Posted this in the offshore section and not a single response so I am hoping I can get some recommendations here.

Looking to take my daughter out deep sea fishing sometime between 10/6-10/9. Any recommendations for boats going out between Galveston to Freeport? Wanted to try the BlueFin out of Freeport, but they only have private trips going out that week. Grew up going out fishing with the Dolphin Docks out of Port A, but due to a bad experience with them last year, we are looking for someone new.

I bit more detail would probably get you useful responses. Are you wanting an offshore deep-sea trip, or nearshore in state waters? Any particular kind of fish you're after?

("deep sea" means different things to different fishermen)

Ok, my bad and thanks for the recommendation of more info.

Took my daughter last year and had a captain stuck in wanting to catch vermilion snapper. Not a fun experience for my daughter after we were originally told we would be targeting Kong�s and shark.

Ideally I would like to find a head boat that will target kings, shark, ling, blackfin tuna, barracuda, etc. A few fish to keep and eat, but I just want my girl to experience the thrill of a fish possibly bigger than her or just stronger than her ripping out drag.

Have you considered taking her fishing the local piers or jetties for bull redfish? At that time of year, they're abundant around Galveston. and a big red will give her a powerful fight.

We have fished multiple times for bull reds, small sharks and specks at Bob Hall in Port A.

PM sent

Thank you!

One thing you need to uhnderstand, is that other thasn on a truly exceptional day, that combination of fish is a pretty unreasonable expectation on a headboat day trip.

I don't know who you were with, or care for that matter. But I can almost promise that no captain took you out bliner fishing as a way to "rip you off", or not give effort. There are pretty much 3 reasons go b liner fishing: 1. There's too many people booked on the trip to sucessfully target other fish. 2. That is the only game in town (or he believes so based on his or other recent catches). 3. Even if it's unsuccessful, having your clients bliner fish is good way at good spots , to keep them busy (and out of the way) while the capt and or crew are running the backdeck, trying to chum up and fire off flatline fish.... even if the kings or than don't show up, everyone that fishes diligently should goo home with a stringer of very tasty fish.

All that being said, every captain wants to do great every single day, and is the most disappointed person on the boat when fishing is tough or doesn't go as planned (hoped) every professional captain is going to do what they honestly think (hey everyone's wrong sometimes) will put the best combination of quantity and quality in the boat. Unfortunately during certain seasons, 300 bliners is the only legitimate answer to that question, when you take into account all the different factors that go into a short trip on a slow boat, trying to please 15-40ppl.

My first suggestion is to pick a species or 2 your like her to catch, do some research on seasons, availability, and crew ability for that species... then plan your trip around thst. Also, other than snapper season, there is no point in booking anything less than 12 hrs.

All that being said, typically speaking, mix October you have a very good chance to get on tuna very thick on 12 hr trips. This year so far, the proud to e boats, when present have been holding 60-70nm out. Expect a long ride, quite possibly breaking the "rule of thirds" for most headboat trips. But, if it's a hot bite and a success fullday... you'll probably get more action than you can handle in 2-3hrs. However, if the boats aren't there or are empty you can probably see a bliner in your future!

Thank you for the feedback dolphinslayer. All good info. My spite with the head boat I took her on last time is the fact I called in advance and was told by the front counter we would catch our limit on RED snapper, then move on to other fish like kings, shark, etc. once the boat left the dock the deckhands and captain stated we would be targeting vermilion snapper only. If I knew this in advance I would have respectfully cancelled my trip and proceeded to locate another boat that was targeting something my daughter would enjoy. We are booked on a day trip out of Freeport. Guaranteed not to be fishing for vermilion snapper.