a perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy sailing, jet skiing, birding, camping, biking, hiking, kayaking, and, of course, fishing. 

All About Fishing in Basford Bayou, TX

This stream is known as a great location for flounder and oysters because of its shallow mud bottoms. Its rolling terrain consists of clay and sandy loam and is lined with grasses, conifers, and water-tolerant hardwoods. The mouth of the bayou is a brackish saltwater marsh that covers mud and sand. Anglers may catch sportfish such as speckled trout, drum, redfish, golden croaker, sheepshead, gafftopsail, catfish and sand trout along the stream. Effective baits differ from season to season, but natural bait is most effective all year round.

Fishermen will often find Basford Bayou a very quiet spot to fish, with not much boat traffic at all. Kayak fishing is the most popular option, though it is also generally safe to go flounder gigging in the area as well. Great spots to fish include the drop-off ridge that runs along both banks, as well as underneath Harborwalk Bridge, along the intersection that leads to Basford Bayou. Birds would often hang out here to where there is a lot of action, so resident fishermen advise to cast close to where they are.

After exploring Basford Bayou, anglers can enjoy more inshore fishing by paddling, charter fishing, or shore fishing to Jones Bay, Highlands Bayou and Galveston Bay. Offshore fishing is also accessible since the Gulf of Mexico is just on the other side of Galveston Bay’s bordering land, Galveston Island. 

Those who are not familiar with Texas could try the Texas Slam, which involves reeling in a redfish, trout, and flounder all in the same day. 

Fish Seasonality

Fishing in Basford Bayou requires careful planning because most bayous in the Moses-Kawrankawa basin are tidally influenced. High winds would often mean there won’t be any fish biting. The peak periods for fishing in the bayous are from May to December. Texas winter, which is around December to February, is a great time to find big speckled trout. The water usually becomes deeper during this time, and the trout gets attracted by the bait fish that gather near pipes after the rain. Redfish are also active during this season, while flounder are plentiful from March through October. Regardless of weather conditions, the surrounding areas always have a lot of fish to offer, so don’t be intimidated by the weather. Basford Bayou is still a worthwhile destination, especially for its scenic views.

Fish Seasonality

Fishing in Basford Bayou requires careful planning because most bayous in the Moses-Kawrankawa basin are tidally influenced. High winds would often mean there won’t be any fish biting. The peak periods for fishing in the bayous are from May to December. Texas winter, which is around December to February, is a great time to find big speckled trout. The water usually becomes deeper during this time, and the trout gets attracted by the bait fish that gather near pipes after the rain. Redfish are also active during this season, while flounder are plentiful from March through October. Regardless of weather conditions, the surrounding areas always have a lot of fish to offer, so don’t be intimidated by the weather. Basford Bayou is still a worthwhile destination, especially for its scenic views.