Galveston Jetty Fishing: 4-Hour Half Day Trips
When you're ready to get serious about fishing the Texas coast, the Galveston Jetties are where you want to drop your lines. This isn't your typical pier fishing—we're talking about productive nearshore waters where the Gulf meets the bay, creating perfect conditions for multiple species year-round. Our 4-hour half day trips give you the sweet spot of fishing time without eating up your whole day, whether you choose our morning departure or afternoon session. With Texas Fishing Charter LLC, you're fishing with captains who know these jetties like the back of their hand and understand exactly where the fish are holding based on tides, season, and current conditions.
What to Expect on the Water
Your captain will have the boat rigged and ready when you arrive at the dock—no wasting time with prep when fish are biting. The Galveston Jetties offer some of the most consistent fishing along the Texas coast because of the structure and current breaks created by the rock formations. Depending on what's running hot during your visit, we'll target everything from keeper-sized speckled trout to hefty redfish cruising the jetty edges. The beauty of jetty fishing is the variety—you might start the morning working live shrimp for sheepshead around the rocks, then switch to cut bait for black drum, and finish with artificials for jack crevalle that are blowing up baitfish on the surface. Your captain reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the trip, so you're always fishing the most productive method for current conditions. Maximum group size stays at 3 anglers, which means plenty of room to cast and personalized attention from your guide.
Jetty Fishing Techniques
Fishing the jetties requires different approaches depending on your target species and the day's conditions. When we're after sheepshead, it's all about precision—dropping fiddler crabs or live shrimp tight to the rocks where these black and white striped fighters like to feed. For redfish and black drum, we'll work the deeper pockets and channels with fresh cut bait on Carolina rigs, letting the scent trail do the work. Pompano fishing calls for lighter tackle and smaller baits like sand fleas or shrimp, worked in the sandy areas between rock structures. When jack crevalle are schooled up, it's game on with topwater lures and spoons—these fish hit hard and pull even harder. Your captain provides all tackle and rigging, but more importantly, they'll explain why they're choosing specific setups and locations. It's hands-on learning that makes you a better angler, whether you're 8 or 80 years old.
Customer Stories
"Very patient. Great teaching for kid who loves fishing. Explained rigging, why he chose certain places etc" - Melissa. "Our experience with Captain Zach was absolutely fantastic! He brings a delightful mix of fun and expertise to the table, putting in the effort to ensure we had a successful fishing outing. From hooking bait to casting, he was tirelessly engaged throughout. Every moment of our trip was thoroughly enjoyable, and without a doubt, we'll be booking again with Texas Fishing Charters, LLC." - Caroline. "Captain Zack was great and the whole trip was excellent. I would recommend him to anyone. Very accomodating." - Keziah.
Target Species Breakdown
Florida Pompano are the gold standard of jetty fishing, and for good reason. These silver torpedoes typically run 12-18 inches and fight way above their weight class. Pompano prefer the sandy bottom areas adjacent to the jetties, especially during spring and fall migrations. They're notorious for their delicate bite, so your captain will rig light tackle with small hooks and fresh bait. What makes pompano special isn't just the fight—they're arguably the best eating fish in the Gulf. When conditions are right and the pompano are moving through, you can limit out in a hurry.
Black Drum are the heavy hitters of jetty fishing, with fish ranging from 5-pound "puppy drum" to massive 40+ pound bulls. These copper-colored bruisers love structure and will test your drag system when hooked. Spring brings the spawn, when trophy-sized black drum move shallow and become more aggressive. They're not the prettiest fish, but hooking into a 30-pound black drum around the jetties will give you a workout you won't forget. These fish are catch-and-release only when they hit trophy size, but the smaller ones make excellent table fare.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of jetty fishing—nicknamed "convict fish" for their black and white stripes and their habit of stealing bait. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, which makes them both fascinating and frustrating to catch. They typically run 2-4 pounds around the jetties, with occasional slabs pushing 6-8 pounds. Winter months are prime time for sheepshead as they move to spawn around structure. Your captain will teach you the light touch needed to detect their subtle bite and the quick hookset required to get them away from the rocks.
Redfish are the poster fish of Texas coastal fishing, and the jetties consistently produce quality slot-sized fish year-round. These copper-bronze fighters typically range from 18-28 inches in jetty waters and are known for their bulldogging fight and distinctive black spots. Reds are ambush predators that cruise the jetty edges looking for easy meals, making them perfect targets for both bait and lure fishing. Fall and winter often produce the best jetty redfish action as baitfish concentrate around the structure.
Crevalle Jack are the wild cards of jetty fishing—when they show up, it's non-stop action. These silver bullets can range from 3-15 pounds around the jetties and fight like fish twice their size. Jacks are opportunistic feeders that travel in
5.0(27 Reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Top Rated
Galveston, TX
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