Ready for a night on the water that'll have you hooked? Captain Mike Aguirre's beginner-friendly flounder gigging trip in Galveston is the perfect way to dip your toes into this unique fishing experience. Whether you're a total newbie or just looking to sharpen your skills, this 4-hour adventure is tailored to help you land some tasty flatfish while having a blast under the stars.
Kicking off at 8 p.m., this nighttime excursion is all about spotting and gigging flounder in Galveston's rich coastal waters. Captain Mike's got years of experience and knows these waters like the back of his hand. He'll show you the ropes, from how to spot a flounder's telltale eyes glowing in the boat lights to the proper technique for a clean gig. The trip's priced at $600 for two people, but you can bring up to four more buddies along for $100 each. It's a great deal for a custom, hands-on fishing experience that's way more personal than those big party boats.
If you've never been gigging before, you're in for a treat. We use bright lights mounted on the boat to illuminate the shallow waters. As we cruise along, keep your eyes peeled for the distinctive outline of flounder laying flat on the bottom. When you spot one, it's time to gig! Captain Mike will walk you through the proper stance and technique to ensure you're gigging like a pro in no time. Don't worry about gear - all the gigging equipment is provided, so you just need to bring your enthusiasm and maybe a snack or two for the ride.
Galveston's waters are teeming with life, and while flounder is our main target, you might also encounter sheepshead and black drum. The shallow, murky waters here are perfect for gigging, and Captain Mike knows all the hot spots. As we cruise along, you'll get to take in the peaceful nighttime atmosphere of the bay - it's a whole different world out here after dark. Just remember to bring your Texas fishing license with a saltwater stamp, and you're good to go. Oh, and don't forget to pack any snacks or drinks you might want - a midnight munch always hits the spot when you're out on the water.
There's something special about flounder gigging that keeps folks coming back for more. Maybe it's the thrill of spotting a fish in the lights, or the satisfaction of a perfect gig. Or maybe it's just the unique experience of being out on the water at night, seeing the coastline from a whole new perspective. Whatever it is, Captain Mike's trips have a way of turning first-timers into flounder fanatics. Plus, there's nothing quite like the taste of fresh-caught flounder you gigged yourself!
Southern Flounder: These flatfish are the stars of the show on our gigging trips. Southern flounder are masters of camouflage, blending in perfectly with the sandy bottom. They typically range from 12 to 20 inches long, but lucky anglers might land a real doormat over 25 inches! Flounder are ambush predators, lying in wait for small fish and shrimp to swim by. They're most active in the cooler months, making fall and winter prime time for gigging. Anglers love targeting flounder not just for the unique fishing method, but also because they're some of the tastiest fish in the Gulf.
Black Drum: While we're primarily after flounder, don't be surprised if we spot some black drum along the way. These cousins of the redfish can grow to impressive sizes, with some old-timers reaching over 30 pounds! They've got a distinctive downturned mouth perfect for rooting out crabs and shrimp from the bottom. Black drum are known for the croaking sound they make, earning them the nickname "Big Uglies" among local anglers. They're a blast to catch and make for some good eating, especially the smaller ones.
Sheepshead: These striped battlers might look a bit goofy with their human-like teeth, but they're no joke when it comes to putting up a fight. Sheepshead love structure, so we often find them around oyster reefs and pilings. They're notorious bait stealers, using those chompers to crush crabs and barnacles. While they're a bit of a pain to clean due to their tough scales, the meat is delicious and well worth the effort. Sheepshead are year-round residents in Galveston, but they're especially active in the cooler months.
Alright, let's talk strategy for landing those flatfish. First off, patience is key. Flounder can be sneaky, and sometimes it takes a keen eye to spot them. When you're scanning the water, look for those tell-tale eyes reflecting in the light - they'll often be just barely sticking up out of the sand. Once you've spotted a fish, take your time lining up your shot. A rushed gig often leads to a missed opportunity. Captain Mike will show you how to hold the gig properly and aim just behind the fish's head for the best chance of a clean catch. And remember, it's not just about the gigging - keep an eye out for other marine life, enjoy the night air, and soak in the whole experience. Even if you don't land a monster, you're guaranteed to come away with some great stories and a newfound appreciation for this unique fishing method.
Alright, let's make sure you're geared up for a successful night on the water. First things first, don't forget that Texas fishing license with a saltwater stamp - you'll need it to stay legal. As for clothing, dress for the weather but remember it can get cooler out on the water at night. A light jacket or windbreaker is usually a good idea, even in the warmer months. Comfortable, non-slip shoes are a must - you'll be on your feet a fair bit, and the deck can get slippery. Feel free to bring along any snacks or drinks you might want, and a small cooler to keep them fresh. If you're prone to motion sickness, you might want to bring some medication just in case, though the waters are usually pretty calm. A camera or waterproof phone case is great for capturing memories, and don't forget some cash if you want to tip the captain for a job well done. Captain Mike provides all the gigging gear, so no need to worry about that. Oh, and maybe pack a little extra patience - fishing is all about enjoying the experience, even when the fish aren't cooperating!
Ready to give flounder gigging a shot? Captain Mike's "Galveston Flounder Fishing for Beginners" trip is the perfect way to get your feet wet (figuratively speaking, of course). For $600, you and a buddy can enjoy a full 4 hours of expert guidance, top-notch equipment, and some of the best flounder fishing spots Galveston has to offer. Want to make it a group outing? No problem - the boat can take up to six people total, with each additional guest just $100. Just remember, the deposit is non-refundable, so make sure you're ready to commit to your night of flounder fun. Don't let this opportunity slip away like a flounder in the night - book your trip with Shallow Encounters Flounder Gigging Charter today and get ready for a fishing experience you won't forget!
## Black Drum (Pogonias Cromis) ## Black Drum Description The Black Drum is a fish in the Sciaenidae family. The Black Drum is also the largest fish of that family, including almost 300 species, including their popular cousin, the Redfish. They are known as drums or croakers due to the repetitive drumming or croaking sounds they make. They are black and or grey and have powerful jaws with strong teeth capable of crushing prey like shellfish and oysters. ## Black Drum Size The Black Drum's typical weight range varies considerably from 5 to 30 pounds but can reach a weight of up to 90 pounds. If you intend to eat your catch, you may want to release Black Drum over 15 pounds. As they grow larger, the meat is tough and more comparable to chicken than a flaky texture. Also, the flavor of the older fish is not as tasty as the smaller-sized fish. ## Black Drum Spawning Black Drum have mating calls that they use to seek out others during the spawning season, capable of producing tones that reach 100 to 500 Hz. Black Drum grow rapidly and reach maturity within the first 2 years of their lives and live to 50 years. The females can lay eggs every three days during the spawning season. Their spawning seasons vary due to location, spawning occurring in February and March in southern areas like Texas, and April to June farther north. ## Black Drum Habitat Black Drum typically prefers brackish waters and estuaries. The adults live closer to the saltier areas near the ocean. They can be found around an oyster bed and other areas with plentiful food sources. The juveniles prefer the less salty areas of the same estuaries with sandy bottoms. Black drum are extremely adaptable when it comes to temperatures and salinity and can be attracted to freshwater creek openings and extremely shallow water, but are also found in depths of up to 100 feet. ## Black Drum Fishing You will find the best Drum fishing is on shallow water, muddy flats, and oyster beds, but they can also be found near inlets, pier pilings, creeks and estuaries that make way inward. Most anglers also fish for the Black Drum in the spring around the spawning season. At this time, the fish school up and are easier to target. After the spawning season, the fish disperse and become much harder to target. ## ## Black Drum Bait and Lures The best bait an angler can use for Drum fishing is live bait because they are bottom-feeders. Live bait such as fresh soft crabs, mollusk, peelers crabs, sea clam, or crushed mussels are the preferred bait. Anglers like to use crab because it does not tend to get eaten by catfish and other bait stealers. If you are not using live bait, then choose very slow-moving jigs like bucktail jigs. It is also vital to use the correct weighting for the conditions to ensure that your bait is on the bottom. When fly fishing, most anglers prefer to use a 7- or 9-weight fly rod, leaning towards a 9-weight for throwing heavier flies and a little extra strength when pulling on fish that may be more than 20 pounds. You will want to present your fly on the bottom, and weighted black flies that get to the bottom quickly are best such as the Redfish Worm, Merkin, and Clouser Minnow. ## Distribution and Range The Black Drum has a wide range and extends as far north as Nova Scotia, down the whole Atlantic coast of the United States, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. ## Black Drum Regulations Check the state you are fishing in as they each have their own regulations, but you will find most at 5 fish per day between 14 and 24 inches long, with one allowed over 24 inches.
Sheepshead are the oddballs of inshore fishing, with human-like teeth and black-and-white stripes that earned them the nickname "convict fish." Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but they can hit 20 pounds. You'll find these structure-lovers around docks, bridges, and oyster beds. They're a year-round target, but really bunch up in early spring for spawning. Anglers chase Sheepshead for their sweet, white meat and the challenge – they're notorious bait stealers. Use light tackle and natural baits like fiddler crabs or shrimp. Here's a pro tip: when you feel a bite, don't wait. Set the hook hard and fast, or they'll strip your bait clean. These fish put up a decent fight and make excellent table fare, just be careful of those sharp spines when handling them.
A Southern Flounder is a flat, oval fish and is a part of the Paralichthyidae family. It is known for having both of its eyes on the left side of its head. It has an underdeveloped pectoral fin or has none at all. It also does not have any spines on its fins, and its caudal fin is separate.
The Southern Flounder is often mistaken as a Summer Flounder but one of its distinguishing factors among other flounders is its numerous light and dark blotches and spots on their dark side. Other flounders have oscillated spots, which is absent in a Southern Flounder.
It is a known predator, and it ambushes its prey from the bottom, camouflaging itself under sand or mud. It feeds on worms, shrimp, blue crabs, and smaller fishes like anchovies, menhaden, and mullets.
A Southern Flounder typically ranges from 15 to 18 inches and can grow as long as 33 inches. Typically, they weigh around 5 lbs. but it recorded an all-tackle weight of 20 lbs—9 oz.
The Southern Flounder is found in the waters along the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. It is commonly found in sandy, rocky, or muddy bottoms of shallow waters of coastal marine areas, bays, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. This makes it easier to catch and feed on prey. Most adult Southern Flounders prefer staying offshore during the winter season.
The best technique to catch a Southern Flounder is still fishing or drift fishing since they settle at the water's bottom. Anglers can use live fish and artificial lures as bait. It is best to use a single-hooked, slip lead, or free-line rig with heads ranging from 1/4 "- 3/8". It is advised to use light-to-medium lines with reels that can spool 150 yards per 10 lbs. Anglers can also fly fish using medium lines.
Bull minnows, mullets, and shrimps are the best baits to catch flatfish like flounders.
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