Premier Galveston Bay Inshore Fishing Charter

Published Date: September 12, 2025
Fishing

Crystal Beach, TX
$500 - $1,250 price range

Summary

Captain Jason Custer of Small Time Charters offers 5-hour weekday fishing trips in Galveston Bay. You'll be after redfish, speckled trout, and flounder on a 24-foot Blazer Bay boat. The charter provides all the gear and tackle you need, so you can focus on reeling in fish. Whether you're new to fishing or an experienced angler, Captain Jason offers hands-on guidance to help you get the most out of your day on the water. He knows the best spots around the bay where these popular game fish hang out. With room for two guests, it's a great way to spend a weekday enjoying some quality fishing time. You'll get a real taste of what Galveston Bay has to offer, learning local techniques and exploring productive inshore waters with an experienced guide.

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Ready to skip work and hit the water? Captain Jason Custer's got you covered with this weekday inshore fishing charter in Galveston Bay. For five solid hours, you'll be casting lines for some of the bay's most prized catches: redfish, speckled trout, and maybe even a flounder or two. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trip's designed to put you on fish and send you home with a cooler full of memories (and dinner).

What to Expect on the Water

You'll be cruising Galveston Bay in style aboard a 24-foot Blazer Bay boat - perfect for getting into those skinny water spots where the big ones hide. Cap'n Jason's got all the gear you need, from rods and reels to tackle and safety equipment. No need to lug your own stuff down to the dock. Just show up ready to fish, and he'll handle the rest. With hands-on instruction throughout the trip, you'll be dialing in your technique and learning the bay's hotspots faster than you can say "fish on!"

Fishing Tactics & Top Spots

Inshore fishing in Galveston Bay is all about versatility. One minute you might be sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows, the next you're drifting over deeper holes for monster trout. Cap'n Jason's got a few tricks up his sleeve, like working topwater lures at dawn for explosive strikes or using live bait to tempt finicky fish when the bite gets tough. He'll read the conditions and put you on the pattern that's working that day, whether it's prowling the marshy back bays, hitting creek mouths on a falling tide, or working oyster reefs where gamefish ambush their prey.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the crown jewels of Galveston Bay. Known for their powerful runs and distinctive spot on the tail, redfish can range from "rat reds" of a few pounds to bull reds pushing 40 inches or more. They love to cruise the shallows, often revealing their location with subtle wakes or "tailing" behavior as they root for crabs in the mud. The satisfaction of sight-casting to a big red and watching it inhale your lure is hard to beat.

Speckled Trout: Don't let the name fool you - these "specks" are no lightweights. Prized for both their fight and their flavor, speckled trout are the bread and butter of Galveston Bay fishing. They can be found in a variety of habitats, from shallow grass flats to deeper channels. Early mornings often see spectacular topwater action, with trout blasting lures on the surface. As the day warms up, you might switch to soft plastics or live bait to keep the rods bent.

Southern Flounder: These flatfish are masters of camouflage, blending in perfectly with the bay bottom. While they're not as common as reds or trout, hooking into a big "doormat" flounder is always a possibility, especially around structure or during their fall migration. Flounder require a bit of finesse to catch, but their delicious fillets make them well worth the effort.

Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes and sheep-like teeth, these quirky fish are a blast to catch. They love structure, so you'll often find them around pilings, jetties, or oyster reefs. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, so feeling their subtle bite takes some practice. But once you get the hang of it, you'll be addicted to the challenge - and their sweet, white meat makes for some mighty fine eating.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Galveston Bay is a fisherman's playground, and weekday trips offer the perfect chance to experience it without the weekend crowds. The bay's diverse ecosystem means there's always something biting, no matter the season. In spring and fall, you might hit the jackpot with all four target species in a single trip. Summer brings hot action for reds and trout, while winter can produce some of the biggest trout of the year for those willing to brave the chill. Cap'n Jason's local knowledge and ability to put clients on fish keeps folks coming back year after year, trading their office chairs for a seat on his boat.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, we all need a break from the grind sometimes. Why not make your next "sick day" one you'll actually remember? With room for two anglers, this weekday charter is perfect for a father-son duo, a couple of buddies, or even a date that's way cooler than dinner and a movie. Cap'n Jason's got the know-how, the gear, and the attitude to make sure you have a blast, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro. The fish are out there waiting - all you need to do is show up and start casting. So what are you waiting for? Grab your spot on the calendar, and get ready for a day of rod-bending, drag-screaming action in Galveston Bay. Trust me, your boss will understand (maybe).

Learn more about the species

Redfish

Redfish are the bulldogs of Galveston Bay – tough fighters with a distinctive spot near their tail. They typically run 28-33 inches when mature but can grow much larger. You'll find them in shallow flats, often so shallow their backs break the surface. They love hanging around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy bottoms. Fall is prime time as they school up for spawning. Anglers can't get enough of their powerful runs and delicious, mild-flavored meat. To hook one, try sight-casting in clear shallows or working topwater lures along grass lines. Here's a local secret: on windy days, focus on shorelines with mud stirred up – redfish use their sense of smell to hunt in murky water. Just be ready for an arm-wrenching fight when you hook up.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are a favorite in Galveston Bay. These silvery fish with distinctive spots typically run 14-24 inches, but can grow larger. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are mild. Anglers love 'em for their aggressive strikes and tasty, flaky white meat. Sea Trout put up a good fight and often hit topwater lures, making for exciting fishing. To boost your chances, try working jerk baits or soft plastics slowly over grass beds. Local tip: during winter, look for them schooling in deeper channels where the water's warmer. These fish are sensitive to cold, so timing is key for the best action.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are the convicts of Galveston Bay, sporting distinctive black and gray stripes. These tough fighters usually weigh 1-8 pounds but can reach up to 20. Look for them around structures like docks, bridges, and jetties where they feast on barnacles and crustaceans. Spring is prime time as they form large spawning groups. Anglers love the challenge of catching these bait-stealers, known for their human-like teeth and ability to crush shells. The sweet, white meat makes for excellent table fare too. Here's a tip: use a small, strong hook with fiddler crabs or oysters for bait. When you feel a nibble, wait a moment before setting the hook hard – these guys have tough mouths and are experts at stealing bait.

Southern Flounder

Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, often blending seamlessly with sandy or muddy bottoms. These flat fish typically range from 15-18 inches, but can grow up to 33 inches. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Fall is prime time for flounder fishing as they migrate to spawn. Anglers love targeting them for their tasty white meat and the challenge of hooking these sneaky bottom-dwellers. To catch one, try drifting or still fishing near structure using live bait like mullet or shrimp. A local trick: when you feel a bite, wait a few seconds before setting the hook. Flounder often grab prey sideways before fully committing. Patience pays off with these crafty fish.

About the Small Time Charters

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3

Manufacturer Name: Mercury

Maximum Cruising Speed: 12

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 150

Captain Jason Custer's 24-foot Blazer Bay boat is your ticket to a great day of fishing on Galveston Bay. This sturdy vessel is perfectly suited for inshore waters, providing a stable platform as you cast for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. With room for two guests, you'll have plenty of space to move around and reel in your catch. The boat is equipped with all the fishing gear and safety equipment you'll need, so you can focus on enjoying your time on the water. Its shallow draft allows Captain Jason to navigate the bay's hidden hotspots, giving you access to some of the best fishing grounds in the area. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to fishing, this boat offers a comfortable and practical setup for a productive day chasing Galveston Bay's prized game fish.

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