5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Morning Light Tackle Fishing Trip In Galveston
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour morning trip targeting redfish, trout, and sheepsheadProfessional captain provides gear and guidance on 26ft boatInshore fishing in Galveston Bay with multiple techniques
There's something special about getting on the water early in Galveston Bay when the morning light is just starting to dance across the surface. Captain John's 4-hour morning fishing trip puts you right in the sweet spot for targeting some of Texas' most popular inshore species. You'll be fishing aboard a well-equipped 26ft Robalo Bay Boat with twin 200HP Mercury engines, giving you the speed and reliability to hit the best spots while they're still producing. This isn't about racing around the bay - it's about smart fishing in productive waters when the fish are most active.
Your morning starts with Captain John, who knows these waters like the back of his hand. The 26ft Robalo is set up specifically for inshore fishing, with plenty of room for up to 3 anglers to fish comfortably without getting in each other's way. The twin Mercury outboards mean you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting to your spots. Morning trips are perfect for casual anglers who want to experience Galveston Bay's productive fishing without the heat and afternoon wind that can make things choppy later in the day. The calm morning conditions also make it easier to feel those subtle bites from species like sheepshead and trout that require a bit more finesse. All your gear is provided, but don't forget to bring that valid Texas fishing license - you'll need it.
Captain John runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what's biting. You'll likely do some bottom fishing for black drum and sheepshead around structure, where these fish love to hang out and feed. Cork fishing is a local favorite for targeting redfish and trout in the shallows - watching that cork disappear never gets old. When conditions are right, you might do some trolling to cover water and find active schools of fish. Drift fishing is another go-to method, especially when targeting flounder over sandy bottoms or working drop-offs where trout like to ambush baitfish. The light tackle setup means you'll feel every fight, whether it's a redfish making that classic run or a sheepshead testing your drag with short, powerful bursts. Captain John will adjust techniques based on tides, weather, and what's been producing, so you're always fishing the most effective method for the conditions.
"We had Darren as our Captain and i wont take another trip without him his energy and help was amazing , we had a great time with these guys! Shout out to captain John" - Stephon
"We had a great time with Captain John. He replied promptly the night before that he could make a last minute trip happen and put us on some great fish- 1 bull red, several monster drum, and my 13 year old son caught a 24" Sheepshead! Would highly recommend and we will be booking again when we're back in town." - Jose
"We had a fantastic experience fishing with Captain John from Only Chance Charters! He was attentive, personable, and incredibly helpful through our trip. He made sure everyone was comfortable, answered questions, and gave tips that were useful but not condescending, which helped us have a successful and fun day on the water. We really enjoyed our time and would definitely recommend fishing with if your looking for s relaxed and enjoyable charters experience!" - Ben
Redfish are the crown jewel of Galveston Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are available year-round, but spring and fall offer some of the best action when they're feeding heavily in preparation for spawning runs. Reds typically range from 18 to 27 inches in the slot, though you might hook into an oversized bull that'll test your tackle and patience. They love shallow water with grass beds and oyster reefs, making them perfect targets for cork fishing. When a red takes your bait, you'll know it - they make powerful runs and fight dirty, using their broad sides to pull against the current.
Sea Trout are another local favorite that respond well to morning fishing when the water is calm and they're actively feeding. These spotted beauties are abundant in Galveston Bay during warmer months, with the best fishing typically from spring through early winter. They prefer areas with good current flow and structure, often suspending over grass beds or working drop-offs where baitfish congregate. Trout have soft mouths, so light tackle is perfect for feeling their subtle strikes and enjoying the fight without worrying about pulling hooks.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning migration, but you can find them throughout the warmer months. They're masters of camouflage and can be tricky to hook since they often grab bait and sit motionless on the bottom. When you do connect with a good flounder, they fight with surprising strength for a flatfish, making short powerful runs and trying to bury themselves in the bottom.
Black Drum are some of the hardest fighting fish in the bay, especially when you hook into one of those "monster drum" that Galveston is famous for. These bottom dwellers can range from small puppy drum perfect for the dinner table to massive 30+ pound fish that'll give you an arm workout. They feed heavily around oyster reefs and structure, using their powerful jaws to crush shellfish and crabs. Black drum are available year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when they're most active.
Sheepshead might be some of the trickiest fish to hook, but they're worth the effort. These black and white striped convict fish have incredible eyesight and human-like teeth perfect for stealing bait. They hang around structure like pilings, jet
Captain John's freshly restored 26ft Robalo Center Console is your ticket to productive morning fishing in Galveston Bay. This beauty got a complete makeover in 2025 and now runs on twin 200HP Suzuki engines that'll cruise you to the hotspots at 35mph. The center console design gives you plenty of room to move around while fighting redfish and sheepshead, with space for up to 3 anglers to fish comfortably without getting tangled up. She's equipped with GPS to find the best structure, VHF radio for safety, and a quality fish finder to locate those suspended trout and bottom-hugging flounder. The stable platform handles Galveston's chop with ease, whether you're drifting over oyster reefs or anchored up working the pilings. Perfect setup for trying different techniques - from popping corks in the shallows to bottom fishing the deeper cuts where the big drum hang out.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Galveston Bay, and they'll test your drag system. These bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds, but we've boated fish pushing 50+ pounds around here. They love shallow oyster reefs, mudflats, and pier pilings where they crush crabs and mollusks with their powerful jaws. Spring is money time - March through May when they school up for spawning and you can hear them drumming underwater. What guests love is the raw power these fish bring. Once hooked, they make long, stubborn runs that'll make your arms burn. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip from years of guiding here: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, and when you get a bite, let them run with it for a few seconds before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the superstars of our morning trips - bronze-backed beauties with that signature black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, but we regularly see bulls over 30 inches that'll really test your tackle. These copper-colored fighters love shallow water from 1-4 feet deep, cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and marshes where they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall is peak season when they school up in massive numbers, but we catch them year-round in Galveston Bay. What hooks guests is their aggressive nature and bulldogging fights - once hooked, they make powerful runs and never give up easy. The slot-sized ones are fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat. Here's my go-to technique: look for fish tailing in shallow water, then cast a gold spoon or soft plastic just past them and work it back slowly. The strike will be unmistakable - they hit hard and mean it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing - consistent, fun to catch, and great on the table. These spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with the occasional "gator trout" pushing 6+ pounds that'll really get your heart pumping. Look for them over grass flats, around shell banks, and in 2-6 feet of water where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring are prime time, especially during moving tides. What makes trout special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make runs that keep things exciting on light tackle. The meat is tender and flaky with a mild flavor that's hard to beat. Local secret: work a soft plastic under a popping cork around dawn and dusk over grass beds. When the cork goes down, count to two before setting the hook - trout often grab bait sideways first.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the pickpockets of Galveston Bay - they'll steal your bait faster than you can blink. These black and white striped convicts typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though we catch some real slabs pushing 15+ pounds around the jetties. They hang tight to structure - pier pilings, barnacle-covered rocks, and oil platforms where they pick off crabs and barnacles with their human-like teeth. Winter months are best when they're thick around the jetties before their spring spawn. Guests love the challenge - these fish require finesse and quick reflexes. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, white meat that rivals snapper. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait tight to structure, and the moment you feel weight, set that hook hard. They'll drop your bait in a heartbeat if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms, changing color to match their surroundings. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, around grass flats, and near channel edges where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawn. What makes them special is that unique flatfish fight - they pull hard and sideways once hooked. The meat is excellent too - white, flaky, and mild. Here's a local trick: when drift fishing, work your bait slowly along the bottom in 1-foot lifts. They'll often grab it on the drop, so stay ready to set the hook when you feel that subtle tap.
5.0 out of 5.0We had Darren as our Captain and i wont take another trip without him his energy and help was amazing , we had a great time with t...
We had a great time with Captain John. He replied promptly the night before that he could make a last minute trip happen and put u...
We had a fantastic experience fishing with Captain John from Only Chance Charters! He was attentive, personable, and incredibly he...
Galveston