Hi, I a new to the forum. Does anyone have any dealings with Galveston party boat charters? I will be down there next week and booked a trip with them-(12 Hour). Any info. on what to expect and/or any tips would be great.

I have not been on one in many years. but when I was a kid we went yearly. I remember catching alot of fish.Not sure how it is these days.

Those trips are great for the money. I usually just use the bait/tackle that they provide and have caught a limit of red snapper on every trip. Some guys buy the frozen sardines, or use lures along with the squid or other bait. I used a snapper slapper one time and hooked up with a large grouper i believe (it moved but I couldn't get it off of the bottom)and it some how snapped the lower hook in half and came off.

Tips. You are supposed to just drop straigt down. Some guys like to cast out a little ways and they usually are the ones causing everyone to get tangled up when there is any sort of current.

The back of the boat on a corner is the best spot IMO. Less chance of getting tangled and always seems to be where the big fish are caught.

Be ready for a long trip out and back in. Bring something to do or try and sleep, the trip out is 2-3 hours(sometimes more).

Hope this helps. I will be going on one some time in july.

Here is the ice chest from my last trip.


Also the Atlantic Spadefish (Angel Fish) Are very good eating almost sweet and very fun to catch. Who would have thought?

Thanks for the input guys. I hope to catch more than just red snapper, any recommendations for other types of bait would be great.

Definately buy some spanish sardines or better yet cigar minnows. Bigger snaps and only thing macks will eat.

Like I said I have heard the snapper slapper works well for other types of fish. I wouldn't know for sure because mine was broken in less than 5 minutes. Snapper is what the majority of the catch is on these types of trips. Have you looked at the web page? You will have an 3-4 keepers other than the boatload of snapper.
As you can see its mostly a snapper trip.

reezen, I'd recommend going on the Capt John instead (Williams Partyboats). I've gone on trips with both landings over the years since 1992 & my experiences with the Williams folks is more consistent. They try harder to put you on fish & attempt to get more than just red snapper onboard.

Since you can only keep 2 red snapper per trip now, the multi-species fishing can make the trip more worthwhile.

2nd the Capt John. I've been on it several times. I tip deck hand on way out. He would keep me an extra rod ready for ling when they show up. Buy Sardines at Bait shop morning before. Carry a couple of rags to wipe your hands. Squid are messy!!!
Get rigged with a slip weight, I have better luck with them.

Anyone got contact info for capt john

Go to Galveston.com and select outdoor activities, fishing and you will links for many different guides including John.

I recently heard that July 17, or later is a good time due to shrimp season opening on that day.
Is there any truth to this?

What 2 snapper limmit now?

2snapper 16" min 110000000000000000000000000 snappers out there and can only keep 2....i wont EVER...EVER go back out again on those kind of charters....is 2 fish actually worth $85????

thats for off shore, you can still keep 4 if you stay in state waters.

There was a good report from the Captain John in today's Houston Chronicle.