Galveston Bay & Jetty Inshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target speckled trout, redfish, black drum, flounder, and blacktip sharksFour-hour guided inshore charter around Galveston Bay and jettiesSmall group fishing experience accommodating up to 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 where the fish are feeding – around the jetties and prime bay structure that holds everything from trophy redfish to hard-fighting blacktip sharks. You'll be fishing with a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand, hitting the spots that consistently produce quality fish. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to get your line wet or a serious angler chasing that next personal best, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps you coming back for more.
Your day starts early, meeting at the dock before the sun gets too high and the fish start getting finicky. The boat's rigged and ready with quality tackle, fresh bait, and all the gear you'll need to tangle with whatever's biting. We'll cruise out to the jetties first – those rock piles are fish magnets, especially when the tide's moving. The structure creates current breaks and ambush points where predators wait for baitfish to get swept through. From there, we'll work the bay's grass flats, shell reefs, and drop-offs based on what the conditions are telling us. The beauty of Galveston Bay is its diversity – one minute you're sight-casting to cruising reds in skinny water, the next you're battling a bull drum in the deeper channels. This isn't your typical party boat experience either – with just 3 anglers max, everyone gets plenty of shots and personal attention from the captain.
We fish with medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle everything from 2-pound specks to 40-pound sharks. Live shrimp is the go-to bait for most of our targets – it's like candy to redfish and trout. For the bigger stuff like black drum and sharks, we'll switch to cut mullet or live croaker when we can get them. The jetties call for different tactics than the open bay. Around the rocks, we're dropping baits tight to structure, letting the current sweep them into the strike zone. Out on the flats, it's more about reading the water – looking for nervous baitfish, working birds, or those telltale redfish tails when they're up shallow feeding. The captain will have you rigged right for whatever we're targeting, whether that's a Carolina rig for bottom-dwellers or a popping cork setup for trout cruising the grass beds. Don't worry if you're new to this – the guide will get you dialed in quick and show you the tricks that make the difference between getting bites and just getting skunked.
Spanish Mackerel are pure adrenaline on light tackle. These silver bullets show up in schools around the jetties, especially during spring and fall migrations. They hit fast and fight dirty, making blistering runs that'll test your drag settings. Most run 1-3 pounds, but their speed makes them feel twice that size. They're suckers for small spoons and live shrimp, and when you find a school, it's game on until they move through.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of Galveston Bay. These bottom-huggers can push 30-40 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. They love structure – bridge pilings, shell reefs, anywhere they can root around for crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they move shallow to spawn. Don't expect aerial acrobatics; these fish fight deep and dirty, using their bulk to try and wrap you around structure. Fresh dead shrimp on the bottom is your best bet.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the fishing world – they'll steal your bait before you know what hit you. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure, using their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and small crabs. They're tricky to hook but excellent table fare. Winter months are best when they school up around the jetties. You need small hooks, light line, and quick reflexes to beat them at their own game.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing. Bulls can exceed 40 inches and provide the kind of drag-screaming runs that ruin you for other fish. Slot-size reds (20-28 inches) are perfect for the dinner table and fight pound-for-pound as hard as anything that swims. They're year-round residents but fall brings the best action when they school up for their spawning runs. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing fish in ankle-deep water or working them in the deeper guts, reds never disappoint.
Blacktip Sharks add serious excitement to any trip. These 3-6 foot fighters are common around Galveston's jetties and channels. They hit like freight trains, make spectacular jumps, and test every knot in your rig. Summer months see the most action when they follow bait schools into the bay. They're catch-and-release only, but that first run when a blacktip realizes it's hooked is something you'll never forget. We use circle hooks and heavy leaders to ensure safe releases.
Galveston Bay's inshore fishing scene is world-class, and this charter puts you right in the middle of the action. Four hours gives you enough time to work multiple spots, adapt to conditions, and put a serious bend in your rod. The small group size means you're not fighting for deck space or waiting your turn – it's quality fishing from start to finish. Get Fishy Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish, and this bay and jetty combo trip showcases exactly why anglers keep coming back. The fish are here year-round, the guides know where to find them, and all you need to bring is your fishing license and sense
Step aboard this newly restored 25-foot Boston Whaler Outrage, your perfect fishing platform for targeting reds, specks, and sharks in Galveston Bay's productive waters. This classic center console handles the bay's choppy conditions with ease while getting you to those prime jetty spots where the big fish hang out. The boat comes fully rigged with everything serious anglers need - a fish finder to locate schools, GPS to mark your honey holes, and VHF radio for safety on the water. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox and your drinks cold during those hot Texas afternoons. The multimedia system lets you stay connected, and the wheelchair-accessible design means everyone can join the action. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without getting tangled up. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows or dropping bait near the jetty rocks for bull drum, this Whaler gives you the stability and performance to make the most of your 4-hour charter on some of the Gulf Coast's best fishing grounds.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bay's heavyweights, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish have crushing jaws built for eating oysters and crabs, which is exactly where you'll find them - around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and structure in 2-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love is the bulldogging fight - once hooked, they use their weight and power to test your gear. Smaller fish under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig. Drop it right on the bottom near oyster beds and wait for that steady pull - drum don't hit hard, they just start swimming away with your bait.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks bring serious excitement to our bay trips, averaging 4-5 feet but capable of reaching 9 feet. These athletic predators are known for their black-tipped fins and spectacular jumps when hooked - they'll launch 20+ feet out of the water in acrobatic displays. You'll find them in 10-30 foot depths around the jetties and channel edges, especially during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What guests love is the raw power and aerial show - no other fish fights like a blacktip. They're catch and release only, but the memories last forever. Key tip: bring heavy tackle with 30-50 pound braided line and circle hooks. Use fresh cut mackerel or live bait, and when that line starts screaming off your reel, hold on tight - you're about to witness nature's version of a rocket launch.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our bay fishing, easily spotted by their copper color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These fish run 15-35 inches in the bay, with bigger bulls showing up in deeper water. They love shallow flats, oyster reefs, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and winter are peak times when they school up. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and how they use their broad tail to fight. Plus, slot fish make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. The trick is sight fishing the shallows early morning or late evening. Use topwater plugs or live shrimp under a popping cork, and when you see that copper flash, make your cast count.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth - seriously, you have to see them to believe it. They run 1-8 pounds typically, though 20-pounders show up around the jetties and bridge pilings. These fish are structure lovers, hanging tight to barnacle-covered pilings, rocks, and reefs where they munch on crabs and shellfish. Spring is peak season when they spawn around the jetties. What makes them challenging and fun is they're notorious bait thieves with light bites, but once hooked, they fight hard for cover. The white, flaky meat is outstanding eating. Pro tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and set the hook the instant you feel them nibbling - hesitate and they'll clean your hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusThese silver speedsters with their distinctive yellow spots are some of the most fun fish you'll encounter in Galveston Bay. Running 1-2 feet long and averaging 8-11 pounds, Spanish mackerel are lightning fast and love to travel in schools near the surface. You'll find them around the jetties and open bay waters, especially during spring and fall migrations. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and blistering runs - they'll test your drag and give you a real workout. The meat is fantastic too, with a mild flavor that's perfect grilled or smoked. Here's a local tip: when you spot diving birds, get there fast. Spanish mackerel school up under the baitfish, and a shiny spoon cast into the action will get hammered almost instantly.
Galveston, TX