Weekend Fishing Charter Port O'Connor TX
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing targeting redfish and jack crevalleEight hours exploring Port O'Connor bays and flatsAll equipment and instruction included for beginners
When you're ready to spend a proper weekend day on the water, Captain Justin Dudley's 8-hour inshore charter out of Port O'Connor delivers exactly what Texas coast fishing is all about. This isn't some quick morning trip where you're back at the dock before lunch – we're talking a full day of working the flats, channels, and backwater spots where redfish, jack crevalle, black drum, and speckled trout make their living. Port O'Connor sits right where Matagorda Bay opens up to some of the most productive inshore waters on the Gulf Coast, and Captain Justin knows every grass bed, oyster reef, and drop-off that holds fish year-round.
Your day starts early at the marina, where you'll meet Captain Justin and get a quick rundown of the game plan. He's been guiding these waters long enough to read conditions like a book – wind direction, tide movement, water clarity – all factors that determine where we'll start and how the day unfolds. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to really work different areas without feeling rushed. Maybe we start on some shallow flats targeting tailing redfish in the morning, then move to deeper channels when the tide changes, and finish the day working structure for black drum and trout. Every trip adapts to what's happening that day, which keeps things interesting and productive. All your gear is covered – rods, reels, tackle, and bait – plus Captain Justin's always ready to help fine-tune your technique whether you're a weekend warrior or picking up a rod for the first time.
Port O'Connor's inshore fishing is all about reading water and matching your approach to what the fish are doing. We'll work everything from sight-fishing shallow flats with artificial lures to bottom fishing deeper channels with live and cut bait. The grass beds around Matagorda Bay hold tons of baitfish, which means predators like jack crevalle and redfish patrol these areas regularly. Captain Justin runs a well-equipped boat that can handle both shallow water sight-casting and deeper water fishing, so you'll get to experience the full range of what makes Texas inshore fishing special. Depending on conditions, we might throw topwater plugs at first light, switch to soft plastics when the sun gets higher, or drop live shrimp near oyster reefs when the tide's moving. The key is staying flexible and letting the fish tell you what they want – that's where having an experienced guide makes all the difference.
Jack Crevalle are the bruisers of the inshore scene around Port O'Connor, and they'll test your tackle and your arms in equal measure. These fish hunt in schools and hit hard – when you hook into a decent jack, you'll know it immediately. They're most active during warmer months and love to crash baitfish on the surface, making for some exciting topwater action. What makes jacks special is their pure fighting power – a 15-pound jack will pull harder and longer than most fish twice its size. They're not picky eaters either, which means they'll hit everything from live shrimp to large paddle-tail soft plastics.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and the waters around Port O'Connor hold some beautiful copper-colored bulls. These fish are year-round residents, though they behave differently as seasons change. Summer finds them on shallow flats where you can sight-cast to individual fish – one of the most rewarding ways to target reds. Fall and winter pushes them to deeper channels and structure, where they school up and feed aggressively. Redfish are smart and can be finicky, but when you dial in the right presentation, they'll eat with confidence. A good red will make several strong runs and use its broad body to fight you all the way to the boat.
Speckled Trout round out the slam and provide some of the most consistent action in these waters. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, oyster reefs, and drop-offs where baitfish concentrate. Trout fishing is often about covering water and finding active schools – once you locate feeding fish, you can usually catch several before they move on. They're excellent table fare and fun on light tackle, with a soft mouth that requires a gentle touch when fighting them. Early morning and late afternoon tend to be prime time for trout, though they'll feed throughout the day when conditions are right.
An 8-hour charter gives you the chance to really experience what Port O'Connor's inshore fishing offers without feeling rushed or limited to just one type of fishing. You'll work different water, target multiple species, and have time to improve your technique throughout the day. Captain Justin's local knowledge and willingness to teach make this trip valuable for anglers at any skill level – beginners get solid instruction and experienced anglers learn new spots and techniques. With all tackle and bait provided, you just need to bring yourself, some snacks and drinks for the day, and be ready for whatever the fish throw at you. Weekend dates fill up quickly, especially during prime fishing months, so don't wait too long to secure your spot on the water.
Your fishing adventures start aboard this nimble Maverick 17 HPX-T skiff, perfectly rigged for working the shallow flats around Port O'Connor. This 17-footer cuts through the water with authority thanks to its 70HP Yamaha, hitting cruising speeds up to 36 knots to get you from spot to spot quickly. Built for two anglers, it's designed to get skinny in those productive back bays where redfish and jack crevalle love to hunt. The GPS keeps you on productive water while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish. Keep your drinks cold and catch fresh in the onboard icebox during those long summer days chasing fish across the Texas coast. Captain Justin knows these waters and this boat gets you there quietly and efficiently.
Caranx HipposJack Crevalle are the bulldogs of our coastal waters - these brassy, golden-sided fighters average 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but can reach up to 60 pounds. They roam our bays, flats, and channels in aggressive schools, often pushing baitfish to the surface where birds dive in to feed. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps are warm. What makes jacks special is their raw power - they'll bend your rod double and test your drag like few fish can. They're not great table fare, but the fight is pure adrenaline. Here's a local tip: when you spot diving birds, cast silver spoons or swimbaits past the school and retrieve them fast. Jacks love the chase, and that aggressive retrieve triggers explosive strikes.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 20-35 inches in our area. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them tailing on mud flats, cruising oyster reefs, and hiding in marsh grass during high tide. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Reds are perfect for sight fishing, which makes every hookup visual and exciting. They're strong fighters that make long runs and great table fare with mild, sweet meat. Pro tip: in skinny water, approach quietly and cast past cruising fish, then slowly work your bait into their path. Spook them and they're gone.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silvery fish covered in distinctive black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds in our waters. You'll find them over grass flats, in shallow bays, and around structure like shell reefs, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. Fall and winter provide the most consistent action here in Port O'Connor. Trout are prized for their delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish in the bay. They're also fun fighters with a habit of jumping when hooked. The key to catching more trout is fishing soft plastics or live shrimp near the bottom early morning or late evening when they're actively feeding in the grass.
Texas