< Previous1902 31st Street $599,000621 23rd Street $325,0001122 45th Street $499,900Lot 18 Sugarloaf $162,0001815 Sealy Street $489,0002327 Winnie $849,0001023 21st Street $249,0001615 Avenue K $289,000609 16th Street $229,0002323 Avenue O $499,000HarborWalk Waterfront3 Lots1301 Market Street $1,350,0002028 Avenue M $289,000500 Seawall Blvd. #1203 $299,999500 Seawall Blvd. #1408 $989,000Incredible Views!New Price!New!Save The DaTe!Better Parks For Galveston Presents Gala By the Pool4/27/2017LuxCraftpoly furniture isAmish made fromrecycled plasticMetal Artwork • Yard ArtTalavera • Concrete Statues • Outdoor Furniture281-799-22521705 E. Broadway St. | Pearlandwww.marymayspearland.comMary Mays32 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2017FeaturesFrom live to fresh dead, these shops supply the serious and casual angler Story by Tom BassingBait camps, freshwater and salt-water alike, sprang up during the Great Depression, when money was hard to come by but fish were not.It was barter: Baiters, as they are known, provided anglers with live lures in exchange for a share of the catch. All were looking to put dinner on the table as the nation strug-gled with a collapsed economy.In ensuing years, as prosperity returned, recreational fishing gained popularity and the camps flourished. Today, bait camps thrive along Galveston County’s bays and bayous, serving both casual and serious anglers.Overhead, flags of various colors an-nounce the varieties of live and fresh dead baits available.Bait camps also provide snacks and bev-erages; some rent out everything from rods and reels to kayaks and boats along with oxygen tanks to keep bait alive during even the warmest day of fishing.The fanciest bait camps boast docks from which to cast a line and dining rooms to savor the local cuisine or a cool beer at the end of a hot day.And almost all are homes to cats of every hue and stripe, formerly feral felines that wisely have taken up residence.Here are 10 noteworthy bait camps:AUNT MARGIE’S BAIT CAMPaunt Margie’s on Offatts bayou is a throw-back, providing both live bait and tackle, as well as a spread of seafood, with an emphasis on fresh shrimp bedded in ice.Fisherfolk can count on an abundance of bait, live and — as it’s known in the industry — fresh dead.Out back is a dock from which to cast a line and, if need be, rods and reels are available for rent.1811 61st St., Galveston, 409.744.6930BULLDOGS BAIT SHOPbulldogs is a relative newcomer on the island, having opened in 2012.bulldog — don’t tell anyone you read here that he was born Kevin Davis — “nobody knows me as anything other than bulldog” — was introduced to fishing at the tender age of 2 and has been at it ever since.available bait, depending on the season, includes crab, croaker, mullet and squid.bulldog and Miss bulldog are quick to offer tips for novices and provide such necessary accoutrements as bait and tackle, and a fresh catch of shrimp, crab, oysters and catfish for the home chef.1813 61st St., Galveston, 409.740.2220BAYOU BAIT & TACKLEa bit farther north along Offatts bayou is the aptly named bayou bait Shop, which has everything for anglers venturing a ways out or staying closer to the shore.Taking the baitBrenda Nelson scoops up 2 pounds of bait shrimp for a customer at Smitty’s Bait House in Galveston. COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2017 33bayou bait offers gear for deep-sea fishing as well as for those trapping crabs, necessary bait and an abundant stock of beverages and snacks to provision any fishing expedition.6427 Broadway, Galveston, 409.741.2283SMITTY’S BAIT HOUSEalongside Pelican rest Marina sits Smitty’s, which offers tackle and bait, both live and fresh dead.Here, anglers will find extra nets and line, bobbers and hooks to throw in the water and cold beer and ice to throw in the cooler.and if you’re looking for tips on where to fish and the best bait for the type of fish you’re after, Smitty’s has those, and best yet, for free.7805 Broadway, Galveston, 409.744.7705GALVESTON BAIT & TACKLEIf this bare-bones bait camp were any farther out on the north side of the island, it’d be in the Intracoastal Waterway, which it abuts.Here, at the base of the causeway, load up on live and fresh dead bait, as well as snacks and beverages, including cold beer.9301 Broadway, Galveston, 409.740.1185SEA ISLE BAIT CAMPOn the other end of the island lies the popu-lar Sea Isle bait Camp at the refurbished West end Marina on West bay.after Sea Isle’s predecessor was all but destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008, lifelong shrimper Steve rushing rebuilt the camp and opened shop.Sea Isle is a destination for serious recre-ational anglers, concentrating on tackle and live bait: shrimp, finger mullet and mud min-nows year-round and croakers in season.The camp also stocks snacks, coolers and ice and beverages to fill them.21706 Burnet Drive, Galveston, 409.632.0338LOUIS’ BAIT CAMP & RESTAURANTJust across the causeway, on Highland bay-ou, lies Louis’, where visitors know even before they step into the camp’s comfortable bar they’ve arrived at a place “Where it’s always 5 o’clock.”regulars, those who fish and those who don’t, drop in to savor Louis’ lunch and dinner offer-ings. The shrimp and ravioli are specialties.Of course, bait and all essential tackle are available as well.3510 state Highway 6, Hitchcock, 409.935.9050Photos by Jennifer Reynolds(Above) Dana Gregory, who runs Smitty’s Bait House, scoops up a net of live mud minnows. Gregory, who has been in the bait shop business for 29 years, bought Smitty’s 12 years ago. (Below) A bait shrimp swims in one of the live tanks.George is one of two bait camp cats at Smitty’s Bait House.34 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2017FeaturesBOYD’S ONESTOPHurricane Ike was cruel to the bait camps that before its arrival lined the nearly 5-mile-long Texas City Dike, wiping every one of them off their moorings.Not so for boyd’s Onestop at the foot of the dike, where it has served generations of serious anglers with a variety of live and fresh dead bait.Grab lunch at the adjoining boyd’s Cajun Grill express.Of course, bait and tackle, snacks and bev-erages are always available.227 Dike Road, Texas City, 409.945.4001LEE’S BAIT & TACKLEacross Dike road from boyd’s is the similarly venerable Lee’s.There, visitors can count on finding live bait year-round, including mullet, mud minnows and shrimp — and croaker in season.Co-owner brenda rilat boasts that the mom-and-pop shop offers prices “a bit cheaper than anyone else.”and, along with the requisite tackle, snacks and sodas, there’s plenty of cold beer.230 Dike Road, Texas City, 409.945.5675 BAIT BY HILLMAN’SOne of the best-known bait camps on Galves-ton bay is Hillman’s, where serious anglers can find live and fresh dead shrimp, squid and croaker in season.Tackle, snacks and beverages are well stocked.and at the end of a long day on the bay, stop in at neighboring Hillman’s Seafood & Fish House for an always satisfying respite.5516 Hillman Drive, Dickinson, 281.678.6821(From top) Boyd’s Onestop employee Alberto Mejia carries a net full of live bait shrimp to a customer. The bait shop at the foot of the Texas City Dike carries everything from hooks to baits to fresh fish.Photos by Stuart VillanuevaPAUL VINCENT announces his return to Georgetown Mortgage In order to respond to Market and Industry changes and to continue providing the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE, I have made a change in my company affiliation, and, am pleased to announce that I have rejoined forces with Georgetown Mortgage. Founded in 2003, Georgetown Mortgage is a mortgage company that is purpose driven, relationship-based and ethically grounded. As a Direct Seller to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae, Georgetown Mortgage allows for a simple mortgage experience for all Borrowers whether refinancing or making a new purchase. Offering mortgages for the following products: Primary Homes Second Homes Investment Properties FHA Loans VA Loans Jumbo Loans Reverse Mortgages Construction Loans Rehab & Renovation Loans My entire TEAM has moved with me to Georgetown, so the exceptional Customer Service you have come to know and expect will continue. My office location remains the same, and only my telephone number and email address have changed. paul.vincent@georgetownmtg.com 713.568.8855 2228 Mechanic Street, Suite 316, Galveston TX 77550 | Branch NMLS #1128212 The Paul Vincent Team: Powered by Customer Service PAUL VINCENT Mortgage Banker NMLS #49103 PAUL VINCENTannounces his return toGeorgetown MortgageIn order to respond to Market and Industry changes and to continue providing the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE, I have made a change in my company affiliation, and, am pleased to announce that I have rejoined forces with Georgetown Mortgage.Founded in 2003, Georgetown Mortgage is a mortgage company that is purpose driven, relationship-based and ethically grounded. As a Direct Seller to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae, Georgetown Mortgage allows for a simple mortgage experience for all Borrowers whether refinancing or making a new purchase.My entire TEAM has moved with me to Georgetown, so the exceptional Customer Service you have come to know and expect will continue. My office location remains the same, and only my telephone number and email address have changed.paul.vincent@georgetownmtg.com • 713.568.88552228 Mechanic Street, Suite 316, Galveston TX 77550 Branch NMLS #1128212The Paul Vincent Team: Powered by Customer ServicePAUL VINCENTMortgage Banker NMLS #49103Offering mortgages for the following products:Primary Homes Second Homes Investment PropertiesFHA Loans VA Loans Jumbo LoansReverse Mortgages Construction Loans Rehab & Renovation LoansIsland Living...Contact us for a private showing!©2017 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated. Tiki Island | $625,000Waterside, Tiki Bar, Plus An Elevator!919 Tiki Dr. | 713.206.2030Tiki Island | $325,000Bay Views at Your Front Door!258 Isles End Road | 281.787.5965Laffites Cove | $649,000Canal Front with Open Concept!3611 Cove Lane | 713.516.0663La Marque | $214,000Great Location and a 3 Car Garage!858 Sand Crab Ln. | 409.789.0049Texas City | $89,000Quiet Cottage with Original Hardwoods!921 22nd Ave N | 832.767.9548Harris-Damiani Subd. │ $440,000Large Home with a Beach View!4601 Sherman │ 409.457.3936Isla Del Sol │ $282,500Watch the Sun Rise and Set from the Deck!22325 Vista Del Mar │ 713.291.4300Pirates Beach │ $369,900Vacation Rental Two Blocks from Beach!13718 San Domingo │ 409.789.2773Crystal Beach │ $162,000Canal Front Home with Great Views!1260 N Tinkle Ln│ 713.882.9821Treasure Island 2 │ $238,000Great Waterfront Home on Canal!238 Galleon Dr. │ 409.443.1052TIKI ISLAND409.938.1121 101 Tiki Drive, Suite 100 | Tiki Island, TX 77554GALVESTON PIRATES BEACH409.737.520013450 FM 3005| Galveston, TX 7755438 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2017FeaturesSoul brothersHow two islanders captured the Gulf culture with a logoStory by Tom Bassing | Photos by Jennifer ReynoldsWhen Billy Ray Wagner showed up at his soon-to-be business partner’s door 10 years ago, all he brought with him was a concept that embraced his love for the Gulf and the culture that lies just beyond its surface.The idea was to apply a stylized logo — SaltWater Soul — to apparel for those who shared his love of surfing and deep-sea fishing.Tom Vaughn happened to share his passion for the sea.“I’d been in the T-shirt business for 20 years at that point,” said Vaughn, Wagner’s partner in what came to be known as Wag Vaughn Sports and Adventures Inc., the company that owns and licenses the SaltWater Soul trademark. “I couldn’t tell you how many people had come to me with this idea or that idea, but I realized Billy’s idea could work.”“All I had was the logo, a high school diploma and no mar-keting skills,” Wagner said. “But I’m an extrovert.”If anything, that’s an understatement. The 47-year-old Wag-ner is kinetically energetic — “hyperactive,” is how Vaughn describes his partner in the Galveston-based apparel company. Not to mention enthusiastic, optimistic and passionate.“I’ve never seen Billy with a doubt,” Vaughn, 51, said. “There’s always a spark lit by that passion that he has.”Hence the brand.“There’s something about being out on the saltwater, or in the saltwater, that gets in your soul,” Vaughn said. “People who get it, really get it. The brand is authentic. My wife and I and our kids, hey, if there are waves, we’re out surfing.”“SaltWater Soul is a passion-driven brand,” Wagner said. “When I get away from the saltwater air, my nose starts bleed-ing. I’m not kidding you, I mean that.”Tom Vaughn, left, and business partner Billy Ray Wagner are the duo behind the SaltWater Soul brand. The Galveston-based apparel company celebrates the Gulf Coast culture. COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2017 39Next >