Full Day Galveston Bay Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Fullday charter targets trout, redfish, and flounder in Galveston BayEighthour trip covers multiple productive fishing locations starting 5:30 AMAll professional equipment provided for up to three guests
When you're ready to get serious about fishing Galveston Bay, this full-day charter with Tides and Tails Guide Service is where you want to be. We're talking 8 solid hours on the water, starting with that early 5:30 AM departure when the bay is still quiet and the fish are active. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back to the dock. With a full day, we can hit multiple spots across the Galveston Bay Complex, from the grass flats where redfish cruise to the deeper structures where big trout hang out. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to add some Texas-sized fish to your bucket list or you're newer to saltwater fishing, we'll put you on fish and make sure you have the skills to land them.
The beauty of an 8-hour charter is we're not rushing anywhere. We can start in one area, read the conditions, and adjust our game plan as the day unfolds. Early morning, we might be working the grass beds where trout are feeding on shrimp and baitfish. As the sun gets higher and conditions change, we can move to different structure or target redfish in the shallows. The Galveston Bay system gives us tons of options - oyster reefs, mud flats, channel edges, and back lake areas that each hold different opportunities depending on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing. With just 3 anglers max on the boat, everyone gets plenty of individual attention and coaching. We provide all the gear - quality rods, reels, and tackle that can handle everything from schoolie trout to bull reds. You just need to bring your Texas fishing license, some snacks to keep your energy up, and sun protection because we'll be out there through the heat of the day.
We fish smart, not just hard. Depending on what we're targeting and where we find them, we'll be using different approaches throughout the day. Soft plastics on jig heads are a go-to for trout and redfish - we'll show you how to work them just right to get those reaction strikes. When we're on structure, we might switch to live bait or rattling corks to call fish up from deeper water. For flounder, it's all about getting that bait down to the bottom where they're lying in ambush. The gear we use is dialed in for Galveston Bay conditions - medium to medium-heavy rods that can handle the fight but still have enough sensitivity to feel those subtle bites. Reels with smooth drags because you never know when a big red or oversized trout is going to make a run. We keep a variety of weights, leaders, and terminal tackle to match whatever conditions we encounter. Part of what makes this such a great learning experience is seeing how small adjustments in technique or tackle can make a huge difference in your success rate.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay, and for good reason. These beautiful fish are abundant, they fight hard, and they taste even better. Trout here can range from schoolie-sized 14-inchers up to real wall-hangers pushing 6-7 pounds. The best fishing is typically early morning and late afternoon when they're actively feeding in 3-8 feet of water over grass beds and oyster reefs. What makes trout so much fun is their aggressive strike - when they hit a topwater lure or soft plastic, there's no mistaking it. They'll make several runs and put on a good show before coming to the net. Spring and fall are prime time for bigger trout, but you can catch good numbers year-round in Galveston Bay.
Redfish are the other superstar of these waters, and they've got personality to match their copper-colored sides and distinctive black spots. These fish are built like tanks and fight accordingly. Reds in Galveston Bay typically run from slot-sized fish around 20-28 inches up to oversized bulls that can push 40+ inches and weigh north of 30 pounds. What's really exciting about redfish is their versatility - you might find them tailing in 18 inches of water over a grass flat, or cruising deeper channels and bayous. They're year-round residents, though summer and fall often produce the most consistent action. When a red takes off on its first run, that smooth drag better be set right because they're going to test your tackle and your nerves.
Southern flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're pure eating and a blast to catch once you understand their game. These ambush predators lie flat on muddy or sandy bottoms, perfectly camouflaged until an unsuspecting baitfish or shrimp comes within range. Flounder fishing is all about patience and presentation - getting your bait down to their level and keeping it there. Most of our flounder run 14-20 inches, though we see plenty of doormat-sized fish over 4-5 pounds, especially in fall when they're staging for their offshore spawning run. The bite is subtle - often just a slight tick or the line going tight - but once you set the hook, they put up a surprisingly strong fight with lots of head shaking and diving for the bottom.
This full-day charter gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Galveston Bay has to offer. With 8 hours on the water and the flexibility to move between different areas and target multiple species, you're getting serious value and the kind of comprehensive fishing experience that creates lasting memories. The early start means we're fishing during prime time, and the extended duration lets us adapt to conditions and put you on the best bite of the day. Whether you're looking to check some species off your list, learn new techniques, or just spend a day doing what you love on one of Texas's premier fishing
This restored 25' Boston Whaler center console is built for serious Galveston Bay fishing. Powered by a reliable 300HP Suzuki outboard, she'll get you and two other anglers to the productive flats and back channels at 40 knots, then quiet down with the wireless trolling motor when you're working structure for speckled trout and redfish. The shallow draft design lets you slip into those skinny water honey holes where the big fish hide. You'll have everything needed aboard - GPS to mark your spots, fish finder to locate the schools, and an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh during the full 8-hour day on the water. Perfect setup for targeting trophy trout, slot reds, and doormat flounder across the diverse Galveston Bay Complex.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay, ranging from slot-size 20-28 inchers to trophy bulls pushing 40+ inches. These copper-colored fighters love super shallow water - sometimes so skinny their backs show above the surface. You'll find them cruising oyster reefs, marsh edges, and mud flats hunting crabs and shrimp. They're year-round residents but really turn on during fall migrations. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. My go-to tip for Galveston reds: look for nervous water over shallow flats during incoming tides. Cast a gold spoon past the disturbance and work it back slow.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, running 14-24 inches with good eaters around 2-3 pounds. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow bay areas, especially during warmer months when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They put up a decent scrap on light tackle and have some of the best-tasting white meat you'll find in the bay. Fall and spring are prime time when they school up in predictable spots. Winter pushes them to deeper channels where we can still find them holding. Here's a local trick: when you're working grass flats at dawn, throw a topwater plug with a slow, steady retrieve. The strikes are aggressive and the sound of a trout blowing up on surface bait never gets old.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to grab whatever swims by. Most run 15-18 inches, but we regularly see 3-5 pounders that'll surprise you with their strong runs. They're scattered throughout the bay system but concentrate near drop-offs, channel edges, and areas with good current flow. Fall is prime time as they fatten up before heading offshore to spawn. What guests love about flounder is the challenge - they're tricky to locate and their bite can be subtle. But once hooked, they're pure fun and make outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: when drift fishing for flounder, use a slow retrieve and pause frequently. They often grab on the drop.
Galveston