Galveston Bay & Jetty Inshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, trout, drum, flounder, and blacktip sharksFourhour guided charter around Galveston Bay jettiesSmall group experience with maximum three guests
Get ready for some serious rod-bending action on Galveston Bay's most productive inshore waters. This 4-hour charter with Get Fishy Charters puts you right in the thick of the Gulf Coast's hottest fishing spots, where the jetties meet the bay and create perfect ambush points for hungry gamefish. You'll be targeting everything from speckled trout and redfish to hard-fighting blacktip sharks that'll test your drag and make your arms burn. With room for up to 3 anglers, this trip gives you personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lures through the prime structure.
Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish from the moment we leave the dock. The jetties create natural feeding zones where baitfish stack up, and that's where you'll find our target species waiting to ambush. We'll work both the bay side flats and the deeper jetty structure, adjusting our approach based on tides, weather, and what's biting best that day. The beauty of this fishery is its diversity - one cast you might hook a solid redfish, the next could be a feisty blacktip that takes you into your backing. We'll move around to stay on active fish, reading the water and watching for telltale signs like diving birds or nervous baitfish.
We'll rig you up with medium-heavy spinning gear perfect for the variety of species we're after. Live bait is king out here - fresh shrimp, mullet, and croaker will be your go-to offerings, but we'll also throw artificials when the fish are aggressive. Around the jetties, we'll fish both sides of the rocks, working our baits along the current breaks where predators like to hang. On the bay flats, we'll target grass beds and shell pads where trout and reds cruise looking for an easy meal. When we hook into sharks, be ready for some serious drag-screaming runs that'll get your heart pumping. The captain will coach you through the fight and help you land your personal best.
Spanish Mackerel are absolute speed demons that'll hit your bait like a freight train and then go airborne trying to shake the hook. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds but what they lack in size, they make up for in pure attitude. They're most active during the warmer months and love small spoons or live shrimp fished near the surface. The jetties are perfect for mackerel because they follow the bait schools that get pushed through by the current.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the bay - thick-bodied fighters that use their weight and stubbornness to test your tackle. These fish can range from puppy drum around 5-10 pounds to monster bulls pushing 40+ pounds. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and shrimp, so we'll fish them heavy on or near the bottom around structure. Fall and winter are prime time for big drum, and when you hook one, get ready for a dogged fight with powerful runs.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped tricksters that require finesse and quick reflexes. These bait stealers have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off the jetty rocks. They typically run 2-8 pounds and are notorious for their light bites - you'll feel more like a gentle tapping than a solid strike. They're year-round residents but fish best in cooler months. Landing a sheepshead is always satisfying because they're tough to fool and even tougher to hook.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing - copper-colored bruisers with attitude to match their looks. Bull reds over 27 inches are pure power, capable of blistering runs that'll have you questioning your knot strength. Slot reds between 20-28 inches are perfect for the dinner table and still put up a memorable fight. They're ambush predators that love to cruise the flats and structure edges, and they'll eat everything from live bait to topwater plugs. Year-round fishing with peak action in fall.
Blacktip Sharks bring the adrenaline factor that separates good fishing trips from legendary ones. These apex predators typically run 3-6 feet and are famous for their spectacular jumps when hooked. They're incredibly fast and powerful, often making multiple runs before you can get them to the boat. Summer months bring the best shark action, and there's nothing quite like watching a blacktip go airborne right next to the boat. They're catch-and-release only, but the photos and memories last forever.
This top-rated Galveston Bay charter delivers consistent action for anglers who want variety and excitement on every cast. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the ropes or a seasoned angler chasing a new personal best, these productive waters have something for everyone. The 4-hour trip length is perfect - long enough to cover multiple spots and species, but not so long that you're worn out. With only 3 spots available, you'll get the personalized attention and coaching that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. Book now and get ready to experience why Galveston Bay is considered one of the Gulf Coast's premier inshore fisheries.
Cast off aboard our freshly restored 25-foot Boston Whaler Outrage, built to handle Galveston Bay's productive waters with room for up to 3 anglers. This reliable fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day chasing reds and specks - from the fish finder that'll help locate schools to the icebox keeping your catch fresh and drinks cold. The GPS navigation system ensures we hit all the prime spots around the jetties, while the VHF radio keeps us connected for safety. Between fishing the grass beds and structure, you can tune into the multimedia system during travel time. The boat's wheelchair accessible design means everyone gets a shot at battling those hard-fighting blacktip sharks and bull reds that patrol these waters. This Boston Whaler's stable platform gives you the confidence to fight fish in the bay's varying conditions, whether we're working the jetty rocks or drifting the flats for that trophy speckled trout.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, commonly running 10-30 pounds with some bulls pushing 50-plus. These gray-black bruisers cruise shallow flats, oyster reefs, and around pier pilings where they crunch up crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring spawning season from March through May is prime time when they school up in the shallows. What makes them special is that bone-jarring initial run and steady, bulldogging fight that'll wear you out. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with white, flaky meat. Bigger fish are best released since the meat gets tough. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or shrimp on a Carolina rig, keep it on the bottom, and be patient. They're notorious bait pickers, so wait for that solid thump before setting the hook.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks bring the adrenaline to our inshore trips, typically running 3-6 feet and 20-80 pounds of pure muscle. These bronze-gray sharks with black-tipped fins patrol the jetties, ship channel, and deeper bay areas looking for schools of baitfish. Summer months are prime when they move into warmer shallow waters to feed and sometimes breed. What gets anglers hooked is their acrobatic jumps and long, powerful runs that'll peel line off your reel. They're strictly catch-and-release, but the memories last forever. The key is fresh, oily bait like mackerel or mullet on a heavy circle hook with steel leader. When you hook one, keep steady pressure and let your drag do the work. They'll jump and thrash, but stay patient and you'll land one of the Gulf's most exciting inshore predators.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bay's signature species - bronze-backed beauties with distinctive black spots near the tail. Slot fish run 18-27 inches and fight like crazy, while bull reds over 27 inches are pure muscle that'll test your tackle. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around grass flats, oyster reefs, and shallow shorelines, especially during moving tides. They bite year-round here, but fall and spring give you the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and that hard initial run followed by steady pressure. Smaller ones are excellent eating with firm, mild meat. The big bulls are catch-and-release only but worth it for the fight. My go-to setup: gold spoon or live shrimp under a popping cork near structure. Look for nervous water and tailing fish in the shallows.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the pickpockets of the jetties - these black-and-white striped fish with human-like teeth are notorious bait thieves. Most run 2-5 pounds, but we catch some chunky 8-10 pounders around the rock piles and bridge pilings. They stick tight to structure year-round, but winter and early spring are best when they're fattened up for spawning. What keeps anglers coming back is the challenge - they'll steal your bait clean without you feeling a thing. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat fried or grilled. Here's my trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp, keep your bait tight to the rocks, and the second you feel any weight or ticking, set that hook hard. They've got crusher jaws, so don't hesitate.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that typically run 1-3 pounds in Galveston Bay, though we occasionally see them hit 5-6 pounds. You'll spot their silver bodies with yellow spots cutting through the water in schools near the jetties and bay mouth. They love structure and baitfish, so we find them around the rocks and near surface action. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, especially when the water warms up and shrimp are running. These fish hit hard and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. The meat's excellent - mild and flaky, perfect for the grill. Pro tip: use a wire leader or they'll cut you off with those razor teeth, and keep your lures moving fast since they chase down anything that looks like fleeing baitfish.
Galveston, TX