5.0(2 Reviews)Half Day Rockport Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targeting redfish, black drum, and troutExperienced captain handles navigation and fishing guidance throughout tripSmall group experience with maximum capacity of two guests
Looking for some quality time on the water chasing Texas inshore favorites? This half-day charter with Bent Rod Guide Service puts you right in the heart of Rockport's most productive fishing grounds. You'll spend your morning or afternoon targeting redfish, black drum, and speckled trout in the shallow bays and grass flats that make this area legendary among Gulf Coast anglers. With just two spots available, you're guaranteed personal attention from your captain and plenty of elbow room to work your lines. The boat stays close to shore in protected waters, making this perfect for both seasoned anglers and folks just getting their feet wet in saltwater fishing.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish using decades of local knowledge. You'll launch from Rockport and head to the productive flats and oyster reefs where redfish cruise in skinny water and trout stack up along grass lines. The boat rides smooth in the protected bays, so you won't be fighting rough seas while trying to land fish. Your guide handles all the navigation, bait rigging, and net work – your job is simple: cast where he tells you and hang on when something hits. The intimate two-person setup means you're not competing with a crowded deck, and your captain can focus on putting both anglers on fish instead of managing a circus. Don't forget to grab your fishing license before you head out – Texas Parks and Wildlife requires it, and it's your ticket to legal fishing in these waters.
Your captain comes equipped with quality spinning gear perfectly matched to inshore conditions – medium-action rods that can handle everything from schoolie trout to bull reds. You'll be throwing live shrimp under popping corks, working soft plastics along grass edges, and maybe even sight-casting to tailing redfish if conditions are right. The beauty of Rockport inshore fishing is the variety of techniques that work. One minute you're drifting live bait over oyster shell, the next you're pitching jigs into potholes looking for that telltale thump of a drum picking up your offering. Water depths range from two to eight feet, so you're always sight-fishing to some degree. Your guide reads the water, wind, and tide to determine the best approach for the day, whether that's anchoring up on structure or making long drifts along drop-offs.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Rockport's shallow flats are crawling with them year-round. These copper-colored bruisers average 20 to 28 inches, with plenty of oversized fish pushing 30-plus inches that'll test your drag and your patience. Reds feed aggressively in shallow water, often with their backs out of the water as they root around oyster bars and grass flats. Fall and spring offer the best action when schools of reds move through the area, but summer fishing stays consistent if you hit the early morning bite or late afternoon feed.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs that'll give you a workout. These bottom-dwellers love hanging around structure – oyster reefs, bridge pilings, and rocky areas where they vacuum up crabs and shrimp. Rockport drum typically run 15 to 25 inches, with the occasional monster pushing 30 inches and 15-plus pounds. They're year-round residents that bite best on live or fresh-dead shrimp fished right on the bottom. When a big drum picks up your bait, you'll know it – they make strong, steady runs that'll have you wondering if you're hooked to a submarine.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and Rockport's grass flats are prime trout habitat. These beautiful fish with distinctive black spots average 14 to 18 inches, with keeper-sized trout abundant during cooler months. Trout are structure-oriented, hanging around grass lines, drop-offs, and shell pads where they ambush baitfish. They're also the most technique-sensitive fish you'll target – sometimes they want a slow presentation with live bait, other times they'll crush a fast-retrieved soft plastic. Spring and fall offer the best trout fishing when water temperatures are in the sweet spot, but summer early-morning trips can produce excellent action before the sun gets high.
This top-rated half-day charter gives you everything you need for a successful day on Rockport's world-class inshore waters. With expert local knowledge, quality gear, and productive fishing grounds just minutes from the dock, you're set up for the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back to the Texas coast year after year. The two-person limit ensures you get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good trip and a great one. Your captain's job is putting you on fish, and these waters rarely disappoint when you've got the right guide showing you the ropes. Ready to feel that burn in your arms from fighting Texas inshore favorites? Grab your fishing license and book your spot – the reds, drum, and trout are waiting.
Your ride for this Rockport adventure is a well-equipped motorboat built for serious bay fishing. This nimble vessel cuts through Texas coastal waters with ease, giving you and one other angler plenty of room to work the flats and deeper channels where redfish and trout love to hang out. The onboard GPS keeps you on the productive spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools of black drum and other targets lurking below. With your experienced captain at the helm, you can focus on what matters most – working your lines and landing those hard-fighting reds. The boat's shallow draft design lets you access those honey holes in the back bays where the big fish feed. Perfect setup for a productive half-day on Rockport's legendary waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our Texas bays, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90 pounds. These powerful fish cruise shallow muddy flats and oyster beds, using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you'll hear them "drumming" underwater during mating season. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, and smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. The bigger bulls are better released since the meat gets tough. Here's a local secret: when you're fishing oyster reefs, drop fresh crab right on the bottom and be patient. These fish are methodical feeders, so don't rush it. Once they grab hold, hang on tight because they're going to make that reel sing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, with those distinctive black spots and copper-bronze backs that give them away. These bruisers average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ inches and really test your tackle. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They're year-round residents that eat just about anything: crabs, shrimp, mullet, you name it. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight that'll have your arms burning. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. My go-to technique is sight fishing with topwater plugs early morning - nothing beats watching a big red blow up on the surface. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing, cast well ahead and let your bait settle naturally into their path.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread and butter inshore fish, typically running 14-24 inches and putting up a scrappy fight on light tackle. Look for them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and creek mouths. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like early morning and evening. These spotted beauties have soft, delicate meat that's absolutely delicious when cooked right - just don't overdo it or it gets mushy. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with authority. The key is matching the water depth - use a popping cork to keep your bait at the right level above the grass. When you're working the flats, make long casts and work your lure slowly back. Trout are curious but spooky, so stealth pays off in shallow water.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt Donny was awesome! He was great with my 6 yo son and so fun to be around. He also knew some good spots for reds and got us on...
Thank you, Trent!
Awesome trip in the airboat! Caught redfish and drum. Fun cruise around the flats!
Thank you, Cobey!
Rockport, TX