Professional Inshore Fishing Charter in Galveston Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Professional 5-hour inshore charter targeting redfish and speckled troutCaptain Jason Custer provides expert guidance and local knowledgeAll fishing gear, tackle, and safety equipment included
When you're looking for a top-rated inshore fishing experience in Galveston Bay, Captain Jason Custer and Small Time Charters deliver exactly what serious anglers want. This 5-hour charter puts you right in the heart of some of Texas' most productive inshore waters, where redfish, speckled trout, and flounder are waiting. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped 24-foot Blazer Bay boat that's built for these shallow waters, and everything you need is included – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and all the safety gear. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting your feet wet, Captain Jason knows how to put you on fish and make sure you walk away with stories worth telling.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Jason at the dock, where he'll already have the 24-foot Blazer Bay rigged and ready to go. This isn't some crowded party boat situation – with just 2 anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. The boat's shallow draft design is perfect for sneaking into those back-bay honey holes where the big reds like to hang out. Captain Jason's been working these waters for years, so he knows exactly where to find fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. You'll spend your 5 hours hitting multiple spots, from grassy flats where trout cruise for baitfish to oyster reefs where flounder ambush their prey. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast you might hook into a slot red, the next could be a gator trout that tests your drag.
Captain Jason runs a full-service operation, which means you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your fishing license and maybe some snacks. The boat comes loaded with quality spinning gear matched to the species you're targeting, plus a tackle box full of proven baits. Depending on conditions, you'll be working everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics bounced along the bottom. When the trout are schooled up, you might find yourself throwing topwater plugs that create explosive strikes. For redfish, Captain Jason likes to work the grass lines with gold spoons or drift live bait along drop-offs. The key to success in Galveston Bay is reading the water and adjusting your approach, something Captain Jason excels at. He'll teach you how to feel the bottom structure, recognize fish-holding cover, and present your bait in a way that triggers strikes. This hands-on coaching approach means you're not just catching fish – you're learning skills that'll make you a better angler on future trips.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Galveston Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs average 20 to 28 inches and fight like they're twice that size. What makes them special is their year-round availability and willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them. Spring and fall are peak times when schools of reds move through the shallows, creating some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities on the Texas coast. You'll often spot their backs and tails sticking out of knee-deep water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. The adrenaline rush of watching a red crush your bait in clear, shallow water never gets old, and Captain Jason knows all the best spots to find them.
Speckled trout, or "specs" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted sides typically run 14 to 20 inches, though trophy trout over 25 inches are caught regularly. What makes speckled trout so popular is their predictable behavior and excellent table fare. They love structure – oyster reefs, grass beds, and channel edges – and they respond well to a variety of baits. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times when they move shallow to feed. The cooler months often produce the biggest trout as they fatten up before winter, making fall and early winter prime time for targeting true gator trout that'll make your arms sore.
Southern flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're one of the most challenging and rewarding fish to target in the bay. These ambush predators lie buried in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. Most flounder in Galveston Bay run 14 to 18 inches, but the big females can push 20-plus inches and provide some serious table fare. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage near passes preparing for their offshore spawning run. What makes them exciting is the technique required – you've got to work your bait right along the bottom and be ready for that distinctive "thump" when they grab it. Captain Jason knows exactly how to position the boat and coach you through the subtle art of flounder fishing.
Sheepshead are the often-overlooked bonus fish that can make your day when other species aren't cooperating. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure like dock pilings and oyster reefs, where they use their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and crabs. They're notorious bait stealers, requiring finesse and patience to hook consistently. Most sheepshead in the bay run 12 to 16 inches, but the big ones can reach 18-plus inches and provide excellent eating. What makes them fun is the challenge – you need light tackle, small hooks, and perfect timing to hook these notorious bait thieves. When you finally connect with a good sheepshead, their bulldogging fight will surprise you.
This world-class inshore fishing charter offers everything serious anglers want – expert guidance, quality equipment, productive waters, and a personalized experience that big operations can't match. Captain Jason's local
Captain Jason's 24-foot Blazer Bay is built for serious inshore fishing in Galveston's productive waters. This well-equipped fishing machine features a wireless trolling motor that lets us slip quietly into shallow redfish flats without spooking our targets. The GPS keeps us on productive spots while the fish finder helps locate schools of speckled trout holding near structure. With a live bait tank to keep your shrimp and croakers frisky, plus all the tackle and safety gear included, this boat is ready to put you on fish. The shallow draft design gets us into those back-lake honey holes where big reds cruise the grass beds. Perfect for two anglers who want to fish hard with a captain who knows where they bite.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate inshore game fish, known for their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. In Galveston Bay, most "slot reds" run 18-27 inches, but we also see bull reds over 40 inches that'll test your tackle and endurance. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges. Fall is prime time when they school up and feed aggressively before winter. What makes redfish special is their brutal fight and that they'll eat almost anything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild-flavored meat. The secret to catching more reds is sight fishing the shallows on calm days and watching for their tails or backs breaking the surface. When you spot one, cast well ahead and work your bait slowly into their path.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing, running anywhere from 14-24 inches with bigger "gator trout" pushing 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties love grass flats, shell reefs, and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but summer dawn and dusk fishing can be outstanding. What makes specks so popular is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent fight on light tackle. They're also fantastic eating with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key to consistent trout fishing is working lures slowly and varying your retrieve until you find what they want. A soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jighead bounced just off bottom near shell or grass will produce fish when nothing else works.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the bay's most distinctive fish with their black and white prison stripes and human-like teeth. These "convict fish" typically weigh 1-8 pounds and love hanging around any structure - docks, pilings, jetties, and oyster reefs where they crunch barnacles and small crabs all day. Spring months are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily before spawn. What guests love about sheepshead is their sneaky fight and that incredible table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any fish in the gulf. They're notorious bait thieves though, so you've got to stay sharp. The trick with sheepshead is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and the second you feel that subtle tap, set the hook hard. They've got those crusher teeth, so don't give them time to think about it.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise, laying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms throughout Galveston Bay's shallow waters. These "doormat" fish typically run 15-18 inches but can reach impressive sizes up to 20+ pounds. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in the substrate, waiting to strike at shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn. What makes them special is their unique flat body with both eyes on one side - plus they're some of the best eating fish in the bay. The key to catching more flounder is fishing slow and keeping your bait right on bottom. A light jighead with live shrimp bounced slowly along structure edges will trigger strikes from fish you'd never know were there.
Crystal Beach, TX