Target Bull and Blacktip Sharks on Galveston Inshore Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Bull, Blacktip, Spinner Sharks and Redfish inshoreCaptain provides all fishing gear for 3person tripsFish productive JettyGalveston Ship Channel waters
Looking for some serious action on the water? Get Hooked Charters Galveston puts you right in the thick of it with their top-rated inshore shark and redfish trips. You'll be fishing the productive waters around the Jetty and Galveston Ship Channel Area, where these apex predators cruise the channels looking for their next meal. This isn't your typical bay fishing trip – we're talking about hooking into some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species from a nimble 24-foot center console that can get you to the fish fast.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll have you rigged up and ready to tangle with bull sharks, blacktips, spinners, and some hefty redfish. The beauty of fishing the jetty and ship channel area is the variety – one minute you're battling a bull shark that's peeling drag, the next you're working a slot red over shallow structure. The 24-foot center console gives you the perfect platform for this kind of fishing, with plenty of room to move around when you're fighting fish and shallow enough draft to get into those prime spots where the big ones hang out. All your tackle is provided, so just bring your Texas fishing license, some snacks, and drinks for the trip. Keep in mind there's a $30 fuel surcharge per motor to cover the cost of getting out to these productive waters.
Shark fishing in these waters is all about presenting the right bait in the right spots. Your captain will set you up with heavy conventional reels spooled with enough line to handle long runs, because when a bull shark decides to take off, you better be ready for the ride. Fresh cut bait is king here – think chunks of mullet, hardhead, or whatever baitfish are running thick. The technique involves anchoring up in current breaks near the jetties or drifting the channel edges where sharks patrol for easy meals. Circle hooks are the standard for shark fishing, giving you solid hooksets while being easier on the fish. For redfish, you'll switch gears to lighter tackle with live or cut bait worked around structure, grass beds, and channel drop-offs. The captain reads the water and adjusts techniques based on tides, current, and what the fish are telling them that day.
Bull sharks are the heavyweight champions of this fishery, and Galveston's jetty area serves up some absolute monsters. These bruisers can push 6-7 feet and will test every ounce of your drag system when they make their powerful runs toward deeper water. What makes bulls so special here is their willingness to come into relatively shallow water to feed, especially around the jetties where baitfish get funneled through the passes. Blacktip sharks bring a different kind of fight – they're acrobatic and fast, known for their spectacular jumps when hooked. They typically run 3-5 feet in these waters and are incredibly fun on medium-heavy tackle. spinner sharks live up to their name, literally spinning out of the water when hooked, putting on a show that never gets old.
Redfish are the perfect complement to shark fishing, offering consistent action when the sharks aren't cooperating. Galveston Bay reds are famous for their size and fight, with plenty of slot fish in the 18-27 inch range and occasional oversized bulls that can stretch past 35 inches. These copper-colored fighters love structure, and the area around the jetties and ship channel provides endless ambush points. Black drum round out the species mix, with these bottom dwellers providing steady action on cut bait. They might not be the flashiest fighters, but a big drum can surprise you with its power, and they're excellent table fare when kept within regulations.
Sea trout add another dimension to the fishing, especially during cooler months when they school up in the deeper parts of the bay system. These spotted beauties are a blast on lighter tackle and are known for their aggressive strikes on both live and artificial baits. The variety of species available on these trips means there's always something to target, regardless of conditions or season.
This world-class shark and redfish adventure gives you the best of both worlds – the adrenaline rush of hooking into apex predators combined with the consistent action that keeps your rod bent all day. With only 3 spots available per trip, you get personalized attention from your captain and plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up with other anglers. The Galveston jetty and ship channel area is renowned throughout Texas for producing quality sharks and reds year-round, making this a customer favorite regardless of when you visit. Whether you're looking to check shark fishing off your bucket list or add some serious bragging rights to your fishing resume, this trip delivers the goods. Book your spot with Get Hooked Charters Galveston and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Texas coast has to offer.
This 24-foot center console is built for serious inshore action in Galveston's productive waters. Perfect for targeting sharks and redfish around the jetties and ship channel, this boat handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to fight big fish. The GPS and fish finder help locate the hotspots where bull sharks, blacktips, and spinners cruise the channels. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long battles with feisty redfish. The multimedia system and radar ensure you stay connected and safe, even when visibility drops. Your captain knows these waters inside and out, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching. All fishing gear is provided - just bring your license, snacks, and get ready for some serious rod-bending action in the Gulf Coast's most productive inshore waters.
This 24-foot center console is built for serious inshore action in Galveston's productive waters. Perfect for targeting sharks and redfish around the jetties and ship channel, this boat handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to fight big fish. The GPS and fish finder help locate the hotspots where bull sharks, blacktips, and spinners cruise the channels. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long battles with feisty redfish. The multimedia system and radar ensure you stay connected and safe, even when visibility drops. Your captain knows these waters inside and out, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching. All fishing gear is provided - just bring your license, snacks, and get ready for some serious rod-bending action in the Gulf Coast's most productive inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90+. These powerhouse fish love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-15 feet of water, especially during spring spawning season when they school up tight. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - that's how they got their name. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for shellfish, so fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom works best. Keep fish under 15 pounds for the table - bigger ones get tough and stringy. Pro tip: when you feel that slow, heavy pull, don't horse them. Let that drag work and stay patient, because these fish will test your gear with their bulldogging runs along the bottom.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of the shark world, averaging 3-5 feet but capable of reaching 8+ feet and putting on aerial shows you won't forget. These streamlined sharks patrol our nearshore waters in 20-100 feet, especially around structure and bait schools. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're feeding heavily on mackerel, sardines, and whatever baitfish are running. What guests love most is their jumping ability - they'll leap 10+ feet out of the water during the fight. They're also relatively manageable size-wise, making them perfect for photos and safe releases. Fresh cut mackerel or live sardines work best on circle hooks with heavy tackle. Pro tip: when you get a blacktip hooked, keep steady pressure but don't overdo it - their acrobatic jumps can throw the hook if your drag is too tight.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the bruisers of our local waters, running 6-10 feet and packing serious muscle. These thick-bodied sharks patrol the jetties and ship channel areas we fish, especially during warmer months when they move inshore to hunt. What makes bulls special is their ability to handle both salt and brackish water - they're perfectly at home in our muddy coastal environment. These are serious gamefish that'll test your tackle with powerful runs and stubborn fights. The thrill is landing something this powerful on rod and reel. Cut mullet, mackerel, or whole bream work well on heavy tackle with wire leaders. My go-to trick: fresh eel makes deadly bait because of its oil content and durability. Bulls can't resist it, and the firm skin stays on the hook even when smaller fish try to steal it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter inshore species, averaging 18-30 inches with those distinctive black spots near the tail. These copper-colored fighters love super shallow water - sometimes so skinny their backs show above the surface. You'll find them cruising oyster reefs, marsh edges, and grass flats year-round, though fall and spring fishing is prime time. They eat just about anything: live shrimp, mullet, crabs, or artificials like spoons and soft plastics. What makes reds special is their aggressive nature and powerful runs - they'll peel drag and fight dirty in shallow water. The smaller "slot" fish are excellent eating with firm, mild meat. Best tip I can share: look for nervous water or tail signs in the shallows, then cast past the fish and work your bait back into their path.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are some of our most cooperative fish, typically running 1-5 pounds with occasional 6-8 pounders that'll make your day. They love grass flats and drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. These spotted beauties hit everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics and topwater plugs at dawn and dusk. The meat is white, flaky, and sweet - perfect table fare that doesn't need much seasoning. They're scrappy fighters that'll make several runs before giving up. Local trick: when working grass flats, use a weedless jig head and bounce it just above the bottom. Trout will often follow your bait, so if you don't get bit, let it sit for a few seconds before moving.
Galveston, TX, United States