Guided Redfish And Black Drum Trip In Aransas Pass
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fishing targeting redfish and black drumAll fishing gear provided with space for two anglersCaptain Richard guides trips in Aransas Pass waters
Ready to get your lines wet in some of the Texas coast's most productive waters? Capt. Richard's half-day fishing adventure puts you right in the heart of Aransas Pass, where the redfish are fat and the black drum run heavy. This isn't your typical charter - it's a hands-on fishing experience where you'll learn multiple techniques while chasing some of the Gulf's most sought-after species. Whether you're bringing your fishing buddy or introducing someone new to the sport, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your morning starts early with Capt. Richard, who knows these waters like the back of his hand. You'll be fishing the flats, grass beds, and structure around Aransas Pass - prime real estate for redfish, black drum, and sea trout. The beauty of this trip is the variety. One cast you might be sight-fishing a tailing red in shallow water, the next you're bottom fishing for drum around jetty rocks. Capt. Richard provides all the tackle, so you can focus on what matters - setting hooks and fighting fish. Just grab your snacks, drinks, and make sure your fishing license is current. The boat handles two anglers comfortably, but you can bring up to four people total if you want to share the experience with non-fishing family members.
This trip showcases multiple fishing methods that work best in Aransas Pass waters. You'll likely start with live bait - shrimp and small crabs are redfish candy in these parts. Capt. Richard will set you up with medium-action rods spooled with 20-30 lb test, perfect for handling the runs these fish are known for. Depending on conditions, you might switch to artificial lures like soft plastics or topwater plugs. The water clarity and depth changes throughout the day, so being able to adapt your approach is key. When targeting black drum around structure, expect heavier tackle and circle hooks to handle their bulldogging fight. The captain reads the water conditions, tide movements, and seasonal patterns to put you on fish using the right technique at the right time.
Redfish are the stars of Aransas Pass, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 18-27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot-sized fish that make excellent table fare. They're aggressive feeders, especially during moving tides, and their powerful runs will test your drag system. Best action typically happens during fall and spring when they school up in shallow bays and around grass flats. What makes redfish special here is their willingness to eat - they'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm.
Black drum bring a different kind of excitement to your trip. These bottom-dwellers can push 15-20 pounds in Aransas Pass waters, and their fights are all about power and endurance. They love structure - pilings, jetty rocks, and oyster reefs - where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Spring through early summer offers prime black drum fishing when water temperatures climb and they move into shallower areas to spawn. Their fight isn't flashy like a redfish, but the steady pull and head-shaking will make your arms burn.
Sea trout round out your target species list and add finesse fishing to the mix. These spotted beauties prefer grass beds and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. They're more delicate than reds or drum, so you'll use lighter tackle and softer presentations. Early morning and late afternoon are prime trout times, especially when working soft plastics over grass in 3-6 feet of water. Their strikes can be subtle, but once hooked, they'll jump and make short, fast runs that keep you on your toes.
Capt. Richard's guided trips offer the perfect blend of local knowledge, quality equipment, and productive fishing grounds that make Aransas Pass a top-rated destination for inshore anglers. You're not just booking a fishing trip - you're investing in a day where everything's handled so you can focus on making memories and filling the cooler. The variety of species, techniques, and fishing scenarios keeps things interesting whether you're a weekend warrior or someone just getting serious about saltwater fishing. Don't wait for the perfect weather window or the ideal tide - the best day to go fishing is the day you actually go. Reserve your spot with Capt. Richard and experience why Aransas Pass consistently produces some of the Gulf Coast's best inshore action.
Captain Richard's 2000 Haynie Bay Boat is your ticket to productive fishing in the waters around Aransas Pass. This reliable 24-foot motorboat handles the shallow flats and deeper channels with ease, getting you to where the redfish and black drum are feeding. Built by Haynie specifically for bay fishing, she's designed to navigate skinny water while providing a stable platform for casting and fighting fish. The GPS keeps you on productive spots while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. With room for up to four anglers, there's plenty of space to work the water without crowding each other. The boat's shallow draft design lets you slip into those back-country areas where big reds like to cruise the grass flats. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing fish or working structure for black drum, this proven Haynie will put you on fish and get you back to the dock safely.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of our flats - these grey-black fish can range from keeper-sized 5-pounders up to massive 30+ pound bulls. They love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What makes them special is that crushing power - they'll bend your rod and test your drag like few other inshore fish. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the trick: use fresh crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. The drum's drumming sound will actually help you locate schools in shallow water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters - bronze-backed beauties with that signature black eyespot near the tail. They typically run 20-35 inches around here and fight like nothing else, making long runs and testing every knot. You'll find them cruising 1-4 foot flats, around oyster reefs, and in back-country marshes where they'll actually cruise with their backs out of water. They bite year-round, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. Guests love them because they'll eat almost anything and provide heart-stopping topwater strikes. The meat is firm and mild - perfect for the grill. Local secret: look for nervous water and baitfish activity. When you see redfish tailing in skinny water, cast past them and work your bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silvery fish covered in distinct black spots. Most run 14-24 inches and put up a scrappy fight that's perfect for lighter tackle. They love grass flats and shallow bay waters, especially around structure like docks and drop-offs. Best action happens during cooler months when they school up, and early morning or evening topwater fishing can be explosive. What guests love most is their willingness to hit lures - from topwater plugs to soft plastics. Plus, they're excellent eating with delicate, flaky white meat. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady over grass beds. Specks are ambush predators, so let them find your bait rather than racing it past them.
Aransas Pass, TX