Galveston Island Fishing Charters & Guides

Galveston Island Fishing Charters

The city of Galveston is located on Galveston Island. It’s easy to confuse the two, but take note there is a difference. Vacationers flock to the city of Galveston for spring break or summer vacations. While the BOI (“born in the island” people) retreat to the rest of the barrier island, away from tourists and selfie sticks. Don’t get us wrong, Galveston is a fun town and perfect for family vacations, with lots of shops, restaurants, and attractions. However, if you’re looking for a quieter vacation away from it all, there’s more to Galveston Island than meets the eye. Along the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston Island runs northeast to southwest. San Luis Beach is found at the southwest end, Jamaica Beach and Galveston Beach in the middle, and the city of Galveston at the northeast end. Overall the island is about 27 miles long with a beautiful stretch of beaches on the Gulf of Mexico coastline. The other side of the island you’ll find West Bay, a great place for inshore fishing. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Galveston Island State Park, a refuge of sorts located between Jamaica Beach and Galveston Beach that stretches from the West Bay side of the island to the Gulf. Visitors here can camp, hike, mountain bike, swim, go bird watching, and, of course, fish! Kayak fishing from the park is very popular, and a great way to get close to all the action.

Galveston Island Inshore Fishing

Fishing from Galveston Island is some of the best in the Lone Star State. The variety of the area alone is somewhat astounding. Anglers have the choice of fishing the West Bay, Galveston Bay, or Chocolate Bay on the west side of the island. Or head to the east side and fish the bountiful Gulf of Mexico. For some of the best redfish fishing grounds, head to the southwest end of Galveston Island to San Luis Pass. Redfish are bronze or tan color with a distinct black dot found near the tail. They are also known as red drum, named as such because of the drum or grunting noise they make. During the fall spawning season as they head from the bays to the Gulf, San Luis Pass is the perfect spot to tail for redfish. “Tailing” is simply sight fishing for redfish, keeping an eye on the surface of the water as the redfish back and tail breeches the top. If you’re staying in Galveston Beach, consider fishing the Gulf of Mexico from the 61st Street Fishing Pier. It’s open seasonally 24/7 and is a great place to drop a line. No gear? No problem. There’s a store on the pier where you can rent and purchase everything you need for a day of fishing. From the pier you can catch a variety of inshore species, including redfish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum, and more! Whether you’re fishing the bays or gulf for inshore species, a Galveston Island fishing guide can get you on the fish. Any time of year is great for fishing, but the season will determine what you’re fishing for and success rates. Cooler temperatures are the best time for the top three inshore species: redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. Reserve your trip anytime from August to April and enjoy hearing your drag scream!

Galveston Island Offshore Fishing

Offshore charters will access the Gulf of Mexico typically from the Port Bolivar-Galveston Pass. Many captains park their boats in marinas either in Galveston or Texas City. It’s a short drive to get to the Gulf, and a bit farther to truly experience the deep sea excursions. The farther you adventure into the Gulf, the larger the species you can catch. Throughout the Gulf are two kinds of fish: bottom dwellers near reefs and dropoffs, and pelagics. Reef dwellers include a variety of types of snapper and grouper. Fishfinder technologies will help you locate the schools, or you can rely on your professional captain to know the best spots in the area. If you’re fishing the reefs, make sure you’re right on top of the fish. You can opt for jigging, but make sure you have the arm strength as you fight the ocean deep and whatever is on the line. Pelagics are mahi mahi, marlin, tuna, and other speedy swimmers. These are found closer to the top of the water, chasing after shiny baitfish. Keep an eye on diving birds who follow the migrations of the species, they’re the first clue to finding where the schools are. Your Galveston Island captain will start trolling a few lines in the water, and once someone yells “Fish On!” anglers will rush to the reel and begin the fight. Make sure to keep the rod tip up and have constant tension on the line, even the slightest slack in the line will allow the hooked up fish the chance to shake the hook loose.

Book A Galveston Island Fishing Charter

The entire Galveston Island is a great place to visit for your fishing adventures. Variety is the name of the game here, with enough options to keep your family busy for days. We recommend you try a bit of everything: inshore fishing West Bay, nearshore the Gulf of Mexico, and offshore for your excursion. Find your Galveston Island charter today and get the adventure started!