Nautilus Charters is a family-friendly guide service that specializes in inshore and offshore fishing off the coast of Galveston, TX. Captain Matthew West is a born and raised Texas native who’s been fishing the Gulf Coast his whole life. He knows where to take his clients to get them hooked up and show them the true meaning of “Everything is bigger down in Texas!”

You’ll be fishing from a 36’ Contender walkaround boat, outfitted with state-of-the-art electronics and fishing amenities. You’ll reach the fishing grounds in no time while being propelled by 3 outboard Yamaha engines, totaling 750 HP. This boat is fast, sleek, and spacious with its own private toilet on board. She accommodates up to 6 guests, including kids of all ages, and everyone can fish at the same time without rubbing elbows.

Capt. Matthew offers seasonal offshore trips and year-round inshore trips. Fishing inside the East, West, and Galveston Bay provide lots of great opportunities for all skill levels. Here, you’ll be able to target Redfish, Black Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Flounder, and Jack Crevalle. Further out into the Gulf, you’ll start to encounter bigger fish. Red Snapper, Gag Grouper, Amberjack, Cobia, and Kingfish are just some of the likely catches you may reel in.

On all trips, you’ll have top-of-the-line Penn and Shimano gear at your disposal. Capt. Mathew will also supply the live bait and artificial lures, depending on the technique you choose. Just remember to purchase your fishing license, pack sun protection, and bring snacks and drinks for the ride.

After your trip, you’ll be able to taste the fresh catch of the day. Capt. Mathew will offer to clean and fillet whatever you caught so you can take it home and enjoy a delicious meal with the family.

Start planning your next fishing trip today and choose Nautilus Charters as your guide. Your next adventure is only one click away, so pack your bags, invite the family, and get ready to catch some big fish down in Galveston!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    4 Hour – Inshore Jetty Fishing (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $650
    This 4-hour trip will see you targeting Sheephead, Red and Black Drum, Flounder, and Speckled Trout, just to name a few. Capt. Matthew will provide all necessary fishing gear, including rods, reels, bait, and lures. Just remember to purchase your fishing license online, pack your favorite snacks and drinks for the ride, and don't forget the sun protection! Please check with the captain if there is an extra fuel surcharge for offshore trips.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour – Inshore Jetty Fishing (PM)
    In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
    Seasonal trip Jan 4 - Dec 31
    US $650
    Get ready for a 4-hour adventure, going after Bull and Slot Reds, Sheephead, Black Drum, and Flounder. This is a great way for families to enjoy quality time together, create memories, and catch themselves some supper! Your captain will supply everything from live bait and lures to rods and reels. Just be sure to buy a fishing license before you arrive and bring any snacks and drinks you'd like as well. Please check with the captain if there is an extra fuel surcharge for offshore trips.
  • Private trip
    6 hr jetty trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $900
    This trip is the same as our other jetty trips except this trip has more time to fish and spend more time on the water. Please remember to bring your fishing license.
  • Private trip
    5hr shark hunt / Bull reds
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $950
    Venture out past the Galveston jettys fishing 3 to 5 miles off the beach front targeting sharks varing from blacktips, spinners, sandbars, hammerhead and various other species that lurk in the area. The summer months into fall are the best time for these creatures sharks and fall coming into winter and spring is the best time to target large redfish AKA Bull Reds. Please be sure to bring your fishing license printed along with the tags for bull reds.
    Targeted fish
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Shark (Hammerhead)
    Hammerhead Shark
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Shark (Bonnethead)
    Bonnethead Shark
    Shark (Bull)
    Bull Shark
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Jun 12
    US $2,000
    This will be a half day trip starting at 6 am. This half day trip will take you miles offshore where you will target Red Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Kingfish, and Cobia. Please check with the captain if there is an extra fuel surcharge for offshore trips.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Offshore
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 10 - Aug 23
    US $2,500
    This is a full day adventure where you'll be going far offshore to target bigger Red Snapper and trophy size Kingfish, Cobia, and Mahi Mahi. Please check with the captain if there is an extra fuel surcharge for offshore trips.
  • Private trip
    10 Hour Blue Water trip
    Just booked! Last booked: 11 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Aug 23
    US $3,000
    This trip will be a 12 hour trip into the deep blue tageting Amber jack aka reef donkeys, red snapper as long as their in season, b liners, kingfish, ling and other blue water pelagics.
    Targeted fish
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Cobia
    Cobia
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
There are 37 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Nautilus Charters

Nautilus Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $650 per group, additional US $100 per person after 5 guests - 4 Hour – Inshore Jetty Fishing (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $650 per group, additional US $100 per person after 5 guests - 4 Hour – Inshore Jetty Fishing (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $900 per group, additional US $100 per person after 5 guests - 6 hr jetty trip (6 hours)
  • US $950 per group, additional US $100 per person after 5 guests - 5hr shark hunt / Bull reds (5 hours)
  • US $2,000 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $2,500 per group - 8 Hour Trip – Offshore (8 hours)
  • US $3,000 per group - 10 Hour Blue Water trip (10 hours)

When you book a trip with Nautilus Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Private head
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Radar

Trips booked with Nautilus Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Penn & Shimano )
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting

Nautilus Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing (Jetties )
  • Nearshore Fishing (Up to 15 miles )
  • Offshore Fishing (Up to 100 miles )
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing

Nautilus Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Jigging
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Nautilus Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Black Drum
  • Cobia
  • Flounder
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Jack Crevalle
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Sheepshead
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Speckled Trout

Meet the Captain

Matthew West
Galveston, Texas, United States
ID & license verified
294 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since October 2019
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
I was born in Texas and grew up on the Gulf Coast. I've been fishing with my family for as long as I can remember. In my early teens, I had the opportunity to get my first real dose of blue water and giant fish. This is where the addiction started. Since I've gotten older, it's become a passion of mine to see people's reactions to hooking into a fish of their dreams, give them the opportunity to harvest their own dinner, and make memories with their friends and families. We're a young business and haven't been at it as long as some captains but don't let that distract you. When you arrive at the boat, we want you and your guests to feel like family and at home!

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Black Drum Black Drum
Cobia Cobia
Flounder Flounder

Boat specs

Contender (Walkaround) originally built in 2007. Powered by 3 300HP Suzuki 2023s engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 40 knots.

Length
36 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Jetties
Nearshore Fishing
Up to 15 miles
Offshore Fishing
Up to 100 miles
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Jigging
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Private head
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Radar

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Penn & Shimano
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
No minimum age (notify the captain in advance)
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 25% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 25% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 2% charge will apply.

Galveston Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 294 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (345)
Captain Matt... AKA The Man!
Captain Matt... AKA The Man!
Captain Matt... AKA The Man!
+342
Angler rating
285
7
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
97%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
91%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 294 reviews
Chris S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip!!!

VERIFIED   5hr shark hunt / Bull reds on October 9, 2023
Caption Matthew is very knowledgeable and friendly. We took our daughter and two friends out for a trip to celebrate her birthday....
Chris S. recommends Nautilus Charters
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  Matthew West Captain replied

Timothy P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Choppy waters !? No problem

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour – Inshore Jetty Fishing (PM) on March 14, 2024
Captain Matt texted me the morning before our 12:30 trip to ask if I still wanted to go as the winds and fog were in. My two...
Timothy P. recommends Nautilus Charters
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Timothy P. recommends Nautilus Charters
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Bob L.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day on the water!

VERIFIED   NEW  6 hr jetty trip on March 20, 2024
My wife and 8 year old son fished with Capt. Matt mid March and had a great day catching Sheepshead on the jetty then catching...
Bob L. recommends Nautilus Charters
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Bob L. recommends Nautilus Charters
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Tres T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Matt... AKA The Man!

VERIFIED   NEW  6 hr jetty trip on March 23, 2024
Had an excellent time with Captain Matt. He took us right to the fish even when challenges were presented. He was great with...
Tres T. recommends Nautilus Charters
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Tres T. recommends Nautilus Charters
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Jay F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Super Fun for Novice Group

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour – Inshore Jetty Fishing (PM) on March 11, 2024
My three teen sons and I had never been boat fishing before.  Captain Matt was patient, kind and perfectly polite in getting...
Jay F. recommends Nautilus Charters
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Jay F. recommends Nautilus Charters
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You found this review helpful