5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Guided Fishing Trip In Rockport
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and speckled troutExpert local guide provides toptier equipment and personalized instructionSmall group experience accommodating maximum two guests per charter
Captain Bryce Wickliffe knows these Rockport waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish. This 6-hour guided trip targets some of the Texas coast's most sought-after species - redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and flounder. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to fill the cooler or a newcomer wanting to learn the ropes, Bryce tailors each trip to match your skill level and fishing goals. With only 2 anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and insider knowledge that only comes from years of working these productive waters around Rockport.
You'll meet Captain Bryce at the dock bright and early, where he'll have the boat rigged and ready with top-shelf tackle. The beauty of Rockport's inshore fishery is its diversity - one cast you might hook into a hard-fighting red, the next could be a keeper trout. Bryce runs a well-equipped boat that can handle the shallow flats where reds cruise or the deeper grass beds where trout hold. The pace stays relaxed but productive, giving you time to soak in the coastal scenery while staying focused on the bite. Don't worry about bringing gear - everything's provided, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. Just show up ready to fish and learn from one of the area's top-rated guides.
Bryce mixes up techniques based on conditions and what the fish are doing. You might start the morning throwing topwater plugs over shallow grass beds, listening for that explosive strike when a trout hammers your lure. As the sun gets higher, he'll switch to soft plastics rigged on jig heads, working them along drop-offs and structure where bigger fish like to ambush prey. For redfish, expect to use everything from spoons in deeper water to weedless rigs when sight-casting to tailing fish in skinny water. Black drum often fall for fresh shrimp bounced along the bottom near shell reefs, while flounder prefer live bait presented right on the sand. Bryce reads the water constantly, adjusting locations and presentations to keep you connected to fish throughout the trip.
"Capt. Bryce was very knowledgeable and friendly. We both limited out on trout. First time for my wife to limit out on trout. We will definitely be going out with Capt. Bryce again." - Dusty
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Rockport's waters hold some beauties. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20 to 30 inches in these waters, with the occasional bull red pushing the tape past 35 inches. Reds feed aggressively year-round but really turn on during fall months when they school up for their spawn run. What makes them special is their tenacity - once hooked, a red will make multiple strong runs and use its broad tail to fight you all the way to the boat. They're also excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Rockport fishing, and for good reason. These beautiful fish with their distinctive black spots are abundant, fight well, and taste even better. Most keeper trout here run 15 to 20 inches, but Bryce knows where the 3 to 5-pound "gator" trout like to hang out. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though trout bite year-round if you know where to look. They're structure-oriented fish, relating to grass beds, oyster reefs, and drop-offs where they can ambush small baitfish.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they'll test your drag system like few other inshore species. These bottom-dwellers can grow massive - 20 to 40-pound fish are common in Rockport's deeper waters. They're most active during cooler months and are notorious for their bulldogging fighting style. Once a big drum gets its head down, you're in for a battle. They prefer fresh shrimp or crab, and Bryce knows the specific shell beds and structure where the big ones congregate.
Summer flounder add an element of finesse to your fishing day. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms where they ambush passing prey. Rockport's flounder typically run 16 to 22 inches, with the occasional doormat pushing 5 pounds or better. They're most active during summer months and early fall, requiring precise bait presentation and patience. When you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap of a flounder mouthing your bait, the key is waiting for the right moment to set the hook.
This half-day trip with Captain Bryce offers everything you want in a world-class fishing experience - expert guidance, quality equipment, and access to some of the most productive waters along the Texas coast. The 2-angler limit ensures you get personal attention and plenty of rod time. Whether you're looking to put together a fish fry or just enjoy a day on the water chasing multiple species, this customer favorite trip delivers. Rockport's year-round fishery means there's never a bad time to book, though spring and fall typically offer the most consistent action across all target species. Don't wait - the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons.
You'll be fishing aboard a 2025 Fat Cat BoatWorks 25' with Guide Bryce Wickliffe, perfectly designed for chasing redfish and speckled trout in Rockport's shallow waters. This tunnel hull boat gets you into those skinny flats where the big fish hang out, running smooth even when the water gets really shallow. The specialized hull design means we can access spots other boats can't reach, giving you shots at black drum and flounder in areas that see less pressure. Built for stability and speed, this 25-footer handles Rockport's varying conditions while keeping you comfortable during the full 6-hour trip. Whether we're drifting the grass beds or poling up on redfish in knee-deep water, this boat puts you in prime position to land your target species along the Texas coast.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the big bruisers of the drum family, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds on average, though the real giants can push 90 pounds. These gray-black fish love our shallow muddy flats and oyster beds around Rockport, especially during spring spawning season when they school up and become much easier to target. You'll hear them before you see them - they make distinctive drumming sounds that carry through the water. They're powerful fighters with crushing jaws built for eating oysters and crabs. For eating, stick with fish under 15 pounds since the bigger ones get tough and lose flavor. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom - they can't resist it, and catfish won't steal your bait like they do with shrimp.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target around Rockport, cruising our shallow flats in water so skinny their backs show above the surface. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches but can grow massive offshore. Spring and fall give you the best action when they're actively feeding, though they bite year-round in Texas. What makes them special is that distinctive black spot near the tail and the way they'll crush topwater baits in explosive strikes. They're strong fighters that make long runs and taste great up to about 27 inches. You'll find them around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy shorelines. They eat everything from shrimp to mullet. My local secret is throwing a gold spoon over shallow shell in the early morning - the flash triggers their feeding instinct and they can't resist it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Texas coastal fishing, running 14-24 inches with beautiful spotted sides that give them their nickname. These fish love our grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk when they move up to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall are prime time, though they bite year-round if you know where to look. What guests love is how aggressive they are - they'll slam topwater lures and put up a scrappy fight for their size. The meat is delicate and sweet, but don't overcook it or it gets mushy. During winter, they drop into deeper channels and school up tight. My local trick is throwing a Kelly Wiggler or soft plastic under a popping cork over grass beds - that popping sound drives them crazy and brings them up from cover.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, changing colors to match whatever they're lying on. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and are active ambush predators that bury themselves in sand waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at them when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes flounder fishing exciting is watching that rod tip bounce as they mouth the bait sideways - they bite left to right since both eyes are on one side. The meat is excellent, sweet and flaky. Around here, I like using live finger mullet or mud minnows on a circle hook with just enough weight to keep it near bottom. The key is giving them time to turn the bait before setting the hook.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt. Bryce was very knowledgeable and friendly. We both limited out on trout. First time for my wife to limit out on trout. We w...
Rockport