2 Person Inshore Charter for Reds and Specks
Captain Justen knows Galveston Bay like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish. This intimate 2-person charter gives you the personal attention you need to dial in your technique while targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most prized inshore species. Whether you're rolling out of bed for the 7:00 AM departure or taking advantage of the afternoon bite at 1:00 PM, you'll spend your day working productive flats, shell reefs, and grass beds where redfish and speckled trout call home. All your tackle and bait come included, plus you'll get the kind of one-on-one instruction that turns good anglers into great ones.
What to Expect on the Water
You'll meet Captain Justen at the dock where his bay boat is fueled up and ready to run. Don't expect to waste time – he's got spots marked on his GPS that have been producing, and he'll put the hammer down to get you there while other boats are still rigging up. The beauty of Galveston Bay lies in its diversity of structure and habitat. One minute you're working a shallow grass flat for feeding trout, the next you're sight-casting to tailing reds around an oyster reef. This isn't a crowded party boat situation – with just two anglers aboard, you'll have plenty of elbow room and Captain Justen's undivided attention to help you read the water, perfect your presentation, and boat more fish. The pace stays relaxed but productive, giving you time to soak in the scenery between hookups while learning techniques you can use long after this trip ends.
Techniques and Tackle Setup
Captain Justen runs a well-equipped bay boat designed for the shallow water fishing that makes Galveston Bay famous. You'll be fishing with quality spinning gear spooled with braided line – the sensitivity helps you feel those subtle trout bites, while the strength handles bulldogging reds without breaking off. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might throw soft plastics on jigheads, work topwater plugs during low light periods, or drift live shrimp under popping corks. The captain reads the tide charts, weather patterns, and seasonal movements to put you on the most productive pattern for the day. He'll teach you how to work different lures, when to set the hook on different species, and how to fight fish properly in shallow water where one wrong move sends your target spooking into the weeds.
Customer Stories
"this was our first experience with a guide in galveston bay. Justen and the boat was shady in the water and ready when we arrived a 6am for our 7 hour trip. He went full throttle to get us to the first spot before we could even see. We caught several of the fish we were targeting including sheepshead, black drum, and red drum. We caught a few of the trash fish; Justen provided pointers to help avoid the trash fish. we had a lot of fish that just weren't long enough to keep. In the end, we had a lot of fun; joking around with Justen, we had a good amount of meat to bring home, and a special memory of my wife successfully setting the hook and applied correct technique to reel in a whopper... a 6 ft stick. Thank you, Justen. we had a great time." - Curtis
"This was my Dad's and my first time saltwater fishing. Justen was patient with my 87yr old father and taught us all the tricks. We caught a variety of fish. So exciting!! Justen made the trip a memory that will not soon be forgotten!!" - Mary
"I had an awesome tour with Capt. Justin. I learned so much from fishing with him. He shared some great tips and tricks and we got done really hot spots. We limited out on reds and speckled trout and almost got our limit on black drum. It felt more like was hanging out with a friend or else fishing buddy. Capt. Justen knew where to find the fish and we were able hook up on a great day's catch. If you want a great fishing tour, Capt. Justen will not disappoint. Highly recommended...." - Jose
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the crown jewel of Galveston Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20 to 28 inches in the slot, with plenty of oversized bulls cruising the shallows during warmer months. Reds feed aggressively year-round, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they school up in predictable areas. What makes them special is their fighting spirit – a hooked red will make multiple hard runs, often heading straight for the nearest oyster reef or grass bed to cut you off. The sight-fishing opportunities here are world-class, especially during morning and evening periods when reds tail in knee-deep water while rooting for crabs and shrimp.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, represent the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing. These beautiful silver and black spotted fish typically run 14 to 20 inches, with trophy specimens pushing 25 inches or better. Specks are structure-oriented, holding around shell reefs, grass beds, and drop-offs where baitfish concentrate. They bite year-round but peak during spring and fall transitions when water temperatures hit their preferred range. What anglers love about trout fishing is the technique involved – these fish can be finicky, requiring precise presentations and subtle lure action to trigger strikes. When you find a good trout bite, you can often catch multiple fish from the same spot.
Summer flounder provide some of the most exciting fishing in Galveston Bay, especially during their peak season from late spring through early fall. These flatfish are ambush predators that