5 Hour Galveston Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private 5hour inshore charter targeting redfish and speckled troutMaximum 4 guests with all fishing equipment and bait providedEarly morning departure covers multiple bay structures and spots
When you're ready to get serious about Galveston Bay fishing, this 5-hour inshore charter with Mike's Fishing Services gives you the time and expertise to really dial in on the good spots. Starting at 8:00 AM, you'll have Captain Mike's full attention as he takes you through the bay's best structure, targeting redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder, and sheepshead based on what's biting that day. At $550 for up to 2 anglers, this private trip lets you fish at your own pace without worrying about other groups or rushed schedules. The extra hours on the water make all the difference - you can work multiple spots, adjust techniques, and really get into the rhythm of bay fishing.
This isn't your typical rushed fishing trip where you're watching the clock. Five hours gives you the luxury of exploring Galveston Bay properly, hitting both shallow flats and deeper structure depending on tide movement and fish activity. Captain Mike starts by reading the conditions - wind, tide, water clarity - then maps out a game plan that maximizes your chances. You might start working oyster reefs for redfish at first light, then move to grass beds for trout as the sun gets higher, finishing the day around channel drops where black drum and sheepshead hang out. The boat stays stocked with quality tackle, fresh bait, and everything you need, so you can focus on learning the water and putting fish in the cooler. Families love this trip because there's no pressure - kids can take breaks, beginners get patient instruction, and experienced anglers can really dig into advanced techniques.
Galveston Bay fishing is all about understanding structure and matching your approach to the conditions. Captain Mike runs medium-action spinning rods paired with quality reels that can handle everything from finicky trout to bulldogging redfish. Depending on where you're fishing, you'll use everything from popping corks with live shrimp over grass beds to bottom rigs around oyster shell. The key is staying versatile - one minute you're sight fishing shallow water with soft plastics, the next you're bouncing jigs along channel edges. Mike knows every reef, every grass line, and every drop-off that holds fish consistently. He'll teach you how to read the water, spot bait activity, and position your boat for the best presentations. The 5-hour timeframe means you can really master these techniques instead of just getting a quick taste.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters cruise shallow flats and oyster reefs year-round, with the best action typically in spring and fall when they're most aggressive. You'll find them in 2-6 feet of water, often tailing or pushing wakes as they hunt crabs and shrimp. When you hook a slot red, expect a serious fight - they'll make long runs and use their broad sides to pull drag. The thrill comes from both the visual aspect of seeing them before you cast and the raw power once they're hooked.
Speckled trout are the finicky cousins that keep things interesting. These spotted beauties love grass beds and drop-offs, especially during cooler months when they stack up in deeper water. Spring and early summer offer the most consistent action, though winter can produce some trophy-sized fish for anglers willing to work deeper structure. Trout have soft mouths, so you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them - many first-time trout anglers lose fish by getting too aggressive. When they're feeding actively, you can catch them one after another, but when they're picky, it becomes a chess match of presentation and patience.
Black drum are the underrated bruisers of the bay. These bottom-dwellers cruise oyster reefs and channel edges, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish with ease. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer, when they move shallow to spawn. Don't let their reputation as "trash fish" fool you - a big drum will test your drag and your back. They fight like submarines, staying deep and using their weight against you. Plus, they're excellent table fare when prepared right, with firm white meat that takes seasoning well.
Sheepshead are the bay's master thieves, known for stealing bait faster than you can set the hook. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure - piers, reefs, anything with barnacles and small crabs. They're most active in cooler months, making them perfect winter targets when other species slow down. Catching sheepshead requires finesse and quick reflexes - they'll mouth bait so lightly you barely feel it, then spit it out if you hesitate. When you do connect, they fight with surprising strength for their size, and they're among the best eating fish in the bay.
Five hours on Galveston Bay with a captain who knows every productive spot gives you the real inshore fishing experience. Whether you're a family looking to introduce kids to bay fishing, beginners wanting to learn proper techniques, or experienced anglers seeking a deeper dive into local waters, this charter delivers the time and attention you need. At $550 for two anglers with room for additional guests at $100 each, you're getting exceptional value for a private trip that includes all tackle, bait, and instruction. Mike's hands-on approach means you'll leave not just with fish, but with the knowledge to understand Galveston Bay fishing. Book your spot now and discover why this top-rated charter keeps anglers coming back season after season.
This restored 1998 24' Kenner center console is your ticket to productive fishing in Galveston Bay's prime inshore waters. Powered by a reliable 250HP Honda outboard, she'll cruise at 40 knots to get you from honey hole to honey hole without burning daylight. The spacious center console layout gives you and your fishing buddy plenty of room to work lines and land fish. Built-in GPS navigation helps your captain find structure and drop-offs where redfish and speckled trout love to hang out, while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. After her 2017 restoration, this boat combines old-school fishing boat reliability with modern electronics. Perfect for covering Galveston's back lakes and grass flats where the big reds cruise.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are some of the hardest-fighting fish in Galveston Bay, running from 5-30 pounds with occasional giants hitting 50+. These gray-black bruisers love oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure around the bay. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - February through April gives you the best shot at multiple hookups. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish, so fresh crab or cut bait fished on the bottom works best. What makes them special is that raw power when hooked - they'll peel drag like nothing else in the bay. Here's a local trick: when you find one drum, stick around. They usually travel in groups, especially during spawn season.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-red color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, but we regularly see bulls over 30 inches in deeper water. These fish love shallow flats, oyster reefs, and grass beds - sometimes in water so skinny their backs show. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love is their power and that classic tail-walking fight when hooked. They're also excellent eating within the slot limit. Here's what works: topwater lures at first light create explosive strikes, but don't overlook live shrimp under a popping cork around structure during slack tide.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Galveston inshore fishing, typically running 14-24 inches with occasional trophies over 5 pounds. These silver beauties with black spots love grass flats, shallow bay waters, and drop-offs where baitfish gather. They're most active during cooler months - fall through spring - and bite best during moving tides. What makes specks special is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk, creating explosive surface strikes that get everyone excited. They're also fantastic table fare with tender white meat that's hard to beat fried or grilled. Local secret: work your lure slow and steady over grass beds, especially during winter when they school up in deeper channels around 6-15 feet.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Galveston Bay with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-5 pounds, but we see some beauties pushing 10+ pounds around dock pilings, jetties, and any barnacle-covered structure. They're notorious bait thieves - those teeth are perfect for nibbling shrimp and crab right off your hook. Spring months are best when they're more active, though we catch them year-round. What guests love is the challenge - they're smart, finicky biters that test your patience. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: use a small hook with fresh shrimp, get tight to structure, and set the hook hard the second you feel weight. They'll steal your bait all day if you hesitate.
Galveston