Galveston Inshore Fishing Charter For Seasoned Angler
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour inshore charter targets redfish, trout, flounder, and black drumLight tackle techniques include drift fishing, trolling, and popping methodsAll fishing gear provided with catchandkeep policy for guests
Ready to put your skills to work in some of Texas's most productive inshore waters? This five-hour guided charter with Extremecasting Fishing Guide is built for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to focus on technique refinement while targeting Galveston Bay's premier gamefish. You'll work the flats, channels, and structure where redfish, trout, flounder, black drum, and sheepshead call home. With all gear provided and the freedom to keep your catch, this top-rated charter gives you quality time on proven waters with a captain who knows where the fish are biting.
This isn't a beginner's trip – it's designed for anglers who want to dial in their approach and spend serious time fishing productive spots. Your captain will put you on redfish cruising the grass flats, speckled trout holding around shell reefs, and flounder ambushing baitfish in the channels. The focus is on technique refinement using light tackle that lets you feel every bump and run. You'll cover water efficiently, moving between drift fishing over oyster bars, trolling transition zones, and working topwater lures around structure. The boat stays comfortable with a maximum of three guests, giving everyone plenty of casting room and personalized attention. Bring your valid Texas fishing license, snacks, drinks, hat, and polarized sunglasses – everything else is handled. Just note that bait runs extra, so factor that into your planning.
The gear setup focuses on light spinning and baitcasting rigs that maximize the fight and help you read what's happening below. You'll work with medium-light rods paired with reels spooled with 10-15 pound test – perfect for feeling structure and detecting subtle bites from wary trout and flounder. The lure selection covers the bases: soft plastics for working grass edges and mud flats, topwater poppers for early morning redfish action, and suspending plugs for trout over deeper shell. Drift fishing lets you cover productive bottom systematically, while trolling helps locate active schools in open water. The popping technique is deadly when fish are feeding aggressively near the surface, especially around dawn and dusk. Your captain reads the conditions – wind, tide, water clarity – and adjusts tactics accordingly, teaching you to recognize productive water and time your presentations for maximum success.
Redfish are the backbone of Galveston inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most visual and exciting action you'll find. They cruise shallow flats in small schools, often with their backs out of water as they root for crabs in the grass. Fall through spring offers the best action, with fish ranging from schoolie size up to bull reds pushing 30+ pounds. What makes them special is how they eat – aggressive strikes followed by powerful runs that test your drag and technique. You'll spot them tailing in inches of water, then watch your topwater lure disappear in an explosion of spray.
Speckled trout are the thinking angler's fish, requiring finesse and location knowledge to catch consistently. These silvery gamefish suspend around shell reefs, channel edges, and drop-offs, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall produce the best numbers, with fish averaging 2-4 pounds and occasional trophies over 6 pounds. They're notorious for light bites and quick releases, making them perfect for honing your hook-setting timing. The reward is their acrobatic jumps and the way they pull drag on light tackle. Local anglers target them with soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom or suspending plugs twitched through the strike zone.
Southern flounder are master ambush predators that lie buried in sand and mud, waiting to crush passing prey. These flatfish gather around channel mouths, boat cuts, and transition zones where current brings food. Fall migration produces the largest specimens, with fish up to 5+ pounds common in November and December. What makes flounder fishing addictive is the hunt – you're sight-fishing structure and reading water, then feeling that distinctive thump as they grab your bait. They hold tight once hooked but make powerful runs near the boat, requiring smooth netting technique to land successfully.
Black drum offer serious pulling power and test your tackle to the limit. These bottom-dwellers patrol oyster reefs and mud flats, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish and crabs. Year-round residents of Galveston Bay, they range from puppy drum around 5 pounds up to monsters exceeding 40 pounds. The bigger fish provide some of the strongest fights in shallow water, making long runs and using their broad sides to fight the current. They're excellent table fare in smaller sizes and provide catch-and-photo opportunities with the giants. Their drumming sound, created by muscles vibrating against their swim bladder, often gives away their location.
Sheepshead are the ultimate structure fish, using their human-like teeth to pick barnacles and shellfish off pilings, reefs, and rocks. These black-and-white striped fighters are most active in cooler months when they gather around hard structure to feed. They're notorious bait thieves with lightning-fast bites, making them perfect for sharpening your reflexes and feel. Once hooked, they make powerful runs toward structure, trying to cut your line on sharp edges. Their excellent table quality and challenging nature make them a favorite target for skilled anglers who appreciate technical fishing.
This world-class inshore experience delivers exactly what seasoned anglers want – quality time on productive water with a captain who understands your skill level and fishing goals. You'll refine techniques, learn new water, and likely boat some personal bests while targeting Galveston's most sought-after species. The five-hour duration gives you real fishing time without rushing, and the small group size ensures
Hit the Galveston inshore waters aboard our 25' TranSport center console, powered by a reliable 300 HP engine that gets you to the fish quickly. This fishing machine comes equipped with GPS and fishfinder technology, plus a live bait tank to keep your bait fresh all day. The T-top provides shade during those long fights with redfish and trout. Built for serious anglers, this boat handles the shallow flats and deeper channels where speckled trout, flounder, and black drum hang out. With room for up to 3 guests, you'll have plenty of space to work your drift fishing techniques and practice light tackle skills. The center console design gives everyone access to the action while the captain navigates to productive spots around Galveston Bay.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful fish have crushing jaws designed for oysters and crabs, making them serious fighters on light tackle. You'll find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and structure in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What guests love is the raw power and endurance of these fish. They make long, bulldogging runs that test your drag system. Fresh crab is the top bait choice, especially blue crab or peeler crab on a fish finder rig. Here's a local tip: when you're working oyster beds, use just enough weight to hold bottom but let your bait move naturally with the current. These fish are smart and spook easily from heavy sinkers.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing - copper-colored bruisers with that signature black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but bull reds can push 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. They love shallow water from 1-4 feet, especially around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marshy shorelines. You can literally see their backs out of the water when they're feeding. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're schooled up and aggressive. What makes reds special is their power and the variety of ways to catch them - from sight fishing with topwater plugs to bottom fishing with live bait. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, mild meat. Live shrimp and cut bait work great, but don't overlook gold spoons and soft plastics. Pro tip: when you spot tailing reds in skinny water, cast well ahead of them and work your lure slowly back - spook them and the whole school disappears.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots. They typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional trophies pushing 5+ pounds. You'll find them over grass flats, around structure, and in 2-8 feet of water. They prefer areas with good current flow and plenty of baitfish. Summer evenings and fall are prime time, especially during moving tides. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent flavor - soft, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great light tackle fighters with surprising strength. The classic approach is working topwater plugs over grass flats at dawn and dusk, but soft plastics and live shrimp work year-round. Here's a tip: don't horse them to the boat - their mouths are soft and they'll throw hooks easily. Keep steady pressure and let them tire themselves out.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes, and they're famous for those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-3 pounds and 14-18 inches, but 8-pounders aren't uncommon around good structure. They live tight to pilings, docks, jetties, and any barnacle-covered structure in 5-20 feet of water. Winter through early spring is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily. Anglers love them because they're challenging to hook and make excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that rivals snapper. They're notorious bait thieves, so you need to stay alert and set the hook at the first tap. The key is using small hooks with fresh shrimp, fiddler crabs, or oysters, and getting your bait right against the structure. Don't be afraid to scrape some barnacles off the piling first to get them feeding.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to ambush prey. You'll typically find them 15-18 inches long, though big ones can push 30+ inches. They love shallow bays, river mouths, and sandy bottoms where they can camouflage perfectly. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward spawning areas. What makes them special is that unique flat profile with both eyes on one side - it's always a conversation starter. They're also excellent table fare with mild, white meat. The trick to landing them is using drift fishing techniques with live shrimp or bull minnows on a Carolina rig. Keep your bait moving slowly along the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap, set the hook quick - they're notorious for stealing bait and spitting hooks if you hesitate.
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