Afternoon Bay Fishing with Captain Kade

Afternoon Bay Fishing with Captain Kade

If you're looking for a solid afternoon on the water where you can actually fish instead of just riding around, Captain Kade LaFrance has you covered. This isn't one of those rushed trips where you're constantly moving spots - it's a proper fishing experience in the Galveston Bay Complex where you settle in, work your baits, and wait for the fish to tell you they're ready. The bay holds some of the best inshore fishing on the Texas coast, and Captain Kade knows exactly where to put you on them. You'll be targeting redfish, sea trout, sheepshead, and summer flounder depending on what's biting that day. Best part? He'll clean and fillet whatever you catch, so you're walking away with a cooler full of fresh fillets ready for the dinner table.

What to Expect on the Water

Captain Kade runs a relaxed operation that's perfect for anglers who want to actually spend time with their lines in the water. The Galveston Bay Complex offers protected waters with plenty of structure, grass flats, and drop-offs that hold fish year-round. You'll be working with live bait most of the time - shrimp, croaker, and mullet depending on what the fish are keyed in on. The captain keeps things comfortable and lets you fish at your own pace while offering tips when you need them. This trip works great for groups up to four people, whether you're bringing the family or a few fishing buddies. The bay stays fishable in most weather conditions, so you're not constantly worrying about getting beat up by rough seas. Captain Kade's approach is hands-on but not overwhelming - he'll get you set up properly and then let you enjoy the fishing while staying ready to help when the action picks up.

Tactics & Techniques

The beauty of fishing the Galveston Bay system is the variety of presentations you can use. You'll spend time drift fishing over shell reefs and grass beds, working live shrimp under popping corks for trout and reds. When the fish are holding tight to structure, you'll switch to bottom rigs with cut bait or live croaker to pull sheepshead and flounder out of their hiding spots. Captain Kade keeps his tackle simple but effective - medium action spinning rods spooled with 15-20lb braid, circle hooks to keep the fish pinned, and enough weight to feel the bottom without getting hung up constantly. The key here is reading the water and adjusting your technique based on tide, wind, and what the fish are telling you. Some days they want the bait moving fast, other days you need to slow it down and let them come to you. The captain will walk you through each setup and explain why you're fishing a certain way, so you're learning while you're catching.

Top Catches This Season

Summer Flounder are the prize catch for many anglers hitting the Galveston Bay Complex. These flatfish love sandy bottoms near drop-offs and channel edges, especially during the warmer months. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in the sand and wait for baitfish to swim by. A good flounder will go 18-24 inches and fight harder than you'd expect for a flat fish. The key is keeping your bait moving slowly along the bottom - they won't chase it down, but they'll crush it if you put it right in front of them.

Sheepshead are the technical fighters of the bay. These black-and-white striped fish hang around any kind of structure - pilings, reefs, rocks - and they're notorious bait stealers. They've got human-like teeth that can crush barnacles and oysters, which makes them picky about how you present your bait. A good sheepshead will go 3-5 pounds and pull like a freight train when hooked. They're most active during cooler months, making them perfect targets for fall and winter trips.

Sea Trout are the bread-and-butter fish of the Texas coast. They school up over grass flats and around structure, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. A solid trout will measure 15-20 inches and they're excellent table fare. These fish are most active during dawn and dusk, but the bay holds enough of them that you can catch them throughout the day. They're perfect for live shrimp under a popping cork, and they make that classic trout sound when they hit the surface.

Redfish are the power hitters of the bay system. These copper-colored bruisers can grow over 40 inches and will test your drag system when hooked. They cruise the shallows looking for crabs and shrimp, often with their backs out of the water in just a few feet of depth. Slot-size reds between 20-28 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized fish provide pure adrenaline before you release them. They're year-round residents in the bay, but fall and spring offer some of the best action when they school up in large numbers.

Time to Book Your Spot

Captain Kade's afternoon fishing trips offer exactly what serious anglers are looking for - quality time on productive water with a guide who knows how to put you on fish. The Galveston Bay Complex is one of the most consistent fisheries on the Gulf Coast, and having someone who understands the tides, structure, and seasonal patterns makes all the difference. You'll come off the water with a better understanding of bay fishing and a cooler full of fresh fillets. This isn't about bragging rights or photo opportunities - it's about spending a solid afternoon fishing and bringing home dinner. Book your trip with Captain Kade and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer.