Big Tex Fishing Charters
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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!
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!
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big tex fishing was really great. capt john was really great.we got the small bait fish first and then went further out and he bait and cast the larger poles out. in minutes. we had caught a small shark that welet go but then we caught 4 or 5 of these big fish, it was too hard for me to hold the pole and reel it in so he took ovsr for me and gave to my husband to bring in. we fished. for nearly the 4 hours we booked.we only kept 2 of the fish. But we got some great pictures and my. husband had a blast. this was a dream of his that he talked of for 25 years so it was very special to us and our 25th wedding annivervsary present to my husband. i would recomend using big tex to everyone, he knows how to make great memories for people.
So we went on a 6 hour morning trip. with two teens and two adults. We started out cathing bait fish which was fun all by itself. After making our way out to the fishing spot Capt John set up the lines. First fish on was what we thought was the best catch of the day. 41” Bull Red. About 30 minutes later a 38”. Then everthing died off foe a bit. Thats when my monster 47” (and PB/biggest Bull Red caught on the boat) Bull Red was caught. Not 20 minutes later we caught a 37 1/2” Bull Red. 4 total for the day. We did end the trip catching countless smaller fish. Capt John was awesome and I higly recommend booking with him. We will on our next trip.

Went out with Captain John on Sept 2, 2026. Start of the trip was rough. 30 mph winds, started fishing the south jetty and the storm brought in too much seaweed. He decided we needed to get out of the seaweed and started to move to another spot and just got rougher. Mother nature. Lol. Heavy rain. Enough to ask us if we wanted to quit for the day, but we persevered. Good thing we did. Fished in the harbor and probably caught around a total of 100 fish. Including a 38-39 inch bull red. Lost 2 good red drums. (Not his fault. It happens) 5 of us. Not one minute went by that at least one of us wasn't pulling in a fish. Great conversation too! Thanks again John! Definitely recommend!
Went out with Captain John and had an absolute ball! What a day to remember! Within the first 10 minutes, we were catching fish as fast as we could pull them in. Talk about a feeding frenzy! Our biggest challenge was reeling them in fast enough before the dolphins decided they wanted our catch for dinner! 😂🐬🎣 We caught all sorts of fish**, spadefish, ladyfish, sand trout, speckled trout, blacktip shark, bonnethead shark, croaker, catfish, stingray, pinfish, and black drum.** It seemed like we never knew what was going to be on the end of the line next! Captain John was fantastic. He was great to converse with, kept things fun, and there was no sailor language, just pure fun, lots of laughs, and some great memories. To top it all off, Captain John hooked us up with a local restaurant that cooked our fresh catch four different ways: cornmeal fried, blackened, beer battered, and grilled. Let’s just say we definitely didn’t go home hungry! Thanks, Captain John, for an incredible day on the water. We’ll definitely be back! 🎣🐬🦈 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We had an outstanding fishing trip! Our entire family had a great time, especially my two grandsons, who were smiling from start to finish. Everyone on the boat caught fish, which made the experience exciting for all of us. The highlight of the day was when one of my sons-in-law landed two huge bull reds (38” & 36”) — something we’ll be talking about for years! Captain John worked hard to keep us on the fish, was patient with my grandsons, and made sure everyone had a memorable experience. If you’re looking for a fun family fishing trip where everyone has a chance to catch fish, I highly recommend Captain John Mark. We can’t wait to come back!

Captain John made our excursion worth every penny! The conditions weren't great which made it difficult to get on the fish, but once we did we were able to bring back quite a few. Captain John is super friendly and a pleasure to talk to. He works very hard to make sure your fishing experience is a good one. It would have been nice to catch a few more keepers or maybe even find some sharks but we came home with a enough fish for a good meal. The best part is I feel like my sons and I have a new friend in Captain John! Thanks Captain!

We had the fishing experience we've ever had. We charter a fishing trip every year since 2018, and this is by far the best! There were three of us and we tagged out for Red Fish. The conversations were great and informative. We learned a lot about Captain John, which was a plus. We'll definitely use his charter again when we're in Galveston!
Captian John-Mark and Big Tex Fishing Charters offered an amazing adventure! His gear was top notch, and we caught fish on the first cast! John-Mark has a great sense of humor and had us laughing the whole trip. We highly recommend using his charter, and we are already planning our next fishing trip with him.
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

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!!