Perfecting a particular craft under a variety of ever changing variables and scenarios takes time, and that’s exactly what Galveston Bay fishing guide, Capt. Paul Marcaccio, has done over his lengthy career. For nearly four decades, the salt has poured his heart and soul into learning and understanding Texas’ largest estuary.

His journey began long before modern day technology made such an undertaking a more attainable task. The old school ways that molded him into the knowledgable fisherman that he is today, have long since been forgotten by the newest generation of anglers. One might argue that these now lost arts, provided him with a much better grasp on our coastal fisheries and the species that swim in their waters.

Marcaccio was born on Galveston Island, where a fiery passion for saltwater fishing began burning within him at a young age.

“As a youngster growing up on the island, there wasn’t a whole lot to do when I wasn’t in school, other than fish,” he explained. “I rode my bike to the beach on an almost daily basis to fish with my cousins and other family members. Back then, we would pull large speckled trout from the surf with nothing more than a cane pole.”

By the time he was in High School, Marcaccio’s family had moved to Houston, where he attended St. Thomas High School. Upon graduating, he became a college student at Sam Houston State University, before joining the United States Marine Corps at the age of 19.

After serving his country for six years as a Marine, Marcaccio returned to Houston where he began working in his family’s business as an optician, while spending almost every free moment he had, wade fishing on Galveston Island. During this time he began to hone his angling skills through trial and error, which further increased his love for the sport.

Motivated to become a fishing guide, Marcaccio expressed his interest in the career to a few older men that were commercial fishermen.

“Most of these old salts were not open to providing me with any insight or information that would help me become a better angler,” he admitted. “One in particular however, did tell me that if I wanted to become a successful guide, that I would have to walk every inch of the Galveston Bay system.”

With that advice, the seasoned commercial fisherman gave Marcaccio two pieces of bamboo that formed a 12 foot pole, and told him to use that to learn about the secrets below the water’s surface. Using the pole as a sounder, Marcaccio began to map out fishing hot spots in Galveston Bay.

“This took place before the days of modern GPS and sonar units,” he added. “I would use compass bearings and lines of sight from different landmarks to distinguish where shell reefs that I had found were located.”
Marcaccio began guiding fishing trips in 1980. His first guide boat was a 17 foot tri-hull with a walk through windshield and a 60 horsepower Chrysler outboard with no tilt or trim.

“Upgrading to a 21 foot Mako with a 200 horsepower Yamaha outboard motor in 1986 was an absolute game changer,” said Marcaccio. “It allowed me to venture further into the Galveston Bay complex and learn more about the fishery that I was making a career off of.”
In the mid to late 1980’s, Marcaccio says his guide business undertook significant gains from corporate entertainment opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
“During the 80’s there were not that many guides on Galveston Bay,” he said. “A big part of our businesses came from large oil and gas companies and corporations.”

From the early 90’s to present day, Marcaccio experienced many changes in the ever evolving saltwater fishing industry.

“Significant developments and improvements made in artificial lures and other equipment helped me become a better guide,” he indicated. “Manufacturers like Bomber, MirrOlure, Bass Assassin, and McClain Trailers have played a major roll in my success.”
Marcaccio says he’s also seen a shift in the preferences of anglers throughout the decades.
“When I first started guiding, most folks were open to wade fishing with artificial lures,” he said. “In recent years, it seems like more and more people would rather stay in the boat and throw live bait.”

After guiding three different generations of anglers, Marcaccio plans to dedicate more of his time towards creating quality memories with his family. His hope is that a young, determined guide will follow his lead, and continue his legacy of providing memorable fishing experiences to all those desiring to become better students of the salt.