Port Aransas Afternoon Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Five-hour afternoon inshore fishing targeting multiple speciesLight tackle methods suitable for all experience levelsCaptain Brad provides quality gear and local expertise
When the Texas sun starts to mellow out around 2 PM, that's when Brad fires up the engines for one of Port Aransas' most popular inshore fishing adventures. This 5-hour trip takes you into the productive back bays and flats where the afternoon bite can be absolutely phenomenal. With space for just 2 anglers, you'll get personalized attention and prime positioning on every drift. Captain Brad knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the local intel on where the reds are tailing, where the trout are schooling, and which structures are holding black drum. Available Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday, this seasonal trip fills up fast with both locals and visiting anglers who've discovered the magic of Port Aransas afternoon fishing.
Brad's afternoon trips start when the crowds thin out and the fish start getting active again. You'll launch from one of Port Aransas' convenient boat ramps and head straight to the productive inshore waters that make this area famous among Texas anglers. The afternoon timing is perfect – you'll avoid the morning rush while taking advantage of cooler temperatures and changing tides that often trigger feeding activity. Captain Brad runs a well-maintained bay boat that's perfectly rigged for inshore work, with a shallow draft that lets him access those skinny water spots where big reds love to cruise. The relaxed pace means you'll have time to really learn the water, understand the structure, and develop your inshore techniques. Whether you're sight-fishing in clear flats or working deeper grass beds, Brad adjusts the approach based on conditions and what the fish are telling him that day.
This trip is all about light tackle fishing, which means you'll feel every head shake and run these inshore species are famous for. Captain Brad provides quality spinning gear perfectly matched to the target species – think 7-foot medium action rods with smooth drag systems that can handle a bull red's initial surge. You'll work with live bait like shrimp and finger mullet, along with proven artificials including soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons. The beauty of Port Aransas inshore fishing is the variety of techniques you'll use in a single trip. One minute you're working a popping cork over grass beds for trout, the next you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water. Brad's approach focuses on reading the conditions – wind, tide, water clarity, and bait movement – then matching your presentation accordingly. He'll teach you how to work different structures, from oyster reefs to grass lines to channel edges, and explain why certain baits work better in specific situations.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port Aransas inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are what dreams are made of. They range from schoolie-sized 18-inchers up to bull reds pushing 40 pounds and beyond. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish moving into the shallows to feed on crabs and shrimp. What makes reds so special is their aggressive nature and the visual aspect – you'll often see them tailing or cruising in clear water before you cast. The slot-sized fish between 20-28 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls provide pure adrenaline with their powerful runs.
Speckled Trout are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and Port Aransas consistently produces quality fish. These spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches, with occasional "gator trout" exceeding 25 inches. They're most active during cooler months and around dawn/dusk periods, making afternoon trips productive as the sun starts to drop. Trout are structure-oriented, relating to grass beds, drop-offs, and shell reefs. They're excellent table fare and provide steady action when you find a school, often hitting everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastic paddle tails worked along the bottom.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish commonly ranging from 5 to 30 pounds, and occasional monsters topping 40. These bottom-dwellers are most active in spring when they move shallow to spawn, creating some of Port Aransas' most exciting fishing opportunities. They're suckers for fresh-cut bait like blue crab and shrimp, and their initial run can test your drag system and arm strength. Black drum are excellent eating in the smaller sizes and provide a completely different fishing experience from the more aggressive reds and trout.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish you'll target, earning their nickname as the "convict fish" for both their black stripes and their habit of stealing bait. These structure-loving fish hang around pilings, rocks, and reefs, where they use their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and crabs. Typically running 2-8 pounds with occasional larger specimens, sheepshead require finesse and quick hook-sets. They're considered some of the best eating fish in the bay, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat against sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush unsuspecting prey. Port Aransas flounder fishing is best during fall months when fish move through the area heading to offshore spawning grounds. These flatfish typically range from 14-24 inches, with occasional "doormat" flounder exceeding 5 pounds. They're ambush predators that require patience and precise presentation, often hitting live bait or slowly worked artificials near structure transitions and channel edges.
Captain Brad's afternoon inshore trips offer the perfect blend of productive fishing and relaxed atmosphere that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Hit the shallow waters around Port Aransas aboard this nimble 19' center console that's built to handle the Texas coast's inshore action. Perfect for getting into those skinny water spots where the reds and trout like to hang out. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working productive flats, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure. With an icebox to keep your drinks cold during those warm Texas afternoons and GPS to mark your hot spots, you'll have everything needed for a solid day of fishing. Captain Brad knows these waters inside and out, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching. Whether you're after speckled trout in the grass beds or stalking redfish along the shorelines, this boat gets you there comfortably and puts you on the fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with giants reaching 90+ pounds. These powerful fish cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow bay areas using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up in big numbers - you can actually hear them "drumming" underwater with their swim bladders. They're incredibly strong fighters that will test your drag, making them a favorite for anglers wanting a real battle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. These fish are finicky, so be patient and let them take the bait before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bronze beauties of our shallow waters, sporting that copper-red color and distinctive black spot near their tail. These fish average 20-30 inches and love super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and grass beds where they "tail" while feeding on crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is solid here, but fall migration brings big schools through our area. What makes them special is their powerful runs and stubborn fights - they'll drag you around for sure. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not spooky like some species, making them perfect for beginners. Here's what works: look for copper flashes in shallow water or tails sticking up when they're feeding. Topwater plugs create explosive strikes, but live shrimp under a popping cork is hard to beat when they're finicky.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets, running 14-24 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their silvery sides. These fish love grass flats, shallow bay waters, and areas with good tidal flow where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring are peak seasons, though we catch them year-round in our Texas waters. They're aggressive feeders that hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with authority. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect on the dinner table - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. They school up in winter and move to deeper channels when it gets cold. Here's my go-to tip: work topwater lures early morning and late evening over grass flats. When they're feeding, you'll see them busting bait on the surface.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and gray stripes, and they've got human-like teeth that'll surprise you every time. These crafty fish average 1-8 pounds and love hanging around any structure - docks, pilings, jetties, and oyster beds where they crush barnacles and crabs all day. They're notorious bait thieves with lightning-fast mouths, making them both frustrating and addictive to target. Spring months are best when they're most active and feeding heavily. What keeps anglers coming back is their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort to clean around those tough scales. My secret: get your bait tight to structure and set the hook the instant you feel weight. Use fiddler crabs or fresh shrimp, and don't give them time to steal your bait.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud on shallow flats, changing color to match the bottom perfectly. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we occasionally see them pushing 20+ pounds. They're ambush predators with both eyes on their left side, waiting for shrimp, crabs, and small fish to swim by. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our bays heading to spawn offshore. What makes them special is their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My tip: when drift fishing, let your bait hit bottom then work it slowly in one-foot lifts. These fish are sneaky biters, so stay alert for that subtle weight on your line.
Port Aransas