Elite Galveston Bay Flounder Fishing Adventure

Published Date: August 19, 2025
Fishing

Galveston
$600 - $800 price range

Summary

Captain Mike Aguirre offers a specialized 6-hour flounder fishing trip in Galveston Bay, tailored for skilled anglers. Available on weekends, this charter accommodates up to six people, with a base price of $800 for two guests and $100 for each additional person. You'll be targeting Flounder, Sheepshead, and Drum using boat lights to spot fish in shallow waters, putting your gigging skills to the test. Captain Mike provides all the necessary gigging equipment and takes you to proven spots where experienced anglers can expect consistent action. The trip focuses on nighttime fishing, using powerful lights to locate fish – a technique that adds an extra challenge for those familiar with daytime angling. Remember to bring your valid Texas fishing license with a saltwater stamp, and pack any drinks or snacks you'd like for the journey. It's a great opportunity to hone your skills and potentially land some impressive catches in the rich waters of Galveston Bay.

Elite Galveston Bay Flounder Fishing Adventure

Night Fishing Action

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Big redfish catch on a Galveston Bay fishing charter

Giant trevally fish caught by angler in Galveston

Impressive jack crevalle catch on Galveston fishing charter

Night Fishing for Flounder in Galveston Bay

Ready for a weekend adventure that'll test your angling skills? Captain Mike Aguirre's flounder gigging charter in Galveston Bay is calling your name. This isn't your average fishing trip – it's a specialized, after-dark mission to land some of the bay's most prized catches. With powerful boat lights illuminating the shallows, you'll be spotting and gigging flounder, sheepshead, and drum like a pro. It's a hands-on, adrenaline-pumping experience that'll have you hooked from the moment you step aboard.

What to Expect on the Water

This 6-hour night fishing excursion is tailor-made for skilled anglers looking to up their game. Kicking off on weekend evenings, you'll cruise Galveston Bay's rich waters, armed with state-of-the-art gigging gear provided by Captain Mike. The charter's sweet spot is two guests, but there's room for up to six if you want to bring your fishing buddies along. Just remember, it's $800 for the first two and an extra $100 per additional angler. As you glide through the shallows, Captain Mike's years of local knowledge come into play, guiding you to honey holes where the fish are practically begging to be caught.

Gigging 101: Lights, Action, Fish!

If you've never been flounder gigging before, you're in for a treat. This ain't your grandpa's rod and reel fishing – it's a whole different ballgame. As night falls, we'll fire up the boat's powerful lights, turning the murky shallows into a fish-spotting goldmine. You'll be wielding a long-handled gig, ready to strike when you spot that telltale flounder silhouette on the bay floor. It takes a keen eye and a steady hand, but don't worry – Captain Mike's got tips to help you nail the technique. And it's not just flounder we're after. Keep your eyes peeled for the distinctive stripes of sheepshead or the hefty shadows of drum. This style of fishing is addictive, combining the thrill of the hunt with the satisfaction of a well-aimed strike.

Top Catches This Season

Galveston Bay is serving up some prime catches this season, and Captain Mike knows exactly where to find them. Southern flounder are the stars of the show, with their flat bodies perfectly camouflaged against the bay bottom – until our lights give them away. Black drum are another favorite, putting up a good fight and making for some excellent table fare. And let's not forget about the sheepshead, those crafty "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes. Each species offers its own challenge and reward, keeping you on your toes throughout the night.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Southern Flounder: These masters of disguise are the main event on our gigging trips. Flatfish that can change their coloration to match the bay floor, flounder are ambush predators that lie in wait for unsuspecting prey. In Galveston Bay, they can grow up to 25 inches long and weigh over 5 pounds. Fall is prime time for flounder, as they migrate to the Gulf to spawn. Their firm, white flesh makes them a favorite among seafood lovers.

Black Drum: Don't let their looks fool you – these big, ugly fish are a blast to catch and even better to eat. Black drum can grow to over 40 pounds in Galveston Bay, though we usually target the smaller "puppy drums" under 30 inches. They use their sensitive barbels to root out crabs and shrimp from the bay bottom. Spring and fall are peak seasons for drum, but you can find them year-round in the bay.

Sheepshead: With their human-like teeth and prison-stripe pattern, sheepshead are one of the most distinctive fish in the bay. These crafty creatures are notorious bait stealers, but gigging levels the playing field. They love structure, so we'll target them around oyster reefs and pilings. Sheepshead put up a great fight for their size and are considered excellent eating by those in the know. Winter and early spring are prime times to target these toothy critters.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Captain Mike's charters aren't just fishing trips – they're masterclasses in local angling. With years of experience under his belt, he knows Galveston Bay like the back of his hand. You're not just paying for a guided trip; you're tapping into a wealth of knowledge that'll make you a better angler. The nighttime setting adds an extra layer of excitement, turning familiar waters into a new world of opportunity. And let's be real – there's something deeply satisfying about bringing home a cooler full of fresh fish that you gigged yourself. It's a unique experience that combines skill, strategy, and a bit of luck, creating memories (and meals) that'll last long after you're back on dry land.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to test your skills against Galveston Bay's finest, Captain Mike's weekend flounder gigging charters are the way to go. Remember to bring your Texas fishing license with a saltwater stamp – it's required for all anglers over 17. Pack some snacks and drinks to keep you fueled through the night, and get ready for an unforgettable fishing experience. With limited spots available each weekend, these trips fill up fast. Don't miss your chance to be part of the action – book your Galveston Bay flounder gigging adventure with Shallow Encounters Flounder Gigging Charter today. Who knows? You might just land the catch of a lifetime under those starry Texas skies.

Learn more about the animals

Black Drum

Black Drum are the heavyweight cousins of redfish, known for their size and the drumming sound they make. These bottom-feeders usually weigh 5-30 pounds, but can hit 90 pounds in rare cases. You'll find them in Galveston Bay's brackish waters, especially around oyster beds and mudflats. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn, making them easier to target. Anglers love Black Drum for the fight they put up - especially the bigger ones. They're not the prettiest fish, but they're fun to catch and good eating when smaller (under 15 pounds). We typically use fresh crab or shrimp for bait, fishing on the bottom. Here's a tip: if you're feeling lots of nibbles but no hookups, try downsizing your hook. Black Drum have small mouths for their size and can be bait stealers. Patience is key with these fish, but the reward is worth it.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are the oddball of Galveston Bay, with human-like teeth and black stripes that earned them the nickname "convict fish." These structure-loving fish typically range from 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches. You'll find them around barnacle-covered pilings, jetties, and reefs. Early spring is prime time as they gather to spawn. Anglers enjoy targeting sheepshead for their tasty white meat and the challenge they present. They're notorious bait stealers, so hooking one takes skill. Here's a local tip: use a small, sharp hook and set it hard when you feel weight, not just nibbles. We often use fiddler crabs or shrimp for bait, getting as close to structure as possible. Sheepshead put up a good fight for their size, and cleaning them can be tricky due to tough scales. But the sweet, flaky meat makes it all worthwhile. Just watch out for those fin spines when handling them!

Southern Flounder

Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. These flat fish typically range from 15-18 inches but can grow up to 33 inches and 20 pounds. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Fall is prime time as they move offshore to spawn. Anglers love targeting flounder for their tasty white meat and the challenge of hooking these ambush predators. They're not known for putting up a big fight, but landing one takes skill. Here's a local trick: when you feel a bite, don't set the hook right away. Give the flounder time to fully take the bait, then reel steadily. We use live bait like mullet or artificial lures, fishing near drop-offs and structure where flounder wait to ambush prey. Gigging at night is another popular method, using lights to spot them in the shallows.

About the Shallow Encounters Flounder

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 20

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 150

Captain Mike's boat is a specialized vessel designed for serious flounder fishing in Galveston Bay. With powerful lights mounted on the bow, it's equipped to illuminate the shallows where flounder hide, giving skilled anglers the edge they need for successful gigging. The deck is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate up to six people, with plenty of room to maneuver while wielding gigs. Storage compartments keep equipment organized and secure during the nighttime hunt. The boat's shallow draft allows access to prime flounder spots that larger vessels can't reach. With a reliable engine and navigation system, Captain Mike can efficiently move between productive areas throughout the 6-hour trip. While not luxurious, the boat is clean, well-maintained, and perfectly suited for its purpose of helping experienced anglers land their limit of flounder, sheepshead, and drum in Galveston Bay's rich waters.

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