Kate's Reef

About Kate's Reef

Kate's Reef is an artificial reef in Texas Gulf State Waters off Galveston, where placed structure holds both bottom-dwelling and pelagic species. Spanish Mackerel and King Mackerel peak from April through October, Red Snapper from April through August, and Sheepshead from January through March, with Cobia also cruising the reef. Anglers bottom fishing the structure with cut bait, squid, or cigar minnows target Red Snapper, while vertical jigging with butterfly jigs or bucktail jigs works the same fish higher in the water column. Over the reef, Spanish Mackerel respond to casting small metal spoons, diamond jigs, and gotcha plugs, and King Mackerel fall to trolling stinger-rigged ribbonfish or slow trolling live menhaden and blue runners. In the cooler months, Sheepshead feed tight to the reef material, where bottom fishing with live shrimp, fiddler crabs, or barnacles draws strikes.