Full-Day Inshore Fishing for Trout and Reds
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour private charter targeting Speckled Trout and Redfish inshoreEarly 6 AM departure designed for experienced anglers onlyAll rods and tackle provided by Captain Charles Guide Service
When you want to spend a serious day chasing Galveston's best inshore fish, Captain Charles has the trip that'll put you on them. This 8-hour private charter kicks off at first light – 6:00 AM sharp – giving you the entire morning and well into the afternoon to work the flats, channels, and structure where speckled trout and redfish call home. We're talking about a full commitment here, designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to maximize their time in some of Texas' most productive inshore waters.
This isn't a casual half-day trip where you're just getting your feet wet. Eight hours means we can hit multiple spots, adjust our game plan based on conditions, and really dial in on what's working. Captain Charles knows every productive piece of water from the back lakes to the jetties, and with just you and one other angler max, there's plenty of room to spread out and fish without bumping elbows. The boat comes loaded with quality rods and tackle suited for everything from finesse presentations to power fishing around structure. You'll want to bring your own bait though – whether that's your favorite topwater plugs, soft plastics, or live shrimp and mullet. Most experienced anglers have their go-to setups, and Captain Charles encourages you to bring what gives you confidence.
Galveston's inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to conditions. We'll be working everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in less than two feet of water, to deeper channel edges where big trout stage up to ambush baitfish. Early morning often calls for topwater action – there's nothing like watching a red blow up on a She Dog or Super Spook as the sun comes up over the bay. As the day progresses and fish move deeper, we'll switch to soft plastics on jigheads, working them along drop-offs and around shell reefs. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to adapt. If the bite slows in one area, we can run to completely different structure and try a whole new approach. Captain Charles keeps his tackle selection dialed in for the season and conditions, but having your own proven baits gives you that extra edge when fish get finicky.
Speckled trout remain the bread and butter of Galveston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish are aggressive feeders with a tendency to school up, meaning when you find one, there's usually more nearby. The best trout fishing typically happens during cooler months from October through March, when fish move into deeper channels and concentrate around structure. A good speckled trout in Galveston waters runs 15 to 20 inches, with fish over 24 inches considered real trophies. What makes them so popular with serious anglers is their willingness to hit artificial lures – everything from topwater plugs at dawn to soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom. They're also excellent table fare, which doesn't hurt when you're looking to bring home dinner.
Redfish are the other half of the Galveston inshore slam, and they bring a completely different fight to the table. These copper-colored bulldogs can be caught year-round, but fall months often produce the most consistent action as schools of bull reds move through the area. Slot-sized fish between 20 and 28 inches provide steady action, while oversized bulls over 30 inches will test your drag system and make your arms burn. Reds are notorious for their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style – they don't jump like trout, but they'll pull drag and use every bit of structure to try breaking you off. What really gets anglers excited about redfish is their willingness to feed in super shallow water. Sight fishing for tailing reds in two feet of water is about as good as inshore fishing gets.
Captain Charles Guide Service has built a reputation around putting experienced anglers on fish, and this full-day charter represents the best way to experience what Galveston's inshore waters have to offer. Eight hours gives you the time to really fish instead of just sampling spots, and the 6:00 AM start puts you on the water when fish are most active. With capacity limited to just two anglers, you're getting a personalized experience that adapts to your skill level and preferences. Whether you're looking to put together a mixed bag of trout and reds or focus specifically on one species, Captain Charles has the local knowledge to make it happen. Don't forget to bring your preferred baits and lures – this trip is designed for anglers who want to fish their strengths while learning new techniques from a top-rated local guide.
Captain Charles runs a solid 24-foot Kenner center console that's built for serious inshore fishing around Galveston. This boat packs a 250HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fish fast, hitting 37 knots when you need to cover water quickly between productive spots. The center console design gives all four anglers plenty of room to work their lines without getting tangled up, whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows or working deeper grass beds for speckled trout. GPS navigation keeps you on the productive waters and helps mark those sweet spots you'll want to hit again. The boat handles Galveston Bay's choppy conditions well, so you can focus on your fishing instead of fighting the ride. Perfect setup for targeting the bay's famous trout and redfish populations.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our Galveston inshore fishing, averaging 20-30 inches with some real bulls pushing 40-plus. These copper-colored fighters love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges. That distinctive black spot near their tail makes them easy to identify. Spring and fall provide the hottest action when they're feeding heavily, but summer sight-fishing in skinny water is pure excitement. What anglers love most is their aggressive nature and strong runs - they'll test your drag for sure. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, flaky meat. Year-round fishing opportunities make them dependable targets. Local tip: look for nervous water and baitfish activity on the flats - redfish push water when they're hunting, giving away their location before you even see them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of Galveston's most reliable inshore targets, running 14-24 inches with solid fights and excellent table fare. They love our grass flats and shallow bays, especially around structure like oyster reefs and drop-offs. Best fishing happens early morning and evening when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but they school up in deeper holes during winter months. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - soft plastics work great, but topwater action at dawn is hard to beat. Their delicate white meat makes them a favorite for the dinner table. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady over grass beds - trout often follow before striking, so patience pays off.
Galveston, TX