Half Day Morning Fishing - Galveston Bay Complex
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday morning trips target speckled trout and redfish in Galveston Bay.Captain uses live bait and artificial lures based on conditions.22foot boat accommodates two guests with multiple fishing techniques available.
When you're looking for consistent action and quality fish in Texas waters, few spots deliver like the Galveston Bay Complex. Captain Richard Cabrera knows these waters like the back of his hand, and his half-day morning trips are built for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water without committing to a full day. You'll launch early when the fish are most active, targeting the premier species that make this bay system famous across the Gulf Coast. With room for just two anglers, you get personalized attention and prime positioning for every cast.
Your morning starts aboard Captain Richard's 22-foot SE Tran Sport center console, powered by a reliable 150hp Suzuki four-stroke that gets you to productive water fast and quiet. The Galveston Bay Complex isn't just one bay – it's actually three interconnected systems that create the largest estuary on the Texas Gulf Coast. This gives you access to diverse structure, varying depths, and different water conditions all within a single trip. Captain Richard reads the conditions daily and adjusts your fishing locations accordingly. Some mornings you might find yourself working shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water, while other days could have you drifting deeper channels where speckled trout stack up. The beauty of this setup is flexibility – if one area isn't producing, you're never far from another hot spot. The morning bite typically fires up as the sun starts warming the water, making this timing perfect for both species you're targeting.
Captain Richard's approach depends entirely on what the fish are telling him each day. You might start the morning anchored over a productive reef, working live shrimp under popping corks while waiting for that distinctive thump of a speckled trout. When conditions are right, he'll have you wading the flats – there's nothing quite like sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water. Other times, you'll drift along drop-offs and channel edges, covering water efficiently while working both live bait and artificials. The captain's tackle selection ranges from traditional live bait rigs to the latest soft plastics and topwater lures. His local knowledge really shines when it comes to bait selection – he knows when to break out the live croaker versus when a chartreuse paddle tail will outfish everything else. The boat's setup allows for multiple techniques during a single trip, so you're not locked into one approach if the bite changes. Whether you're a beginner who needs guidance on every cast or an experienced angler looking to learn local patterns, Captain Richard adapts his instruction to your skill level.
The Galveston Bay Complex is renowned for two species that keep anglers coming back trip after trip. Speckled trout, locally called "specks," are the bread and butter of bay fishing here. These beautiful fish are aggressive feeders with a taste for both live and artificial baits. They typically run anywhere from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to solid 20-plus-inch specimens that really put a bend in your rod. What makes specks so appealing is their willingness to bite throughout the year, though the best action often comes during the cooler months when they school up in deeper water. They're structure-oriented fish, relating to oyster reefs, grass beds, and channel drop-offs. When you hook into a good speck, you'll feel that characteristic head shake that lets you know exactly what's on the other end of your line.
Redfish are the other star of the show, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are pure muscle, known for their bulldogging runs and stubborn refusal to come to the boat easily. Reds in the Galveston system range from slot-sized fish around 20-28 inches up to oversized bulls that can push 40 inches or more. What makes redfish special is their year-round presence and their willingness to feed in a variety of conditions. During warmer months, you'll find them cruising shallow flats where their backs are almost out of the water. Fall and winter pushes them into slightly deeper water, but they remain active and aggressive. The sight of a redfish's tail breaking the surface as it feeds head-down in the grass is something that gets every angler's heart racing, regardless of experience level.
Captain Richard's half-day morning trips offer the perfect introduction to what makes Galveston Bay fishing so special. You get the prime morning bite when fish are most active, work multiple techniques based on conditions, and experience the personalized attention that comes with a two-angler maximum. The Galveston Bay Complex has built its reputation on consistent action and quality fish, and this trip puts you right in the heart of it all. Whether you're a local angler looking to learn new water or a visitor wanting to experience Texas coast fishing at its finest, this is your chance to get on some of the best inshore fishing the Gulf has to offer. Don't wait – prime morning slots book up quickly, especially during peak seasons when the fishing really turns on.
Captain Richard's 22-foot SE Tran Sport center console is your ticket to the productive waters of Galveston Bay Complex. This fishing machine comes rigged with everything you need for a successful morning on the water - a reliable fish finder to locate schools of speckled trout and redfish, GPS to navigate the extensive bay system, and an onboard cooler to keep your catch fresh. The 150hp Suzuki four-stroke gets you to the hot spots quickly while running smooth and quiet. Whether you're anchored over structure, drifting grass flats, or wading shallow areas, this versatile boat handles it all. With space for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to fish comfortably without feeling crowded. Captain Richard knows these bays like the back of his hand and will put you on fish using live bait or proven artificials depending on conditions. Perfect setup for targeting those Texas reds and specks that make Galveston Bay famous among Gulf Coast anglers.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate shallow water game fish in Galveston Bay. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails average 20-32 inches and fight like freight trains in skinny water. You'll spot them tailing in 1-4 feet over mud flats, around oyster reefs, and near marsh edges. They're active year-round, but fall brings the best action when big schools move through the bays. What hooks anglers is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. The sight-fishing opportunities are second to none - watching a red inhale your topwater in 18 inches of water gets the adrenaline pumping every time. Pro tip: cast past cruising fish and work your lure back into their path. Lead them like a duck hunter.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are what most folks here call sea trout, and they're the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and pack a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them over grass flats and shell reefs in 2-8 feet of water, especially around structure like old wells or drop-offs. Spring and fall are prime time when water temps hit that sweet spot, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What makes specks special is their willingness to hit topwaters - nothing beats that surface explosion at dawn. They're also fantastic eating with white, flaky meat. My go-to trick: work a soft plastic slowly along grass edges during moving tides. The bite often happens right when your lure hits that transition from grass to sand.
Pasadena, TX