Half Day Airboat Fishing In Port O'Connor
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour airboat fishing adventure targeting redfish, trout, and drumEarly morning departure with bait and fish cleaning includedAccommodates up to three guests with optional fourth person
Get ready for a fishing adventure that'll take you places regular boats can't reach. This 4-hour airboat fishing trip launches at daylight in Port O'Connor, putting you right in the heart of some of Texas' best shallow water fishing grounds. For $750, you and two buddies can chase redfish, trout, and drum through skinny water that's barely ankle-deep. We've got bait covered, plus we'll clean your catch so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat. Want to bring a fourth angler? No problem – just add $75 and we'll make room.
Port O'Connor sits right where the Guadalupe and San Antonio bays meet the Gulf, creating a maze of shallow flats, grass beds, and oyster reefs that hold fish year-round. Our airboat lets us slide over water that's barely wet, getting you into spots where these fish feel safe and feed heavily. You'll start before sunrise when the water's still and the fish are most active. The airboat's unique design means we can work areas that traditional boats would never touch – think expansive grass flats where redfish cruise in 6 inches of water, and shallow sand holes where trout stack up during tide changes. The ride itself is part of the fun, skimming across the surface while you scan the water ahead for signs of feeding fish.
Fishing from an airboat changes everything about how you approach inshore species. We can run in water so shallow you could walk through it, which opens up massive areas of prime habitat that pressure from regular boats never touches. The flat-bottom hull and aircraft propeller mean we're not limited by prop depth or water clarity. When we spot a school of reds tailing in the grass, we can ease right up on them without spooking the whole group. The elevated seating gives you a perfect vantage point to sight-cast to cruising fish, and the open layout means everyone gets prime real estate for casting. We'll work everything from live bait under popping corks to soft plastics bounced along the bottom, depending on what the fish want that day.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and Port O'Connor's shallow flats are redfish heaven. These copper-colored bruisers love cruising the grass beds and oyster bars, especially during incoming tides when baitfish get pushed into the shallows. You'll find them ranging from slot-size fish around 20-28 inches up to bull reds that'll test your drag system. What makes catching reds here special is the sight-fishing opportunities – watching a 30-inch red cruise through clear, shallow water with its back out is fishing at its finest. They're aggressive feeders and will hit everything from live shrimp to paddle-tail soft plastics.
Speckled trout are the other major player in these waters, and they're absolutely beautiful fish with distinctive spotted patterns and sharp canine teeth. Port O'Connor's trout tend to run bigger than average, with plenty of fish in the 15-20 inch range and occasional specimens pushing 25 inches or more. They love structure – oyster reefs, grass edges, and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. Trout are more finicky than reds, often requiring lighter tackle and more subtle presentations. When you find a good school, though, you can catch them one after another. The fight is different too – lots of head-shaking and aerial acrobatics that'll keep you on your toes.
Black drum round out the slam opportunity, and these fish are seriously underrated fighters. They're the bulldogs of the bay, using their broad bodies and powerful tails to make long, stubborn runs. Port O'Connor's drum population includes both smaller fish perfect for the dinner table and absolute monsters that can exceed 40 pounds. They're often found around the same structure as reds and trout, but they tend to feed more on the bottom, crushing crabs and shrimp with their powerful pharyngeal teeth. Landing a big drum on light tackle is a real accomplishment – they don't jump, but they'll test your patience with their relentless pulling power.
This airboat fishing experience delivers something you can't get anywhere else – access to pristine fishing grounds that most anglers never see. Starting at first light puts you on the water when fish are most active, and the 4-hour window gives you plenty of time to work different areas and target multiple species. With bait and fish cleaning included, you can focus entirely on fishing without worrying about the details. Port O'Connor's year-round fishery means there's never a bad time to book, though spring and fall typically offer the most consistent action. Whether you're after your first redfish or trying to complete an inshore slam, this trip puts you in prime position to make it happen. Don't wait – spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons.
The Diamondback Air Boat LSA cuts through Port O'Connor's shallow flats like nothing else on the water. This 24-foot fishing machine packs a serious 550 HP punch, getting you to those hard-to-reach redfish and trout spots where bigger boats can't go. Built in 2014 and hitting speeds up to 40 knots, she'll have you covering serious water fast. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, though we keep groups at 3 for the best fishing experience. The airboat design means you can slide right over grass beds and oyster bars where the big drum like to hang out. When the tide drops and other boats are stuck, you'll still be casting to active fish in skinny water. This shallow-running beast opens up miles of prime fishing territory that stays untouched by traditional boats.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our shallow water fishing, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruiser fish pushing 90. They love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-6 feet of water, using those powerful jaws to crush shellfish and crabs. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and get aggressive. What makes them special is that distinctive drumming sound they make - you'll actually hear them before you see them. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the trick: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near oyster structure. The airboat lets us get into those skinny water spots where the big ones feed without spooking them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter species around Port O'Connor, running anywhere from schoolie size up to 40+ inch bulls. They love super shallow water - often so skinny their backs show above the surface. You'll find them cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines looking for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring really turn them on. What makes reds special is that explosive topwater action and the way they peel drag on long runs. Plus they're great eating when kept in slot. Those black spots near the tail make them easy to identify. The airboat gives us a huge advantage since we can pole right up on feeding fish in inches of water. My tip: when you see them tailing, cast well ahead and work your bait slowly past their nose.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds with some trophy fish pushing bigger. They're spotted beauties that love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk when they move up to feed. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but we catch them year-round in Port O'Connor waters. What guests love is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and the way they fight with quick runs and jumps. The meat is excellent - mild, flaky white fish that's perfect for the dinner table. They feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish, so matching that with your lures works best. Pro tip: work your lures slowly over the grass beds in 2-4 feet of water, and don't set the hook too hard - their mouths are soft and you'll pull the hook right out.
Port O'Connor