Half Day Guided Fishing Trip in Rockport, TX
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour bay fishing trip targeting redfish, trout, and flounderExperienced Guide Timothy Cleghorn provides expert local knowledge and instructionSmall group capacity of two guests ensures personalized fishing experience
Captain Timothy Cleghorn knows these Rockport waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 4-hour bay fishing adventure targets the holy trinity of Texas inshore fishing - redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. Whether you're just learning to work a soft plastic or you've been chunking lures for decades, Timothy's got the spots and know-how to make your morning or afternoon count. You'll be fishing calm bay waters where the action stays consistent and the scenery doesn't hurt either. With space for just two anglers, you get that personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Timothy runs a top-rated operation out of Rockport, and he's built his reputation on putting clients on fish while keeping things relaxed and fun. You'll launch into the protected bay systems where the water stays fishable even when it's blowing outside. These shallow flats and grass beds hold exactly what you're after - reds cruising the shorelines, trout working the drop-offs, and flatfish hanging tight to the bottom structure. The boat stays comfortable in these conditions, so you can focus on your technique instead of fighting rough water. Timothy's been working these patterns for years, so he reads the tides, wind, and seasonal movements to put you where the fish are feeding. Expect plenty of casting opportunities, some good coaching if you want it, and that satisfaction that comes from hooking up in prime Texas coastal habitat.
You'll be working a mix of artificial lures and live bait depending on what the fish are telling you. Soft plastics rigged on jigheads are the bread and butter here - think paddle tails and shrimp imitations bounced along the grass edges and shell drops. Timothy keeps the tackle simple but effective, with medium-action spinning gear that handles these inshore species perfectly. When the trout are schooled up, you might switch to topwater plugs for some explosive surface action. For the flounder, it's often about slowing down and working baits right on the bottom where they ambush prey. The beauty of this fishery is you can cover water efficiently while still fishing thoroughly. Timothy knows when to move and when to stay put, reading the subtle signs that separate productive water from empty stretches.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas bays, and Rockport's shallow flats produce some beautiful copper-colored bulls. These fish average 20 to 28 inches here, with plenty of slot-size reds that fight like they're twice their size. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can surprise you with some trophy-class fish when they school up in deeper pockets. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight - they'll use every bit of structure and current to test your drag. You'll often spot them tailing in skinny water or cruising the grass beds with their backs out.
Speckled trout bring the finesse game to your day, and these Rockport specimens are known for their size and fighting spirit. The better fish run 15 to 20 inches, with occasional surprises pushing the 24-inch mark. They're most active during the cooler months but stay catchable year-round if you adjust your approach. Trout love working tide lines and drop-offs, especially where baitfish concentrate. Their strike can be subtle or violent depending on their mood, but once hooked, they'll jump and make runs that keep your drag singing. Local anglers target them heavily because they're excellent table fare and always willing to play the game.
Summer flounder complete the slam and add that bottom-fishing element that rounds out your technique arsenal. These flatfish range from keeper size up to doormat proportions, with the larger specimens often surprising anglers with their power. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim within striking distance. The key is working your bait slowly and feeling for that distinctive pickup - sometimes subtle, sometimes aggressive. Flounder fishing teaches patience and bottom contact, skills that make you a more complete angler. They're also fantastic eating, which makes every keeper a double win.
This world-class Rockport fishing experience delivers exactly what serious anglers want - consistent action, expert guidance, and the chance to target multiple species in prime habitat. Timothy's local knowledge and years of experience mean you're not just casting blind - you're fishing with purpose in proven locations. The intimate boat capacity ensures you get hands-on instruction and plenty of rod time without feeling crowded. Whether you're looking to improve your inshore technique, introduce someone to bay fishing, or just enjoy a productive day on the Texas coast, this trip checks all the boxes. Rockport's reputation as a fishing destination isn't accidental - it's built on days like this where everything comes together. Book your spot with Barefoot Charters and see why anglers keep coming back to these waters.
Our 23-foot Mowdy flats boat is your ticket to Rockport's best inshore fishing spots. Built in 2020 and powered by a reliable Suzuki engine, this shallow-draft vessel gets you into those hard-to-reach back bays and flats where the redfish and trout like to hang out. The boat cruises comfortably at 45 knots, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting there. What really sets this rig apart is the wireless trolling motor - perfect for sneaking up on spooky fish without spooking them with engine noise. The GPS keeps us on the productive spots, while the fish finder shows us exactly what's swimming below. With room for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your lures and fight fish without getting tangled up. Whether you're after slot reds in the grass or hunting flounder along the drop-offs, this boat handles Rockport's diverse bay system like a dream.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate shallow water game fish around Rockport. These copper-colored beauties with their distinctive black spots average 20-30 inches and love cruising our flats in just 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot their backs and tails breaking the surface as they root around for crabs and shrimp in the mud. Fall and spring are prime time when they school up and feed heavily. What makes reds so popular is their powerful fight and that heart-stopping moment when they explode on a topwater lure in skinny water. They're also great eating at slot size. My favorite technique is sight fishing with a gold spoon or topwater plug, but here's the key - cast well ahead of where they're heading and let them find your lure. Get too close and they'll spook off the flat faster than you can blink.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our Rockport bay fishing. These beautiful spotted fish run 14-24 inches on average and love our grass flats and oyster reefs in 2-6 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and around dawn and dusk when they move shallow to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. What guests love about trout is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - the white, flaky meat is hard to beat. They'll hit everything from live shrimp under a popping cork to soft plastics and topwater plugs. Here's a local trick that works great: when fishing the grass flats, use a 1/4 oz jighead with a white or chartreuse paddle tail, and work it slow just above the grass. The key is keeping your bait in the strike zone without hanging up in the vegetation.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish lie perfectly camouflaged on sandy and muddy bottoms, waiting to ambush passing baitfish and crabs. They average 15-20 inches but can grow much larger. Around Rockport, we find them in deeper bay areas and channels, especially during cooler months from fall through spring when they're more active. What makes flounder fishing special is the challenge - they're subtle biters that require patience and technique. The payoff is worth it though - few fish taste better than fresh flounder. My go-to tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp or small finger mullet on a circle hook, and when you feel that tap-tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. They need time to turn the bait around in their sideways mouths.
Rockport