5.0(1 Reviews)Extended Half Day Fishing Trip In Port Aransas
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore fishing targeting redfish and troutAccess to rigs, flats, rocks, and remote back watersAccommodates two anglers with additional guests available
Looking for a serious fishing adventure that takes you beyond the typical bay boat routes? This six-hour Port Aransas charter gives you access to spots most boats simply can't reach. With our specialized airboat, you'll hit the shallow back flats, cruise over to the productive rigs, and work the rocky structure where the big fish hang out. Whether you're wading the grass beds or casting from the boat, this trip is built for anglers who want variety and results. We fish until we limit out or the six hours are up – whichever comes first.
This isn't your standard bay boat experience. Our airboat opens up fishing opportunities that regular props just can't handle. We'll start early and work the areas that are fishing best that day – could be the shallow flats where reds cruise in skinny water, or maybe the deeper structure around the jetties where trout stack up. The boat seats two anglers comfortably with plenty of room to move around and fight fish. You'll get to try different techniques depending on conditions – sight fishing in the shallows, working soft plastics around structure, or throwing topwater when the fish are aggressive. The trip covers a lot of water, so you'll see parts of the Port Aransas system that most visitors never experience.
The airboat makes all the difference on these trips. While other charters are stuck in deeper water, we're running right over the grass flats and back into areas where conventional boats would get stuck. The shallow draft lets us access prime redfish territory, especially during lower tides when the fish concentrate in pockets and channels. We'll use a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what's working. Soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations are go-to choices for trout and reds, while topwater plugs can be dynamite during early morning and evening periods. When we're working the rigs or rock piles, we might switch to heavier jigs or live shrimp to get down to where the drum and flounder are holding. The airboat's stable platform makes it easy to cast accurately and fight fish without worrying about engine noise spooking the schools.
"I had a great fishing trip with Captain Brian. That air boat was an amazing experience, what a great boat. Big comfortable chairs, and a great fishing platform. Great conversation and technical knowledge of the entire area. It was a quick trip for me but we chased Reds around the bay. Highly recommend Captain Brian!" - David
Redfish are the stars of these Port Aransas flats, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters love the shallow grass beds and oyster reefs we'll be fishing. Reds feed year-round here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when schools move through the area. You'll spot them tailing in inches of water or see their backs pushing wakes as they cruise the flats. A hooked red will make multiple runs and use its broad tail to bulldoze through the water. Most fish here run 20 to 30 inches, perfect eating size with enough fight to test your drag.
Sea Trout are another top target, especially around the deeper grass edges and drop-offs near the jetties. These spotted beauties are most active during cooler months, with winter producing some of the biggest fish of the year. Trout have soft mouths, so they require a lighter touch, but their aggressive strikes on topwater lures make up for any delicate handling. The Port Aransas area holds both smaller keeper trout and trophy fish over 25 inches. They school up around baitfish, so when you find one, there are usually more in the area.
Southern Flounder are the ambush predators of the flats, lying buried in sand near drop-offs and channel edges waiting for prey to swim by. These flatfish are most active during their fall migration when they move toward the gulf to spawn. Flounder fishing requires patience – you'll feel a subtle thump rather than an aggressive strike. Once hooked, they fight with surprising strength for a bottom dweller. The Texas coast produces some of the largest flounder in the Gulf, with fish over 20 inches not uncommon during peak season.
Black Drum round out the target species list and provide some of the strongest fights you'll experience in shallow water. These bottom feeders use their pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters and crabs, making them perfectly suited to the Port Aransas ecosystem. Drum fishing is best around structure – oyster reefs, rock piles, and dock pilings where they root around for food. They're not the prettiest fish, but a big drum will test your tackle and your endurance. Most fish here run 15 to 40 pounds, though giants over 50 pounds show up occasionally to really make things interesting.
This extended half-day trip gives you serious time on the water without burning a whole day. Six hours is enough to hit multiple spots, try different techniques, and really dial in what's working. The airboat access sets this charter apart from standard bay boat trips – you'll fish water that sees minimal pressure and holds more fish as a result. With species variety, technique changes, and prime fishing grounds, this Port Aransas adventure delivers the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back. Book your spot now and get ready to experience the flats, rigs, and back bays like never before.
Captain Brian's 23' Haynie bay boat is your ticket to Port Aransas' best inshore fishing spots. This shallow-draft vessel cuts through the water with ease, getting you to productive flats, reefs, and back bay areas where bigger boats can't reach. The boat comfortably fishes up to 6 anglers and comes loaded with essential gear - GPS to mark hot spots, fish finder to locate schools of redfish and trout, plus VHF radio for safety. The live well keeps your bait frisky while the icebox preserves your catch. Whether you're targeting speckled trout over grass beds or sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, this versatile rig handles it all. The extended half-day format gives you plenty of time to work different areas and techniques, from drift fishing deeper channels to wade fishing shallow flats when conditions are right.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from keeper-sized 5-pounders up to massive 40+ pound bulls. You'll find them crushing oysters and crabs around shell beds, jetties, and shallow muddy areas year-round, but spring spawning season brings the best action when they school up. These fish are pure power - no flashy jumps, just bulldogging runs that'll test your drag and your back. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Larger fish are better released since the meat gets tough. They're not picky eaters but live or fresh-dead crab is hard to beat. Pro tip: when you hook one, don't horse it - let your drag do the work and stay patient. They'll wear themselves out if you don't panic and try to muscle them in too quickly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water game, and for good reason. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches with that classic copper color and distinctive black spot near the tail. You'll find them tailing in knee-deep water over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in back lakes where they hunt crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings some of the best sight-fishing opportunities when they're really aggressive. What makes them special is their power - they'll peel drag and make long runs in skinny water. Plus they're beautiful fish and excellent eating when kept in the slot. The fight is what hooks most anglers - pure strength without the acrobatics. My go-to trick is watching for nervous water and subtle wakes in the shallows. When you spot one, cast well ahead and work your bait slowly into their path. Spook them once and they're gone.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter species here in Port Aransas waters. Most run 14-20 inches with good numbers of 2-4 pounders, though we see some gator trout over 25 inches on the grass flats. They love shallow areas with good current flow, especially around drop-offs and shell bars where baitfish congregate. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but cooler months can be dynamite when they school up in deeper holes. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic on the table with sweet, flaky white meat. They're also scrappy fighters that'll give you some nice head shakes. Best tip I can share: work your lure slow and low. These fish are moody, and a subtle twitch on a soft plastic often outperforms aggressive presentations. Match your bait size to what they're feeding on.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise that'll test your patience and skill. These flatfish run 15-18 inches typically, though we catch some pushing 25+ inches on good days. They bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms around grass beds and drop-offs, waiting to ambush baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. What makes them special is their incredible camouflage ability and the way they inhale your bait in one quick strike. The meat is sweet and flaky - some of the best eating fish in our waters. Here's the trick: use a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp on a light jig head, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
5.0 out of 5.0I had a great fishing trip with Captain Brian. That air boat was an incredible experience, what a great boat. Big comfortable chai...
Port Aransas