5.0(1 Reviews)Galveston Wreck Fishing: Half & Full Day Trips
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Halfday or fullday jetty fishing trips starting 6:30 AMTarget sheepshead, snook, redfish, trout, and sharks near GalvestonAccommodates up to 3 guests with multiple fishing techniques
Looking for some serious fishing action around Galveston's most productive wrecks? Captain Kevin and the crew at Waist Deep Guide Service know exactly where the fish are stacked up. These half-day and full-day wreck fishing adventures put you right on top of the structure where snook, sheepshead, redfish, and jacks love to hang out. Whether you're bringing the family for a morning trip or want to spend all day working the best spots, we've got you covered with everything you need for a memorable day on the water.
Your day starts early at 6:30 AM when we head out to hit the prime feeding times around Galveston's top wreck sites. These half-day trips run about 5 hours and accommodate up to 3 anglers for $550 - perfect for a small group or family outing. The beauty of wreck fishing is the variety you'll find. One minute you're pulling up a hefty sheepshead, the next you've got a snook making a run or a redfish putting that bend in your rod. The structure holds everything from speckled trout and flounder to black drum and even the occasional shark. Captain Kevin's been working these waters for years and knows exactly which wrecks are producing and what the fish want on any given day. You'll spend time moving between different structures, trying various techniques until we dial in what's working best.
Wreck fishing around Galveston is all about reading the structure and adapting your approach. We'll use a mix of bottom fishing when targeting sheepshead and snapper around the wreck itself, then switch to light tackle spinning gear when we're working the edges for redfish and specks. The key is having your bait right in the fish's face without getting hung up in the structure - that's where Captain Kevin's local knowledge really pays off. You'll learn to work heavy tackle when we're after bigger fish or when the current's running strong, and we'll break out the popping gear when jack crevalle are busting bait on the surface. Bottom fishing with fresh shrimp and cut bait produces consistently around the wrecks, while live bait gets the bigger predators fired up. The captain provides all the tackle and knows exactly what presentations work best at each spot we hit.
"The guys had a great trip, even our 8 year old! Captain Kevin did a great job." - Amanda
Snook are the crown jewel of Galveston wreck fishing and exactly why so many anglers keep coming back. These ambush predators love hanging around structure where they can dart out and grab an easy meal. You'll find them ranging from slot-size fish around 28 inches up to real bruisers pushing 40 inches or more. Summer and early fall are prime time for snook around the wrecks, especially when we're fishing live shrimp or small pinfish near the structure. What makes snook so exciting is their fight - they'll make powerful runs and try to cut your line on the wreck, so you need to muscle them away from cover quickly. The bonus is they're absolutely delicious on the table when prepared right.
Sheepshead might not be the prettiest fish in the Gulf, but they're definitely one of the tastiest and most fun to catch around wrecks. These black-and-white striped bottom dwellers have some of the best table fare you'll find, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. Sheepshead are structure-oriented fish that feed on barnacles, crabs, and small shellfish living on the wrecks. They're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook quick when you feel that subtle tap. Winter months are typically best for bigger sheepshead, though you can find them year-round around Galveston's wrecks. Most run 2-5 pounds, but we regularly see fish pushing 8-10 pounds that'll give you a real workout.
Redfish around the wrecks offer some of the most consistent action you'll find in Galveston waters. These copper-colored fighters are built for power with their broad shoulders and stubborn attitude. You'll typically find slot-size reds in the 20-27 inch range, though we occasionally hook into bull reds over 30 inches that'll test your tackle and stamina. Redfish feed aggressively around wreck structure, picking off crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall when they're feeding heavily before and after spawning. What anglers love about reds is their dependability - when other species are finicky, you can usually count on redfish to keep the action going.
Atlantic mackerel bring speed and numbers to your wreck fishing trip, especially during their seasonal runs through Galveston waters. These silver bullets are built for speed and will absolutely scream line off your reel when hooked. Most mackerel you'll catch around the wrecks run 1-3 pounds, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and fighting ability. They're fantastic on light tackle and perfect for getting kids excited about fishing since the action can be non-stop when you find a school. Mackerel are excellent bait for bigger predators too, so we'll often use them fresh or live to target snook, sharks, and other gamefish. Spring and fall migrations offer the best mackerel action around Galveston's offshore wrecks.
Crevalle jack are the ultimate wreck bullies - aggressive, powerful, and always looking for a fight. These broad-shouldered bruisers will absolutely punish your tackle and test your endurance with their bulldogging runs. Jacks around Galveston wrecks typically range from
Jump aboard our sleek 2022 25-foot Majek center console for serious fishing action around Galveston's productive jetties and wrecks. This fast ride packs a 250HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fish quickly, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when working structure for sheepshead and snook. With GPS and fish finder onboard, we'll locate the best spots for redfish, speckled trout, and whatever's biting. The spacious deck gives three anglers plenty of room to work, plus there's an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long battles with jack crevalle and black drum.
Scomber ScombrusAtlantic Mackerel are fast-moving schooling fish that show up in our deeper waters during their migration patterns. These silver bullets with dark wavy bars typically run 12-16 inches and rarely top 2 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers and fight. You'll find them in open water 20-60 feet deep, usually following baitfish schools nearshore during summer months. They're most active during daylight hours and travel in massive schools that can stretch for miles. Anglers enjoy them because they're aggressive biters that'll bend your rod constantly once you find a school, plus they make great bait for bigger fish and decent eating when fresh. The key is using small, shiny lures like spoons or sabiki rigs and keeping them moving fast - these fish won't chase slow presentations.
Caranx HipposJack Crevalle are the bulldogs of the Gulf - powerful, aggressive fighters that'll test your tackle and your arms. These brassy-green bruisers typically run 5-15 pounds around our jetties, though we hook into some real giants pushing 30+ pounds. You'll find them anywhere from shallow flats to 50+ feet deep, often around structure or chasing baitfish schools. Look for diving birds - that's your best sign. They're here year-round but summer and fall offer the hottest action. What makes jacks special is their raw power and willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them. They're not great table fare, but the fight is addictive. When you hook one, expect multiple screaming runs. Pro tip: when you see them busting bait on top, cast past the school and retrieve fast through the edges - they love the chase.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our Galveston Bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with their distinctive black spots typically run 18-30 inches and put up one heck of a scrap. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, around oyster reefs, and in the back lakes anywhere from 1-8 feet deep. They're year-round fish here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. What guests love is that explosive topwater strike and the way they peel drag on long runs. Plus they're excellent table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. The sight fishing is addictive too - watching a big red cruise up to smash your lure in skinny water never gets old. Local tip: when you see tailing fish, cast well ahead of them and work your bait slowly past their nose.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the masters of structure fishing around Galveston's jetties and pier pilings. These black-and-white striped fighters typically weigh 2-8 pounds, though we see some pushing 15+ pounds on the better days. They've got human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs off pilings, which is exactly where you'll find them - tight to any hard structure in 10-30 feet of water. Winter and early spring are prime time when they school up heavy for spawning. People love targeting them because they're notorious bait thieves with a great fight, plus the meat is some of the best eating in the Gulf - sweet white fillets. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get right against the structure, and set the hook hard the instant you feel weight. They'll steal your bait otherwise.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after game fish around Galveston's jetties and inshore waters. These sleek predators typically run 18-28 inches with that signature black lateral line and golden coloring. You'll find them hanging around structure like bridge pilings, mangroves, and jetty rocks in 2-10 feet of water. They love areas where freshwater meets salt. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make multiple runs and try to cut your line on structure. The meat is excellent eating too, white and flaky. Pro tip: get your lure tight to cover and work it slow. Snook are ambush feeders and won't chase bait far from their hiding spots.
5.0 out of 5.0The guys had a great trip, even our 8 year old! Captain Kevin did a great job.
Galveston