Big Tex Fishing Charters
+176If you are looking for an amazing experience out on the water, whether you are taking the family on a vacation or just some buddies out for a good time in Galveston, then Big Tex Fishing Charters has you covered!
At Big Tex Fishing Charters our goal is to not only put you on the fish but to also share with you the beauty of nature.
Redfish, Black Drum, Blacktip Shark, Bonnethead Shark, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, Flounder, Jack Crevalle, Ray, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, Catfish, and more could be biting, depending on conditions. You can expect to do some spinning, popping, drifting, bottom fishing, or maybe something more specialized in this area.
You’ll be casting lines from a 24’ Center console that can carry up to 6 passengers. It comes with all the essentials. There’s a toilet on board for your convenience. Your captain will provide rods and reels. Live bait is on offer, but you should ask the captain whether you’ll be catching it yourself.
Before coming aboard, you may need to buy a local fishing license for everyone in your group. This information is usually available online, or you can ask the captain. Some species might be protected or require a tag to keep them, so make sure you know what to expect.
Thinking of bringing the whole family? Kids are absolutely welcome! A few items to bring include bottled water, snacks, sunglasses, and sunblock (non-spray).
Now and then the fish might get away, but a day on the water never should. So make it happen, with Big Tex Fishing Charters!
Captain
John-Mark Fortner
Highlights
Plan your trip
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (314)
+311Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Caught fish
97%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Highly Recommend
6 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty (AM) on June 11, 2025
My family and I had been on multiple fishing outings in the Galveston area and had caught one “keeper”. After many disappointing trips, we finally found a captain that we will definitely book again and can highly recommend. All of my kids caught keepers and my wife was able to catch her first shark, a bucket list item for her. I highly recommend Captain John. He kept us on the fish all day. He was well prepared and professional and his knowledge was most impressive. If you are looking for the best fishing captain in Galveston, Captain John is your guy!
My family and I had been on multiple fishing outings in the Galveston area and had caught one “keeper”. After many disappointing trips, we finally found a captain that we will definitely book again and can highly recommend. All of my kids caught keepers and my wife was able to catch her first shark, a bucket list item for her. I highly recommend Captain John. He kept us on the fish all day. He was well prepared and professional and his knowledge was most impressive. If you are looking...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
A bit of everything
6 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty (PM) on June 27, 2025
So we booked a 6 hour PM bay jetty trip with captain John. My fiancée, myself, 3 teenagers and a 8 year old. We caught, black-Tisha’s, stingrays, sheepshead, black drum, and more I can’t remember the names. He worked very hard keeping us baited, unsnagged, rigged up as on the fish. We booked a 6 hour trip but within 4 everyone was tired and ready to go. Lots of fish, good time, he was patient and answered the thousands of questions from the kids. If he’s available book here
So we booked a 6 hour PM bay jetty trip with captain John. My fiancée, myself, 3 teenagers and a 8 year old. We caught, black-Tisha’s, stingrays, sheepshead, black drum, and more I can’t remember the names. He worked very hard keeping us baited, unsnagged, rigged up as on the fish. We booked a 6 hour trip but within 4 everyone was tired and ready to go. Lots of fish, good time, he was patient and answered the thousands of questions from the kids. If he’s available book here
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Big Tex fishing trip.
4 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty (PM) on May 31, 2025
This was my first Salt Water trip. I've done several fresh water trips and several guided hunts before. Big Tex. Was professional, kind and experienced when it comes to Salt Water fishing. His equipment was well maintained and his boat was very clean. He knows how to navigate the rough waters to help reduce the risk of being drenched or thrown around. He cares for the environment and strives to maintain healthy habits when it comes to the impact of trash in our waters and the care of our future population of sporting fish. We enjoyed our trip so much, I registered for another trip in July with Big Tex.
This was my first Salt Water trip. I've done several fresh water trips and several guided hunts before. Big Tex. Was professional, kind and experienced when it comes to Salt Water fishing. His equipment was well maintained and his boat was very clean. He knows how to navigate the rough waters to help reduce the risk of being drenched or thrown around. He cares for the environment and strives to maintain healthy habits when it comes to the impact of trash in our waters and the care of our future...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
PERFECT FISHING TRIP!
4 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty (AM) on May 30, 2025
John was the consummate professional with an exceptional personal touch. My son and I wanted to get out on the water and catch some things we hadn’t been able to catch before and Captain John put us on the fish. Besides the immaculate boat, great equipment, and the ease of Booking with him, he truly made it a rewarding experience and I will book with him again with zero hesitation's. If you’re an avid fishing pro, weekend warrior, or never fished before you are in exceptional hands with this guy. Thank you captain for truly making a phenomenal experience for Myself and my son. We wish you the best and we’ll be seeing you soon!
John was the consummate professional with an exceptional personal touch. My son and I wanted to get out on the water and catch some things we hadn’t been able to catch before and Captain John put us on the fish. Besides the immaculate boat, great equipment, and the ease of Booking with him, he truly made it a rewarding experience and I will book with him again with zero hesitation's. If you’re an avid fishing pro, weekend warrior, or never fished before you are in exceptional hands with this...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great day out with Captain John!
6 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty (AM) on March 25, 2025
My wife, two adult sons, and I went out of Galveston for the first time and I'm so glad we went with Captain John. It was a calm, foggy morning so we headed for the jetty. We caught a good variety of fish, limiting out on sheepshead. Also caught a really nice (nearly 28") slot red. We also caught about 20 hard head catfish that kept us all on our toes. We also hooked a big fish that took all the line off the reel, had another that we fought for a long time before it broke the line, and another big sheepshead that spit the hook just before we got it in the net. Enough "big one that got away" stories for everyone. Captain John was awesome through out! He did a great job on keeping shrimp on all our hooks and net our fish. He helped cast those that needed help to get in close to the shore. He never complained when we got snagged up in the rocks and he had to try to help free it or put on a new hook & sinker if the line broke. He cleaned all our fish and got us on our way, just in time for his afternoon trip. All in all, a good time was had by all. Really great experience!
My wife, two adult sons, and I went out of Galveston for the first time and I'm so glad we went with Captain John. It was a calm, foggy morning so we headed for the jetty. We caught a good variety of fish, limiting out on sheepshead. Also caught a really nice (nearly 28") slot red. We also caught about 20 hard head catfish that kept us all on our toes. We also hooked a big fish that took all the line off the reel, had another that we fought for a long time before it broke the line, and another...
FAQs about Big Tex Fishing Charters
What are the trip rates for Big Tex Fishing Charters?
Big Tex Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
- US $525 per group, additional US $75 per person after 3 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty (AM) (4 hours)
- US $525 per group, additional US $75 per person after 3 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty (PM) (4 hours)
- US $525 per group, additional US $75 per person after 3 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty (PM) (4 hours)
- US $750 per group, additional US $75 per person after 3 guests - 6 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty (AM) (6 hours)
- US $750 per group, additional US $75 per person after 3 guests - 6 Hour Trip – Bay & Jetty (PM) (6 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Big Tex Fishing Charters?
When you book a trip with Big Tex Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
- Toilet There is an enclosed restroom on the boat.
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Live Bait Well
- Multimedia System Bluetooth Compatable Stereo System
- Wireless Trolling Motor
- Ice Box
What's included in the trip price with Big Tex Fishing Charters?
Trips booked with Big Tex Fishing Charters include:
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live Bait (Live and or dead bait is included. )
- Catch cleaning & filleting (If you choose to keep your catch then it will cleaned and bagged at no charge. )
What types of fishing does Big Tex Fishing Charters offer?
Big Tex Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
- Inshore Fishing
- Nearshore Fishing
- Wreck Fishing
What fishing techniques does Big Tex Fishing Charters offer?
Big Tex Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
- Light Tackle
- Heavy Tackle
- Bottom Fishing
- Spinning
- Popping
- Drift Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Big Tex Fishing Charters?
Top targeted fish species with Big Tex Fishing Charters include:
- Black Drum
- Catfish
- Flounder
- Jack Crevalle
- Ray
- Redfish
- Shark (Blacktip)
- Shark (Bonnethead)
- Sheepshead
- Speckled Trout
Meet your captain
Galveston, Texas, United States
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
I started fishing when I was about 14 years old and after that first fishing trip, you couldn't keep me from the water. I have a passion for nature and all the creatures in it. I always get asked about catches that I have had and I enjoy talking about them but the ones that stick out to me the most are the ones that I've given to others. I love watching the pure joy someone gets from catching a giant.
Fish you can target
Your boat
Where you can fish
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Wreck Fishing
How you can fish
Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Spinning
Popping
Drift Fishing
What's on board
Toilet
There is an enclosed restroom on the boat.
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Multimedia System
Bluetooth Compatable Stereo System
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box
Included in the price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Live and or dead bait is included.
Catch cleaning & filleting
If you choose to keep your catch then it will cleaned and bagged at no charge.
How cancellations work
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
There is no age requirement as long as there is a guardian. I love kids and enjoy putting them on fish.
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
How to pay
Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% 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
PayPal
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.
What’s biting in Galveston right now
Black Drum
Flounder
Redfish
Shark (Blacktip)
Speckled Trout