5.0(1 Reviews)Extended Half Day Fishing Trip In Port Aransas
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing targeting redfish and trout speciesSpecialized bay boat accesses rigs, flats, and shallow watersWade fishing and backcountry flats fishing options available
When you're looking for serious fishing action without burning through your whole weekend, Captain Brian's extended half-day trips hit that sweet spot perfectly. We're talking six solid hours on the water - or until you limit out, whichever comes first. This isn't your typical bay boat charter that keeps you stuck in the same old spots everyone else fishes. Our specialized airboat opens up water that most guides can only dream about reaching, from the productive oil rigs to those pristine back flats where the big reds love to cruise.
You'll step aboard our custom airboat that's built for both comfort and fishing performance. We're talking big, comfortable chairs that actually let you fish all day without your back screaming, plus a rock-solid platform that gives you room to work a fish properly. The beauty of our setup is the versatility - we can run skinny water flats where traditional props would get stuck, or cruise out to the rigs when the fish are stacked up offshore. Wade fishing opportunities are always on the table too, especially when we find those perfect grass beds where the trout are feeding. The trip is set up for two anglers, but we can take additional folks for $100 each - just keep in mind that prime fishing real estate gets divided up more ways.
Our airboat advantage means we're constantly adapting to where the fish are biting best. On the flats, we'll work topwater plugs early and late, switching to soft plastics when the sun gets high and the fish move deeper into the grass. The oil rigs are a whole different game - we'll position upurrent and work jigs and live bait down through the structure where the drum and bigger trout hang out. When we hit the rocks and shell beds, expect to throw everything from spoons to paddle tails, depending on what's working. Captain Brian knows these waters like the back of his hand, so you're getting that local knowledge that makes the difference between a good day and a great day. We carry all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear for trout to heavier setups when we're targeting those bull reds.
"I had a great fishing trip with Captain Brian. That air boat was an incredible 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 headliners around Port Aransas, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love our shallow flats and back lakes, especially during the warmer months from April through October. You'll find them cruising in schools of dozens, tailing in inches of water, or posted up around structure waiting to ambush baitfish. What makes reds so special is their fight - they'll make long, powerful runs that test your drag and your patience. The slot-size fish (20-28 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls provide that arm-burning battle that keeps you coming back.
Sea Trout are your bread-and-butter species here, and our grass flats hold some real quality fish. Spring and fall are prime time when water temperatures hit that 70-75 degree sweet spot, but you can catch trout year-round if you know where to look. These spotted beauties are ambush predators that love to hang around drop-offs and grass edges. A good trout bite means steady action with fish in the 15-20 inch range, and when you hook into one of those 25-inch gator trout, you'll understand why locals get so fired up about them.
Black Drum might not win any beauty contests, but they'll sure test your tackle. These bottom-huggers love our oyster reefs and deeper holes, especially during cooler months. They're masters at using their bulk and the structure to their advantage, making them a favorite among anglers who like a tug-of-war. The smaller drum make excellent table fare, while the big bulls (some pushing 40+ pounds) provide that bucket-list fight that'll have you talking about it for years.
Southern Flounder are the sneaky stars of our flats. These masters of camouflage bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for unsuspecting bait to swim by. Fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawning run, but our year-round population means you've always got a shot at a doormat. What makes flounder special is the challenge - they require finesse and patience, but when you feel that distinctive thump and set the hook on a 20-inch flatfish, you'll appreciate why they're such a prized catch.
Six hours on the water with access to spots that other boats simply can't reach - that's what sets this trip apart from the pack. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to break into new water or someone who wants to experience what Port Aransas fishing is really about, Captain Brian's got you covered. The extended half-day format gives you time to really get into the fish without committing to a full day, and with our "fish until you limit or six hours" approach, you're guaranteed maximum value. These trips book up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait around if you want to get in on some of the best inshore action the Texas coast has to offer.
Captain Brian's 23-foot Haynie bay boat gets you where the fish are biting around Port Aransas. Built tough for inshore waters, this boat handles everything from shallow flats to deeper structure around the rigs and rocks. The GPS keeps you on the productive spots while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. A live bait well keeps your shrimp and baitfish fresh, and the icebox ensures your redfish and trout stay cold on the ride back. With room for up to 6 anglers, the boat's shallow draft opens up back-country areas that bigger boats can't reach. Whether you're wade fishing the grass flats or working artificial lures around structure, this versatile platform puts you in prime position for Port Aransas' best inshore action.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, capable of reaching 30+ pounds with some monsters hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful fish cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and around structure where they crush crabs and shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth. Spring spawning season from February through April is prime time when they school up in shallow water. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spawning - an amazing experience. They're bulldogs that'll test your drag and endurance. Smaller fish under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones are better released. Fresh blue crab is the ultimate bait, but here's a local secret: cut mullet on the bottom during moving tides produces consistent results when crabs are scarce.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Port Aransas legends - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 35+ inches that'll smoke your drag. They cruise grass flats, oyster reefs, and shallow shorelines in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes with their backs showing. Year-round fishery here, but fall is peak season when they school up. These fish fight like freight trains and make excellent table fare when kept in the slot. They'll eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, topwater plugs, and soft plastics. My go-to tip: look for nervous baitfish or muddy water from feeding reds, then throw a gold spoon past them and work it back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are the bread and butter of Texas bay fishing. Most run 14-20 inches with occasional 4-5 pounders that'll make your day. They love grass flats, shell bars, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall provides steady action, but dawn and dusk are magic hours when they move shallow to feed. Cold fronts in winter push them into deeper holes and channels. They're scrappy fighters with great table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. Live shrimp under a popping cork is the classic setup, but soft plastics work year-round. Local trick: when the bite slows, downsize to a 1/8 oz jighead with a small paddle tail and work it super slow along the bottom edges.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise that ambush prey from sandy and muddy bottoms throughout our bays and flats. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we see some pushing 25+ inches. Both eyes sit on their left side, and they can change colors to match the bottom perfectly. You'll find them year-round in Port Aransas, but fall and winter offer the best action when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. They make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The fight isn't about power - it's the challenge of spotting them and the satisfaction of fooling such a clever predator. Pro tip: drift slowly over sandy bottoms with live shrimp on a Carolina rig, and watch for that telltale puff of sand when they move.
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