Any suggestions on good party barges in Galveston? I think there called party boats anyway, the boats they cram 30 people on and you straight drop on the rigs? Anyway were going sometime between mid to late June and we will probably be taking an 8 to 10 hour trip. What are some good outfitters to choose from? I just don't wanna pay $200 for 3 people and wind up skunkin. Also what types of fish will we be getting into during that time of the year? I know snapper but I'm not sure what else

There are two companies in Galveston that run party boats, Galveston Party Boats and Williams Party Boats. They are probably 20-30 yards from each other on Pier 19. Galveston Party Boat's main offshore boat is the New Buccaneer, which fishes max 100 people. Their other boat, the Cavalier, is mainly used for bay fishing, but sometimes runs offshore trips. William's main offshore boat is the Capt John and fishes max 83 people. Their other boat, the Texsun II, is mainly a bay boat, but sometimes offshore. The offshore trips usually run 12 hrs, though GPB runs some 8hr trips on Sundays, but not in June. The Cavalier may run some 8hr trips in June but they haven't been announced. WPB only runs 12hr or longer trips after June 1. The 12 hr trips run $80-$90 a head depending on the boat and the day. Two other things. They don't fish rigs very much, if at all, and if you wait too long into June, the snapper season will be over. Since the season is so short, the boats are already pretty booked so don't wait to call them

Dayone provided some great and super accurate info. I just wanted to add, after doing some recent research and booking a trip... I went with Galveston party boat inc., further known as GPB.. I chose GPB, mainly because their website is much more functional and provides much more info than Williams. GPB has full reports dating back several years, and so it was exciting to see what went down on the 12 hr snapper trip last June 6th. We booked June 6th, a Thur. 12 hr and got the last two spots.

4 hr bay trip 25
8 hr off shore Sunday, and during June snapper season, the website says they will run 8 hr trips on Wed, but no longer on Sat. This trip is only 60
12 hr off shore is 85, though I booked on a weekday, and it was only 80? IDK if this is operator error, or weekday price?

Like I said, check out the reports on the website, you will see what the catch is like. Also the whole month of June is likely getting booked like previously said, so get on it if you are wanting to!

Have fun!

P.S. IDK for how long, but I tried to take a bay trip 2 weeks ago or so, and The Cavalier, which is the smaller boat, was down for repair due to a fire in the marina.

I have been with both companies, they both have pro's and cons but I never had a bad trip, we are planning on going AFTER snapper season as I did last year, less crowded and we really caught fish and had good weather.. Weekdays are usually less. I favor the 12 & 24-30 hr trips. The long boat ride does get old sometimes. Last Oct was my best trip, a 24 hr. I fished for a few hrs without a fish as I was fishing huge bait very deep, then 38 fish later and one 7' shark really made the trip. It was the 1st time I used my AVET 2 speed reel. I really like that reel. I caught many sharks, 2 amberjacks, 1 grouper, 1 king, 2 ling on that trip. It was a great trip. I had 2 like that in a row with GPB.

Thats a pretty impressive trip, I would love to catch a Grouper.

I'm go on both boats a couple times a month. they back each other up when one isn't going out they refer the other. I've been out a couple of times on both of them this year. Large Red Snapper were a nuisance since we couldn't keep them. I managed a to catch some mangrove, lane snapper, and beeliners though. We fished a rig one day and nailed some big sheepshead and trigger fish.

I've gone with Galveston Party Boats before on their short 4 hour trip. Was hella fun, brought live pinfish I caught in a trap the night before and pulled in a couple small sharks and a fat bull red.

Havent had any experience with the 8+ hour trips, but I'm sure they would be just as enjoyable

I take my own bait as well the boat only gives squid. I'll run down to the pier the night before and catch 5" to 10" croaker, piggy perch, hard heads and mullet and put them in a aerated cooler. Then put them in my aerated bucket when boarding for 8 to 12 hour trips. I take fresh shrimp or crabs on the 4 hour bay trips.