Fishing Charters Galveston
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Redfish in Galveston Bay waters.All fishing gear, tackle, ice, and catch cleaning services included.Small group charter accommodates up to 4 guests maximum.
When you're looking for serious inshore action in Texas waters, the Galveston Bay Complex delivers everything an angler dreams about. Our fishing charters put you right in the heart of some of the Gulf Coast's most productive waters, where speckled trout, redfish, and flounder are just waiting to test your skills. With On Q Guide Service, you're not just booking a trip – you're setting yourself up for the kind of fishing stories you'll be telling for years. We keep our boats small with just 4 anglers max, so everyone gets plenty of shots at the fish and personal attention from your guide.
The Galveston Bay Complex is a maze of productive waters that stretches for miles, giving us endless options depending on conditions and what's biting. Your day starts early when the fish are most active, and we'll be targeting the grass flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs where our target species love to hang out. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast might bring in a hefty redfish, while the next could be a keeper trout or a nice flounder. We've got all your gear covered with top-quality rods and reels that can handle whatever these bay waters throw at you. The tackle box is stocked with proven lures that work in these waters, from soft plastics to topwater plugs. After we put you on the fish, we'll clean your catch and bag it up so you can take home a fresh dinner.
Fishing the Galveston Bay Complex means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. We'll be working everything from shallow grass flats in 2-3 feet of water to deeper channels and structure where the bigger fish like to cruise. Depending on conditions, we might be throwing topwater lures at first light when the trout are busting shad on the surface, or working soft plastics along the bottom for flounder and drum. The key is reading the water and understanding how tides, wind, and structure all play together. Our boats are rigged with fish finders to locate schools and structure, but a lot of success comes from knowing where fish hold during different tidal movements. Live bait often produces when the artificial stuff isn't working, though bait costs are separate from your charter fee. We'll discuss options based on what you're comfortable spending and what's working best that week.
Speckled trout, or sea trout as many locals call them, are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and can be found year-round, though spring and fall typically offer the best action. A good trout will run 15-20 inches, with fish over 25 inches considered true trophies. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastic tails, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. What makes trout fishing so addictive is their fighting style – they'll jump, shake their heads, and make strong runs that test your drag system.
Redfish are the heavyweight champions of the bay, and these copper-colored bruisers can turn a quiet day into pure chaos. Reds school up in incredible numbers during fall and winter, but the bigger bull reds cruise solo through the shallows. A slot-sized red runs 20-28 inches and provides some of the strongest fights you'll experience in shallow water. They're bottom feeders with powerful tails that can strip line off your reel in seconds. The best part about targeting reds is their willingness to eat – they're not as finicky as trout and will often hit when other fish won't cooperate.
Southern flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're some of the best eating fish in the bay. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud along channel edges and drop-offs. Fall is prime time for doormat flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning run, with fish over 20 inches becoming more common. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – you've got to work your bait slowly along the bottom and really feel for that subtle tap when they pick it up. Once hooked, they fight with a distinctive head-shaking motion that's unlike any other fish in the bay.
Black drum are the bulldogs of Galveston Bay, and when you hook into a big one, you'll know it immediately. These fish can grow massive – we're talking 30+ pounds for the bigger specimens – and they use every ounce of that weight to test your tackle. They're bottom feeders that love oyster reefs and structure, where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Spring brings the best drum fishing as they move shallow to spawn. While they might not be the prettiest fish, they're excellent table fare when prepared right, and the fight they provide is absolutely memorable.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of bay fishing, known for their light bites and ability to steal bait without getting hooked. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth that they use to crush barnacles and shellfish around structure. They're most active during cooler months and can be found around any hard structure in the bay. Landing a nice sheepshead takes skill and patience, but they're some of the best eating fish in Texas waters. Once you master the technique for catching them, you'll find yourself specifically targeting these tasty fighters.
The Galveston Bay Complex offers world-class inshore fishing just minutes from shore, and our small-group approach ensures everyone gets the attention they deserve. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Texas species to your list or a family wanting to create lasting memories on the water, this charter delivers the goods. Remember to bring your Texas saltwater fishing license if you're 18 or older, and come ready for a day of serious
Step aboard this 2018 23-foot Shoalwater center console, built tough for serious anglers targeting Galveston Bay's productive waters. The powerful 250HP Suzuki engine delivers smooth runs at 43 knots, getting you to prime fishing spots quickly while burning less fuel on longer trips. With space for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to work the flats and deeper channels where Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Flounder love to feed. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure and baitfish, while GPS navigation keeps you on productive reefs and drop-offs. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Texas afternoons on the water. The multimedia system adds comfort between fishing spots, and the center console design gives everyone easy access to both sides of the boat for casting and fighting fish in these shallow bay waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, and you'll know when you hook one. These bruiser bottom-feeders typically run 5-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds in deeper waters. They love oyster reefs, muddy flats, and structure where they crush shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is magic time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them drumming underwater. They're fighters that use their size and bulk to test your drag, making long, steady runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great table fare with firm, white meat. Bigger fish are better released. They hang in 3-15 feet around the bay complex, but move to deeper channels in winter. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, and keep your bait right on the bottom. When they pick it up, give them a few seconds before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our bay fishing - copper-colored bruisers with that telltale black spot near the tail. School fish run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, while the big bulls can push 40+ inches. What's special is how shallow they'll go - we regularly find them in 6 inches of water with their backs out, tailing in the grass. They cruise our flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges hunting crabs and shrimp. Fall is peak season when they school up, but we catch them year-round. Guests love the visual aspect - sight-casting to fish you can actually see - and that initial run when hooked. They're strong fighters that use the shallow water to their advantage. Great eating in the slot, but the big breeders deserve to swim another day. Here's my go-to setup: gold spoon or soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jighead, and always approach from upwind to avoid spooking them in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our bay fishing, and they're what most folks think of when you say "sea trout" down here. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with the occasional 5-pounder to get your heart pumping. They love our grass flats in 3-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and channels where they ambush shrimp and baitfish. Spring and fall are prime, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. They're also fantastic table fare with delicate, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. In winter, look for them schooled up in deeper holes. Local secret: work soft plastics under a popping cork over grass beds, and when the water's calm, throw topwater plugs right at first light.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those distinctive black stripes, and they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but don't be surprised if you tangle with a 15-pounder around the right structure. They live around anything vertical - dock pilings, bridge supports, jetties, and oil rigs where they pick barnacles and crabs. Spring is prime time, especially during their spawn when they gather in big numbers. What guests love is the challenge - they nibble and steal bait like pros, making you earn every fish. Once hooked, they put up a solid fight with those broad sides. The payoff is some of the sweetest, flakiest white meat you'll find. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel them pecking, set that hook fast and hard.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, hiding in sandy and muddy bottoms with both eyes on one side of their head. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, but we've seen some push over 20 pounds. They're ambush predators that love our bay's shallow flats, especially around structure and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawn. What makes them special is their sneaky fight - they'll hug the bottom and use that flat body like a rudder. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, white meat. Here's a local trick: when you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and swim off a bit first - they like to grab bait sideways before turning it to swallow.
Galveston