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Saturday, May 02, 2009

Today's 12 hour trip, running out of Galveston's Pier 19, was a private charter that was run to some rigs to the east was a bit on the bumpy side, with 78 fishermen from Houston's ACR Supply. Capt. Johnny Williams had them working their pieces of cut squid throughout the water column.

The fishermen's efforts produced a catch that included red snapper to 5#, redfish to 15# (All of both species released, and 298 Atlantic spadefish.

For reservations on the partyboat Capt. John at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853. Make that call to the office, our friendly staff is waiting to reserve your spot. As the Gulf waters continue to warm, the available species list will continue to grow.

There is a 12 hour trip Saturday, May 9. Reservations are being made now.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Good news!! We've scheduled two more 36 hour offshore Tuna Safari for April4/5 and April 18/19. Both are Saturday/Sunday trips. Call now to make your reservations!

Friday, January 30, 2009

Hello, Fishermen! It's been a long time since we at Williams Party Boats had any good news for you about our recovery from Ike and the start of a new fishing season for us, but here it is: We will be running a 36 HOUR TUNA TRIP this coming MARCH 28-29. Call the office and make your reservations soon! See you on the boat! Patrick

Saturday, October 11, 2008

This 8 hour charter trip by the partyboat Capt. John was its first since hurricane Ike. What a great feeling it was for all of us aboard as Capt. Johnny Williams motored the Capt. John through the Galveston channel before heading offshore. The charter group of 16 from Hi-Tech Electric in Houston was headed up by Bobby Jeffries. Their no-shows missed a trip they are sure to hear about at work on Monday. As for me, Patrick Lemire, I was graciously invited to join the group by Bobby. This first post-Ike offshore fishing trip by the Capt. John was indeed an important one to be on for a native Galveston islander; helping some of the group with their rigging and baiting was an added plus. With almost perfect offshore conditions to work with, Capt. Williams pointed the boat's twin hulls to the ESE after passing through the Galveston jetties. During the course of the day, three production platforms up to 30 miles offshore were fished. These platforms, in 30 to 50 feet of water, produced numerous Atlantic spadefish (106), a few gray triggerfish, a blacknose shark, 31 blue runner, about 40 red snapper, a dozen redifhs and a 42# ling. All of the red snapper, redfish and the blacknose shark were released alive; the shallow waters fished let this be accomplished without having to vent any of them, they all swam into the depths to bite and fisht another day.

While the catch results were generally spread evenly through the grjoup, there has to be a top catch of the day. That honor went to Bernabe Reyes. He had three red snapper of 7-12#, the estimated 30# blacknose shark, two redfish, several blue runner and Atlantic spadefish and the 42# ling! The red snapper, redfish, blacknose shark and his 42# ling hit steaked blue runner chunks fished on the bottom -- to say he had a great day would be an udnerstatement.

With no other day trips scheduled at this time due to the logistical and numerous other problems yet to be addressed at Pier 19, this one will be the last for a while. There are several 36 hour trips on the books that still have openings -- give the office a call at 409-762-8808 or 713-223-4853.

Friday, September 26, 2008

First – the good news! The Capt. John and Texsun II are undamaged from hurricane Ike. The office, however, didn’t fare so well, with the wave action blowing through the back wall and out the front door, taking virtually everything with it as it flowed through. Both the boats left Galveston the day before Ike made landfall. They were first taken to Port O’Connor with Capt. Johnny Williams at the wheel of the Capt. John, accompanied by Carl Broom. Jillian Williams, Capt. Johnny’s 18 year old daughter, took over the Captain’s chair of the Texsun II, with her friend Steve Patton as First Mate for the trip.

After that 12 hour short run and a rest, both boats continued on to Port Aransas. This time with Capt. Billy Wright at the wheel of the Texsun II. Later, both boats returned to Galveston’s Pier 19 where they are now docked. Attached are photos taken yesterday of the Pier 19 docks and the office. To those of you who have fished with us before, you will notice that the fish cleaning table is out of place. It was much farther out of place than that after Ike. It was brought back after being found between 20th and 21st and Market Street, sitting on the sidewalk. It was spotted by one of the sharp eyed fish cleaners! Even Ike couldn’t destroy Jerry McCullin’s fish cleaning table.

The bad news is that first thoughts of a quick recovery to somewhat normal operations may not be the case, as we are dependent upon the repairs necessary at Pier 19 to accommodate fishermen and their vehicles while they fish with us, a repair that is in the hands of the Port of Galveston. We also have to replace the bait freezer and storage facility. All of this, along with office repairs or replacement are works in progress.

The 36 hour trip scheduled for October 4-5 has been cancelled, and the 18-19 and 25-26 trips in doubt. We will post updates here as repairs are completed and we are able to begin 8 hour trips and 36 hour tuna safaris. However, the office is still taking reservations. Just call 409-762-8808 and talk with the office manager, Dorothy, to schedule future trips, including the tuna safaris planned for October 18-19 and 25-26, or others to be scheduled later.

Galveston has suffered a blow, but as it has in previous storms, the beautiful island will recover, it will just take time.