Full Day Guided Fishing Trip In Galveston
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day targeting trout, redfish, sharks, and tarpon inshoreOffshore trips pursue king mackerel, cobia, and mahi mahiAll fishing gear provided with experienced professional guides
Looking for a serious day on the water? SharkTooth Charters delivers exactly what Galveston anglers dream about – a full day chase that'll have you targeting everything from feisty speckled trout in the shallows to powerful king mackerel offshore. This isn't your average half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking sunrise to sunset fishing action with guides who know these Texas waters like the back of their hands. You'll start in the inshore waters working the grass flats and shell reefs for redfish and trout, then when conditions line up right, we'll make the run offshore where the big boys play. King mackerel, cobia, amberjack, and those gorgeous mahi mahi are all on the menu when we head to the blue water.
Your day starts early – that's when the fish are most active and before the crowds hit the water. We'll meet at the dock while the coffee's still hot and the bait's fresh. The first few hours are usually spent working the inshore structure where speckled trout and redfish cruise the grass beds looking for easy meals. You'll be casting soft plastics and topwater plugs around the jetties and back in the bay systems where these fish love to hang out. The guides know exactly which tides work best for each spot, and they'll put you on fish that are actually feeding, not just marking on the fish finder. When the offshore conditions cooperate – and that's something we check constantly – we'll make the run out to the rigs and weedlines where the pelagic species roam. That's when things get really exciting with the possibility of hooking into 20-pound king mackerel or a bull mahi that'll test your drag system. The boat comes fully rigged with quality tackle, so you don't need to worry about bringing gear unless you've got a lucky rod you can't fish without.
Inshore, we're primarily working with medium-action spinning gear loaded with 20-pound braid and fluorocarbon leaders. The guides will set you up with everything from 1/4-ounce jigheads tipped with soft plastics to shallow-running crankbaits that mimic the shad and mullet these fish feed on. When we're working the jetties for redfish, you might find yourself pitching spoons or live shrimp under popping corks – whatever's working that day. The offshore game changes completely. We're talking conventional reels spooled with 30-pound test, downriggers for king mackerel, and live bait rigs when the cobia show up around the oil rigs. The guides handle all the rigging and re-rigging, which is huge when you're dealing with toothy kings that'll cut through mono like it's nothing. They'll teach you the proper way to fight these bigger fish too – how to use the boat's leverage and when to put pressure on versus when to let them run. The seasonal nature of this fishery means the techniques change throughout the seven-month season, and these guides adapt their approach based on what's been producing recently.
King mackerel are the crown jewel of Galveston's offshore scene, and for good reason. These silver bullets can reach 40 pounds in these waters and they fight like they're twice that size. Kings are most active from April through August when the water temperatures climb into the 70s and 80s. They're structure-oriented fish that cruise the oil rigs and artificial reefs looking for schools of cigar minnows and blue runners. When you hook a king, get ready for blistering runs and acrobatic jumps that'll have your drag singing. What makes them special is their unpredictability – they might slam a slow-trolled Spanish sardine or completely ignore it for a fast-moving spoon.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Galveston's inshore waters, and they're active year-round with peak action during the spring and fall months. These gorgeous fish average 2-4 pounds but the big females – what locals call "gator trout" – can push 8 pounds or more. They're ambush predators that love to hang around oyster reefs and grass beds in 3-8 feet of water. What anglers love about specks is their willingness to hit artificial lures, especially topwater plugs during low-light periods. The bite can be subtle or aggressive, and learning to detect those light taps is part of the challenge that keeps people coming back.
Redfish are the other half of the inshore slam, and Galveston Bay produces some bruisers. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches but the bull reds can stretch over 40 inches and weigh 30-plus pounds. Reds are year-round residents but they're most aggressive during the warmer months when they're actively feeding in preparation for their offshore spawning runs. They're not picky eaters – live shrimp, cut bait, soft plastics, and spoons all work depending on the conditions. What makes redfish special is their fighting ability in shallow water where they can use their broad tails and the bottom to their advantage.
Mahi mahi, or dolphinfish, are the most colorful catches you'll encounter on the offshore grounds. These brilliant yellow, green, and blue fish are fast-growing and incredibly acrobatic when hooked. In Galveston waters, they typically show up around floating sargassum weed or debris from May through September. Mahi are schooling fish, so when you find one, there are usually more around. They're excellent table fare and their aggressive nature means they'll hit everything from ballyhoo trolled behind the boat to jigs worked around the structure. A 20-pound mahi on appropriate tackle is pure excitement from hookset to boat.
Cobia are
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - these brown, solitary fish cruise near the surface and often get mistaken for their toothy cousins. These bruisers average around 40-60 pounds and can hit 100+, living up to 12 years. We sight-fish for them around buoys, oil rigs, and wrecks in 30-70 feet during spring migration and summer months. What guests love about cobia is the visual aspect - you literally watch them swim up to eat your bait. They're also phenomenal table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any offshore species. The fight's more bulldoggish than flashy, but they've got serious power. Pro tip: when you see one, cast a bucktail jig well ahead of where it's swimming and work it back slowly. Cobia are curious but spook easily if you hit them with the lure.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are offshore bruisers that average 30 pounds but can hit 90+ when you find the big females. We target them in 40-150 feet of water around structure and current breaks during our March through September season. These silver missiles are built for speed - they'll peel drag like few fish can. What makes them special is that explosive first run when they grab your bait. The meat's excellent eating with firm, flaky white flesh. Pro tip: when trolling, use a stinger hook setup with wire leader because Kings love to grab baitfish from behind, and those razor teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Look for bird activity offshore - that's usually where we find the schools feeding.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters we chase offshore - brilliant gold and green sides that put on a light show when they come to the boat. These fast-growing fish average 15-29 pounds and rarely live past 4 years, but they make up for it with numbers and attitude. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in deeper water during our warmer months. What makes mahi special is their acrobatic fight - they jump, tail-walk, and never give up easy. The white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality with a mild, sweet flavor. Here's the trick: when you hook one, leave it in the water while the crew gets more lines ready. Mahi travel in schools, and that hooked fish will often keep the others around for multiple hookups.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect sight-fishing target, cruising shallow flats in 1-4 feet where you can actually see their copper backs and that signature black spot near the tail. These fish average 24-30 inches and put up a serious fight - they're built like bulldogs and pull just as hard. We find them year-round in Galveston's back bays around oyster reefs, grass beds, and mud flats. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're most active. Guests love reds because they eat almost anything and fight dirty - lots of head shaking and strong runs. The meat's mild and sweet, great on the grill. Local tip: when you spot a red in skinny water, cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily if you drop it right on their head.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter inshore species, running 1-5 pounds with some bigger females pushing the scale. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow waters 2-8 feet deep, especially around oyster reefs and drop-offs. Spring through fall gives us the best action, but they school up in deeper channels during winter cold snaps. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit both live shrimp and artificial lures - they're aggressive feeders. The meat's soft and sweet, perfect for the table if you don't overcook it. Here's a local trick: fish the grass lines early morning with topwater plugs. When you see that explosive strike on the surface, you'll understand why we chase these fish year-round in Galveston waters.
Galveston