The north, or channel side of the south jetty at Galveston is protected against strong south winds, and the Gulf side, or south side, offers flyfishers a buffer from north winds. The Gulfside surf along the edge of the jetty and extending down the swimmers' beach is known to attract large jack crevalle, redfish, blacktip shark, and tarpon during the summer months when menhaden schools fill the beachfront.

The south jetty is located in R. A. Apffel Park at the end of Seawall Boulevard in Galveston. There is a fee for entering the park.

Surfside and Quintana

The Surfside and Quintana jetties near Freeport offer an ideal platform for flycasters working both the surf and channel side of the rocks. During the summer months, when clear, green water moves in to the beach on southeast winds of 10 knots or less, look for Spanish mackerel action from about the midway point on the jetty out to the end. Schooling trout, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and ladyfish frequently gang up in the shallow surf, where they are willing targets for Deceiver or Clouser Deep Minnow flies dressed in white, yellow, or chartreuse bucktail.

With its flat surface, Surfside is one of the most accommodating jetties for flyfishing on the coast. Flycasters do need to be aware of the wooden rail that runs along the top of the jetty on the channel side. It is easily avoided when casting on the surf side by angling the backcast at a slightly upward angle or inverting the reel and executing a steeple cast. For peak action at the Surfside jetty, arrive at dawn. Spanish mackerel schools give their presence away with surface attacks on baitfish schools. Later in the morning, the trout, the bluefish, and the ladyfish often gang up in the nearshore surf.

To get to the Surfside jetty from Houston, take Texas 288 to Clute then Texas 332 to Surfside. After crossing the high bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway, turn right at Fort Velasco Boulevard and proceed to Thirteenth Street. A left at Thirteenth Street leads to the beach and jetty.