Half Day Afternoon Fishing Trip - Galveston, TX
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private inshore fishing trip accommodates up to four guestsTarget redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and flounder in Galveston BayCaptain Isidro provides expert guidance for all skill levels aboard charter
Looking for some solid inshore action without burning your whole day? Captain Isidro Molina's got you covered with this top-rated 4-hour afternoon trip that puts you right in the heart of Galveston Bay's best fishing grounds. This private charter handles up to 4 anglers, making it perfect for small groups who want personalized attention and a real chance at filling the cooler. You'll launch from Galveston Yacht Marina and head straight to the productive bay waters where the fish are biting and the scenery doesn't hurt either. Whether you're a weekend warrior or bringing the family out for their first taste of saltwater fishing, Captain Isidro knows how to put you on fish while keeping things relaxed and fun.
This afternoon trip kicks off with a smooth ride to Captain Isidro's proven hot spots around Galveston Bay. The timing is money – afternoon bites can be absolutely killer, especially when the bait starts moving and the predators follow. You're fishing prime inshore structure where redfish patrol the shallows and speckled trout ambush everything that moves. The bay's got that perfect mix of grass flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs that hold fish year-round. Captain Isidro reads the water like a book and adjusts the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been producing lately. Four hours gives you plenty of time to work multiple spots, try different techniques, and really get dialed in on what the fish want that day. The boat stays comfortable with just 4 anglers max, so everyone gets hands-on coaching and prime fishing real estate along the rails.
Captain Isidro runs a well-equipped operation with quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for Galveston Bay's diverse fishery. You'll be working with medium-action spinning gear that handles everything from finesse presentations to pulling stubborn redfish out of structure. Live bait fishing is the bread and butter here – nothing beats a frisky shrimp or mullet when the fish are feeding. Artificial lures come into play too, especially soft plastics and topwater plugs that trigger aggressive strikes from trout and reds. The captain switches up techniques based on conditions: maybe you're slow-trolling live bait over grass beds in the morning, then switching to popping corks around oyster reefs when the tide changes. Drift fishing lets you cover water efficiently while keeping baits in the strike zone. Bottom rigs work magic for black drum and sheepshead around structure, while lighter tackle keeps things sporting when the trout are schooled up.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Galveston Bay, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most consistent action you'll find along the Texas coast. They cruise the shallows year-round, but fall and winter months can be absolutely lights-out for slot-sized fish in the 18-27 inch range. Reds hit live shrimp like they're starving, and watching one blow up on a topwater plug in shallow water gets your heart pumping every single time. They fight dirty too – bulldogging toward structure and making those screaming runs that test your drag system.
Speckled trout bring the numbers game to Galveston Bay, schooling up in massive concentrations when conditions align perfectly. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during spring and fall transitions when baitfish are thick. A 2-3 pound trout might not sound huge, but they're pure eating and fight with surprising strength on light tackle. Peak trout action often happens during low-light periods, making afternoon trips productive as the sun starts dropping toward the horizon.
Black drum are the heavyweight champions of the bay system, with fish ranging from eating-sized 5-10 pounders up to massive 30+ pound bulls that'll give your arms a workout. These bottom-dwellers love structure – anywhere you find oyster beds, bridge pilings, or rocky areas, black drum won't be far behind. They're year-round residents but really turn on during cooler months. Fresh crab or shrimp on a Carolina rig is black drum candy, and their powerful runs toward structure make every hookup an adventure.
Sheepshead earn their nickname as "convict fish" with those distinctive black stripes, but they're also known as bait stealers for their light bites and ability to clean hooks without getting hooked. These structure-loving fish concentrate around anything hard – docks, pilings, reefs, and jetties. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action as they stage for spawning. Landing a quality sheepshead requires patience and quick reflexes, but the reward is some of the finest eating fish in the Gulf.
Summer flounder, or fluke as many anglers call them, are the masters of camouflage lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Galveston Bay's channels and drop-offs hold good populations of keeper-sized flatfish, especially during spring and early summer months. Flounder fishing requires a methodical approach – slow presentations with live bait or jigs bounced along the bottom. When you feel that distinctive "thump-thump" of a flounder mouthing your bait, patience pays off as you let them fully commit before setting the hook.
Captain Isidro's afternoon fishing trips deliver exactly what serious anglers want: quality fishing, expert guidance, and a genuine shot at world-class inshore species without the tourist boat crowds. Four hours gives you enough time to really work the water while keeping the trip affordable and family-friendly. The private charter setup means the captain's full attention stays on your group's success, whether that's teaching kids their first fish-fighting techniques or helping experienced anglers fine-tune their approach for Galveston Bay's unique
The Destiny is your ticket to some serious fishing action in Galveston Bay. This 24-foot Robalo center console packs a punch with its 300 HP Yamaha engine, getting you to the hotspots quickly and smoothly. Built in 2018, she's got everything you need for a productive afternoon chasing redfish, speckled trout, and whatever else is biting in these Texas waters. The spacious layout gives all 4 anglers plenty of room to work without bumping elbows, while the fish finder helps locate schools lurking below. Keep your catch fresh in the icebox and your drinks cold during those between-bite moments. The GPS and radar ensure you're fishing the right spots safely, and the VHF radio keeps you connected. There's even a head onboard for convenience during your 4-hour adventure. Captain Isidro knows these bay waters like the back of his hand, and the Destiny gives him the perfect platform to put you on fish while enjoying the scenic Gulf Coast backdrop.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Galveston Bay, typically running 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring spawning season from February through April is prime time when they school up and become much easier to target. What makes them fun is that crushing power - when a big drum grabs your bait, you'll know it. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab for bait and keep it right on the bottom near structure. They're notorious bait thieves, so when you feel that subtle nibbling, set the hook hard and fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature species of our Texas coast, easily recognized by their copper-red color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These bruisers typically run 20-35 inches and love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and marshy shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights that'll test your drag. They're also excellent table fare when kept in slot. The beauty is they'll eat almost anything - topwater plugs, spoons, live shrimp, or crab. My go-to trick is using a gold spoon worked slowly over shallow flats. Watch for their backs or tails breaking the surface, then cast ahead of them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay, running 14-24 inches with beautiful silver sides covered in distinct black spots. These grass flat specialists love shallow water around 2-6 feet, especially near drop-offs and creek mouths. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though they bite year-round with the right conditions. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're outstanding on the table with delicate, flaky white meat. They're also great fighters that'll jump and make runs. The key is working the grass flats at dawn or dusk with topwater plugs, soft plastics, or live shrimp under a popping cork. Keep your presentation subtle - they can be finicky, so vary your retrieve speed until you find what triggers them.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Galveston Bay with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. These 1-8 pound structure lovers hang tight around pilings, docks, and any barnacle-covered surface where they munch on crabs and shellfish. Winter and spring months bring the best action when they school up for spawning. Guests get a kick out of their weird teeth and the challenge they present - they're notorious bait thieves that require quick reflexes. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, white meat. The secret is getting your bait right against the structure using small hooks and fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. When you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, don't wait - set the hook immediately before they steal your bait.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the chameleons of the bay, lying flat on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side of their head. These ambush predators typically run 15-20 inches and make great eating with their mild, white meat. You'll find them on soft bottoms in 2-15 feet of water, perfectly camouflaged until they strike. Fall months from September through November are peak season when they're most active and easier to catch. What guests love is the challenge - they're sneaky fighters that require patience and finesse. They hit live minnows, croakers, and sea worms presented right on the bottom. My trick is to hook smaller baitfish through the eye and larger ones through the lips, then use just enough weight to keep your bait in the strike zone without spooking these wary flatfish.
Galveston