Guided Redfish And Drum Family Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Family-friendly 5-hour inshore fishing adventure with Captain Richard StroudTarget Redfish, Black Drum, and Sea Trout in calm Texas watersAll gear provided for two anglers, accommodates up to four guests
When you're looking for that perfect family day on the Texas coast, Captain Richard Stroud's got you covered with a 5-hour inshore adventure that's built for making memories. This isn't your typical fishing charter where everyone's stressed about technique – it's all about getting the whole crew involved, whether you've got kids who've never touched a rod or grandparents who remember when these waters were less crowded. You'll be targeting some of the most reliable species in Texas waters: redfish, black drum, and sea trout, all while staying in the protected bays where the water stays calm and everyone can actually enjoy themselves.
Captain Richard runs this trip at a pace that works for families, which means you're not racing from spot to spot or dealing with the pressure of a hardcore fishing charter. The boat accommodates up to four people total, with gear provided for two active anglers – perfect for letting family members rotate in and out as kids get excited or need breaks. You'll launch from Aransas Pass and work the shallow flats and deeper channels where these fish love to hang out. The captain knows these waters like his backyard, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching. He keeps things simple with the tackle and techniques, focusing on methods that give everyone a real shot at hooking up. The trip runs five hours, which gives you plenty of time to get comfortable, learn the basics, and hopefully put some fish in the boat without anyone getting burned out or seasick.
Captain Richard keeps the gear setup straightforward – no need to master complicated rigs or worry about bringing your own equipment. You'll be fishing with medium-action spinning rods that are forgiving for beginners but still have enough backbone to handle a decent redfish. The typical setup involves live bait when it's available, plus soft plastics and spoons that work well in these inshore waters. Most of the fishing happens in water that's anywhere from 2 to 15 feet deep, so you're not dealing with heavy weights or complicated bottom rigs. The captain will adjust techniques based on conditions and what's biting – sometimes you'll be sight fishing in skinny water where you can actually see the redfish tailing, other times you'll be working structure like oyster reefs or grass lines where the fish ambush bait. The beauty of this approach is that it gives everyone different experiences throughout the day, and the captain can easily switch tactics if the kids are getting restless or if the bite changes.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and for good reason – these copper-colored fighters are aggressive, relatively easy to hook, and put up a battle that gets everyone excited. In the Aransas Pass area, you'll typically find reds ranging from 18 to 28 inches, with some bigger bulls mixed in during certain times of year. They're most active during moving tides and love to feed in shallow water where you can sometimes spot their tails sticking up as they root around for crabs and shrimp. What makes redfish perfect for family trips is their willingness to eat a variety of baits and their habit of hanging around in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more nearby. The best months tend to be spring through fall, but you can catch them year-round in this area.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're arguably the most fun fish to catch on light tackle because of their bulldogging fight. These bottom-feeders can range from smaller specimens perfect for kids to handle, all the way up to massive 30-plus pound fish that will test your drag system. They're particularly abundant around Aransas Pass because of all the shell structure and oyster reefs that hold the crabs they love to eat. Black drum are most active during cooler months, making them a reliable target when other species might be harder to find. They're also great for teaching patience since they often require you to keep your bait on the bottom and wait for that steady pull that signals a drum has picked up your offering.
Sea trout round out the trio and bring a completely different fishing experience to the table. These spotted beauties are more finicky than reds or drum, which makes them perfect for teaching kids about lure presentation and working baits properly. They suspend in the water column around grass beds and structure, and they'll often hit topwater lures early and late in the day, providing some of the most exciting visual strikes you'll see in shallow water. Sea trout in this area typically run 14 to 20 inches, with some gator trout over 25 inches possible during peak seasons. They're most active during warmer months and can be incredibly rewarding to catch because they require a bit more skill and timing than the other species.
This family-friendly charter hits that sweet spot between being productive enough to keep everyone engaged while staying relaxed enough that nobody feels stressed about performance. Captain Richard's approach focuses on making sure everyone gets involved and learns something, whether it's a 6-year-old landing their first fish or parents getting back into fishing after years away from it. The 5-hour timeframe gives you real value without overstaying anyone's attention span, and the gear-included setup means less hassle and more fishing. Just grab your fishing licenses, pack some snacks and drinks, and show up ready to spend a day on some of the most productive inshore waters Texas has to offer. These spots fill up during peak seasons, so don't wait too long to secure your family's next fishing adventure.
Step aboard this reliable 2000 Haynie Bay Boats AGS motorboat with Capt. Richard for your family redfish adventure in Aransas Pass waters. This well-equipped 24-footer handles the shallow Texas coastline like a champ, getting you to those prime fishing spots where drum and sea trout love to hang out. The onboard GPS keeps you on course while the fish finder helps locate schools hiding in the grass flats and oyster reefs. Built tough for inshore work, this boat offers a stable platform for casting lines and plenty of room for the whole crew to move around safely. The shallow draft design lets you slip into back bays and skinny water where the big reds feed, while the reliable engine gets you there and back with confidence.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some real bruisers pushing 90. These grey-black fish love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-8 feet of water, using their powerful jaws to crush shellfish all day. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater, making sounds you can actually feel through the boat hull. They're tough fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig - the scent drives them crazy and catfish won't steal it like they do with shrimp.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, ranging from slot-size 18-27 inchers to bull reds over 40 pounds. You'll spot these copper-colored beauties cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They're year-round fighters here in Texas, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. What guests love most is watching them crash topwater lures in skinny water and that distinctive black spot near their tail. The smaller "slot" fish make fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. Here's a local secret: look for nervous baitfish or "muds" where redfish are stirring up the bottom while feeding - that's your money shot.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our Texas coast, typically running 14-24 inches and putting up a scrappy fight on light tackle. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs in 3-10 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. They're most active during cooler months and overcast days, often schooling up in deeper channels during winter. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table - just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. Families love targeting trout because they're aggressive biters and great for kids to catch. My local tip: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork near grass lines. The sound draws them in from a distance.
Aransas Pass, TX