Expert Guided Full Day Offshore Fishing Port O'Connor TX
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Six to eight hour offshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesPrivate charter accommodates up to six guests with expert guidanceFederal permits included with optional lodging for complete fishing experience
Get ready to experience some of the best offshore fishing the Texas Gulf Coast has to offer. Captain Scott Pierce runs a top-rated charter operation out of Port O'Connor, and his full-day trips are quickly becoming a customer favorite among serious anglers. This isn't your typical half-day bay fishing adventure—we're talking 6 to 8 hours of world-class offshore action targeting everything from red snapper to mahi mahi. With room for up to six anglers and Captain Scott's federal permits in hand, you'll have access to productive offshore waters that consistently produce trophy fish.
Your day starts early in Port O'Connor, one of the Texas coast's premier fishing destinations. Captain Scott runs his operation aboard the Epic 22SC, a boat that's perfectly rigged for offshore work with all the gear you need to hook into quality fish. The $1,300 trip rate covers your guide service and boat, with fuel and bait as additional costs—standard practice for offshore charters since fuel prices fluctuate and we want to make sure you're getting the freshest bait available. This private charter means it's just your group and the captain, so you won't be sharing rail space with strangers or waiting your turn to fight a fish. Captain Scott knows these waters inside and out, and he's got the federal permits needed to take you to the best offshore spots where the big fish live. If you're planning to make a weekend of it, he can also arrange lodging for your entire group, making this a perfect setup for fishing buddies coming from Dallas, Houston, or anywhere in between.
Offshore fishing is a different game than what most people do in the bays or from the surf. We're talking about working structure in 60 to 120 feet of water, where the fish are bigger and the fights are longer. Captain Scott runs a combination of techniques depending on what's biting—bottom fishing with heavy tackle for snapper and cobia, trolling for mahi and kingfish, and sight fishing when the conditions are right. The Epic 22SC comes loaded with quality rods and reels that can handle these offshore species, plus all the terminal tackle you'll need. We're talking circle hooks for the snapper to meet regulations, wire leaders for the toothy critters like kingfish and barracuda, and heavy spinning gear that can handle a charging cobia. The boat's electronics help locate structure and baitfish, but Captain Scott's knowledge of seasonal patterns and fish behavior is what really makes the difference. He knows when to work the oil rigs, when to hit the natural reefs, and how to read the water to put you on fish consistently.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of Texas offshore fishing, and for good reason. These reef dwellers can reach 20 pounds or more, and they fight hard from the moment they feel the hook. Snapper season typically runs from June through July, though regulations change, so Captain Scott stays current on all the rules. What makes snapper fishing so addictive is the steady action—when you find them, you usually find a bunch of them, and filling the cooler becomes a realistic goal rather than wishful thinking.
Mahi mahi, also called common dolphinfish, are one of the most exciting catches you'll find in the Gulf. These fish are absolutely beautiful with their bright colors, and they're known for putting on aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping. Mahi typically show up in summer months when the water warms up, and they're often found around floating debris or weed lines. What's really cool about mahi is that they school up, so catching one often means there are more around. They're also fantastic table fare, making them a favorite among anglers who like to eat their catch.
Blacktip sharks bring a different kind of excitement to the trip. These fish are pure power and endurance, capable of long runs that'll test your drag system and your arm strength. Blacktips are present throughout most of the year in Texas waters, and they're aggressive feeders that'll hit both live and cut bait. Fighting a blacktip on appropriate tackle is one of those experiences that reminds you why offshore fishing is so addictive—these fish simply don't give up easy.
Cobia are one of the most prized catches in Gulf waters, and for good reason. These brown sharks, as some folks call them, can reach impressive sizes and provide fights that combine power with intelligence. Cobia are often found around structure or free-swimming near the surface, where they can be sight-fished when conditions allow. Spring and fall are prime times for cobia, and landing one is always a highlight of any offshore trip. They're also excellent eating, with firm white meat that works great on the grill.
Barracuda round out the target species list with their aggressive strikes and impressive speed. These toothy predators are opportunistic feeders that'll crush both live bait and lures, often providing some of the most exciting strikes of the day. Barracuda are present year-round in Texas waters, and while they're not typically kept for the table, they provide sport that's hard to match. Their initial runs are blistering fast, and their jumps can be spectacular.
Captain Scott Pierce has built a reputation for putting his clients on fish, and his federal permits mean you'll have access to productive offshore waters that many guides simply can't reach. The combination of his local knowledge, quality equipment, and commitment to customer service makes this one of the best offshore fishing experiences you'll find along the Texas coast. Whether you're a group of experienced anglers looking to target trophy fish or a family wanting to experience offshore fishing for the first time, this trip delivers the goods. The private charter format means everything revolves around your group's preferences and skill level. With Port O'Connor's convenient location and Captain Scott's lodging options, putting together a memorable fishing weekend has never been easier. Don't wait—prime offshore fishing
SphyraenidaeBarracuda are fierce predators that'll give you a rush when they hit your line. These torpedo-shaped fish average 3-4 feet but can reach 6 feet, with razor-sharp teeth and lightning speed up to 35 mph. They hunt by sight around structures like reefs, wrecks, and drop-offs in 20-60 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them exciting is their explosive strike and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag and reflexes. They're decent eating too, with firm white meat. Pro tip: remove any shiny jewelry before fishing - barracuda are attracted to anything that flashes like the silvery baitfish they hunt. Use wire leaders and work lures fast near the surface to trigger their predatory instincts.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are one of the most exciting sharks to target, known for their spectacular jumps and aggressive nature. They average 4-5 feet and 30-50 pounds, with distinctive black-tipped fins that make them easy to identify. You'll find them in 30-100 feet over muddy bottoms and near structure where they hunt for mackerel, herring, and croaker. Summer months are best when they're most active in our waters. What makes them special is their aerial show - they can leap 20+ feet out of the water and spin like a torpedo. They're scrappy fighters that'll test your tackle. Here's the key: use heavy braided line with circle hooks and plenty of oily chum. Fresh mackerel or live sardines work best to get them fired up and competing for your bait.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of our most prized catches - they look like sharks but fight like bulldozers and taste even better. These chocolate-brown fish average 30-50 pounds and can reach 100+ pounds, making them serious tackle-busters. You'll spot them cruising solo near buoys, oil rigs, and wrecks in 30-100 feet of water. Spring migration from March to June is when they're moving through our area to spawn. What guests love is the sight-fishing - watching these giants cruise just under the surface before casting to them. They're phenomenal table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any fish. My secret: use bucktail jigs in any color and work them near structure. When you see one, stay calm and make your first cast count - they're curious but spook easily.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish in the Gulf, with brilliant gold and green colors that change like a light show when they're brought to the boat. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds, and they're found around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100-300 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is prime time when they're chasing flying fish and squid. Guests love them because they fight hard, jump high, and make outstanding table fare - sweet, firm white meat that's perfect grilled. They school up, so when you find one, there's usually more. My tip: look for frigate birds working over floating sargassum or debris - that's where the mahi will be feeding underneath.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing - beautiful red fish that fight hard and taste even better. They typically run 2-8 pounds in our area, though 15+ pounders show up regularly around deeper structure. You'll find them on hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 60-200 feet, where they school up tight. Our federal season runs summer months, and that's when they're most active feeding. What makes them special is their scrappy fight - they'll dive straight for cover and test your drag. Plus, there's no finer eating fish in the Gulf with that sweet, nutty flavor. The trick is getting your bait to the bottom fast before other fish grab it. Use heavy weights, circle hooks, and fresh squid or cigar minnows. Keep steady pressure once hooked - they'll wrap you up in structure if you give them slack.
Lake Livingston