Galveston Bay Fishing with Captain Jason Custer
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, speckled trout, and flounder on Galveston BayFivehour inshore charter accommodates all fishing skill levelsIncludes equipment, tackle, and personalized instruction from Captain Jason
Looking for a fishing charter that actually delivers? Captain Jason Custer's 5-hour inshore trips on Galveston Bay are designed for everyone from first-timers to weekend warriors who want to up their game. You'll spend your day targeting the bay's top species — redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead — while learning the techniques that work in these productive waters. Jason runs a tight ship with his 24-foot Blazer Bay boat, keeping groups small at just 2 anglers so you get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great one. All your gear is provided, from quality rods and reels to tackle that's proven effective in the bay. This isn't a cattle boat operation — it's a chance to fish with someone who knows these waters like the back of his hand.
Your morning starts early when you meet Captain Jason at the dock, and he'll have everything rigged and ready before you push off. The 24-foot Blazer Bay cuts through the water smooth and fast, getting you to the fishing spots without burning half your day in transit. Jason's approach is hands-on — he'll show you how to read the water, explain why he's choosing certain lures or baits, and help you dial in your technique as conditions change throughout the day. The boat's set up for comfort and efficiency, with plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Galveston Bay's inshore waters offer protection from big swells, so you can focus on fishing instead of fighting seasickness. Jason rotates between different spots based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing, which means you're always fishing where the action is hottest.
Inshore fishing in Galveston Bay is all about adapting to conditions and fish behavior. Jason's tackle box is stocked with everything from soft plastics rigged on jig heads to topwater plugs that drive redfish crazy during the right conditions. You'll learn how to work a paddle tail through grass beds where speckled trout like to ambush baitfish, and how to bounce a gulp shrimp along the bottom where flounder are waiting in the sand. The rods are medium-light to medium action — perfect for feeling those subtle bites but with enough backbone to handle a bull red that decides to make a run. Captain Jason uses circle hooks when appropriate to ensure good fish survival, and he'll teach you the right way to set the hook so you're not pulling bait out of fish mouths. Depending on the day, you might be casting to visible fish in shallow water or working structure in deeper holes where big trout like to hang out.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Galveston Bay fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are available year-round. Slot-size reds between 20-28 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while the bigger bull reds over 28 inches provide heart-stopping runs that'll test your drag system. They're most active during moving tides and love to cruise shallow flats looking for blue crabs and shrimp. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat — they'll hit everything from topwater plugs to soft plastics, and when they're fired up, you can catch them one after another.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter species that keep anglers coming back to the bay. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but the occasional "gator trout" over 20 inches will make your day. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively, but Jason knows where to find them even during the tougher summer and winter months. Specs are structure-oriented fish that love oyster reefs, grass beds, and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. They're finicky eaters that require a subtle presentation, which makes them perfect for learning proper fishing techniques.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage in Galveston Bay, lying flat against sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. These flatfish are excellent table fare and provide a different kind of fishing challenge since they rarely jump or make long runs — instead, they use their flat profile to bulldoze toward structure. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage near passes before heading to deeper water for spawning. Finding flounder requires understanding bottom composition and current flow, skills that Captain Jason loves to share with his anglers.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish in the bay to hook consistently, but they're worth the effort for their excellent eating quality and the satisfaction of outsmarting such a smart fish. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and oysters, which makes them notorious bait stealers. Winter months are best for sheepshead fishing when they move into the bay to spawn around structure like docks, jetties, and reefs. Captain Jason's patience and expertise with sheepshead techniques will improve your success rate dramatically compared to going it alone.
Captain Jason Custer's Galveston Bay charters offer something you won't find on every boat — genuine instruction combined with a real shot at catching quality fish. The small group size means you're not competing with a dozen other anglers for attention, and the 5-hour trip length gives you time to try different techniques and locations as conditions change. Whether you're hoping to bring home dinner, learn new skills, or just spend a day on the water with an experienced guide, this charter delivers on all fronts. Jason's local knowledge and quality equipment take the guesswork out of fishing Galveston Bay, letting you focus on the fun parts like fighting fish and perfecting your technique. Don't wait too long to book — the best fishing guides stay busy, especially during prime seasons when the fish are most cooperative.
Captain Jason's 24-foot Blazer Bay boat is built for serious fishing in Galveston's productive waters. This reliable motorboat cuts through the bay with ease, getting you to the best redfish and speckled trout spots quickly. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on fish without spooking them, while the GPS keeps you on track to those honey holes. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of trout and flounder hiding in the grass beds. With a live bait tank keeping your shrimp and croakers fresh, plus all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need, this boat has everything covered for a productive day on the water. Perfect for two anglers who want to focus on fishing instead of dealing with equipment.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of shallow water fishing in Galveston Bay, typically running 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds with those signature black spots near their tails. They love cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and shallow marshes in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their powerful fight and that copper-bronze color that lights up in the sun. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild meat. Plus, watching them crush a topwater lure in skinny water never gets old. These fish aren't picky eaters - they'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs. My secret is to look for nervous water or birds working bait, then approach quietly and cast beyond the fish. Work your lure back through the school and hang on. When sight fishing, lead them by a few feet and let the bait sink naturally into their path.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets in Galveston Bay, running 14-24 inches with plenty of 3-5 pounders mixed in. These silver beauties with black spots love grass flats, shell reefs, and drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, especially on overcast days or early morning. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare - soft, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great fighters for their size, making long runs when hooked. The bite can be subtle, so pay attention to your line. My favorite technique is throwing soft plastics like paddletails or shrimp imitations under a popping cork. Work it slow with gentle pops - when the cork disappears or moves sideways, set the hook. During winter, look for them schooled up in deeper channels where they'll stack up by the dozens.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are easy to spot with their black and white prison stripes and human-like teeth that they use to crush barnacles and crabs. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though you might hook into a 10-pounder around the right structure. They love hanging around dock pilings, bridge supports, and any barnacle-covered structure in 5-15 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're feeding heavily before spawning. People love targeting them because they're tricky to catch - they're notorious bait thieves - and the meat is some of the best eating you'll find in the bay. Their white, flaky fillets rival snapper for taste. The key to success is getting your bait right against structure with a short leader and small hooks. I always tell folks to use fiddler crabs or live shrimp, and when you feel that subtle nibble, set the hook hard immediately. Wait too long and they'll clean your hook.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are flat, bottom-dwelling fish that can grow up to 20 inches and weigh around 5 pounds in Galveston Bay waters. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey like shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. You'll find them on shallow flats, around drop-offs, and near structure during cooler months from October through March when they're most active. What makes them fun to target is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side of their head - and they make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. They're also great for beginners since they don't fight as hard as other species. My go-to tip: use live shrimp on a Carolina rig and fish it slow along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, give them a second to take the bait before setting the hook - they're notorious for stealing bait if you rush it.
Crystal Beach, TX