Guided Fishing Trips for Your Favorite Fish
Favorites Like Black Drum & Bull Reds
Archosargus probatocephalus
Atlantic Sheepshead
Sheepshead (Atlantic Sheepshead – Archosargus probatocephalus) Sheepshead, often called “convict fish,” congregate around hard structure like the Galveston and Bolivar jetties, oyster beds, dock pilings, and the Texas City Dike. Typical catches measure 15–18 inches (1–4 pounds), but trophy specimens hit 20+ inches and 5–8 pounds. Cooler months (late fall through spring) produce the best fishing as they school tightly to barnacle-covered rocks and pilings in the upper Galveston Bay system.
Daily bag is five fish (15-inch minimum) with no maximum length. Their firm, white fillets have a unique mild, slightly sweet crab-like flavor that’s outstanding when grilled or baked—highly prized by local anglers. Warrior Wave Charters specializes in targeting these striped fighters for exciting battles and delicious results right here in Galveston Bay.
Paralichthys lethostigma
Southern Flounder
Flounder (Southern Flounder – Paralichthys lethostigma) Southern flounder lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms and mud flats near passes, channels, and the shallow margins of Clear Lake and Seawolf Park in Galveston Bay. Average catches run 15–20 inches (1–4 pounds), while trophies reach 24+ inches and 5–10 pounds, especially during fall migrations. Spring and early fall are prime as they move into the bay to feed; note the statewide closure from November 1–December 14.
Texas regulations allow five flounder daily (15-inch minimum). Their sweet, flaky, mild white meat ranks among the best in the Gulf—ideal for stuffing, sautéing, or classic fried platters. Warrior Wave Charters knows exactly where these flatfish hide, giving you the edge for a Galveston Bay Texas Slam.
Cynoscion nebulosus
Spotted Seatrout
Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout – Cynoscion nebulosus)
Speckled trout—Texas’s most popular inshore gamefish—patrol the grass-lined shorelines, reef edges, and shallow flats of West Bay, Clear Lake, and Galveston Island State Park. Most fish measure 15–20 inches (1–3 pounds), but “gator” trout over 25 inches and 5–8 pounds are common trophies, especially during winter cold snaps. Spring and fall deliver the hottest action around drop-offs and bait schools throughout the Galveston Bay complex.
Daily bag is three fish (15–20 inches), with one oversized trout over 28 inches allowed per license year via a Spotted Seatrout Tag or Bonus Tag. Their delicate, sweet white fillets are legendary for frying, grilling, or ceviche—widely considered one of the Gulf’s finest table fish. Let Warrior Wave Charters guide you to the best trout holes for fast action and fresh catches.
Pogonias cromis
Black Drum
Black drum hug the bottom in Galveston Bay’s deeper channels, around bridge pilings, oyster reefs, and the Texas City Dike, where they root for crabs and shrimp. Typical catches run 14–24 inches (2–10 pounds), but true trophies exceed 30 inches and 20 pounds—some pushing 50 pounds in local waters. Fall and winter bring the best bites as cooler temperatures concentrate these powerful bottom-feeders near structure in East Bay and Trinity Bay.
State limits permit five black drum daily (14–30 inches), with one fish over 52 inches allowed as part of the bag. Smaller drum deliver mild, sweet white meat that’s excellent fried or smoked; larger ones are tougher but still table-worthy when prepared properly. Book a Warrior Wave Charter trip and experience the thumping fight of these Galveston Bay bruisers.
Sciaenops ocellatus
Redfish
Redfish (Red Drum – Sciaenops ocellatus) In Galveston Bay’s sprawling estuary, red drum prowl the shallow grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges of West Bay, Chocolate Bay, and the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. Anglers commonly land slot fish between 20 and 28 inches (4–8 pounds), while trophy bulls topping 30 inches and 10+ pounds frequent deeper drop-offs and passes during cooler months. Spring through fall offers peak action as warming waters draw these copper-colored fighters tight to shorelines and structure around the Galveston jetties and Rollover Pass.
Texas allows a daily bag of three redfish (20–28 inches), with one oversized fish per license year using a properly completed Red Drum Tag or Bonus Tag. Their firm, mild white flesh carries a subtle sweet flavor that shines when blackened, grilled, or pan-seared—making them a Galveston favorite for the table. Warrior Wave Charters puts you right on the action for unforgettable fights and fresh dinners.