5 Person Fishing Trip Galveston Bay AM or PM
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fishing for up to 5 guests morning or afternoonTarget redfish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum, and sheepsheadAll fishing equipment and bait provided by Captain Justen
Captain Justen knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish in North and West Galveston Bay. Whether you're an early bird who loves the 7:00 AM start or prefer the afternoon bite at 1:00 PM, this top-rated inshore trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for. With all your tackle and bait handled, you can focus on what matters most – bending rods and filling the cooler. Just grab your fishing license and get ready for some of the best inshore action Texas has to offer.
This isn't your typical charter boat crowd – we keep it intimate with just 5 anglers max, so everyone gets plenty of elbow room and personal attention from Captain Justen. The morning trips catch that golden hour when the water's calm and the fish are actively feeding along the grass flats and shell reefs. Afternoon sessions take advantage of the warming water temperatures that get the redfish cruising shallow and the trout stacked up on structure. You'll be working the productive waters where Galveston Bay opens up, hitting spots that consistently produce quality fish year-round. The captain reads the tides, wind, and bait movements to put you where the action is happening that day.
Captain Justen runs a clean operation with quality spinning gear already rigged and ready to fish. You'll be throwing live shrimp under popping corks for trout, working soft plastics along drop-offs for redfish, and bouncing fresh dead shrimp on the bottom for black drum and sheepshead. The boat's equipped with everything from 1/4-ounce jig heads for shallow work to heavier bottom rigs when targeting deeper structure. Depending on conditions, you might be sight-fishing cruising reds in skinny water or working the deeper shell pads where the big trout hang out. The captain switches up techniques based on what's working that day – whether it's slow-rolling paddle tails, working topwater early, or finesse fishing when the bite gets tough.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay, and these copper-colored bruisers fight harder than anything their size. You'll find them year-round, but fall and early winter see the biggest concentrations as they stage up for their spawning runs. These fish love shallow grass flats and will absolutely destroy a well-placed soft plastic. The slot-size reds (20-28 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls provide that drag-screaming fight every angler craves. Captain Justen knows exactly where they cruise based on tide and time of day.
Speckled trout are the other crown jewel of the bay system, and Galveston Bay grows some true giants. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but you can catch them throughout the year by adjusting your approach. The smaller "schoolies" travel in packs and provide fast action, while the trophy "gator" trout over 25 inches are solitary hunters that patrol deeper structure. These fish are incredibly structure-oriented, relating to oyster reefs, grass edges, and drop-offs where they ambush bait.
Summer flounder might not get the press of reds and trout, but they're fantastic table fare and surprisingly strong fighters. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to ambush passing prey. Spring through fall offers the best action, and Captain Justen knows the specific bottom contours where they concentrate. A fresh shrimp bounced slowly along the bottom is pure magic for these fish.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon in Galveston Bay's deeper waters. These bottom-huggers use their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters and crabs, making fresh dead shrimp and blue crab the go-to baits. They're strongest during cooler months and provide that slow, powerful fight that tests your drag system and endurance.
Sheepshead are the most finicky biters you'll encounter, but their excellent table quality makes them worth the effort. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for picking barnacles and small crustaceans off structure. They're most active during cooler months around any type of hard structure – bridge pilings, jetties, and oil platforms. You need a light touch and quick hook-set to beat their bait-stealing abilities.
Galveston Bay's inshore fishing scene is world-class, and Captain Justen's local knowledge puts you on fish when other boats are struggling. With all equipment and bait included, this customer favorite trip removes all the guesswork and lets you focus on fishing. The 5-person limit ensures everyone gets quality fishing time without the chaos of overcrowded boats. Whether you choose the early morning bite or prefer the afternoon action, you're looking at some of the most consistent inshore fishing Texas waters have to offer. Don't let this renowned Galveston Bay experience fill up – secure your spot today and get ready to see why anglers keep coming back to these productive waters.
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard our 2021 Nautic Star 23-foot center console, perfectly rigged for Galveston Bay's inshore waters. This Mercury 200HP-powered vessel cuts through the bay at up to 50 knots, getting you to the hottest fishing spots fast. The spacious center console design gives all 5 anglers plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Our onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of redfish and speckled trout, while the wireless trolling motor lets Captain Justen position the boat silently over productive structure. The built-in icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh throughout the morning or afternoon trip. GPS navigation ensures we hit all the prime fishing grounds across North and West Galveston Bay where redfish, trout, flounder, black drum, and sheepshead are biting. Whether you're targeting the grass flats for reds or working the shell reefs for trout, this boat handles the shallow bay waters with ease.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Galveston Bay, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 90. They're built like tanks with powerful jaws that crush oysters and crabs all day long. You'll find them around oyster reefs, shallow muddy flats, and creek mouths where the food is easy. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - makes them way easier to target. What's cool about drum fishing is hearing them "drum" underwater with their swim bladders. They put up a solid fight and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with firm, white meat. My tip: use fresh crab and get your bait right on the bottom near structure. They're picky eaters but once they commit, hold on tight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore game fish - they fight hard, eat well, and those distinctive black spots near the tail make them easy to identify. Most run 20-30 inches in the bay, though we see some bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love super shallow water, often feeding with their backs exposed in 1-3 feet around grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is prime time when they're fattening up. What guests love most is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water - it's like hunting with a rod. The copper-colored backs and that classic "red drum" fight make every catch memorable. They'll eat just about anything, from topwater plugs to live shrimp. My best tip: look for nervous water or birds working, and don't be afraid to fish ridiculously shallow areas.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing, running 14-24 inches with those distinctive black spots. They love grass flats, shallow water around structure, and drop-offs where baitfish gather. Best action happens at dawn and dusk, especially during spring and fall when water temps are just right. What makes trout fishing addictive is their willingness to hit topwater plugs - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. They're also excellent table fare with tender, flaky meat that's perfect for frying. During winter, they school up in deeper channels and holes. Look for diving birds as a sure sign trout are feeding below. Here's my go-to tip: work your lure slow and steady around grass beds, and don't be afraid to go super shallow - sometimes they're in water barely covering their backs.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are nicknamed "convict fish" for their black and gray stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth. Most weigh 1-8 pounds and love hanging around any kind of structure - docks, pilings, reefs, you name it. Early spring from February through April is peak season when they spawn around jetties and oil platforms. They're notorious bait thieves with incredible bite detection, so you need to stay sharp. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the bay - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They feed on barnacles, crabs, and shrimp right against structure. My advice: get your bait as close to the pilings as possible and when you feel that subtle nibble, set the hook hard immediately. They'll steal your bait all day if you hesitate.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish change colors to match the bottom perfectly. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some nice ones pushing 5-6 pounds in deeper channels and around structure. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes flounder fishing fun is the challenge - they're sneaky biters and great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Best fishing happens over sandy bottoms near drop-offs and channel edges. Here's the trick: when you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them run with it a few seconds since they grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around.
Galveston Bay, Texas Gulf Coast, TX, United States