Galveston Fishing Charters | 8 Hour Charter Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore fishing charter targeting Redfish, Trout, and FlounderCaptain Mike provides all gear and local expertiseSmall group experience with maximum three guests
Captain Mike knows Galveston's waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 8-hour charter is built for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water targeting three of the Gulf Coast's most prized species: redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. With space for just three guests, you're getting a personalized fishing experience that bigger boats simply can't match. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who lives and breathes fishing, Captain Mike tailors each trip to match your skill level and expectations. The boat comes fully rigged with quality tackle, but the real advantage is having a captain who's spent years dialing in the patterns and hotspots that produce consistent results in these waters.
Your day starts early, which is exactly how you want it when chasing quality fish. Captain Mike runs a tight ship, meaning you'll be fishing productive water while other boats are still figuring out their game plan. The beauty of Galveston's inshore fishery lies in its diversity – one minute you're working a grass flat for trout, the next you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water. This isn't a cattle boat operation where you're elbow-to-elbow with a dozen other anglers. With only three spots available, everyone gets prime fishing real estate and Captain Mike's undivided attention when it comes to technique tips and local knowledge. The 8-hour format gives you serious time to work different areas as conditions and tides dictate. You'll cover structure, grass beds, drop-offs, and maybe even some shallow water action depending on what the fish are telling us.
Captain Mike keeps his boat stocked with everything you need to succeed, from light tackle spinning gear perfect for trout to heavier setups when big reds decide to make long runs. The approach changes throughout the day based on conditions and target species. Early morning might find you throwing topwater plugs over grass beds, listening for that explosive strike that gets your heart pumping. As the sun climbs higher, we'll often switch to soft plastics worked slowly along drop-offs and structure. The key to consistent success in Galveston waters is reading the signs – baitfish movement, bird activity, tide changes, and water clarity all factor into where and how you fish. Captain Mike excels at teaching these nuances, so you're not just catching fish today but learning skills that'll make you a better angler long-term. Live bait fishing with shrimp and croaker is always an option when artificial presentations need a break, and the boat's equipped with quality circle hooks and the right terminal tackle to maximize your hookup ratio.
Redfish are the backbone of Galveston's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs grow fat and sassy in our marsh systems, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized 20-inchers up to genuine bulls pushing 35-plus inches. Reds are year-round residents, but they really turn on during spring and fall when cooler water temps get them actively feeding. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat – they'll smash topwater baits, crush soft plastics, and absolutely demolish live shrimp presentations. When you hook a quality red, especially in shallow water, you're in for a fight that'll test your drag and your patience. These fish use their broad tails and bulldoggish strength to make powerful runs toward structure, and that first screaming run never gets old.
Speckled Trout are the thinking angler's fish, requiring more finesse but rewarding skilled presentations with explosive strikes. Galveston Bay's trout population includes both smaller keeper-sized fish and genuine wall-hangers that'll make your arms shake. Spring and early summer produce some of the year's best trout fishing, particularly when you can locate schools working baitfish over shell beds and grass edges. Specks are ambush predators that relate to structure – oyster reefs, drop-offs, and grass lines all hold fish at different times. The beauty of targeting trout is the variety of techniques that work: slow-sinking soft plastics, rattling corks with live shrimp, and carefully worked topwater baits during low-light periods. When conditions align and you find an active school, the action can be fast and furious.
Southern Flounder round out the "inshore slam" and provide a completely different fishing experience. These flatfish are ambush artists that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim within striking distance. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – you're often working baits slowly along bottom structure, feeling for that subtle thump that signals a fish has picked up your offering. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning migration, often producing the year's largest fish. What makes flounder special is their table fare – these fish are absolutely delicious and represent some of the best eating you'll find in saltwater. Captain Mike knows the specific areas where flounder concentrate, from channel edges to mud flats, and he'll teach you the subtle techniques needed to consistently catch these bottom-dwellers.
This charter represents everything that makes Galveston fishing special – diverse species, quality water, and a captain who's dedicated his life to putting clients on fish. The 8-hour format gives you legitimate time to explore different techniques and areas without feeling rushed. With only three spots available, you're guaranteed personal attention and prime fishing positions throughout the day. Captain Mike provides all the tackle and gear you'll need, so your only job is showing up ready to fish. Don't forget your Texas fishing license, some snacks and drinks to keep your energy up, and quality sun protection for those long hours on the water. The deposit is non-refundable, so once you commit, you're locke
Captain Mike's 2000 Kenner 21'7 V is built for serious fishing in Galveston's inshore waters. This reliable 21-footer features a powerful 2019 150 Mercury outboard that gets you to the prime redfish and trout spots quickly and efficiently. The boat's V-hull design cuts through choppy bay water smoothly, while the spacious cockpit gives you and two other anglers plenty of room to work your lines without getting tangled up. Equipped with VHF radio for safety communication, this fishing machine is perfectly sized for navigating shallow flats where the big speckled trout hide and working the structure where redfish patrol. The boat's layout maximizes fishing space while keeping everything within easy reach during those heated battles with hard-fighting Gulf Coast gamefish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Galveston flats fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. Look for that distinctive black eyespot near the tail - it's their trademark. Reds love super shallow water, often cruising flats so thin their backs show above the surface. They hang around oyster reefs, grass beds, and structure where they can ambush crabs and baitfish. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. They're fantastic eating too - firm, mild flesh that grills perfectly. Local secret: watch for nervous baitfish or "muds" stirred up in shallow water - that's usually a redfish rooting around for food.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are some of the most consistent fish we target in Galveston waters. These silvery beauties typically run 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds, with their signature black spots making them easy to identify. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow areas, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They're excellent table fare with delicate, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Winter months are prime time when they school up in deeper water. Pro tip: work your lure slowly along the bottom near grass beds - trout like to ambush prey from below, and a patient retrieve often triggers the most strikes.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise in our Galveston waters. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush anything that swims by. Most run 15-18 inches, but we regularly see them up to 25+ inches and several pounds. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that unmistakable flat profile. They love shallow bays, around structures, and along drop-offs where they can blend into the bottom. Fall migration brings the best numbers as they move toward deeper water. What makes them special is the challenge - you're sight fishing for something that's practically invisible, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Try bouncing a live shrimp or small jig right along the bottom - the bite feels like you snagged a wet towel.
Galveston Bay