Beach Front Fishing with Captain Day
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Target tarpon, bull reds, kingfish, and sharks from shoreFlexible fishing methods including trolling, sight casting, and drifting baitPrimarily catch and release trips for up to three guests
Captain Day knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when summer rolls around, he's ready to put you on some serious fish. From June through September, when the water warms up and the big fish move in close, this beach front fishing trip delivers exactly what saltwater anglers dream about. You'll be targeting tarpon, bull reds, kingfish, jackfish, and sharks – the kind of fish that'll test your drag and leave you with stories worth telling. With just three anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work these fish properly.
Captain Day reads the conditions like a weathered pro and adjusts his game plan accordingly. Some days you'll be trolling lures along the beach, covering water to find active schools. Other days, when the tarpon are rolling on the surface in big pods, you'll be sight casting – probably the most heart-pounding way to fish. When the bite calls for it, you'll drift natural baits and let the current do the work. This is primarily catch and release fishing, which means you're in it for the fight and the photos, not the cooler. The captain provides all the tackle you'll need, from the heavy spinning gear for tarpon to the wire leaders for those toothy sharks. Just bring your sunscreen, a hat, and maybe some snacks if you get hungry – meals aren't included, but trust me, you'll be too focused on the fishing to think much about food.
Beach front fishing isn't just throwing a line out and hoping for the best. Captain Day will teach you to read the water – looking for diving birds that mark baitfish, watching for rolling tarpon, or spotting that telltale fin cutting through shallow water that screams bull red. When you're trolling, you'll learn how to work the lures at different speeds and depths. The sight casting is where things get really exciting – you'll need to lead those moving tarpon just right and set the hook with authority when they eat. Drifting with natural bait requires patience and feel – you'll learn to distinguish between a curious fish mouthing the bait and a committed bite that's ready for the hookset. The tackle varies depending on what you're targeting, but expect medium to heavy action rods with reels that can handle long runs. Captain Day stocks circle hooks for the live bait work and a variety of lures that match the local forage.
Tarpon are the silver kings of beach front fishing, and for good reason. These prehistoric giants can exceed 100 pounds and will launch themselves completely out of the water when hooked, gill plates rattling and throwing spray everywhere. They show up in numbers during summer months, often traveling in pods of dozens of fish. What makes tarpon so special isn't just their size – it's their aerial display and the way they'll peel line off your reel like it's attached to a freight train. The fight can last 30 minutes or more on a big fish, and by the time you get her to the boat for a quick photo, your arms will be burning.
Bull redfish are another customer favorite, and these copper-colored bruisers are built like tanks. A mature bull red can push 40 pounds and will use every ounce of that weight to bulldoze toward structure. They're ambush predators that cruise the shallows looking for crabs and baitfish, which makes them perfect for sight fishing when conditions are clear. Unlike their smaller cousins in the marshes, these beach bulls have room to run and they'll use every inch of it. The fight is more bulldogging than jumping, but what they lack in acrobatics they make up for in pure power.
Blacktip sharks bring a different kind of excitement to the mix. These sleek predators are fast, aggressive, and absolutely fearless. When a blacktip eats your bait, you'll know it immediately – no gentle nibbling here. They'll often jump multiple times during the fight, spinning and twisting in ways that'll have you scrambling to keep tension on the line. Most blacktips you'll encounter range from 20 to 50 pounds, which is the perfect size for sport fishing – big enough to give you a real battle but not so huge that the fight drags on forever.
Summer fishing along the beach front is world-class, but the window is limited. Captain Day only runs these trips from June through September when conditions and fish populations align perfectly. With a maximum of three anglers per trip, spots fill up fast, especially on weekends and during peak tarpon season. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to target specific species or someone who just wants to experience the raw power of big saltwater fish, this beach front adventure delivers. The combination of multiple techniques, diverse species, and Captain Day's local knowledge makes this a top-rated fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Don't wait until the last minute – book your trip now and get ready for some of the best fishing you'll ever experience.
Captain Day's motorboat is built for serious saltwater action from June through September. This fishing machine seats three anglers comfortably and comes loaded with everything you need to chase tarpon, bull reds, kingfish, jacks, and sharks along the beach. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're sneaking up on feeding fish or positioning for that perfect cast. GPS navigation gets you to the hotspots fast, while the fish finder shows you exactly what's swimming below. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard ice box, though most fish go back to fight another day. Whether you're trolling lures through the surf, sight casting to rolling tarpon, or drifting live bait for whatever's hungry, this boat handles it all. The shallow draft lets you work close to shore where the big fish hunt.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the athletes of the shark world, known for their spectacular jumps and aggressive nature. These sleek predators average around 5 feet but can reach up to 9 feet and 270 pounds. You'll spot them by the distinctive black markings on their fin tips. They cruise in 30-100 feet of water around reefs, drop-offs, and nearshore structure. Summer months bring them closer to shore where they feed on mackerel, sardines, and whatever baitfish are running. What guests love is their explosive strike and aerial show – they'll jump clear out of the water multiple times. They're also relatively safe to handle compared to bigger sharks. My advice: use heavy braided line and circle hooks, and always have oily bait like mackerel ready – these guys follow their nose to dinner.
Sciaenops OcellatusBull reds are some of the most reliable fighters you'll encounter on these summer trips. These copper-colored fish average 28-33 inches but the big bulls we target can push 45 inches and 50 pounds. Look for that distinctive black spot near the tail – it's their signature mark. They love shallow water from 1-4 feet deep, hanging around oyster bars, grass flats, and muddy bottoms. What makes them special is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight in skinny water. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. During our season, they're actively feeding and less spooky. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in super shallow water, cast well ahead and work your bait slowly – they'll eat almost anything but spook easily in thin water.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver giants are what dreams are made of – averaging 80-100 pounds but capable of hitting 280. Tarpon are famous for their acrobatic jumps, launching 10 feet out of the water when hooked. We find them in shallow coastal waters, around flats and channels during our June through September season. They're purely catch and release since the meat's full of bones, but the fight is pure adrenaline. These ancient fish can live 50+ years and gulp air at the surface, which often gives away their location. My go-to tip: when sight casting, lead the school by several feet and strip your bait fast – tarpon respond to movement and you want that fly or lure moving when they arrive.
Galveston, TX