Weekend Inshore Fishing in Galveston Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
5hour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounder24 ft Blazer Bay boat with all gear and tackle includedCaptain Jason Custer guides all skill levels through prime spots
If you're looking to spend your weekend chasing redfish and speckled trout in one of Texas's most productive bays, this 5-hour charter with Small Time Charters hits all the right notes. Captain Jason Custer knows Galveston Bay like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet. This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience – with just 2 spots available, you'll get personalized attention and hands-on coaching that makes all the difference when you're trying to dial in your technique.
Your day starts aboard a well-maintained 24-foot Blazer Bay boat that's built for navigating the shallow waters and grass flats where the best action happens. Captain Jason provides all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to a full tackle selection that's dialed in for the conditions you'll face. The beauty of fishing Galveston Bay is the variety – one minute you might be working a shallow grass flat for speckled trout, the next you could be sight-casting to tailing redfish in knee-deep water over oyster shell. The bay's mix of structure, from submerged reefs to marshy shorelines, creates the perfect environment for multiple species to thrive. You'll cover different areas throughout the trip, adapting your approach based on tides, weather, and where the fish are showing up that day.
Inshore fishing in Galveston Bay requires finesse and local knowledge, and that's where Captain Jason's expertise really shines. Depending on conditions, you might be throwing soft plastics on jig heads along drop-offs, working topwater lures over shallow flats at first light, or bouncing live bait near structure where sheepshead like to hang out. The captain adjusts techniques based on the tide and what the fish are doing – if the trout are schooled up and feeding aggressively, you might stick with fast-moving lures, but when they're finicky, switching to live shrimp under a popping cork often does the trick. For redfish, it's all about reading the water and understanding their behavior patterns. These fish love to cruise the edges of grass beds and oyster reefs, and when you spot them tailing in shallow water, the sight-fishing opportunities get your heart pumping. The boat's shallow draft lets you access areas that bigger vessels can't reach, putting you right where the action is hottest.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Galveston Bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers typically run between 20 to 30 inches in this system, with plenty of slot-sized fish that make for excellent table fare. What makes reds so special here is their year-round presence and aggressive feeding behavior. They're not particularly line-shy, which makes them perfect for anglers still building their confidence, but they fight hard enough to test your drag and get your adrenaline going. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up in large numbers, but summer fishing can be fantastic if you know where to look. Captain Jason has dialed in the patterns these fish follow as they move with the tides, and his local knowledge puts you in the right place at the right time.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the other main target and they're arguably the most fun fish to catch in the bay. These spotted beauties are structure-oriented and love to ambush baitfish around grass beds, shell reefs, and drop-offs. Most specks you'll encounter range from 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing well over the 25-inch mark. They're more finicky than redfish when it comes to lure presentation, which makes them a great species for honing your technique. The key is matching your retrieve speed to their mood – sometimes they want it fast and aggressive, other times you need to work your bait slowly to trigger a strike. Cool thing about specks is they often travel in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more in the area.
Sheepshead round out the target species list and they're often overlooked, but they shouldn't be. These black-and-white striped fish are structure specialists that hang around pilings, reefs, and other hard bottom areas. They're notorious bait thieves with their human-like teeth, but once you figure out their feeding behavior, they're a blast to catch. Most sheepshead in the bay run between 12 to 16 inches, and they're excellent eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're more common during the cooler months, and finding them often requires switching up your approach to focus on areas with plenty of barnacles and other crustaceans they love to munch on.
This top-rated weekend charter delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – quality time on productive water with a captain who knows how to put you on fish. With only 2 spots available, you're guaranteed personalized attention and the flexibility to adjust your approach based on what's working best that day. Captain Jason's local expertise, combined with a fully equipped boat and all the gear you need, takes the guesswork out of your fishing trip. Whether you're hoping to fill the cooler with keeper-sized specks and reds, or you just want to spend a morning learning new techniques in one of Texas's best inshore fishing destinations, this charter delivers the goods. Don't wait too long to lock in your date – weekend slots with experienced guides like this book up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons when the bite is on fire.
This 24-foot Blazer Bay motorboat is built for serious inshore fishing in Galveston Bay's productive waters. The wireless trolling motor lets you move silently through shallow flats where redfish and speckled trout feed without spooking your targets. GPS navigation keeps you on course to the hottest fishing spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure below. The live bait tank keeps your shrimp and croakers fresh and lively – essential for tempting those trophy reds. With room for two anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space along the gunwales and easy access to tackle storage. This fishing machine handles the bay's choppy conditions with confidence, getting you to productive grass beds and oyster reefs where the fish are biting.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of shallow water fishing in Galveston Bay, typically running 18-30 inches with that signature black spot near the tail. These copper-colored fighters love cruising 1-4 feet of water around grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges. You'll often spot their backs breaking the surface as they feed. They're year-round targets, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their bulldogging fight and willingness to eat almost anything - live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater lures, even flies. The meat is firm with a mild flavor that's hard to beat. Here's my go-to method: cast ahead of cruising fish, let your bait sink, then work it slow. These fish spook easy in skinny water, so keep noise down and approach quietly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. They hit artificial lures hard - plastic tails, topwater plugs, and soft plastics work great. Spring and fall are prime time when water temps are right, but we catch them year-round. What guests love is their aggressive strikes and how they fight on light tackle. The white, flaky meat is outstanding eating too. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady along the grass edges. When you find one trout, there's usually a whole school nearby, so don't move too quick after that first hookup.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are one of the bay's smartest fish, earning the nickname "convict fish" for their black and white stripes. These guys run 1-8 pounds typically, though we've seen some reach 20 pounds around the jetties and bridge pilings. They love munching on barnacles and crabs around any structure - docks, oil rigs, you name it. What makes them fun to target is those human-like teeth and their notorious bait-stealing skills. The meat is white and sweet, making them great table fare. Best fishing is late fall through early spring when they're feeding heavy. Here's the trick: use fiddler crabs or shrimp, get right up on the structure, and set the hook hard the moment you feel that telltale nibble. They'll strip your bait clean if you hesitate.
Crystal Beach, TX