Big Tex Fishing Charters

5.0/5 (302 reviews)

State licensed

715 North Holiday Drive, Galveston, TX 77550, United States–

Up to 9 miles

Galveston, TX, United States

–

24 ft

5.0/5 (302 reviews)

Meet the Captain

Angler's Choice

Trips & prices Targeted species Boat info What's biting What's included Contact captain

Trips & prices What's included Targeted species Boat info Reviews Contact captain

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Ready for an action-packed adventure on the Galveston Water? Whether you're chasing trophy fish, planning an unforgettable family outing, or gearing up for an epic day with friends, Big Tex Fishing Charters delivers nonstop excitement from the moment you leave the dock. Owner and Captain, John-Mark Fortner, has been fishing for over 20 years, and brings that experience and love for fishing to every trip experience!

At Big Tex Fishing Charters, it's about more than just fishing — it's about the thrill of the catch, the beauty of the Texas coastline, and making incredible memories out on the open water.

Depending on the season and conditions, you could hook into Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Flounder, Sheepshead, Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Blacktip Shark, Bonnethead Shark, Pompano, Rays, Catfish, and more. From spinning and popping to drifting and bottom fishing, every trip offers action and variety for anglers of all skill levels.

You'll fish aboard a comfortable 24' center console equipped with all the essentials for a great trip, including an onboard toilet for added convenience. The boat accommodates up to 6 passengers, making it perfect for families and small groups. Rods, reels, and tackle are provided by the captain, and live bait may also be available depending on the trip.

Before your trip, be sure to purchase a valid Texas fishing license for everyone in your group if required. Some species may have seasonal regulations or size limits, so your captain will help keep you informed.

Families are always welcome, and kids love the excitement of fishing the Galveston waters! Be sure to bring bottled water, snacks, sunglasses, and non-spray sunscreen so you can stay comfortable throughout the day.

The fish may not always cooperate — but the adventure, excitement, and memories are guaranteed. Don't miss your chance to experience the best of Galveston fishing — book your trip today with Big Tex Fishing Charters!

At Big Tex Fishing Charters, it's about more than just fishing — it's about the thrill of the catch, the beauty of the Texas coastline, and making incredible memories out on the open water.

Popular features

Live bait

You keep catch

Catch cleaning & filleting

Toilet

Child friendly

Popular features

Live bait

You keep catch

Catch cleaning & filleting

Toilet

Child friendly

Customer reviews

Rating

5.0

302 reviews

5.0

Boat & equipment

5.0

Captain & crew

5.0

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (531)

What anglers say

100%

Great experience

100%

Family friendly

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Good boat

99%

Recommended

98%

Caught fish

All reviews (302)

Filter

Sort by: Featured

Frequently mentioned

Showing 1 – 5 of 302 reviews

Mark Lovett

Repeat angler

Alabama, US

•

Member since 2020

•

3 trips

5.0

Verified

New

Great Trip

4-Hour Bay/Jetty Fishing Excursion on May 29, 2026 • 4 adults

Captain John was the best guy ever. Our trip began with him being patient and helping us secure our license. Then we went out to the jetties and caught sheephead, drum, and several other fish. We then went to tru our luck at shark fishing but wasn’t able to hook up on one. Captain John was the best captain yet. My grandsons had a blast with him. Not enough space to tell what a great time we had. If you get the chance book with Captain John

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

May 29, 2026

Thanks for the amazing review, Mark! It was a blast taking you and your grandsons out fishing and I am so glad y’all had such a great time! 

Michelle Luthi

Texas, US

•

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Reel Experience 10/10

4-Hour Bay/Jetty Fishing Excursion - 11:30 AM on April 18, 2026 • 2 adults

Im not great with words but i can say 10/10!! My husband and I had a great experience with Captain John-Mark!! He is a truly an exceptional angler and host!! From the vessel, his personality, and knowledge, all were exceptional!! We loved every minute and are planning our next trip for next month!! He showed patience for us and never missed a chance to teach us. We both are astonished at his knowledge. He knew what was on our line before the catch was even seen. He also never rushed anything which we enjoyed. He was also respectful of the catch!! My husband caught a 50lb drum, not a keeper, and the fight took alot out of the fish but Captain took time to help the drum live!! I could keep going about our great experience! Dont let the photo of 3 fish put you off, fish were caught and great times were had!!We are definitely booking again!!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

April 19, 2026

It was such a pleasure to take yall out fishing! I’m so glad y’all had a blast and looking forward to getting y’all out on the water again. Thank you for the great review! 

Derrick Wheeler

Repeat angler

Ohio, US

•

Member since 2025

•

2 trips

5.0

Verified

Amazing trip with a awesome guide !!!

4-Hour Bay/Jetty Fishing Excursion on April 1, 2026 • 3 adults

Hands down the best charter I’ve ever been on. Captain John had us on fish immediately and kept us on fish the entire time we were out. He not only met, but exceeded all expectations. He most definitely goes above and beyond to make it a great trip for his clients. This was our first trip to Galveston and first trip with captain John. From the time we arrived he made us feel as if we’d know each other and fished together for years. His boat was killer  as well. Clean, well kept with top of the line equipment. I would recommend anyone looking to take a Galveston bay charter, be booking Captain John !!!!! I will definitely be a returning customer !!!! Thank you Captain John …

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

April 2, 2026

Thanks for the great review, Derrick! I’m glad y’all had a great trip out and look forward to the next time I can take y’all out fishing again! 

Dennis Harris

Texas, US

•

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Father/son catch more than fish

4-Hour Bay/Jetty Fishing Excursion on March 19, 2026 • 2 adults

Captain John-Mark  turned our outing into a bonding for father-son. 6:30am we had a smooth ride to the Galveston jetty behind the moored ships you see at night. Caught our limit of Black Drum plus a Sheep’s Head. Learned a lot from the captain who knew where the fish were. just after some of the other boats arrived, but didn’t have the patience or the knowledge as the captain and they left empty.  Great ride back.  we then learned how to clean a fish. As my 16-year-old said, “you fillet the fish you wanna keep and gut the ones you don’t”.  Highly recommend this Captain John-Mark who holds safety as priority one. good conversationalist too.

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

March 20, 2026

Thank you for such a great review, Dennis! I’m so glad y’all had an awesome time and look forward to seeing you again!

Ralph Hance

Kentucky, US

•

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Big Tex is the charter you need.

4 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty - 1:30 PM on March 10, 2026 • 2 adults

From the moment i got on his boat,  I knew we had made the right decision.   he was very professional and knowledgeable about what we would be targeting and catching.   He put us on the fish, and we caught our limit.   towards the end,  my son hooked a 4 foot Jack Crevalle on light tackle.   We fought the fish for just over 2 hours.   big John did an excellent job driving the boat and coaching my son on what to do with the fish and how to keep it hooked.   We ended up going overtime,  but I didn't feel like we was rushed or anything.   Big John has clearly fished these waters that he knows what will be catching,  where they will be,  and will do his best to put you on the fish.   I will definitely choose Big Tex chargers again the next time i come down.

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

March 11, 2026

Thank you Ralph for the incredible review! I had a great time taking you and your son out and I hope to see yall again soon!

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:

Days:

Group Size:

Select date to see availability

June 2026

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa

Number of days

Group Size

2 adults • 0 children

Change

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4-Hour Bay/Jetty Fishing Excursion

4 hour trip multiple starting times (6:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM)

Seasonal trip

(Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)

US $575

Entire boat: up to 3 people

US $575

Entire boat: up to 3 people

6-Hour Bay/Jetty Fishing Excursion

6 hour trip multiple starting times (6:30 AM, 11:30 AM)

Seasonal trip

(Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)

US $800

Entire boat: up to 3 people

US $800

Entire boat: up to 3 people

There are 68 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating

5.0

302 reviews

5.0

Boat & equipment

5.0

Captain & crew

5.0

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (531)

What anglers say

100%

Great experience

100%

Family friendly

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Good boat

99%

Recommended

98%

Caught fish

All reviews (302)

Filter

Sort by: Featured

Frequently mentioned

Showing 1 – 5 of 302 reviews

Mark Lovett

Repeat angler

Alabama, US

Member since 2020

3 trips

5.0

Verified

New

Great Trip

4-Hour Bay/Jetty Fishing Excursion on May 29, 2026 • 4 adults

Captain John was the best guy ever. Our trip began with him being patient and helping us secure our license. Then we went out to the jetties and caught sheephead, drum, and several other fish. We then went to tru our luck at shark fishing but wasn’t able to hook up on one. Captain John was the best captain yet. My grandsons had a blast with him. Not enough space to tell what a great time we had. If you get the chance book with Captain John

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

May 29, 2026

Thanks for the amazing review, Mark! It was a blast taking you and your grandsons out fishing and I am so glad y’all had such a great time! 

Michelle Luthi

Texas, US

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Reel Experience 10/10

4-Hour Bay/Jetty Fishing Excursion - 11:30 AM on April 18, 2026 • 2 adults

Im not great with words but i can say 10/10!! My husband and I had a great experience with Captain John-Mark!! He is a truly an exceptional angler and host!! From the vessel, his personality, and knowledge, all were exceptional!! We loved every minute and are planning our next trip for next month!! He showed patience for us and never missed a chance to teach us. We both are astonished at his knowledge. He knew what was on our line before the catch was even seen. He also never rushed anything which we enjoyed. He was also respectful of the catch!! My husband caught a 50lb drum, not a keeper, and the fight took alot out of the fish but Captain took time to help the drum live!! I could keep going about our great experience! Dont let the photo of 3 fish put you off, fish were caught and great times were had!!We are definitely booking again!!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

April 19, 2026

It was such a pleasure to take yall out fishing! I’m so glad y’all had a blast and looking forward to getting y’all out on the water again. Thank you for the great review! 

Derrick Wheeler

Repeat angler

Ohio, US

Member since 2025

2 trips

5.0

Verified

Amazing trip with a awesome guide !!!

4-Hour Bay/Jetty Fishing Excursion on April 1, 2026 • 3 adults

Hands down the best charter I’ve ever been on. Captain John had us on fish immediately and kept us on fish the entire time we were out. He not only met, but exceeded all expectations. He most definitely goes above and beyond to make it a great trip for his clients. This was our first trip to Galveston and first trip with captain John. From the time we arrived he made us feel as if we’d know each other and fished together for years. His boat was killer  as well. Clean, well kept with top of the line equipment. I would recommend anyone looking to take a Galveston bay charter, be booking Captain John !!!!! I will definitely be a returning customer !!!! Thank you Captain John …

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

April 2, 2026

Thanks for the great review, Derrick! I’m glad y’all had a great trip out and look forward to the next time I can take y’all out fishing again! 

Dennis Harris

Texas, US

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Father/son catch more than fish

4-Hour Bay/Jetty Fishing Excursion on March 19, 2026 • 2 adults

Captain John-Mark  turned our outing into a bonding for father-son. 6:30am we had a smooth ride to the Galveston jetty behind the moored ships you see at night. Caught our limit of Black Drum plus a Sheep’s Head. Learned a lot from the captain who knew where the fish were. just after some of the other boats arrived, but didn’t have the patience or the knowledge as the captain and they left empty.  Great ride back.  we then learned how to clean a fish. As my 16-year-old said, “you fillet the fish you wanna keep and gut the ones you don’t”.  Highly recommend this Captain John-Mark who holds safety as priority one. good conversationalist too.

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

March 20, 2026

Thank you for such a great review, Dennis! I’m so glad y’all had an awesome time and look forward to seeing you again!

Ralph Hance

Kentucky, US

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

Big Tex is the charter you need.

4 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty - 1:30 PM on March 10, 2026 • 2 adults

From the moment i got on his boat,  I knew we had made the right decision.   he was very professional and knowledgeable about what we would be targeting and catching.   He put us on the fish, and we caught our limit.   towards the end,  my son hooked a 4 foot Jack Crevalle on light tackle.   We fought the fish for just over 2 hours.   big John did an excellent job driving the boat and coaching my son on what to do with the fish and how to keep it hooked.   We ended up going overtime,  but I didn't feel like we was rushed or anything.   Big John has clearly fished these waters that he knows what will be catching,  where they will be,  and will do his best to put you on the fish.   I will definitely choose Big Tex chargers again the next time i come down.

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

March 11, 2026

Thank you Ralph for the incredible review! I had a great time taking you and your son out and I hope to see yall again soon!

FAQs about Big Tex Fishing Charters

The fish you can target

What is the boat like?

Boat category

Center console boats

Capacity

6 persons

Boat length

24 ft

Year built

2018

Boat manufacturer

Sportsman

Boat type

Center console

Engine model

Yamaha

1 x 300HP

Max cruising speed

45 knots

Big Tex Fishing Charters

Customer reviews

Rating

Anglers' gallery (531)

What anglers say

All reviews (302)

Trip availability and prices

Customer reviews

Rating

Anglers' gallery (531)

What anglers say

All reviews (302)

FAQs about Big Tex Fishing Charters

The fish you can target

What is the boat like?

What’s biting in Galveston right now

Compare similar fishing charters