Half Day Bay Fishing with Captain Jeff
Looking for a solid morning on the water targeting speckled trout and redfish? Captain Jeff Brandon knows these East Bay waters like the back of his hand, and he's built his reputation around putting families and anglers on fish while keeping things relaxed and fun. This 5-hour AM trip launches from Port Bolivar and covers prime inshore spots where you'll work both artificial lures and live bait to connect with some of the Gulf Coast's most popular game fish. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing experience or you're an experienced angler wanting to dial in on quality fish, Jeff tailors each trip around what you're hoping to accomplish.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts before sunrise at the Port Bolivar dock, where you'll meet Captain Jeff and load onto his well-maintained fishing boat that's built specifically for working the bay. The first stop is grabbing fresh live bait, then you're heading out as the sun comes up over the horizon – there's something special about watching that sunrise while you're already positioned over your first fishing spot. Jeff runs a spotless operation with top-quality rods and reels that are always in perfect working condition, so you don't have to worry about gear failure when that big red decides to crash your bait. The boat moves fast between spots, which means more time with lines in the water rather than burning daylight getting there. You'll hit multiple locations around East Bay, and Jeff's approach is all about adapting to what the fish are doing that particular morning rather than forcing a single game plan.
Lures, Live Bait, and Bay Tactics
This isn't a one-trick fishing trip – you'll get hands-on experience with different techniques that work consistently in these Texas bays. Jeff sets you up with both artificial lures for working the shell reefs and live bait for bottom fishing and topwater action. When the trout are schooled up and feeding actively, you might find yourself throwing soft plastics or topwater plugs over oyster shell, watching for that telltale surface disturbance that signals feeding fish below. The marsh areas offer a completely different game, where you're sight-fishing the shallows and working baits around grass edges where redfish cruise looking for an easy meal. Live bait comes into play when fish are finicky or when you're targeting larger specimens that want something substantial. Jeff knows when to switch tactics based on tides, weather, and fish behavior, so you're always fishing the most productive method for the conditions you're facing.
Customer Stories
"My wife and I took our three young children out with Captain Jeff and we had an absolute blast! Jeff was extremely patient and helpful with my wife and kids. Whether you're new to the sport or an experienced angler, you'll be in great hands with Jeff. Will definitely be a returning client. Thanks again for the memories, Jeff!" - jim. "We booked an early morning trip with Captain Jeff for last Saturday. We arrived at the dock before sunrise, loaded onto the boat, picked up the live bait and we were fishing as the sun rose over the horizon. Beautiful Morning. The boat was spotless, fast and built to fish. The rods and reels were top quality and in great working condition. Captain Jeff took us to multiple spots all around the East Bay area. We fished with artificial lures and live baits on the top water and on the bottom. We covered many methods to get us opportunities at hook ups. We eventually ended up in a beautiful spot where I hooked up and landed a 40" Red Drum. Netted by Captain Jeff. I wasn't going to keep that "once in a lifetime fish" so Capt. Jeff revived it and we released it back to live another day. I recommend booking a trip with Captain Jeff Brandon if you want a reel fishing experience and some great comradery with a really good person. Besides, I know for a fact that there is at least one 40" Red Drum waiting to crash a bait…Good luck on being that angler." - Robert. "Captain Jeff was a perfect choice to take my 7 year old grandson, Max, on his first fishing experience in a boat. The patience, enthusiasm, perseverance, knowledge & time he shared with Max was beyond expectations & will certainly be one we will all remember & cherish. Thanks Captain Jeff" - David.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Texas bay fishing, and for good reason – they're plentiful, they fight well for their size, and they make excellent table fare when you decide to keep a few. These fish typically run anywhere from 14 inches up to 25+ inches, with the bigger specimens often called "gator trout" by locals. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but summer mornings can be outstanding when you get on the water early before the heat drives fish to deeper, cooler areas. Specks are structure-oriented, so you'll find them around oyster reefs, drop-offs, and grass beds where they ambush baitfish. What makes them exciting to target is their willingness to hit both live and artificial baits, plus they often school up in numbers that can keep steady action going for extended periods. When you hook into a solid trout on light tackle, they'll make several strong runs and put on quite a show with head-shaking jumps.
Redfish are the other crown jewel of these Texas bays, and they've earned their reputation as one of the most sought-after inshore species along the entire Gulf Coast. These copper-colored bruisers typically range from slot-sized fish around 20-28 inches up to true giants that can push 40+ inches and weigh well over 30 pounds. The beauty of redfish is their year-round presence in these waters, though they tend to be more active and accessible during warmer months when they're cruising shallow flats and marsh edges. Reds are incredibly strong fighters that will test your drag system and make long, powerful runs when hooked. They're also surprisingly smart fish that can be selective about baits, especially in clear,
5.0(14 Reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Bolivar Peninsula, Bolivar Peninsula, TX, United States
Half
