Bay Trip - Galveston Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing adventure in Galveston Bay watersProfessional guide provides live bait and local expertiseFour or seven hour trips for small groups
Picture yourself casting into Galveston's legendary bay system, where murky waters hold some of Texas' most sought-after gamefish. Get the Net Fishing Charters runs top-rated inshore trips that put you right in the action, targeting trophy redfish, speckled trout, and hard-fighting drum in the productive waters around Galveston Bay. Whether you're a weekend warrior or seasoned angler, this bay trip delivers the kind of fishing that keeps folks coming back year after year.
Your bay adventure starts at $450 for up to two guests on a focused 4-hour trip, or stretch it to 7 hours for $700 when the bite is hot and you want to maximize your time on productive water. The boat holds up to 5 anglers total, with each additional person running $50 - perfect for small groups who want to share the cost and the fun. Live bait runs about $15-$25 per person and trust me, it's worth every penny when you're watching a bull redfish crush a live shrimp right at the boat. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, reading tide changes and bait movements to put you on fish throughout the day. You'll work everything from shallow grass flats where reds tail in knee-deep water to deeper channels where big trout suspend near structure.
Galveston bay fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We'll be throwing live shrimp under popping corks in the shallows, working soft plastics along drop-offs, and sight-casting to tailing reds when conditions line up. The boat comes rigged with quality spinning gear that can handle everything from finicky trout to shoulder-burning drum. You'll learn to work different depths - from 2-foot flats where every cast needs to be quiet, to 8-foot channels where structure holds concentrations of fish. Wade fishing opportunities pop up when we find the right spots, giving you that authentic Texas coast experience of feeling the bottom and reading the water with your feet. The captain adjusts tactics based on weather, tides, and what the fish are telling us, whether that means switching from artificials to live bait or moving from windward to protected shorelines.
Southern Flounder are the bay's chameleons, laying flat against sandy bottoms and ambushing prey with lightning strikes. These flatfish hit hard and fight smart, using their broad bodies to create maximum drag. Fall months bring the best doormat-sized flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning runs, with fish pushing 5-8 pounds not uncommon. They love live mud minnows drifted near structure, and watching one engulf your bait is pure magic.
Black Drum are the bay's bulldozers - powerful, stubborn fighters that test your tackle and patience. These copper-colored battlers grow massive in Galveston's nutrient-rich waters, with fish over 30 pounds caught regularly. They cruise shallow flats in winter and spring, often in large schools that create some of the most consistent action you'll find. Their crushing bite on blue crab or shrimp leaves no doubt you're hooked up, and the fight that follows will have your arms burning.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" with distinctive black stripes, but their reputation comes from being notorious bait stealers. These structure-loving fighters have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around pilings and reefs. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action as they move shallow to spawn, offering some of the most technical and rewarding fishing in the bay system.
Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Galveston bay fishing. These spotted beauties provide steady action year-round, with spring and fall offering trophy potential. They're aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. The satisfying strike of a big trout on a topwater plug at dawn is what bay fishing dreams are made of.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Galveston's waters hold some true giants. These bronze-backed fighters are famous for their powerful runs and stubborn fights, often taking you into your backing before you know what hit you. Sight-fishing opportunities abound in shallow water where you can watch reds cruise and tail, creating heart-pounding moments when everything comes together. Fall brings the legendary bull red runs, with fish over 40 inches providing world-class action.
Galveston bay fishing delivers year-round action with each season bringing its own opportunities and target species. The combination of productive waters, diverse fishery, and experienced local knowledge makes this trip a customer favorite for good reason. Whether you're after your first redfish or chasing a personal best speckled trout, Get the Net Fishing Charters puts you on the best bite Galveston Bay has to offer. Book your bay trip today and experience why Texas inshore fishing has such a devoted following - the fish are waiting, and the memories you'll make will last a lifetime.
Our well-equipped motorboat is perfect for working Galveston's productive inshore waters. The wireless trolling motor lets us move silently through the shallows without spooking the fish, while our GPS keeps us on the best spots and gets us back safely. The fish finder helps us locate structure and baitfish where the reds and trout like to hang out. Built for serious fishing with space for 2 anglers, this boat handles the bay chop well and gets you into those productive back lakes and grass flats where the big fish feed. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising redfish or working the drop-offs for speckled trout, we've got the right setup. Rates run $450 for a 4-hour trip or $700 for 7 hours, both for up to 2 people. Extra anglers are $50 each, maxing out at 5 total. Live bait runs about $15-25 per person depending on what's available at the dock.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, running 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, making that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. Look for them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 3-15 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 - they'll test your drag and arms. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with flaky white meat, but the big ones get tough. Fresh blue crab is the ultimate bait, though shrimp works too. Here's the key: use enough weight to stay on bottom and be patient - they're slow, methodical feeders who take their time with bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature species with their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. They range from 18-inch "rat reds" up to 40+ inch bulls, with most keeper-sized fish running 20-28 inches. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are out of the water - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges. Fall is prime time when they school up and feed aggressively before winter. What makes them special is their power and the visual excitement of sight-fishing in skinny water. They're excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. They'll eat almost anything but live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs work best. Here's the deal: look for nervous water, swirls, or their tails sticking up while feeding. Cast beyond them and work your bait back slowly - redfish spook easily in shallow water but fight like freight trains once hooked.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are beautiful silver fish covered in black spots with a distinctive canine tooth that'll grab your finger. They typically run 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we catch some nice 4-5 pounders over grass flats. They love shallow bays with seagrass, drop-offs, and lights at night. Spring through fall is prime time, especially dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What guests enjoy is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their respectable fight. The meat is excellent but delicate - white, flaky, and mild flavored. They school up in winter in deeper channels. Soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp under popping corks work great. Pro tip: work grass flats early morning with a topwater - when you see that silver flash and hear the splash, you'll know why we call them speckled beauties.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they've got human-like teeth that'll surprise you. Most run 1-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we catch some pushing 8+ pounds around the jetties and pier pilings. They're structure lovers - docks, bridges, anything with barnacles they can crunch on. Winter and spring are best when they school up, especially around the jetties during spawning season. What makes them challenging is they're notorious bait thieves with light bites, but once hooked, they fight hard for their size. The meat is fantastic - sweet, white, and flaky. Fiddler crabs and shrimp are top baits, but here's my secret: get as close to structure as possible and keep your bait pinned on tight. When you feel that subtle nibble, don't hesitate - set the hook hard or they'll strip your bait clean.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms waiting for prey to swim by. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we catch some pushing 20+ pounds. They're masters of camouflage with both eyes on their left side and can actually change color to match the bottom. You'll find them in shallow bays, around drop-offs, and near structure during cooler months. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're moving toward deeper water. What makes them fun is their sneaky bite - they'll steal your bait if you're not paying attention. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My tip: use a slip sinker rig with live shrimp or mud minnows, and when you feel that subtle tap, wait a second before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
Galveston, TX