Bay Trip - Galveston's Best Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing charter accommodates up to 5 guests totalLive bait provided at cost for authentic fishing experienceProfessional guided trips available in 4hour or 7hour options
Get ready to experience some of the finest inshore fishing the Texas coast has to offer with Get the Net Fishing Charters. Our Galveston bay trips put you right in the heart of legendary fishing waters where redfish cruise the flats, flounder hide in the sandy bottoms, and trout stack up near structure. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to land your personal best or bringing the family for some top-rated action, these productive waters deliver year-round. With options for both half-day and full-day adventures, you'll have plenty of time to work the best spots and techniques that make Galveston Bay a customer favorite destination for serious anglers.
Your Galveston bay fishing adventure starts at $450 for up to 2 guests on our popular 4-hour trip, perfect for targeting prime feeding windows during dawn or dusk. Want to really dive deep into the best fishing? Our 7-hour option runs $700 and gives you time to hit multiple spots as conditions change throughout the day. We can accommodate up to 5 total anglers for $50 per additional person, making this a great choice for small groups who want that personal guide experience without feeling crowded. Live bait is available at cost - usually runs $15-25 per person depending on what's running hot that week. Trust me, fresh live bait makes all the difference when these fish are being picky. You'll fish from a well-equipped charter boat designed specifically for navigating Galveston's shallow bay waters and accessing those honey holes where the big fish hang out.
We fish the entire Galveston Bay system, from the shallow grass flats where redfish tail in 2 feet of water to the deeper shell reefs where black drum and sheepshead stack up. Most of our fishing involves light tackle techniques - think popping corks with live shrimp, soft plastics worked slowly along bottom structure, and topwater plugs when the fish are actively feeding. The key to consistent success here is reading the tides and water movement. Incoming tides bring baitfish into the shallows, and that's when the action really heats up. We'll work oyster reefs, grass beds, channel edges, and boat docks depending on what the fish are telling us. During cooler months, we focus on deeper holes and channels where fish winter up, while summer finds us working the flats early and late to avoid the heat. Every trip is different based on conditions, but that's what keeps this world-class fishery exciting.
Southern flounder are the stars of our bay system, and for good reason. These flatfish masters of disguise can grow over 20 inches in our waters and provide some of the best table fare you'll find anywhere. Peak season runs from October through December when they're fattening up for their offshore spawning run. They love live mud minnows bounced along sandy bottoms near channel edges and drop-offs. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the subtle bite - you've got to pay attention or they'll steal your bait and disappear back into the sand.
Black drum are the powerhouses of the bay, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon around our deeper structure. These bottom feeders love blue crabs and fresh shrimp worked right on the shell reefs. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up in impressive numbers. The fight is pure power - no fancy jumps, just steady, bulldogging runs that'll test your drag and your patience. They're also excellent eating in the smaller slot-size range.
Sheepshead are the technique specialists that keep even experienced anglers honest. These black-and-white striped fish have some of the best reflexes in the bay, stealing bait faster than you can set the hook. They hang around structure year-round but are most active in cooler months. Fiddler crabs and fresh shrimp on small hooks are the ticket. Landing a nice sheepshead over 15 inches is a real accomplishment and they make fantastic table fare with their firm, white meat.
Spotted sea trout are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots love grass flats and provide consistent action when other species are being stubborn. They hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp under popping corks. Spring and fall offer the best chances for trophy trout over 25 inches, but schooling fish in the 15-18 inch range provide fast action throughout the warmer months. Their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights make them a favorite among light-tackle enthusiasts.
Redfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters and what many consider the perfect gamefish. These copper-colored bruisers can exceed 30 inches in our bay system and provide heart-stopping action in shallow water. Sight-fishing for tailing reds in 18 inches of water is about as good as it gets. They're strong, smart, and absolutely beautiful with their distinctive spot patterns. Fall is peak time when they school up in massive numbers, but quality fish are available year-round. They're also one of the most versatile fish on the table - great blackened, grilled, or in fish tacos.
Galveston Bay fishing delivers the kind of consistent action and variety that keeps anglers coming back trip after trip. With five different target species, multiple fishing techniques, and waters that produce year-round, you're looking at a fishing experience that's tough to beat anywhere on the Gulf Coast. Whether you choose the action-packed 4-hour trip or go all-in with the full 7-hour adventure, you'll be fishing with guides who know these waters inside and out and are committed to putting you on fish. The combination of world-class fishing, reasonable pricing, and that authentic Texas coast experience makes this a no-brainer for your next fishing
Hit the productive inshore waters of Galveston Bay aboard our well-equipped motorboat, designed specifically for targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in the shallow flats and grass beds. The wireless trolling motor lets us slip quietly into those honey holes where fish spook easily, while the GPS keeps us on productive structure and the fish finder shows what's holding below. Perfect for up to 2 anglers who want to work the marshes and back lakes without the crowd. We'll handle navigation to the best spots based on tides and conditions, and live bait runs $15-$25 per person depending on what the fish are hitting. Four-hour trips get you into prime feeding times, while seven-hour adventures let us chase multiple species as conditions change throughout the day.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the bay, running 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90+ pounds. They get their name from the drumming sounds they make, especially during spring spawning when they school up in huge numbers. You'll find them around oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and structure in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they gather to spawn, making them easier to target. After that, they scatter and become trickier to find. Guests love the challenge of landing these powerful fish - they'll test your drag and give you a real workout. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with firm, white meat. Bigger fish get tough and aren't as tasty. Best bait is fresh blue crab or peeler crab on the bottom. Here's the key: use heavy enough weight to stay down, and when you feel that subtle pickup, don't wait - set the hook hard. They'll crush shellfish, so their bite feels different than other fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish of Texas bays, famous for their copper-red color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They run 20-40 inches typically, with slot fish (20-28 inches) being perfect for the table. You'll find them in extremely shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They love oyster reefs, grass flats, and marshy shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are prime seasons, but they bite year-round. Guests get hooked on redfish because they're aggressive, powerful fighters that make long runs and never give up easy. The explosive topwater strikes in shallow water create memories that last forever. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters - live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater plugs all work. Here's my secret: look for nervous water or "waking" fish cruising the flats. Cast ahead of them, let your bait settle, then twitch it when they get close. The strike will surprise you every time.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in dark spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, making them perfect for light tackle fishing. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and sandy potholes. They're most active during spring and fall, and night fishing can be phenomenal when they move shallow to feed. Summer finds them in deeper water during the day. Guests love specks because they hit artificials hard, jump when hooked, and are outstanding table fare with tender, flaky meat. They're also great for beginners since they're aggressive feeders. The meat is delicate though - don't overcook it or it gets mushy. My go-to technique is a 1/8 oz jig head with a soft plastic shrimp tail, worked slowly over the grass. Pro tip: during summer heat, fish the deeper edges of flats early morning or late evening when they're most active.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but what really gets people's attention are their human-like teeth. They're built for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but 20-pounders show up around jetties and bridge pilings. They live around any hard structure - docks, bridges, oil rigs, reef - where barnacles grow. You can catch them year-round, but spring spawning concentrations make for the best action. Guests love the challenge because sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with incredible technique. They're also some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, flaky white meat. The trick is getting close to structure without spooking them and using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab. Here's what works: when you feel them nibbling, don't set immediately. Let them take it, then hit them hard - their bony mouths need a solid hookset.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, sneaky predators that hide in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. They're easy to spot with both eyes on their left side and dark blotches across their bodies. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though you can find them up to 33 inches. They love shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries with sandy or muddy bottoms where they can camouflage perfectly. Spring through fall are your best bets when they're actively feeding on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. Guests love them because they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They put up a decent fight once hooked, and there's something satisfying about fooling such a smart predator. My tip: use live shrimp on a 1/4 oz jig head and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, count to two before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Galveston, TX