5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Pro-Level Fishing Trip In Rockport, TX
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Seven-hour private inshore trip targets redfish, trout, and black drumProfessional-level fishing experience designed for skilled anglers onlyAll equipment provided including rods, reels, bait, and tackle
When you're ready to get serious about inshore fishing, this 7-hour guided trip in Rockport puts you right where the action is. We're talking about a full day on some of Texas's most productive waters, targeting redfish, speckled trout, and black drum with a captain who knows these flats like the back of his hand. This isn't a beginner's trip—it's designed for anglers who can handle their own and want to spend real time working the water. With just two spots available, you'll get personalized attention and access to multiple honey holes that produce consistent results. Bills and Gills Guide Service provides all the tackle, rods, reels, and bait you need, so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat.
Seven hours gives you the kind of fishing time that separates the weekend warriors from the serious stick. Your day starts early, hitting the prime feeding windows when these inshore species are most active. The beauty of Rockport's bay system is the variety—you're not stuck fishing one spot all day. Your guide will move you around based on tides, weather, and where the fish are holding. Expect to work shallow flats, deeper channels, and structure that holds baitfish. The boat stays comfortable for two anglers, giving you plenty of room to cast without stepping on each other's lines. This is wade-friendly water too, so don't be surprised if your captain suggests getting out and walking a productive flat. The focus here is on quality fishing time, not hand-holding, which means more opportunities to hook into keeper-sized fish.
Your guide comes equipped with medium-action spinning rods matched to reels that can handle the fight these inshore species bring. Live bait is the go-to choice—shrimp, croaker, and mullet depending on what's working that day. Artificial lures get plenty of action too, especially soft plastics and topwater plugs when conditions are right. The tackle box includes everything from popping corks for trout to heavier jigs for working deeper water where black drum hang out. Techniques vary with the species and conditions—you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish one hour and working a deep channel with cut bait the next. The gear is maintained and ready to fish, but your guide expects you to know how to use it. This isn't a casting lesson; it's about putting experienced anglers in position to succeed with proven setups and local knowledge.
Previous guests have shared their experiences on the water with Bills and Gills Guide Service. "Great time and caught a bunch of fish. Will definitely use them again." - alan
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Rockport's grass flats and oyster reefs hold some bruiser reds. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-30 inches in these waters, with slot fish providing excellent table fare and oversized bulls offering pure adrenaline. Fall and spring produce the most consistent action, but reds feed year-round in this system. They're ambush predators that cruise shallow water looking for crabs and baitfish, making them perfect targets for sight-fishing when conditions allow. The fight is what hooks most anglers—redfish use their broad bodies and powerful tails to make long, bulldogging runs that test your drag and technique.
Speckled trout bring finesse fishing to the equation, requiring lighter presentations and more subtle techniques. These spotted beauties average 15-20 inches in Rockport's bay system, with larger specimens topping 25 inches during peak seasons. Spring and early summer offer the best trout fishing, when they move into shallow grass beds to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Trout are structure-oriented fish, holding near drop-offs, shell beds, and grass lines where they can ambush prey. They're notorious for their soft mouths and acrobatic jumps, making them a technical challenge that keeps experienced anglers coming back. The reward is some of the best eating fish in Texas waters.
Black drum round out the slam with their powerful, bottom-hugging fight style. These deep-bodied fish range from 20-40 pounds in Rockport's deeper channels and around structural features like piers and reefs. They're year-round residents but feed most aggressively during cooler months when they school up in predictable areas. Black drum are bottom feeders with excellent hearing, often responding to cut bait presentations and heavier tackle. Their fight is all about power—long, steady runs that make your arms burn and test your equipment. They're also excellent table fare when prepared properly, making them a favorite target for anglers who appreciate both the challenge and the reward.
This full-day fishing experience represents serious value for anglers who want to maximize their time on productive Texas waters. Seven hours with an experienced guide, quality tackle, and access to multiple fishing spots gives you the best shot at a memorable day on the water. The two-person limit ensures you won't be crowded or rushed, and the focus on experienced anglers means you'll spend time fishing instead of learning basics. Rockport's inshore fishery produces year-round, but prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Whether you're chasing a personal best redfish or working on completing an inshore slam, this trip puts you in position to succeed with one of the area's top-rated guide services.
You'll be fishing from Bills and Gills Guide Service's 22-foot Diamondback Airboat, a shallow-water machine that's perfect for navigating Rockport's productive inshore spots. This 2000 model airboat cuts through skinny water like butter, getting you to those hard-to-reach redfish flats and trout holes that other boats can't access. The shallow draft design means you can work tight against grass beds and oyster reefs where the big fish hang out. Built to handle up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room for you and your fishing partner to cast without getting tangled up. The airboat's unique propulsion system lets your guide position you silently over schools of speckled trout or slide into redfish territory without spooking the fish. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in 12 inches of water or drifting over deeper grass for black drum, this boat gives you the platform to fish effectively all day long.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but can hit 90+ pounds. These powerful fish love crushing oysters and crabs with their strong jaws, so you'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're great fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and let it sit right on the bottom near structure. Their powerful jaws can bend hooks, so use quality gear.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water flats, typically running 20-35 inches and known for that distinctive black spot near their tail. These copper-colored bruisers love water so shallow their backs show, cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines looking for crabs and shrimp. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall transitions. What gets anglers hooked is their bulldogging fight - they'll rip drag and make long runs in skinny water. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. Here's a local trick: look for nervous water and mullet activity on the flats. Cast a gold spoon past cruising reds and work it back slowly - the flash drives them crazy.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most popular targets, running 14-24 inches and weighing 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods - early morning and evening bites are phenomenal. What makes them special is their delicate, white meat that's absolutely delicious when cooked right. They're scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so you need to play them carefully. Pro tip: work a soft plastic shrimp imitation slowly along the grass edges during moving water. Keep your drag loose and use a steady retrieve - jerky movements will pull the hook right out.
5.0 out of 5.0Great time and caught a bunch of fish. Will definitely use them again.
Rockport, TX