Half Day Fishing in Kemah | 4 HR Private Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4-hour private inshore fishing trip for two anglersAll fishing gear and equipment provided by captainSeasonal availability from September through May
Looking for a solid afternoon on the water without the early morning wake-up call? This 4-hour private fishing charter out of Kemah hits the sweet spot for anglers who want quality time on the bay without dedicating their entire day. Starting at 1:00 PM, you'll have the boat to yourself and one other angler, giving you plenty of room to fish comfortably and learn from your captain. At $450 for two people, you're getting excellent value for a private charter that includes all your tackle and gear. The best part? You can cancel up to 14 days out with no penalty, so you don't have to stress about the weather forecast.
Your captain knows these Kemah waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish based on the day's conditions and what's biting. This isn't a cattle boat situation - with just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and can actually learn something about reading water, bait presentation, and local fishing techniques. The afternoon timing works great because you'll often hit the incoming tide, which stirs up baitfish and gets predators feeding. Your guide provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you can show up with just your cooler and fishing license. The boat runs seasonally from September through the end of May, which covers some of the best inshore fishing months along the Texas coast.
Your captain will match the tackle to what you're targeting that day. For redfish and black drum, expect medium-heavy spinning rods with circle hooks and cut bait or live shrimp. When the flounder are biting, you'll likely fish Carolina rigs with mud minnows or finger mullet near structure and drop-offs. Sheepshead require a bit more finesse - your guide will set you up with lighter tackle and small hooks tipped with fiddler crabs or barnacles around the pilings and jetties. The beauty of a private charter is that your captain can adjust techniques on the fly. If the fish aren't responding to one approach, you'll quickly switch to different baits, depths, or locations until you find what's working.
Southern Flounder are the prize catch for many anglers in these waters. These flatfish are ambush predators that lie buried in sand and mud, waiting to grab unsuspecting baitfish. Fall and winter months offer the best flounder action as they move toward deeper water to spawn. A keeper flounder - anything over 15 inches - makes excellent table fare and provides a good fight on light tackle. Your captain knows the drop-offs, channels, and structure where flounder hold, and watching one come up from the bottom always gets anglers excited.
Black Drum are the heavy hitters of Galveston Bay, and Kemah produces some quality fish. These bottom feeders love crabs and shrimp, and they'll test your drag when hooked. Black drum are available year-round but really turn on during cooler months. The smaller "puppy drum" in the 14-20 inch range are excellent eating, while the big bulls - sometimes pushing 30-40 pounds - provide memorable battles. They're not flashy jumpers, but they use their weight and power to make long, determined runs.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" from the black stripes across their silver bodies, but anglers know them for their incredible bite detection and bait-stealing abilities. These fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing crabs and barnacles around structure. Catching sheepshead requires patience and quick hook sets - they're notorious for cleaning your hook without you feeling a thing. Winter months from December through March offer the best sheepshead fishing as they school up near jetties and reefs.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and the Kemah area holds good numbers year-round. These bronze-colored fighters are aggressive predators that hit everything from topwater lures to cut bait. Slot-size reds between 20-28 inches provide excellent action and great eating. Your captain might target them around grass flats, oyster reefs, or deeper channels depending on the season and conditions. Reds are forgiving fish for beginners but still provide plenty of excitement for experienced anglers.
Crevalle Jack might not win beauty contests, but they make up for looks with raw power and aggressive strikes. These silver bullets hit baits hard and immediately head for deep water, peeling line off your reel. Jack are most common during warmer months and often show up when you're targeting other species. While they're not great table fare, catching jack teaches you about fighting fish properly and they're excellent practice for bigger gamefish.
This 4-hour private charter offers everything you want in a fishing trip without breaking the bank or eating up your whole day. Your experienced captain provides all the gear and local knowledge, while the afternoon start time means you can sleep in and still get quality time on the water. With species like flounder, redfish, and black drum available throughout the season, you're likely to get into some good action regardless of when you book. The private boat setup means you learn more, fish more effectively, and don't have to deal with crowded conditions. At $450 for two anglers with free cancellation, this represents solid value for a guided fishing experience in one of Texas's most productive inshore areas.
Hit the waters around Kemah aboard this well-equipped Blazer Bay 2400 powered by a reliable Suzuki 300 outboard. This 24-foot inshore fishing boat handles the shallow bays and channels perfectly for chasing redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into productive spots without spooking fish, while the GPS keeps you on your favorite fishing grounds. The fish finder helps locate structure and schools of baitfish where game fish like to hang out. With room for two anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without crowding each other. The boat's shallow draft gets you into those back-bay honey holes where bigger fish hide during the day.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights around Galveston Bay, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. They're bottom feeders that love oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What guests really enjoy is the strong, steady fight these fish put up, plus the smaller ones make excellent eating with firm white meat. The bigger bulls are fun to catch but better released. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom near oyster beds. Keep your drag loose at first - they'll make a solid run once they feel the hook.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are pure adrenaline on a fishing rod - silver bulldozers that average 3-5 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds. They travel in aggressive schools, pushing baitfish to the surface while birds dive from above. You'll find them around structure, grass flats, and open water throughout our fishing season. What makes them special isn't the eating - they're pretty fishy - but the fight is absolutely brutal for their size. They'll bend your rod double and make long, powerful runs. The key is watching for bird activity and casting silver spoons or topwater plugs into the chaos. Here's the thing: cast past the school and retrieve fast through it. They love the chase and competition, so don't be subtle. Just make sure your drag is set right because they hit like freight trains.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature species here in Texas - copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. They typically run 20-35 inches and love shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are prime times when they're most active and feeding heavily. What guests love most is the explosive strikes and strong runs they make in shallow water - you'll see your backing sometimes. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The cool thing is watching them cruise the flats with their backs out of water. My best advice is to lead them when sight casting and use topwater plugs or soft plastics. Cast ahead of cruising fish and work the lure slowly - they'll usually crush it if you don't spook them first.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish around here with their black and white stripes, and they've got human-like teeth that'll surprise you. Most run 1-8 pounds and love hanging around any structure - docks, bridge pilings, and oyster reefs where they pick off barnacles and crabs. They're year-round residents but really stack up during cooler months. What makes them special is they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat, but they're also notorious bait thieves. The challenge is what keeps people coming back - they'll nibble your bait clean without getting hooked. The trick is getting right up against the structure with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keeping a tight line, and setting the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Don't hesitate or they'll steal your bait every time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are the masters of disguise around here. These flat fish typically run 15-18 inches and hang out on sandy and muddy bottoms where they bury themselves waiting to ambush prey. What makes them unique is having both eyes on their left side - pretty wild to see up close. They're most active during our cooler months from fall through early spring when they move into shallow bays and estuaries. Guests love targeting them because they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. The fight isn't spectacular, but the challenge is in finding them since they blend in so well. Pro tip: drift slowly over likely spots and feel for that subtle tap-tap bite - they're sneaky but once you learn their style, you'll start connecting more often.
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