5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Light Tackle Fishing in Galveston
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon trip targeting redfish, trout, and sheepsheadExpert captain provides all gear and teaches proven techniquesSmall group capacity of three guests maximum
Captain John's afternoon fishing trips offer exactly what Galveston Bay anglers are looking for – productive waters, reliable techniques, and a captain who knows where the fish are biting. This 4-hour adventure takes you out on a well-equipped 26ft Robalo Bay Boat powered by twin 200HP Suzuki engines, giving you the speed and stability needed to hit multiple fishing spots during your trip. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been working these waters for years, Captain John tailors each outing to match your crew's experience level while keeping everyone engaged with steady action.
Your afternoon starts with a quick rundown of the day's game plan as Captain John fires up those twin Suzukis and heads toward his current hot spots. The beauty of Galveston Bay fishing lies in its variety – you're not stuck fishing one technique or targeting just one species all day. The captain reads the conditions and adjusts accordingly, maybe starting with some cork fishing over grass beds where redfish are cruising, then moving to structure for sheepshead, or hitting deeper channels where black drum are holding. The boat's layout gives everyone plenty of room to fish comfortably, and with only 3 anglers max, you're not fighting for elbow room or waiting forever for your turn at the best spots. All fishing gear is provided, so you just need to bring your Texas fishing license and be ready to learn some new tricks.
Captain John rotates between proven methods that consistently produce fish in Galveston's diverse waters. Cork fishing involves suspending live or cut bait under a popping cork, letting you work shallow flats and grass beds where redfish and trout feed. When the bite calls for it, you'll switch to bottom fishing with heavier weights to get down to structure-loving species like sheepshead and black drum. Drift fishing lets the boat move naturally with wind and current while you cover more water, perfect for finding scattered schools of trout or flounder. Trolling comes into play when fish are spread out or when you need to locate active schools quickly. Each technique requires different rod setups and bait presentations, but the captain handles all the technical stuff while teaching you the basics. Live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures all have their place depending on what's working that day.
"We had a great time with Caption John. He was able to find us multiple places to catch a variety of fish. A wonderful afternoon." - Ashley
Redfish are the crown jewel of Galveston Bay fishing, and these copper-colored fighters give you everything you want in a gamefish. They hit hard, make long runs, and fight right to the boat. Reds in these waters typically range from 20 to 30 inches, with some oversized bulls pushing the 40-inch mark. They feed aggressively in shallow water, especially around oyster reefs and grass flats during moving tides. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything – live shrimp, cut mullet, or artificial lures all work when presented properly. The satisfaction of watching a big red crush a topwater lure in 2 feet of water never gets old.
Sea Trout provide consistent action and excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for both serious anglers and families. These spotted beauties average 14 to 18 inches in Galveston Bay, with occasional "gator trout" exceeding 20 inches. They're structure-oriented fish that hold around drop-offs, shell beds, and channel edges. Trout bite best during low-light periods, making afternoon trips perfect as the sun starts to drop. They're also one of the most cooperative species for beginners – they don't require perfect presentations and will often give you a second chance if you miss the initial hookset.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. These flatfish can grow surprisingly large in Galveston waters, with keeper-sized fish running 15 to 20 inches and occasional doormat flounder reaching 24 inches or more. They're prized for their mild, flaky white meat that's considered among the best eating fish in the Gulf. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – you need to keep your bait on or near the bottom and be ready for their subtle bite. When hooked, they put up a bulldogging fight that's different from other species.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the bay, with mature fish capable of reaching 30 to 50 pounds, though most caught during these trips run 5 to 15 pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws designed for crushing oysters and crabs, so when one grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately. These fish are incredibly strong and will test your drag system with long, steady runs. They're most active around structure like jetties, bridge pilings, and oyster reefs. Black drum provide excellent eating in the smaller sizes and offer a legitimate chance at landing the biggest fish of your trip.
Sheepshead are often called the "convict fish" due to their distinctive black and white stripes, and they're notorious for being bait thieves with their small mouths and quick reflexes. But that's exactly what makes catching them so satisfying – they require skill and patience to hook consistently. These fish live around any hard structure in the bay, especially bridge pilings, jetties, and oyster reefs. They average 12 to 16 inches in these waters, with occasional slabs pushing 18 inches. Sheepshead are excellent table fare with firm, white meat, and they're available year-round in Galveston Bay, making them a reliable target when other species are less cooperative.
Captain John's 26ft Robalo Center Console cuts through Galveston Bay's waters with twin 200HP Suzuki engines, cruising comfortably at 35mph to prime fishing spots. This freshly restored 2025 bay boat handles inshore conditions like a dream, giving you a stable platform whether you're working the grass flats for redfish or targeting sheepshead around structure. The spacious deck layout accommodates up to 6 anglers with room to move, while the GPS navigation and fish finder help locate those productive areas where speckled trout and flounder hang out. The VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and fishing intel from other boats. Built for both comfort and fishing performance, this Robalo gets you to the fish quickly and brings you back with a cooler full of your Gulf Coast catch.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Galveston Bay, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+ pounds. These bruisers are part of the drum family and make that distinctive croaking sound you can actually hear underwater. They've got powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, which is exactly where you'll find them - around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and shallow structure. Spring is prime time, especially during their spawning runs when they school up and are easier to target. What makes them special is their incredible pulling power - even a 15-pounder will give you a serious workout on light tackle. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent eating with firm, white meat, while the big ones are better released. They're also surprisingly adaptable, tolerating everything from fresh creek mouths to full saltwater. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom near oyster beds, and be patient - they're deliberate feeders but worth the wait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Galveston Bay fishing, with those signature copper sides and distinctive black spots near the tail. Slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we catch plenty of oversized bulls that'll test your drag and your arms. These copper rockets love shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges. They're year-round residents but fall and spring offer the hottest action when they're feeding heavily. What guests love most is their bulldogging fight and spectacular topwater strikes that'll get your heart racing. They're also excellent eating in the slot size with sweet, firm meat. Plus, there's something magical about sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water. They're surprisingly spooky despite their size, so stealth matters. My favorite technique: work a gold spoon or soft plastic slowly over grass beds, but keep a topwater handy when you see them busting bait. The key is making long casts and keeping quiet - these fish have great eyesight and will spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay, typically running 14-18 inches with some nice ones pushing 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties love grass flats, shallow reefs, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months, fall through spring, with dawn and dusk being prime feeding times. What makes them special is their willingness to hit artificials - they're aggressive feeders that'll crush topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp equally. The fight is decent but what really gets guests excited is the excellent eating - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're also great for beginners since they're forgiving and relatively easy to catch when you find them. Winter months can be fantastic when they school up in deeper holes. My go-to technique: work a soft plastic tail on a 1/4 oz jighead over grass beds in 3-6 feet of water. Vary your retrieve until you find what they want - sometimes they want it fast, sometimes barely moving.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Galveston Bay with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth that can crack barnacles and small crabs. Most run 1-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, but we catch some real slabs up to 8 pounds around the jetties. They're structure junkies - any dock, piling, or barnacle-covered surface will hold fish. Spring through fall are best, with peak action in cooler months when they're more active during the day. What guests love is they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat, plus they're year-round residents so always available. They're also notorious bait thieves, which makes them a fun challenge - you really have to stay sharp and feel for those subtle nibbles. They fight surprisingly hard for their size too, using those broad sides to their advantage. My secret: tip a small jig with fresh shrimp and get it right against the structure. When you feel them pecking at it, count to two then set hard - those bony mouths require a firm hookset.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are unique flatfish that'll surprise first-time anglers with their strange appearance - both eyes on the left side of their head! They're masters of camouflage, burying in sand and mud to ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some pushing 20+ pounds. You'll find them on sandy and muddy bottoms throughout Galveston Bay, especially near drop-offs and channel edges. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water. What guests love most is their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also fun to catch because they fight harder than you'd expect from a flatfish. My tip: use live shrimp on a Carolina rig and fish it slow along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, wait a second before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a great time with Caption John. He was able to find us multiple places to catch a variety of fish. A wonderful afternoon.
Galveston