Half Day Guided Fishing Trip in Rockport, TX
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour bay fishing trip targeting redfish, trout, and flounderExpert guide Timothy Cleghorn provides local knowledge and techniquesSmall group experience accommodates maximum two guests
When you're ready to get serious about catching redfish, trout, and flounder, Captain Timothy Cleghorn knows exactly where to find them. This top-rated 4-hour bay fishing adventure puts you right in the heart of Rockport's most productive waters, where these three species call home year-round. Timothy's been working these flats and channels for years, and he's got the local knowledge that separates a good day from a great one. Whether you're just getting started or you've been throwing lines for decades, this trip delivers the kind of consistent action that keeps anglers coming back. You'll fish calm bay waters with plenty of structure and grass beds where these fish love to hang out, all while enjoying some of the best coastal scenery Texas has to offer.
Timothy runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed and fun for his guests. You'll launch early and head straight to his proven spots – shallow flats where redfish cruise in the morning, deeper channels where trout stack up, and sandy bottoms where flounder ambush their prey. The beauty of Rockport bay fishing is the variety you get in just four hours. One minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds in two feet of water, the next you're working soft plastics along a drop-off for speckled trout. Timothy provides all the tackle you'll need, from spinning gear loaded with braided line to a solid selection of lures that produce in these waters. He'll put you on fish, but he's also great at explaining why certain spots hold fish and what conditions make them bite. With just two anglers max, you get plenty of personal attention and room to cast without crowding each other.
This isn't complicated fishing, but there's definitely technique involved. Timothy typically runs medium-action spinning rods spooled with 20-30 pound braid, perfect for the structure and grass you'll encounter. Soft plastics are the go-to here – paddle tails, shrimp imitations, and topwater plugs when conditions are right. You'll learn to work lures slowly along the bottom for flounder, bounce them through the grass for trout, and keep them moving steadily for aggressive redfish. The key is reading the water and adjusting your retrieve based on what Timothy sees. He's great at positioning the boat so you can make effective casts to likely spots – drop-offs, grass lines, and oyster reefs where baitfish concentrate. The tackle is user-friendly enough for beginners but effective enough that experienced anglers won't feel like they're fishing with toys. Timothy also carries a landing net and knows how to handle fish properly for photos and release.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Rockport bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in these waters and fight like they're twice that size. Spring through fall offers the best action, when reds move onto shallow flats to feed on crabs and shrimp. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive nature – they'll crush a well-placed lure and immediately head for the nearest structure. Timothy knows where to find them based on tide, wind, and water temperature, often spotting their distinctive copper flanks or black-spotted tails before you even make a cast. The slot-size fish here are perfect eating if you want to keep a few, but many anglers prefer the photo-and-release approach with these beautiful fish.
Speckled trout might be the most consistent catch in Rockport waters, with fish ranging from keeper-size 15-inchers up to trophy specimens pushing 25 inches. These fish suspend over grass beds and along channel edges, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper water. What anglers love about specks is their willingness to bite artificial lures and their excellent table fare. Timothy targets them with soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom, and when they're active, you can catch them one after another. The best trout fishing typically happens during spring and fall transitions, but these fish bite year-round if you know where to look. They're also great for beginners because they don't require pinpoint accuracy – work your lure through likely areas and you'll get bit.
Summer flounder add variety to every trip and test your patience in the best way possible. These flatfish blend perfectly with sandy and muddy bottoms, often growing to impressive sizes in Rockport's nutrient-rich waters. What makes flounder exciting is the surprise factor – you'll be working a lure slowly along the bottom when suddenly your rod loads up with a fish that feels much heavier than it looks. Flounder fishing peaks during warmer months when these fish move into shallower water to feed, and Timothy knows the specific bottom types and structures they prefer. They're ambush predators, so the bite often comes as a subtle tap rather than an aggressive strike. Landing a doormat flounder makes for great photos and even better eating, as these fish are prized for their delicate, flaky meat.
If you're looking for a customer favorite fishing experience that delivers consistent action without the crowds, Timothy's half-day trips hit the sweet spot. Four hours gives you enough time to target all three species without feeling rushed, and the early morning or afternoon timing means you're fishing when these fish are most active. The intimate 2-angler limit ensures you get personalized instruction and plenty of chances to cast. Rockport's protected bay waters mean comfortable fishing even when offshore conditions are rough, making this a reliable choice year-round. Timothy's local knowledge and years of experience guiding in these waters give you the best shot at a memorable day. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather and plan accordingly. This world-class fishery is right in your backyard – all you need to do is show up ready to catch some fish.
Get ready to fish the productive waters around Rockport aboard our 2020 Mowdy flats boat! This 23-footer is built specifically for shallow bay fishing, letting us slip into those hidden spots where redfish love to hang out. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're stalking fish in skinny water, while our GPS and fish finder help locate the best structure and schools. With room for just 2 anglers, you'll get plenty of personal attention from Guide Timothy as we target redfish, trout, and flounder in the calm bay waters. The Suzuki engine gets us to the fishing grounds quickly, then we can focus on what matters - putting fish in the boat. Perfect setup for working the grass flats and drop-offs where these species feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate shallow water game fish around Rockport - bronze backs with that signature black spot near the tail. We target them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster reefs, grass flats, and shorelines. Most fish run 20-28 inches, but we see plenty of slot fish and some real bulls over 30 inches. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their power - they'll peel drag and give you a real fight in shallow water. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. They eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Local tip: watch for tailing fish in super shallow water on calm days. Approach quietly and cast past them, then work your bait back through their feeding zone.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our bay fishing here in Rockport. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and love our grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime time, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What guests love about trout is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're great for beginners but still challenge experienced anglers. The meat is white, tender, and delicious when cooked right. During cooler months, look for them in deeper channels where they school up. My go-to tip: work your lure slowly over grass beds early morning or late evening. Trout have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't horse them to the boat.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are fascinating flatfish that live on sandy bottoms with both eyes on their left side - they're true masters of camouflage. Around Rockport, we find them in 8-25 feet of water near structure and drop-offs. Most run 15-20 inches, but bigger ones over 5 pounds show up regularly. Fall through early winter gives us the best action when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes flounder special is their ambush style - they bury in sand waiting to strike baitfish. The meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating you'll find. Here's a local trick: when you feel that initial tap, give them a few seconds to fully take the bait before setting the hook. They bite sideways and need time to get it positioned right.
Rockport