Weekend Inshore Fishing Charter in Galveston Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in Galveston Bay watersFive-hour inshore charter with experienced Captain Jason CusterAll fishing gear, tackle, and safety equipment included
Looking to escape the weekend grind and get your line wet in some of Texas' best inshore waters? Captain Jason Custer's weekend charters with Small Time Charters offer exactly what serious anglers and weekend warriors are after. This isn't your typical overcrowded party boat experience – we're talking about a focused 5-hour fishing trip aboard a well-rigged 24-foot Blazer Bay boat, designed to get you on the fish without the circus atmosphere. With room for just two guests, you'll have Captain Jason's full attention as he puts you on redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in Galveston Bay's most productive shallow water spots.
Your day kicks off early when you meet Captain Jason at the dock, where his 24-foot Blazer Bay boat is loaded and ready to fish. This isn't some weekend warrior's rig – it's a purpose-built inshore machine designed to navigate the shallow flats and back lakes where the big fish live. All your tackle, rods, and safety gear are included, so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat. The beauty of fishing with just two anglers means you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn to work a hot bite. Captain Jason knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on structure, grass beds, and drop-offs where redfish, speckled trout, and flounder congregate. Expect to cover water efficiently, hitting multiple spots throughout the day to stay on active fish. The shallow draft of the Blazer Bay lets us get into skinny water that bigger boats can't reach, giving you access to pristine fishing areas that see less pressure.
Galveston Bay inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach to what the fish want on any given day. Captain Jason comes equipped with a full arsenal of tackle suited for the bay's diverse structure and varying conditions. Depending on the bite, you might be throwing soft plastics on jig heads over grass flats, working topwater plugs along shoreline structure, or drifting live bait over shell reefs. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working deeper cuts for speckled trout. All rods and reels are tournament-quality spinning setups spooled with braided line, giving you the sensitivity to feel light bites and the backbone to horse fish out of heavy cover. Captain Jason will match your tackle to the conditions and target species, whether that's throwing 1/4-ounce jigs for trout or stepping up to heavier gear when reds are holed up in thick grass. The boat's electronics include quality fish finders and GPS, helping locate structure and baitfish that attract gamefish. Safety equipment meets all Coast Guard requirements, and the boat carries a well-stocked first aid kit and emergency communication gear.
Galveston Bay's inshore waters hold some of Texas' most sought-after gamefish, each offering a unique challenge that keeps anglers coming back. Redfish are the bay's signature species, and for good reason – these copper-colored bulldogs fight like they're twice their size and can be found year-round in the bay's shallow waters. Most reds you'll encounter range from 18 to 28 inches, with the occasional bull redfish over 30 inches providing the kind of drag-screaming runs that ruin reels and make memories. Peak redfish action typically runs from late spring through early winter, when schools of reds work the shallow flats and marsh edges. What makes these fish special is their willingness to eat a variety of baits and their habit of feeding in skinny water where you can sight-cast to them. There's nothing quite like watching a big red turn on your bait in two feet of clear water.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bay's most popular gamefish and the bread-and-butter species for most inshore trips. These spotted beauties typically run 14 to 20 inches, with keeper-sized fish providing excellent table fare and trophy specks over 25 inches offering bragging rights that last for years. Specks are structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, shell reefs, and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. They're most active during cooler months, with some of the year's best fishing happening from October through March when big schools of trout stack up in deeper bayou mouths and channel edges. What makes speckled trout fishing so addictive is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights – a big spec will jump, shake, and do everything possible to throw your hook.
Sheepshead round out the bay's target species list, and while they might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, they're arguably the smartest and definitely some of the best eating. These black-and-white striped convict fish are structure dwellers that love pilings, jetties, and shell reefs where they feed on barnacles, crabs, and small mollusks. Sheepshead fishing requires finesse and patience – these fish have small mouths and are notorious bait stealers. Most keeper sheepshead run 12 to 16 inches, with larger fish in the 18-plus-inch range considered excellent catches. Peak sheepshead fishing happens during cooler months when fish move into the bay from deeper Gulf waters to spawn. What makes catching sheepshead so satisfying is outsmarting one of the bay's wiliest fish – when you feel that subtle tick and set the hook on a nice sheeps, you've earned it.
Captain Jason's weekend charters book up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons when the bite is hot and weekends fill quickly. This top-rated charter experience offers everything serious anglers want: a kn
This 24-foot Blazer Bay boat is built for serious bay fishing, equipped with everything you need to target redfish and speckled trout in Galveston's productive waters. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow flats without spooking fish, while the GPS and fish finder help locate prime spots and underwater structure where trophy fish hang out. With rod holders, a live bait tank, and plenty of deck space for casting, this boat handles the bay's varying conditions whether you're drifting over grass beds or working shoreline structure. Perfect for up to 2 anglers who want to fish the backwaters and channels where the big reds and specks feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in our shallow bay waters. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-35 inches and put up one heck of a fight in 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them by that distinctive black spot near the tail and sometimes see their backs breaking the surface as they cruise the flats. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're feeding heavily. What makes reds special is they'll eat just about anything - live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater plugs. They're also excellent table fare with mild, firm meat. The key to landing them in our shallow water is staying quiet and making long casts ahead of cruising fish. Work your bait slow and steady - they like to follow before committing to the bite.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing, running anywhere from 14-24 inches with most fish hitting that 1-5 pound range. They love our grass flats and shallow areas, especially when the water's moving during tide changes. Best action happens during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels, though you can catch them year-round. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - nothing beats that surface explosion. Plus, they're some of the finest eating fish in the bay with that tender, white meat. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. My go-to trick is working plastic tails under popping corks over grass beds. Let it sit still for a few seconds between pops - that's when they usually strike.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are one of those fish that'll surprise you - they've got human-like teeth and earn their "convict fish" nickname from those dark vertical stripes. Most run 1-8 pounds around here, but we've seen some pushing 20 pounds near the jetties and bridge pilings. They love hanging around any structure with barnacles - docks, oil rigs, you name it. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're most active. What makes them special is that fight combined with some of the best eating you'll find in the bay. Their white, flaky meat is worth the effort. Pro tip: get your bait right up against the structure and use fiddler crabs or shrimp. They're notorious bait thieves, so when you feel that nibble, set the hook hard and fast.
Crystal Beach, TX