5.0(2 Reviews)Summer Fishing Adventure in Galveston Bay
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Five-hour flats fishing trip targeting redfish and speckled troutBase price covers two anglers with bait includedCaptain Mike guides through productive Galveston Bay waters
Captain Mike knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish in one of Texas' most productive bay systems. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's five solid hours of chasing trophy redfish, speckled trout, and whatever else is biting in Galveston Bay's rich waters. Your base price covers two anglers with bait included, so all you need to bring is your fishing license and the desire to bend some rods. Additional anglers can join for $225 each, with a max of four total.
You'll meet Captain Mike at the dock ready for a full five-hour adventure that starts early and ends with tired arms and hopefully a full cooler. Galveston Bay offers some of the most consistent fishing along the Texas coast, with its maze of shallow flats, deeper channels, and structure that holds fish year-round. Mike runs these flats daily and knows exactly where to find the bite based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The bay's mix of saltwater from the Gulf and fresh water from area rivers creates the perfect environment for the species you're targeting. You'll cover different areas throughout the trip, from grass flats where reds cruise in skinny water to deeper cuts where big trout hang out. Mike provides all the bait and knows which presentations work best for each spot you'll hit.
Captain Mike runs a shallow-water boat perfect for working Galveston Bay's varied structure and depths. You'll be using both live and cut bait depending on what's working best that day – croaker, shrimp, and mullet are staples that produce consistent results in these waters. The techniques vary from drift fishing over shell reefs to anchoring up on productive structure where the fish are concentrated. When the bite is on, you might find yourself sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, or working the deeper channels where big trout ambush baitfish. Mike keeps his tackle dialed in for the conditions, with medium-action rods that can handle everything from feisty trout to bull reds that'll test your drag. The beauty of Galveston Bay fishing is the variety – you never know if your next bite will be a keeper trout, a slot red, or a bruiser black drum that'll have you wondering if you're hung up on the bottom.
"Great Captain! We really enjoyed our trip and we will definitely be back again in the future!" - Vincent Ortiz. "Captain Mike is Awesome...this was my 4th trip out with him and each trip we put a limit of fish in the box...." - Denver Posey.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Galveston Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-size fish around 20-25 inches up to bull reds that'll stretch your tape past 40 inches. Reds feed aggressively in the bay's shallow grass flats and around structure, making them perfect targets for both beginners and experienced anglers. Summer months find them cruising the flats in schools, and there's nothing quite like watching a red's back come out of the water as it inhales your bait. They fight hard with long runs and head-shaking battles that'll get your heart pumping.
Speckled trout, or "specs" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted sides are abundant throughout the bay system and provide consistent action when you find the right depth and structure. Summer trout fishing can be phenomenal, especially in the early morning hours when they're actively feeding. A good trout will make several jumps when hooked, and the bigger ones – those 20-inch-plus fish – are true trophies that many anglers chase for years.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute powerhouses that'll test your tackle and technique. These bottom-dwellers can range from smaller "puppy" drum up to massive fish that can exceed 30 pounds. They're often found around shell reefs and structure where they use their pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters and crabs. When you hook into a big drum, you'll know it immediately – they make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat.
Southern flounder are the chameleons of Galveston Bay, perfectly camouflaged on sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush unsuspecting prey. These flatfish are prized for their sweet, flaky meat and provide a different kind of fishing challenge. Flounder fishing requires patience and the right technique – they often mouth bait before fully committing, so knowing when to set the hook is crucial. Summer and early fall are prime times for doormat flounder that can stretch over 20 inches.
Sheepshead earn their nickname as the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes, but don't let their appearance fool you – these are some of the smartest fish in the bay. They're notorious bait thieves with sharp, human-like teeth that can strip your hook clean if you're not paying attention. Sheepshead are typically found around structure like piers, jetties, and reefs where they feed on barnacles, oysters, and crabs. Landing a quality sheepshead requires skill and quick reflexes, making them a favorite target for experienced anglers who appreciate the challenge.
Captain Mike's track record speaks for itself – repeat customers who consistently limit out don't lie about the quality of fishing you can expect. Five hours on Galveston Bay with an experienced guide who knows these waters inside and out is your ticket to some of the best fishing the Texas coast has to offer. With bait included and the flexibility
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of the bay - powerful fish that can range from 5-30 pounds, with some monsters hitting 50+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for cracking oysters and crabs, which is exactly where we find them. Look for these fish around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is your best bet when they school up for spawning and become much easier to target. What guests love is that steady, strong pull - they don't jump much but they'll test your drag for sure. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones are better released. Pro tip: fresh blue crab is hard to beat for bait, and it stays on the hook better than most other options when the current's running.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of sight fishing - these copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots near the tail are pure excitement on light tackle. Most range 20-35 inches and 5-15 pounds, though we see some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love super shallow water, often with their backs showing in just 1-3 feet around grass flats, oyster reefs, and shoreline structure. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is prime when they school up heavily. What guests love most is watching them cruise the shallows and getting that explosive topwater strike - it's visual fishing at its finest. The meat is excellent too, sweet and firm. My local secret is working the ICW drop-offs on falling tide with gold spoons - those reds stack up in the current breaks and hammer anything that flashes by.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds, with their silver sides covered in distinct black spots. They love grass flats and shallow bay waters, usually in 2-8 feet, especially around drop-offs and shell reefs. Summer evenings and early mornings are prime time when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them popular is they're aggressive strikers on both live bait and artificials, plus they're outstanding table fare - soft, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. The key is not to horse them in since they have soft mouths that tear easily. I like using live shrimp under a popping cork, but topwater plugs at dawn can produce some explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes, and they've got human-like teeth that'll make you do a double-take. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, perfect for the dinner table with their sweet, mild white meat. These structure lovers hang tight around dock pilings, bridge supports, and oyster bars where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Winter and early spring are peak times when they school up heavily. Guests get a kick out of seeing those weird teeth and watching them pick barnacles right off the pilings. They're notorious bait thieves though - you'll feel them nibbling and think you've got a bite, but they're just stealing your shrimp. My trick is to use fiddler crabs on a small hook and set it hard the second you feel any weight - don't wait for a big pull.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, changing color to match their surroundings perfectly. You'll find them in 15-18 inches typically, though some reach over 30 inches. They love shallow bay waters, especially around drop-offs and channel edges where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Spring and fall are prime times when they're most active and feeding heavily. What makes them special is that unique flat body with both eyes on one side - it's always a conversation starter when guests see one for the first time. The meat is excellent eating too, white and flaky. My go-to trick is using a slow drift with live shrimp on a Carolina rig, letting it bounce right along the bottom where they're waiting.
5.0 out of 5.0Great Captain! We really enjoyed our trip and we will definitely be back again in the future!
Captain Mike is Awesome...this was my 4th trip out with him and each trip we put a limit of fish in the box....
Galveston