5 Person Fishing Trip Galveston Bay AM or PM
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing trips accommodate up to 5 guestsTarget redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum speciesAll fishing equipment and bait provided by experienced captain
There's something special about fishing Galveston Bay with a captain who knows every productive structure, grass bed, and oyster reef like the back of his hand. Captain Justen's 5-person charter gives you the perfect crew size to cover water efficiently while keeping things personal. Whether you're an early bird ready to hit the water at 7 AM or prefer the afternoon bite starting at 1 PM, you'll find yourself in prime redfish and trout territory with all the gear and bait you need already on board. Just bring your Texas fishing license, some snacks, and get ready to put some quality fish in the box.
Captain Justen runs his operation across both North and West Galveston Bay, giving you access to diverse fishing grounds that hold different species depending on tides, weather, and season. Morning trips often start with topwater action as the sun breaks the horizon, while afternoon charters let you sleep in and still catch the evening feeding windows. The bay's shallow flats, deeper channels, and structure-rich areas create perfect habitat for the five main species you'll target. With a maximum of 5 anglers, everyone gets plenty of elbow room and personalized instruction. The captain provides all rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait, so you can focus on reading the water and working your presentation instead of worrying about rigging up.
Galveston Bay fishing revolves around reading conditions and adapting your approach throughout the day. You'll likely start with live shrimp under popping corks around grass beds and oyster reefs where redfish and trout cruise for easy meals. When the bite slows, switching to soft plastics on jig heads lets you work deeper water and target suspended fish. Captain Justen knows when to drift the flats with the wind and when to anchor up on productive structure. Depending on what's biting, you might find yourself casting topwater plugs at first light, working gulp baits through channels, or sight-fishing tailing reds in skinny water. The key is staying mobile and letting the fish tell you what they want rather than forcing one technique all day.
Redfish remain the bread and butter of Galveston Bay, with these copper-colored bulldogs providing consistent action year-round. These fish average 20-27 inches and fight like they're twice their size, making long runs and testing your drag settings. Fall and winter often produce the best numbers as reds school up in deeper water, while spring brings sight-fishing opportunities in the shallows. What makes redfish so popular is their willingness to eat both live and artificial baits, plus they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Speckled trout provide finesse fishing at its finest, with these beautiful gamefish requiring a bit more skill to consistently catch. They average 14-18 inches in the bay, with occasional gator trout pushing 20+ inches that'll make your day. Specks relate heavily to grass beds and drop-offs, especially during cooler months when they move to deeper channels. Their soft mouths mean you need to play them carefully, but their sweet, flaky meat makes them a customer favorite for the dinner table.
Flounder offer something different with their ambush feeding style and excellent eating quality. These flatfish lie buried in sand waiting for baitfish to swim overhead, then explode upward for the strike. They're most active during fall months as they prepare for their offshore spawning run. A quality flounder runs 16-20 inches and provides some of the best table fare in the bay, with firm white fillets that are hard to beat.
Black drum grow large in Galveston Bay, with fish ranging from puppy drum at 16-20 inches up to massive bulls exceeding 30 inches. Smaller drum provide excellent eating, while the big ones offer serious fights on medium tackle. They feed heavily around oyster reefs and structure, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish. Peak action often comes during cooler months when drum school up in channels and around reefs.
Sheepshead round out the slam possibilities with their distinctive black stripes and excellent table qualities. These convict-looking fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and small crabs around structure. They require precise presentations and quick hook sets due to their light bites, making them a fun challenge for experienced anglers. Sheepshead fishing peaks in late winter and early spring when they move shallow to spawn around jetties and reefs.
This top-rated Galveston Bay charter combines Captain Justen's local knowledge with prime fishing grounds and all the equipment you need for a successful day. The 5-person limit ensures everyone gets personal attention while keeping costs reasonable for your group. Whether you choose the morning departure to beat the afternoon winds or the 1 PM start for a more relaxed schedule, you'll fish productive water during prime feeding times. Don't forget to grab your Texas fishing license before departure, and remember that the best fishing dates fill up quickly during peak seasons. Book your spot today and get ready to experience some of the Gulf Coast's best inshore fishing action.
Step aboard our 2021 Nautic Star 23-foot center console, your floating fishing headquarters for Galveston Bay adventures. This reliable workhorse runs on a smooth 200HP Mercury engine that'll get your crew of 5 to the hottest fishing spots across North and West Bay waters. Whether you're chasing redfish in the shallows or hunting speckled trout in deeper channels, this boat's got everything you need. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on wary fish, while the GPS and fish finder combo helps Captain Justen locate schools and structure where the big ones hang out. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox, and don't worry about gear - we've got all the rods, tackle, and bait covered. With a top speed of 50 knots, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time traveling between spots. Perfect for morning risers hitting the 7 AM departure or afternoon anglers preferring the 1 PM slot.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Galveston Bay, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 90+ pounds. They're gray-black with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we see the most action. These fish are famous for making drumming sounds you can actually hear through the boat hull. They're strong fighters that test your drag, and smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with flaky white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom near oyster beds, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard - they're notorious bait stealers with those crushing jaws.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Galveston Bay's signature species - bronze-colored beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, but we also target big bull reds over 27 inches that can push 40+ pounds. They love super shallow water from 1-4 feet around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges where their backs sometimes show above water. Year-round fishing with spring and fall being peak times when they're most active in the shallows. What makes them special is they eat almost anything, fight like freight trains, and provide that classic "redfish pull" that bends rods in half. Smaller ones are great table fare too. The sight fishing is what hooks people - watching a 30-inch red cruise the shallows and smash a topwater plug right at your feet. Here's my tip: look for nervous baitfish or mullet jumping - that usually means reds are pushing them around underneath.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter fish of Galveston Bay - silvery with distinctive black spots and that classic trout profile. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, perfect for the dinner table with tender, flaky white meat. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring and fall are prime time, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What guests love is they're aggressive feeders, great fighters on light tackle, and absolutely delicious - just don't overcook them or they get mushy. They school up in winter in deeper holes, making for fast action. My go-to technique: work a soft plastic shrimp or paddle tail slowly over grass beds at first light. When the water's calm, listen for them "popping" shrimp on the surface - that's when you know you've found a school and can expect multiple hookups.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Galveston Bay with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though big ones can hit 20 pounds. They're always hanging around structure - docks, pilings, jetties, anywhere with barnacles to munch on. Early spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around spawning time in February-April when they school up. People love targeting them because they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat, plus they're challenging - notorious bait thieves with those strong jaws. Here's the secret: get your bait right against the structure using fiddler crabs or shrimp, keep your rod tip up to feel those subtle nibbles, and the instant you feel weight, set the hook aggressively. They'll steal your bait all day if you're not quick on the hookset.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise in Galveston Bay - flatfish that lie on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side, perfectly camouflaged. They typically run 15-20 inches and make excellent eating with sweet, white meat. These ambush predators love sandy flats, channel edges, and drop-offs in 10-30 feet of water. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're most active and easier to locate. What makes them special is watching them change colors to match the bottom, plus they hit hard and fight surprisingly well for a flatfish. The meat is premium table fare - flaky and mild. Here's the key: use live finger mullet or shrimp on a dropper rig, and fish it slow along the bottom. When you feel that thump, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook - they bite sideways and need time to turn the bait.
Galveston Bay, Texas Gulf Coast, TX, United States