What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Galveston, Texas for the first time?

September is a very busy beach month for Galveston so be prepared for crowds from the restaurants to the beach. Timing is everything. It’s also like driving through a warzone most of the time, nobody watches where they’re going or cares if they pull out in front of you or cuts you off just to immediately get back in the lane they were just in. The fishing is great though. Lots of opportunities to catch. Weekdays are usually the better days with local kids being at school and most of the weekenders gone back to mainland.

Fishing is a gamble. We were very lucky that we caught some fish, but we did catch them towards the end of our trip We are from Washington state and when they said it was going to be warm out on the water I had no idea that it could be as hot as it was. We definitely didn’t need coats or the winter ski hat I brought ? Make sure you bring water, snacks, and sunscreen.

EXCELLENT CHARTER! TOP NOTCH SERVICE!! 100% will book again when we come back. Right from the get-go, John was responsive at getting back to us. He was thoughtful when communicating the options we had for time and what to fish for, as the weather over the days we were there was not ideal. (Which we understood as we've done other charters) We did a morning charter. John greeted us right away, and we went to the boat. His boat was in pristine condition! Very clean and nice equipment. Everything ran so smoothly. We tried many spots for catching something and saw many other boats out. Fish were not being kind and didn't want to take the bait, despite having many nibbles. Dolphins were awesome to see!! It was one of the BEST charters we've been on!! John is so friendly and truly has some of the best customer service! You will not be disappointed at all to book this charter! Best day on the water!! Thanks John! We will be back

I recently had the best first-time ocean fishing experience with Captain Richard. From the moment we stepped on his boat, it was clear he was knowledgeable and dedicated to ensuring our unforgettable trip. Despite it being our first time, Captain Richard's expertise and recommendations made the trip enjoyable for everyone on board. One thing that impressed us was Captain Richard's attention to detail. He not only guided us on how to land the redfish but also provided valuable information on the current conditions out on the water. He ensured we were well-prepared, keeping us warm and dry throughout the trip. Even though it was a slower season for the sport, Captain Richard's skills and dedication made it a strong start for Texas saltwater fishing. We were amazed by our 97% success rate in landing the redfish that took the bait. It was an exhilarating experience, and we couldn't have asked for a better captain to guide us. Additionally, Captain Richard's thoughtfulness extended to creating a fun atmosphere on the boat. He suggested we bring our fish's favorite playlist, which added to the excitement of reeling in the reds. It was a unique touch that made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Overall, I recommend Captain Richard for the first-timer on an ocean fishing trip. His expertise, attention to detail, and passion for the sport create a fantastic adventure that will leave you with unforgettable memories. Don't miss the opportunity to fish with him and experience the thrill of reeling in those redfish!

Unless you’re experienced, don’t worry about the type of fish. You’ll have a good time regardless. Get Dramamine if you tend to get motion sickness. You’re very likely to see dolphins fairly close to the boat.

Watch the weather, and know the circumstances of what you’re arriving too. Given the recent storm, I expected the fishing to be worse when we left the marina. I was pleasantly surprised when we exceeded those expectations.

Have realistic expectations. The fish are just as susceptible to changes in weather as an other animal. They move as it changes. The captain can’t control the weather (or the waves) and can’t put fish where there aren’t fish (you’ll never catch a tuna in Galveston Bay, for example)

Yes, the crew are dedicated to fishing as it is their passion. They explained everything to my two sons 10 and 12. I also learned a ton as a single mom. We were able bait our hooks, cast, and real in the fish we caught by their guidance. If anyone needed help they were there to assist.

Lots of dolphins were out playing near the offshore jetty that was cool to see and the boat that was near us caught a black tip. We got on a big drum and we got on a bunch of reds and a small drum near one of the bridges overall Zack was amazing.

Understand the time of year your are fishing and set your expectations appropriately. Communicate with the captain in advance of cooking to get fishing reports and ask the types of fish that are being caught and how many. We did these things and the trip turned out as expected.

I know you can never do anything about the weather but if you have a trip with wind forecasted be prepared you may not have a great experience and may not catch fish. But as I have always heard and I say, that is why they call it fishing and not catching.

Galveston gets busy on the weekends. Allow for travel time to get to your pickup location. The weather and water conditions change daily so prepare for that clothing and time wise. Maybe allow for some flexibility in your schedule if time, conditions, and your captain allow for it. Stay in touch with your Captain pre trip.

There are a limited number of species in the gulf in March. Of course different times of the year offer other seasonal/migratory species. I still enjoyed the trip. Weather wasn’t ? % on our side either.

Depending on the time of the year, you will catch the species of fish that are moving. We fished the jetty’s and during the 2nd week of March you can expect to catch mostly Sheep head and Black drum. You cannot keep the bigger Black drum. Sheep head are great eating though.

The boat and crew were great, but fishing itself in Galveston in March is not something I would recommend. Not jetty fishing at least. There were a few reasons they believe there were no bites, changing of the season and big increase in the number of shrimp boats out were the two biggest. I would suggest going earlier, Sept-Nov or later once the waters warm up and open up for shark fishing.

December is a tough month. You are in between the run of redfish and the black drum. It's still a potentially productive trip and a good time of you enjoy fishing but don't expect the epic catch you would have had a few months earlier or a few months from now

Captain Aaron was super helpful with instructions and recommendations on how to improve your opportunities if catching fish. All you need is a hat, sunscreen, snacks and beverages, and a fishing attitude while paying attention to the captain. You should be able to catch some redfish or trout, & perhaps some black drum.

Pee before going. Bring snacks and drinks, sun block. Wear a long sleeve and pants with shorts and a short sleeve shirt underneath. It was cold when we went out, but got hot. Wear shoes that can get wet. Have fun!

Get a really good Captain. The Captain makes the day. His/her knowledge of the areas are very important. Knowing the spots and their communications with other Captains are instrumental in catching fish. By the way, fish are tricky little creatures. Sometimes they are not very happy.

- Not the best fishing, but fewer crowds. - sunscreen, lots, there is limited shade since you have to cast the poles. - lots of drinks, gatorade. - make sure you have paper tags, get your license 2+ weeks ahead of time, or at a store. NOT online. - If you are not sure, go ahead and take a sea sickness medicine ahead of time or at least ginger. The heat really can break you down faster than normal.

Ask questions about the charter, such as do you fish or the captian. The charter I was on the crew cast the poles, set the hook and you just realed the fish in. Not what a seasoned fisherman really wants.

By all means, book with a friendly, knowledgeable guide like Rene. He does all he can do to get you to where the fish hang out. Local reefs and honey holes are hard to find. Learn the basics from a Pro!

Just prepare for motion sickness. Try medicine the night before & morning of. Hydrate & you’re good. Little ones will usually have more problems. The boats are usually smaller than bigger deep sea fishing.

Stay after it. When the bites aren’t happening, keep throwing it. Look for bait fish, birds, or places that look fishy. Don’t get on the water expecting to catch limits every time. If you work hard, you will bring back fish in your cooler.

Very experiencing trip. It was amazing. I caught many fish. The captain was very professional and he was really good with my grandsons I would recommend this trip to friends and family that I really care about.

This was a trip my family will talk about for years to come. Even my non-fishing son fell in love with fishing. They caught a fish almost every cast. Captain Brad was amazing. I could not give enough praise for how great of an experience it was.

It sounds like it is better in the mornings in most cases due to the heat, but the Captain knew what to do & we still came home with a nice shark. It feels far better on the water in a boat than it does on the beach during the afternoon heat.

Be flexible. There are many different fish species around and lots of ways to catch them. Fish are not extremely large but they are abundant and pretty easy to catch. Lots of good tasting fish are available. It is worth going after at least one shark, they are fun to catch and can be easily released.

August is still a bit too hot! The sun will wear you down quickly. Make sure to hydrate and wear plenty of sunscreen as well as mosquito spray. As far as the fish, watch for the weather. The murky water after lots of rain can make it hard to see the bait and means less fish!

I would recommend hiring a charter if you want to catch quality fish. If a charter is out of your budget, I recommend 61st street fishing pier...you will be able to get helpful fishing tips and techniques from experienced local anglers