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Expert-Guided Inshore Fishing in Texas City
- Published Date: November 14, 2025
- Fishing
- $550 - $900 price range
Summary
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Reeling Them In
Endless horizons, endless fun.
Hook, line, and fun in Texas City!
Days on the water are the best days.
Cast away your worries in Galveston Bay.
Your next great catch is waiting.
Relax, cast, repeat.
Memories made one trip at a time.
Saltwater therapy at its finest.
Family time starts on the boat.
The adventure begins when you cast off.
Endless horizons, endless fun.
Hook, line, and fun in Texas City!
Days on the water are the best days.
Cast away your worries in Galveston Bay.
Your next great catch is waiting.
Relax, cast, repeat.
Memories made one trip at a time.
Saltwater therapy at its finest.
Family time starts on the boat.
The adventure begins when you cast off.
Endless horizons, endless fun.
Hook, line, and fun in Texas City!
Days on the water are the best days.
Cast away your worries in Galveston Bay.
Texas City's Inshore Fishing Bonanza
Ready to reel in some of the best inshore action Texas has to offer? Captain Gabriel Vasquez's extended half-day trip out of Texas City is your ticket to hooking redfish, sheepshead, and more in the rich waters of Galveston Bay. Whether you're an early bird or prefer an afternoon adventure, this 6-hour excursion packs in plenty of time to work different spots and techniques. With room for up to 4 anglers, it's perfect for a group of friends or a family looking to make some lasting memories on the water.
What to Expect on the Water
You'll be fishing from Captain Gabriel's 22-foot Pathfinder, a center console boat that's built for inshore prowess. It's decked out with all the bells and whistles you need for a productive day, including a livewell to keep your bait frisky and outriggers if we need to spread out our lines. The Captain provides all the tackle, so you just need to bring your game face and maybe a snack or two. Morning trips kick off at the crack of dawn (6 AM), while afternoon anglers can sleep in a bit before the 1 PM departure. Either way, you're in for 6 solid hours of fishing, with plenty of time to try different spots if the bite's slow in one area.
Techniques & Tactics
Inshore fishing in Texas City is all about versatility. We might start out drifting live shrimp for speckled trout, then switch to sight-casting for tailing redfish in the shallows. If the sheepshead are hanging around structure, we'll break out the fiddler crabs and light tackle for some precision fishing. Captain Gabriel's got years of experience reading these waters, so he'll adjust the game plan based on tides, weather, and recent patterns. Don't be surprised if we mix it up with some popping cork action for sea trout or even break out the fly rods if conditions are right. It's all about maximizing your chances and keeping things interesting.
Top Catches This Season
Galveston Bay's inshore waters are teeming with life year-round, but each season brings its own highlights. In spring and fall, the redfish run can be off the charts, with bull reds cruising the jetties and smaller "rat reds" prowling the flats. Summer's heat brings speckled trout into deeper channels, where we can often find them schooled up and hungry. Winter might slow things down a bit, but that's when the big sheepshead really turn on, offering some of the most challenging and rewarding light tackle fishing you'll find. No matter when you visit, there's always something worth casting for in these waters.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish: The crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, redfish are hard-fighting, great-eating, and just plain fun to catch. They range from 20-inch "slot reds" perfect for the dinner table to 40-inch bulls that'll test your drag and your biceps. Look for their signature tail waving above the water as they root for crabs in shallow grass flats.
Sheepshead: Don't let their goofy grin fool you – these striped battlers are some of the wiliest fish in the bay. They love structure and have a knack for stealing bait, but when you hook one, it's game on. Their tough mouths and strong pulls make for an exciting fight, and they're excellent eating to boot.
Speckled Trout: Also known as spotted seatrout, these fish are a staple of Gulf Coast inshore fishing. They're aggressive feeders that will hit everything from live shrimp to topwater lures, making them a blast for anglers of all skill levels. The "gator" trout (over 25 inches) are prized trophies that require finesse and patience.
Southern Flounder: Masters of camouflage, flounder lie in wait to ambush their prey. Targeting them requires a slow, methodical approach, but the reward is some of the tastiest fillets you'll ever put on a plate. Fall is prime time as they migrate to deeper waters, creating opportunities for some epic "flounder gigging" nights.
Pinfish: While often used as bait, don't underestimate these little fighters. They're abundant, easy to catch, and make for great practice for kids or beginners learning to feel the bite. Plus, they're a key part of the bay's ecosystem, serving as forage for many of the larger game fish we target.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
It's not just about the fish – though they're a big part of it. The ever-changing nature of Galveston Bay means no two trips are ever the same. One day you might be sight-casting to tailing reds in gin-clear shallows, the next you could be battling bull reds in the surf. Captain Gabriel's local knowledge ensures you're always on the fish, but it's the thrill of the unknown that keeps anglers coming back for more. Plus, with the skyline of Texas City as your backdrop, you're never far from civilization while still feeling a world away from the daily grind.
Time to Book Your Spot
Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to tangle with some Texas-sized reds or a family wanting to introduce the kids to the joys of fishing, this extended half-day trip has something for everyone. At $900 for two anglers (with a $150 per person add-on for up to two more), it's a great value for 6 hours of guided fishing in one of the Gulf Coast's premier inshore destinations. Remember to grab your Texas fishing license before the trip, and don't forget to tip your captain if he puts you on the fish (15-20% is standard). Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Get ready to make some waves and create some fish tales of your own on Galveston Bay!
Learn more about the species
Pinfish
Pinfish are small but feisty characters, typically 4-8 inches long. They're named for their sharp dorsal spines, which can give you a good poke if you're not careful. You'll find these guys hanging around seagrass flats, reefs, and pilings, munching on barnacles and small crustaceans. They're active year-round but really liven up in warmer months. Pinfish are notorious bait stealers, so they can be a challenge to catch, but that's part of the fun. Most folks use them as live bait for bigger game fish, but some anglers enjoy the sport of catching them on ultra-light tackle. If you're after pinfish, try using small hooks baited with bits of shrimp or squid. A local trick is to chum the water with crushed shellfish to get them feeding. While they're not prized for eating, pinfish put up a scrappy fight for their size and can be a blast for kids or anyone looking to hone their light tackle skills.
Redfish
Redfish, or red drum, are hard-fighting inshore favorites. They typically range from 3 to 15 pounds, but "bull" reds can top 40 pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, around oyster reefs, and in the surf, often tailing in water so shallow their backs are exposed. Fall is prime time when they school up for spawning, but you can catch them year-round. Anglers love redfish for their powerful runs and their copper-red color with a distinctive black spot near the tail. They're also excellent table fare. To target reds, try sight-fishing in clear shallows or using live bait like mullet or crab in deeper water. A local tip: look for "nervous water" or mud boils in shallow areas – signs of feeding redfish. When you hook one, be ready for a drag-screaming fight. Redfish offer a mix of sight fishing excitement and hard-pulling action that keeps anglers coming back for more.
Sea Trout
Sea trout, also called spotted seatrout, are a favorite among inshore anglers. These fish typically range from 1 to 5 pounds, with bigger ones known as "gator" trout. You'll find them in grass flats, around oyster beds, and near channel edges in coastal waters. They're active year-round, but fall and spring are prime seasons when they school up. Sea trout are known for their soft mouths and acrobatic fights, making them exciting to catch on light tackle. They're also great eating fish, with a mild, flaky meat. To target sea trout, try using live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastic lures. Early mornings and late evenings are usually the best times to fish. Here's a local tip: look for "slicks" on the water surface – these oily patches are often signs of feeding trout. Sea trout fishing offers consistent action and the chance at a trophy catch, making them a staple of inshore trips.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the oddballs of inshore fishing, with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. These fish typically run 2-8 pounds but can reach up to 20 pounds. You'll find them around structures like docks, bridges, and oyster beds, where they use those chompers to crush barnacles and crabs. Winter and early spring are prime sheepshead seasons when they gather to spawn. Anglers love the challenge of catching these bait-stealers – they're notorious for nibbling off your hook without getting caught. The meat is sweet and delicious, making them a prized catch. To land a sheepshead, use small, strong hooks and fresh bait like fiddler crabs or oysters. Here's a local trick: when you feel the bite, wait a second or two before setting the hook. It gives the fish time to get the bait in its mouth past those front teeth. Sheepshead fishing tests your patience and skill, but it's a blast once you get the hang of it.
Southern Flounder
Southern flounder are masters of camouflage, blending in with sandy or muddy bottoms in coastal waters. These flatfish typically range from 15 to 18 inches, but trophy catches can hit 30 inches or more. You'll find them in bays, estuaries, and near-shore waters, often lurking around structures like oyster reefs or jetties. Fall is prime time for flounder fishing, as they migrate to deeper waters for spawning. Anglers love targeting these fish for their delicious, mild-flavored meat and the challenge they present. Flounder have a unique sideways strike, so you've got to be quick on the hookset. A local tip: use a slow retrieve with live bait or soft plastics, dragging it along the bottom to mimic their prey. When you feel that distinctive thump, give it a second before setting the hook. Flounder fishing requires patience, but the reward is well worth it – both for the fight and the dinner table.
About the Southern Water Pathfinder
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 52
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 200
