Premium Full Day Fishing Charter with Captain Justin
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore charter targeting redfish and jack crevalleAll equipment and tackle provided by experienced Captain JustinSmall group fishing across bays, flats, and channels
Port O'Connor sits right in the sweet spot of Texas coastal fishing, where the bay systems meet the Gulf and prime inshore species thrive year-round. Captain Justin Dudley knows these waters like the back of his hand, and his full-day charters with 3rd Coast Sightcast give you eight solid hours to work the flats, channels, and grass beds that hold some of the coast's most sought-after fish. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – you'll have time to really dial in on the bite and chase multiple species as conditions change throughout the day.
Your day starts early at the Port O'Connor marina, where Captain Justin will have everything rigged and ready to go. The boat launches into Matagorda Bay, one of Texas's most productive inshore fisheries, giving you access to miles of varied structure and habitat. You'll cover shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in packs, deeper channels that hold seatrout, and structure areas where jack crevalle patrol in aggressive schools. The beauty of an eight-hour trip is the flexibility – if the morning bite is slow in one area, there's plenty of time to relocate and find where the fish are feeding. Captain Justin reads water conditions, tides, and weather patterns to put you on the most productive spots throughout the day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, he'll adjust techniques and locations to match your skill level and keep the action consistent.
All your gear is provided, including quality rods and reels spooled with appropriate line for inshore work. Captain Justin runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species – live bait fishing with shrimp and croaker when fish are finicky, artificial lures like soft plastics and topwaters when they're aggressive, and sight fishing opportunities when conditions allow for spotting fish in shallow water. The boat is equipped with everything needed for different presentations, from popping corks for seatrout to heavier jigheads for working deeper structure where black drum hold. Tackle selection changes throughout the day as you move between different areas and target various species. You'll learn proper bait presentation, how to read water for signs of fish, and techniques for fighting different species effectively. The extended time on the water means you can really dial in your skills and try multiple approaches until you find what's working best.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Port O'Connor inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most consistent action you'll find anywhere on the Texas coast. They school up in shallow bays and along grass lines, often feeding so aggressively you can see them pushing water and creating wakes as they chase baitfish. Reds here typically run 18-27 inches, with plenty of slot fish that make excellent table fare and occasional oversized bulls that test your drag system. Fall and winter months see some of the best numbers as fish school up for their spawning runs, but Port O'Connor produces quality redfish action year-round. What makes catching them so addictive is their fighting style – they make long, powerful runs and use their broad bodies to leverage against the current.
Spotted seatrout patrol the deeper grass beds and channel edges throughout the bay system, with the best action typically coming during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. These fish are structure-oriented and respond well to both live bait and artificial presentations. Port O'Connor's trout tend to run larger than many other coastal areas, with keeper-sized fish common and occasional heavyweight specks pushing 6-8 pounds. They're temperature-sensitive, so Captain Justin adjusts locations seasonally – shallow flats during warmer months and deeper channels when water temperatures drop. Trout fishing requires more finesse than redfish, making them perfect for anglers who enjoy working lures methodically and reading subtle strikes.
Jack crevalle bring pure adrenaline to any fishing trip, showing up in aggressive schools that attack bait with incredible ferocity. These fish are built like torpedoes and fight harder pound-for-pound than almost any inshore species. Port O'Connor's jacks range from schoolie-sized fish around 3-5 pounds up to bruiser bulls exceeding 20 pounds that will test your equipment and endurance. They're most active during warmer months but can show up year-round when bait is present. Finding a school of feeding jacks creates some of the most exciting fishing you'll experience – they'll hit almost anything thrown their way and provide non-stop action until the school moves on. The fight is what makes them special – long runs, head shaking, and bulldog determination that leaves anglers exhausted but grinning.
This full-day charter gives you maximum time on the water with one of Port O'Connor's most experienced captains, all gear included, and access to some of Texas's most productive inshore fishing grounds. Eight hours allows for exploring different areas as conditions change, targeting multiple species, and really getting dialed in on productive techniques. With only two anglers per trip, you get personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities to work on your skills. Captain Justin's local knowledge and commitment to putting clients on fish makes this a top-rated choice for anyone serious about inshore fishing. Book early, especially during peak seasons, as these full-day spots fill up quickly with both local regulars and visiting anglers who know Port O'Connor's reputation for world-class inshore action.
Your fishing platform for the day is a Maverick 17 HPX-T, a 17-foot skiff built specifically for working the shallow flats around Port O'Connor. This lightweight boat draws minimal water, letting you access those skinny areas where redfish and jack crevalle like to prowl. The 70HP Yamaha pushes you along at a solid 36 knots when moving between spots, but stays quiet when you need to sneak up on fish. The deck layout gives you plenty of casting room for two anglers, while the built-in icebox keeps your drinks cold and any keeper fish fresh. Modern fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish, plus GPS keeps you on track across the bays and channels. Captain Justin knows these Texas waters inside and out, and this nimble skiff gets you right where the action is without spooking the fish.
Caranx HipposThese brassy-backed bruisers are some of the hardest-fighting fish you'll hook in our waters. Jacks typically run 3-5 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds, and they'll test your drag from the first run. You'll find schools working baitfish in 3-15 feet around grass flats, channels, and structures. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps warm up. What makes jacks special is their raw power - they fight like they're twice their size and never give up. Plus, they're not picky eaters. Watch for diving birds marking feeding schools, then cast silver spoons or swimbaits past the school and burn them back fast. The key is keeping that bait moving - jacks love the chase and aggressive retrieves trigger the meanest strikes.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. Most run 18-30 inches, but we regularly see fish pushing 40+ inches in deeper water. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and grass beds in 1-4 feet - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. Reds are favorites because they eat almost anything, fight like freight trains, and the sight-fishing opportunities are amazing. They're also great eating in the slot size. The trick here is staying quiet and watching for wakes, tails, or that telltale copper flash. Weedless spoons and topwater plugs work magic in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout are our bread-and-butter inshore species, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These speckled beauties love grass flats, sandy bottoms, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods - early morning and evening bites are prime time. Trout are popular because they fight well for their size, school up nicely, and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They're also great for beginners since they're willing biters. During winter, look for them in deeper holes and channels where they school up tight. My go-to trick is working soft plastics under a popping cork - the noise draws them in, and the suspended bait looks natural. Keep it subtle though; trout have soft mouths and spook easily.
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