How Much Galveston Fishing Charters Cost (Complete Guide)
Galveston offers some of the best inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing in Texas. Anglers need to get familiar with prices on charters when planning fishing trips in Galveston.
The average price of Galveston fishing charters that last 4 hours is $587, 6 hours is $831, 8 hours is $1068, 10 hours is $1487 and 12 hours is $1905.
In this guide, we’ll provide fishermen with more detailed information on the costs of charters in Galveston. This will help you plan a budget for your Galveston fishing trip successfully. Plus, you’ll learn when it’s the best time to book a charter. Click here to find out the most fruitful times to go fishing in Texas.
Fishing Charter Cost Breakdown: Trip Length (Private Trip)
4-hour trips
Such trips (also known as 1/2 day trips or half-day trips) are good for those anglers, who are interested in nearshore and inshore fishing. Based on 21 charters surveyed, the average cost of a Galveston fishing trip is $587. The lowest cost was $400 and the highest cost was $890.
A 4-hour trip is short. However, anglers have enough time to enjoy fishing.
With 4-hour trips, anglers spend 30 minutes – 1 hour on traveling, and about 3 hours are spent on fishing. So, anglers should aim to plan a trip for the best times of the day.
It makes sense to book 4-hour trips during the hot summer months. Such trips are short and allow anglers to avoid the summer heat.
A 4-hour trip is worth considering if you are planning to fish with a family.
Some anglers have limited time on fishing. They can fish in the morning, afternoon, or evening. In this case, a 4-hour fishing trip will be a good option.
6-hour trips
A 6-hour trip (also known as a 3/4 day trip) gives anglers more fishing time. Based on 14 charters surveyed, the average cost of a Galveston fishing trip is $831. The lowest cost was $520 and the highest cost was $1300.
A 6-hour trip gives fishermen 2 extra hours. With a 6-hour trip, anglers can fish in nearshore and offshore waters. Therefore, anglers can explore more fishing spots.
Trips give anglers enough time to get to artificial reefs and shipwrecks. Such fishing spots attract plenty of fish. Anglers catch cobia, mackerel, sharks, and other species during 6-hour trips.
A 6-hour trip is longer than a 4-hour trip. That’s why anglers may feel hungry during a fishing trip. So, it would be better to bring light meals as well as drinks.
8-hour trips
An 8-hour fishing trip (also known as a full-day trip) is worth considering if you are an experienced angler. Based on 8 charters surveyed, the average cost of a Galveston fishing trip is $1068. The lowest cost was $850 and the highest cost was $1500.
With an 8-hour trip, anglers will have even more time than they can spend fishing in nearshore waters. Such a trip also allows anglers to go further offshore and enjoy deep sea fishing. Anglers can catch a red snapper during their fishing trips.
Fishing trips that last 8 hours provide anglers with better opportunities. Fishermen can spend more time fishing, target more species and catch more fish. A chance to catch a trophy-sized fish increases during an 8-hour fishing trip.
It takes anglers 1 – 2 hours to get to fishing spots. Therefore, 6 – 7 hours will be spent fishing. Such trips are longer, so anglers have to prepare more meals.
10-hour trips
Avid anglers can consider booking a 10-hour fishing trip. Based on 11 charters surveyed, the average cost of a Galveston fishing trip is $1487. The lowest cost was $900 and the highest cost was $2200.
Fishing trips that last 10 hours are not an option for beginners and families. Such trips are recommended for those anglers, who are planning offshore fishing trips in Galveston.
The chance to catch a trophy-sized fish is high during a 10-hour fishing trip. Anglers have a good chance to such species as amberjack, blackfin tuna, and ling during their Galveston fishing trips.
With 10-hour fishing trips, anglers spend about 8 hours on fishing and about 2 hours traveling. That’s why anglers need to prepare two meals as well as plenty of water for their Galveston fishing trips.
However, 10-hour fishing trips are possible only when the weather is good. If weather conditions don’t allow anglers to fish safely, a trip can be canceled. In this case, a fishing trip is either rescheduled or an angler gets a refund. That’s why it’s so important for anglers to study the weather forecasts carefully before booking a 10-hour fishing trip in Galveston.
12-hour trips
Professional anglers can also book a 12-hour trip in Galveston. Based on 9 charters surveyed, the average cost of a Galveston fishing trip is $1905. The lowest cost was $1400 and the highest cost was $3100.
It’s the longest fishing trip in Galveston. Such a trip allows anglers to visit the most remote fishing spots in the area. With a 12-hour trip, anglers can go as far as 100 miles offshore.
Such trips are long, so they require two meals and plenty of water. Those anglers, who book a 12-hour trip, spend 2 hours on travel and 10 hours on fishing.
However, 12-hour trips are possible only if weather conditions are good. Bad weather makes fishing impossible and poses the risk to anglers. That’s why such trips are canceled if the weather is bad.
Check out this helpful guide to how much Corpus Christi fishing trips cost. You may also be interested in this article on fishing Freeport in the best times.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Galveston
These Galveston-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Line Check Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Captain Mike’s Guide Service | Galveston, TX |
| Fish N Divers Fishing Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Grace Fishing Charter | Galveston, TX |
| Galveston Offshore Fishing Charter | Galveston, TX |
| Tejas Salt Fishing Charter | Galveston, TX |
| SeaPlay Sportfishing – SeaPlay VI | Galveston, TX |
| Rod Bending Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Salty Rods Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Texas Fishing Charters, LLC | Galveston, TX |
| Bite Me! Charters Galveston | Galveston, TX |
| Bravo Zulu Fishing Charters | Galveston, TX |
Seasonal Trip Cost Breakdowns (Private Trips)
Spring
Spring is a good time to go fishing in Galveston. It’s getting warmer and fishing is becoming more productive.
Spring isn’t a busy fishing season in Galveston. That means that more charters are available and costs are lower. However, the demand for fishing increases in the late spring. So, charters costs are getting higher in May.
The ideal conditions for offshore fishing are created in spring. The weather is warm, but it’s not too hot in spring. That’s why anglers find it comfortable to fish during long trips.
Sheepshead has been always the main target in Galveston in spring. Such species as redfish, speckled trout, and sharks are also active during the spring months. Anglers also have a good chance to catch a giant black drum during a spring fishing trip in Galveston.
Summer
Summer is the most popular time of the year to go fishing in Galveston. It’s possible to target many fish species in summer. On the other hand, a lot of anglers prefer to visit the region during the summer months.
Warmer temperatures increase the activity of fish. Both nearshore, inshore, and offshore fishing are excellent in summer. Summer is a great time of the year to experience deep sea fishing in Galveston.
It can be too hot in the region in summer. So, anglers should go fishing during morning or evening hours to avoid heat. Fishermen usually prefer to book half-day deep-sea fishing trips in Galveston during the summer months. Also, fishermen should prepare water as well as sunscreen for their Galveston trips.
Summer fishing in Galveston is more expensive. The demand for fishing increases and that’s the reason why charter costs are getting higher. It’s also important to note that charters can be busy. So, it would be better to book a Galveston fishing trip in advance.
Summer is time to target such species as cobia, drum, mahi-mahi, flounder, red snapper, king mackerel, speckled trout, and others. The chance to catch a trophy-sized red snapper is high in summer. However, it would be better to book a longer trip if you want to land a trophy. It’s a great idea to visit the destination in summer if you are interested in shark fishing.
Fall
The weather is cooler and fish get closer to shore in the fall. Anglers can avoid the summer heat and find it comfortable to fish during the fall months. Inshore fishing becomes more popular than offshore fishing in Galveston in the fall.
A lot of fishermen choose to visit Galveston in the early fall. So, book a trip in advance if you are planning to go fishing in September. However, the demand for fishing is lower and that’s why chapters are cheaper between October and November.
Fall Galveston fishing trips are successful. Anglers can target a variety of fish species in the fall. Oftentimes, anglers catch a trophy-sized red drum during the fall months. Other targeted species include bull redfish, flounder, amberjack, speckled trout, etc.
Winter
The waters of Galveston are full of fish. Anglers can target species that are active during the cold months as well as species that are biting year-round.
However, the weather often doesn’t allow anglers to enjoy fishing in the region. Winds, as well as cold fronts, make fishing in Galveston impossible.
A lot of charters are available in Galveston in winter. The demand for fishing is low and that’s why charters are cheap.
There are periods when the weather is mild and the winds are light. If the weather allows, anglers can catch such species as flounder, sheepshead, redfish, and others in winter.
Better Value if Fishing with Group
A lot of anglers give a preference to fishing with a group and they do this for a good reason. Fishing with friends has many great benefits.
It’s cheaper to fish with friends. An angler can split the cost of a charter with friends. That means that the more friends – the better.
Fishing with a group is more productive. If you fish with friends, you will manage to catch more fish. Group fishing is a great way to get together and spend a good time on the water. It’s fun to fish with a group of people. Such a trip will create memories that will last for a lifetime.
A group trip is worth booking if you don’t take fishing seriously and just want to get pleasure from the process. On the other hand, it would be better to book a solo or duo trip if you are interested in landing a trophy fish.
The cost of a shared fishing charter depends a lot on the length and type of a trip. Charter costs are split among the group. So, an angler has to pay the cost per person. It’s possible to save a lot of money on a fishing trip this way.
Factors that May Impact Charter Costs
There are many factors that affect charter costs. These include the season of the year, demand for fishing, global gas prices, weekdays or weekends, popular events that take place in Galveston, etc.
Fishing in Galveston is the most productive in summer. Many fish species are active during the summer months. On the other hand, summer is a busy time of the year to fish the area. That’s why the prices on charters in the region go up in summer.
Charter costs in Galveston are higher when targeted fish species are in their peak season. For example, fall is the best time of the year to target reds and specks. The season to catch flounder is high between October and December. Fishing for king mackerel and red snapper is the most productive between June and July. The demand for fishing increases and charter costs are going up during these months.
Charter costs in Galveston also depend a lot on gas prices. The charter costs are higher if gas prices go up. On the other hand, charter costs are lower when gas prices go down.
It makes a lot of sense to plan Galveston trips for weekdays if you want to save money on fishing. A lot of anglers prefer to visit the region on weekdays. The demand for fishing increases and that’s the reason why the charter costs are higher on weekends.
Additional Costs with Charter Fishing
Charters provide anglers with all the necessary fishing equipment. So, anglers don’t need to bring their own gear for a fishing trip.
Nevertheless, fishermen should prepare certain things for their trips. If you are preparing for long fishing trips, you should bring food as well as drinks.
Some charters also offer fish cleaning services. That means that the fish that you have caught will be cleaned on a boat.
According to the fishing rules and regulations in Galveston, anglers who are 17 years or older have to purchase a license. A license is required if you go fishing on a charter.
When planning the budget for fishing adventures in Galveston, anglers have to take into account the additional costs. So, increase the budget for your fishing trip by 15-25% to cover these expenses.
