Inshore Guided Fishing Trip in Galveston
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 5hour morning trip targeting Speckled Trout and RedfishBeginnerfriendly guided experience in calm Galveston inshore watersAll rods and tackle provided with personalized captain instruction
Captain Charles Guide Service offers one of the best inshore fishing experiences in Galveston, targeting the area's top-rated species: Speckled Trout and Redfish. This 5-hour morning trip starts at 6:00 AM when the fish are most active and the waters are calm. Perfect for beginners, families, or anyone wanting to experience Galveston's renowned fishery without the hassle of big waves or seasickness. You'll fish the protected bays and flats where these prized species love to feed, all while enjoying personalized instruction from an experienced local captain who knows exactly where to find them.
Your morning kicks off before dawn, which might sound early, but trust me – it's worth every minute of lost sleep. The 6:00 AM departure puts you on prime fishing grounds just as the sun starts painting the sky. Galveston's inshore waters are famous for their productivity during these golden hours, and you'll understand why once you see your first trout blow up on a topwater lure. The trip focuses on the shallow flats, grass beds, and oyster reefs that dot Galveston Bay – classic inshore terrain that holds fish year-round. With just 2 anglers max, you get plenty of personal attention and coaching. The captain provides all rods and tackle, but you'll need to bring your own bait or lures. This gives you the freedom to fish your preferred setup while learning what works best in these waters. The laid-back atmosphere makes it perfect for kids getting their first taste of saltwater fishing or experienced anglers wanting to dial in their inshore game.
Inshore fishing in Galveston is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll learn to work everything from shallow grass flats to deeper drop-offs where structure holds baitfish. The captain will show you how to bounce soft plastics along the bottom for redfish, work topwater plugs over grass beds at sunrise, and drift live bait near oyster reefs where trout love to ambush prey. Rod selection matters here – medium-light spinning gear loaded with 10-15 lb braided line gives you the sensitivity to feel subtle bites while having enough backbone to turn fish away from structure. Popular lures include soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations, topwater plugs for early morning action, and suspending twitch baits for finicky trout. Live shrimp remains the gold standard for both species, especially when fished under a popping cork. The captain will teach you how to work each presentation effectively and help you understand why certain techniques work better in specific conditions and locations throughout the bay system.
Speckled Trout, also called spotted seatrout, are the bread and butter of Galveston inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive black spots along silver sides typically run 14-20 inches, with trophy fish pushing 25+ inches. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, but you can catch them year-round in deeper water during summer heat. Trout love structure – think oyster reefs, grass beds, and drop-offs where they can ambush baitfish. What makes them so fun is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. They'll absolutely crush a topwater lure at dawn, creating explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. Plus, they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill or fryer.
Redfish are the other star of the show and arguably the most sought-after inshore species along the Texas coast. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spot near the tail are built for power. Slot-sized fish run 20-28 inches and provide bulldogging fights that'll test your drag system. Reds are year-round residents but peak activity happens during fall months when they school up in massive numbers. They're sight-fishing targets in shallow water, often tailing in knee-deep flats while rooting for crabs and shrimp. The thrill of watching a red's back fin cutting through shallow water, then making a perfect cast and watching the fish turn to eat your bait – that's what inshore fishing is all about. They're also incredibly strong fighters that use their broad tails and stubborn nature to give you a workout on light tackle.
This customer favorite trip sells out regularly, especially during prime fishing months. The early start time, small group size, and world-class fishing grounds make it one of the most popular offerings from Captain Charles Guide Service. Whether you're a beginner wanting to learn proper inshore techniques or an experienced angler looking to dial in your Galveston game, this trip delivers. The personalized instruction, quality equipment, and access to productive waters give you everything needed for a successful day on the bay. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what makes Galveston inshore fishing so special – book your spot today and get ready to see why anglers travel from across the country to fish these legendary waters.
Captain Charles runs a sweet 24-foot Kenner center console that's built for serious inshore action around Galveston's productive waters. This boat packs a reliable 250 HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fishing grounds quickly, cruising at speeds up to 37 knots when you need to cover water fast chasing schools of trout and redfish. The center console layout gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up - perfect for targeting those shallow flats where the big reds like to cruise. With GPS navigation on board, Captain Charles can put you right on the productive spots where speckled trout stack up during those early morning hours. The boat handles Galveston Bay's choppy conditions well, keeping you comfortable while you work the grass beds and oyster reefs that hold the best fish. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish or drifting over trout structure, this rig has the shallow draft and maneuverability to get you into the prime inshore spots that bigger boats can't reach.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed Drum are the crown jewel of our Texas coast. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches inshore but can push 40+ pounds in deeper water. Look for that distinctive black spot near the tail - it's their signature mark. Reds love super shallow water, often cruising flats so thin their backs show above the surface. They hang around oyster reefs, grass beds, and marsh drains feeding on crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. What makes reds special is their bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and make long runs that test your gear. They're also fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat. My go-to trick for Galveston reds: watch for nervous water and baitfish getting pushed around. When you see that, pitch a gold spoon or paddle tail right into the commotion.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Galveston inshore fishing. These silvery beauties with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and put up a decent scrap on light tackle. You'll find them around grass flats, shell reefs, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. Early morning and evening are prime time, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper pockets. They're excellent table fare with flaky white meat that's mild and sweet. Trout are aggressive feeders that'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp. Here's a local tip: when working grass flats, cast your lure past the edge and work it back slowly - trout often hang just off the grass line waiting to ambush baitfish. They're perfect for beginners since they bite readily and don't require heavy gear.
Galveston, TX