Bay Fishing with Island Guide Service
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Wade fishing shorelines and drift fishing over oyster bedsTarget speckled trout, redfish, and flounder using artificial baitAccommodates up to 3 guests for trophy hunting or family trips
Looking for some serious inshore action? Our bay fishing trips put you right where the fish are feeding. Whether you're chasing that trophy speckled trout or just want to load the cooler for tonight's dinner, we've got you covered. With small groups of just three anglers max, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between stories and empty hooks.
These aren't your typical sit-and-wait fishing trips. We work the bay two ways depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. Some days we'll wade the shorelines, getting up close and personal with structure where reds like to ambush baitfish. Other times we'll drift over oyster beds, letting the current do the work while we present lures to hungry trout and flounder. The beauty of bay fishing is reading the water – and after years out here, I know which grass flats hold fish when the tide's right and where the drop-offs produce when things get tough. We're targeting speckled trout, redfish, and flounder using artificials only, so bring your favorite lures or we'll get you rigged up with what's working.
Bay fishing is all about finesse and understanding how these fish think. When we're wade fishing, we'll work the shorelines with topwater plugs early in the morning, then switch to soft plastics as the sun gets higher. The key is staying quiet and making long casts to avoid spooking fish in shallow water. For drift fishing over oyster beds, we'll use jigheads with paddle tails or gulp baits, letting them bounce along the bottom where flounder are waiting. I'll show you how to feel the difference between a strike and structure – it's a skill that separates the fish-catchers from the bait-donors. We use medium-light spinning gear that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle trout bites but has enough backbone to turn a bull red away from the oysters. Artificial-only means we're always moving, always covering water, and always learning something new about how these fish behave.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of bay fishing, and for good reason. These fish are smart, beautiful, and absolutely delicious on the table. They school up over grass flats and around oyster bars, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall are prime time when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 65-75 degrees. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit topwater lures – there's nothing like watching a three-pound speckled trout blow up on a She Dog at sunrise. They're also incredibly light biters sometimes, so you'll learn to set the hook on anything that feels different.
Redfish are the fighters of the bunch, and they'll test your drag system every time. These copper-colored bulldogs cruise the shallows looking for crabs and shrimp, often with their backs out of the water. Reds are year-round residents, but they're most aggressive in late summer and early fall when they're feeding up before their offshore spawning runs. A slot-sized red between 20-28 inches is perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls we catch and release provide memories that last a lifetime. They'll eat just about any artificial you throw at them, but they have a special fondness for gold spoons and red jigheads.
Southern flounder are the ambush predators that keep you honest. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for prey to swim overhead before striking with lightning speed. They're most active during their fall migration when they move from the bays to offshore spawning grounds. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the hunt – you're constantly looking for subtle changes in bottom composition and current breaks where they like to set up. They hit differently than trout or reds, often just feeling heavy on the line until they realize they're hooked and start that distinctive head-shaking fight.
Bay fishing with Island Guide Service gives you the best of both worlds – the excitement of hunting trophy fish and the satisfaction of filling the cooler with dinner. Our artificials-only approach means you're always improving your skills while experiencing some of the most productive inshore waters around. With just three anglers per trip, you'll get the individual instruction and prime fishing spots that larger boats simply can't offer. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique or someone who just wants to catch fish and have a great time doing it, this trip delivers. Book your bay fishing adventure today and see why our repeat customers keep coming back season after season.
This motorboat is rigged perfectly for serious bay fishing, whether you're chasing trophy speckled trout or filling the cooler for a weekend fish fry. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly through shallow water and sneak up on redfish without spooking them off the flats. When you're drifting over oyster beds hunting flounder, the fish finder shows exactly what's below while the GPS keeps you on the productive spots. The spacious deck gives three anglers plenty of room to work lures around structure without tangling lines. The ice box keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during long days on the water. Perfect for wade fishing those productive shorelines or anchoring up to work artificial baits over shell beds where the trout stack up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target, cruising shallow flats in just 1-4 feet of water with their copper-colored backs and distinctive black spots. They average 20-28 inches inshore, but the big bulls can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. Look for them around oyster bars, grass beds, and marshy shorelines - anywhere they can root around for crabs and shrimp. They bite year-round here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes them special is watching them eat your lure right on the surface - pure visual excitement. Plus they're strong fighters that'll make long runs. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. They spook easily in shallow water, so less is more.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of bay fishing, running 14-24 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. They school up over grass flats, oyster reefs, and shallow sandy areas, usually in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and evening when they're feeding actively. What keeps folks coming back is their willingness to hit artificials and their delicate, flaky meat that's perfect for a fish fry. They're scrappy fighters too, making nice runs and jumping occasionally. Here's what works: focus on areas where current meets structure. Trout love to ambush bait in these transition zones, so work your lures along the edges where grass meets sand.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on muddy and sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. These ambush predators typically run 15-18 inches, though we see some pushing over 20. They love hanging around oyster beds, grass flats, and channel edges in shallow water. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're feeding heavy before their offshore spawning run. What makes them fun is that explosive strike when they nail your lure - plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a tip: when drift fishing, let your soft plastic hit bottom then give it a slow hop. They'll often grab it on the fall, so stay ready for that subtle thump.
Platichthys StellatusStarry flounder are unique flatfish with rough, star-shaped scales and distinctive black bars on their fins. They typically weigh 2-5 pounds, though some reach 15+ pounds. Unlike other flounders, these fish actually prefer brackish water and will even move into freshwater rivers and bays, especially after winter spawning. Spring is your best bet when they move inshore to muddy and sandy bottoms with some gravel mixed in. They're excellent eating with soft, sweet meat, and they put up a decent scrap once hooked. What's cool is they can swim backwards and change colors to match their surroundings. My advice: fish live shrimp or small crabs on the bottom, but give your bait a little movement every few minutes. Their curiosity will get the better of them.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are the chameleons of the bay - they change colors to match whatever bottom they're lying on. Most run 15-20 inches, but the females can get hefty, pushing 5-6 pounds or more. Look for them on sandy and muddy flats, especially around structure like oyster bars and channel drop-offs. They're most active from late spring through fall when water temps are up. These fish are pure fun - they hit hard and make strong runs once hooked. The meat is top-shelf too, mild and perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: use a slow, steady retrieve with your artificials. They like to follow baits for a while before committing, so don't speed up when you see one tailing your lure.
Galveston, TX