5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Pro-Level Fishing Trip In Rockport, TX
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour private inshore fishing trip for experienced anglersTarget redfish, speckled trout, and black drum speciesAll fishing gear, bait, and tackle provided by guide
If you're the type of angler who wants to squeeze every drop of fishing potential out of a day on the water, this 7-hour private inshore trip with Bills and Gills Guide Service is exactly what you need. Built specifically for seasoned fishermen who know their way around a rod and reel, this isn't your typical tourist fishing trip. We're talking about a serious day of targeting Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Black Drum in some of Rockport's most productive inshore waters. Your guide knows these flats, grass beds, and structure like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on fish from sunup to well into the afternoon. With all gear provided and a maximum of two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work and the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a phenomenal one.
This trip is designed around one simple concept: more time equals more fish. Seven hours gives you the luxury of working multiple spots without feeling rushed, letting you really dial in your technique and adapt to what the fish are doing that day. Your guide will start the morning by reading conditions—wind direction, tide movement, water temperature—and plotting a course that maximizes your chances. Maybe you'll begin working shallow flats for tailing reds, then move to deeper grass beds when the sun gets high and the trout start holding tight to structure. The beauty of a full day is flexibility. If one area isn't producing, you've got time to relocate and find where they're biting. Rockport's inshore waters offer incredible variety, from crystal-clear flats where you can sight-fish to deeper channels where big drum cruise the bottom. Your guide will read the water and the fish behavior, but the casting and fighting is all on you.
Everything you need is already on the boat—quality rods matched to the fishing, reels with smooth drags, and tackle boxes stocked with what's working right now. Your guide stays current on what baits and lures are producing, whether that's live shrimp under popping corks, soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom, or topwater plugs that drive reds absolutely crazy on shallow flats. The techniques vary throughout the day based on conditions and target species. Early morning might call for wade fishing the shallows with topwater lures, while midday could mean drifting deeper water with live bait. Late in the day, as the sun starts to drop, you might find yourself back in skinny water working the grass lines where trout stack up to feed. The gear is set up to handle everything from 14-inch trout to 30-inch bull reds, with drag systems that won't let you down when that fish of a lifetime decides to make a run.
"Great time and caught a bunch of fish. Will definitely use them again." - alan
Redfish are the crown jewel of Rockport's inshore waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the flats year-round, though they're most aggressive during spring and fall when water temperatures sit in that sweet spot between 70-80 degrees. Reds here typically run anywhere from slot-sized 20-inchers up to bull reds pushing 35 inches and 20+ pounds. What makes them so exciting is their attitude—they'll crush a topwater plug in two feet of water, then turn around and drag you into the backing before you know what hit you. Watch for them tailing in shallow water during low light periods, or look for nervous water and bird activity that signals feeding schools. The fight is pure power from start to finish, and they've got the stamina to keep pulling even when you think they're done.
Speckled Trout are the technical challenge that keeps things interesting. These fish are moody, and cracking the code on any given day requires reading subtle clues—water clarity, bait activity, structure orientation. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish ranging from 14-inch schoolies up to 6-pound gator trout that'll test your drag. They love grass beds, oyster reefs, and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. The key is presentation—too fast and they ignore it, too slow and they lose interest. When you dial it in though, trout fishing becomes addictive. They hit with authority and fight with surprising strength for their size, jumping and head-shaking all the way to the boat.
Black Drum bring the heavyweight championship to your fishing day. These bottom-dwellers cruise Rockport's deeper channels and oyster reefs, with fish commonly running 5-15 pounds and occasional monsters pushing 30-40 pounds. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer when they move shallow to spawn. What makes drum fishing special is the fight—they use their broad, flat bodies to leverage against you, turning sideways and pulling with steady, relentless pressure. They're not flashy like reds or technical like trout, but when a big drum decides to run, you'll know you're connected to something serious. Look for them around structure in 4-8 feet of water, especially when the tide is moving and stirring up crabs and shrimp along the bottom.
Seven hours on Rockport's inshore waters with a guide who knows where to find them—this is how you turn a fishing trip into a fishing adventure. Whether you're looking to put numbers in the boat or target that trophy fish for the wall, having the time and expertise to work multiple areas gives you the best shot at both. The gear's ready, the guide knows the water, and the fish are there waiting. All you need to bring is your fishing skills and the desire to spend a full day doing what you love most. Don't let another season pass wondering what you might have caught with just a little more time on
Your fishing machine for this full-day adventure is a 22' Diamondback Airboat that's built to get you where the fish are hiding. This shallow-water specialist cuts through the skinny waters around Rockport like butter, letting you reach those productive back lakes and grass flats where the big redfish and trout hang out. The airboat design means no prop to worry about in ankle-deep water – you can slide right over oyster bars and into those hard-to-reach honey holes that boat traffic can't touch. With room for your party of two plus your guide, you'll have plenty of casting space without bumping elbows. The 2000 Diamondback has proven itself reliable for serious fishing days, and when you're putting in seven hours chasing reds, trout, and black drum, you want a boat that won't quit on you. Perfect setup for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to spend the day working different spots until you find where they're biting.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish hang around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish with jaw strength that'll surprise you. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, but stick with smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table since the big boys get tough and chewy. Here's the key: use fresh crab on the bottom and fish the incoming tide around oyster reefs. The scent trail draws them in, and crab stays put better than shrimp when the current's running.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target, cruising shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water with their copper backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. These fish average 20-35 inches and pack serious power, making blistering runs that'll have your drag screaming. They hang around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy shorelines where they root for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is solid here, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love most is watching these bronze bulldozers cruise the shallows - it's pure sight-fishing gold. The meat's sweet and firm, perfect for blackening. Local secret: look for nervous water and mullet schools getting pushed around. Throw a gold spoon or topwater plug just past the disturbance and hang on tight.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are some of the most sought-after fish in our Texas bays, averaging 14-24 inches with that beautiful spotted silver body. They love grass flats, shell beds, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, especially around structure where baitfish gather. Fall and winter months are prime time when they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes them special is that delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect on the table - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. They're also scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so keep steady pressure without horsing them. Pro tip: work your lures slow and low around dawn and dusk. A quarter-ounce jig with a shrimp tail bounced just off the bottom in grass beds is money, especially on moving water.
5.0 out of 5.0Great time and caught a bunch of fish. Will definitely use them again.
Rockport, TX