Port Aransas Full Day Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderAll tackle, bait, and equipment provided by Captain BradMaximum three guests for personalized fishing experience
Get ready for eight solid hours of fishing action with Captain Brad on Port Aransas' most productive inshore waters. This top-rated charter starts at 6:00 AM sharp, giving you the entire day to work the flats, channels, and back lakes where the fish are biting. You'll be targeting five of the coast's best species using light tackle that puts the fight right in your hands. With all gear, bait, and ice provided, you just need to show up ready to fish. This is real inshore fishing at its finest - no crowds, no rush, just you and quality fish all day long.
Captain Brad knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish from the first cast. You're looking at eight hours of prime fishing time, hitting multiple spots as conditions and fish activity dictate. The boat accommodates up to two anglers comfortably, so you'll have plenty of room to work without bumping elbows. Expect to move between grass flats, oyster reefs, and deeper channels as we chase different species throughout the day. The early start means you'll beat the boat traffic and hit the fish when they're most active. Captain Brad provides all the tackle, fresh bait, and local knowledge you need - your job is to set the hook and fight the fish.
This charter runs on light tackle fishing, which means you'll feel every head shake and run these fish make. We're talking spinning reels loaded with 15-20 pound test, matched to medium-action rods that give you the perfect balance of sensitivity and power. Depending on what we're targeting, you'll be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics on jig heads. When the redfish are tailing in skinny water, we'll sight-cast with spoons and topwater plugs. For trout and flounder, expect to work the grass beds with slow presentations and careful retrieves. Captain Brad will show you how to read the water, feel the bottom structure, and know when you've got a bite versus just grass or shell.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Port Aransas inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters will test your drag system. They run strong in the fall months when they school up in massive numbers, but you'll find quality fish year-round in 2-4 feet of water around oyster beds and grass flats. A good red will peel line off your reel and make multiple runs before you get it to the boat. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's perfect for blackening or grilling.
Speckled Trout are the most sought-after species for many anglers, and Port Aransas has some of the best trout fishing on the Texas coast. These spotted beauties love grass beds and drop-offs, especially during cooler months when they stack up in deeper holes. A quality trout will jump and shake its head trying to throw your hook, and landing a 20-inch speck is something every angler remembers. They bite best on live shrimp, but artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs can produce explosive strikes when conditions are right.
Black Drum are the powerhouse fish of the inshore waters, with big bulls weighing 20-40 pounds that will absolutely wear you out on light tackle. They're bottom feeders that love crab and shrimp around structure, and when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. These fish don't jump, but they'll pull steady and hard, testing both your equipment and your endurance. Smaller drum in the 3-8 pound range are fantastic eating, while the big ones make for great photos before release.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. They're most active during fall months when they're moving toward the Gulf to spawn. Flounder fishing requires patience and a good feel for your bait, as they often pick up your offering and swim with it before actually eating. When you do hook one, they fight with surprising strength for a flatfish. They're also one of the best eating fish in the bay, with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for any preparation.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped thieves of the inshore waters, known for their ability to steal bait right off your hook. They have human-like teeth and primarily feed on barnacles, crabs, and oysters around structure. Catching sheepshead requires sharp hooks, sensitive tackle, and quick reflexes - when you feel that subtle tick, you better set the hook immediately. They're challenging to catch but worth the effort, as their white, flaky meat rivals any fish in the Gulf.
This world-class inshore fishing experience fills up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fish are most active. Captain Brad's local knowledge and commitment to putting you on fish has made this charter a customer favorite among serious anglers. Eight hours on the water gives you the best shot at filling your cooler with quality fish while learning techniques you'll use for years to come. The early morning start and full-day format means you're getting maximum value and fishing time. Don't wait - book your spot now and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Texas coast has to offer.
Your fishing platform for the day is a nimble 19-foot center console that's built to handle Port Aransas' shallow inshore waters with ease. This boat gets you right where the redfish and speckled trout are feeding without the noise – thanks to a wireless trolling motor that keeps things quiet when you're working the grass flats. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating productive spots, while GPS keeps you on track to the honey holes. With an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh, plus room for up to 3 anglers to cast comfortably, this setup is designed for serious fishing. The shallow draft design means you can slip into backwater areas where bigger boats can't reach, giving you access to those protected spots where the fish stack up. Everything's rigged and ready for light tackle action targeting the species that make Port Aransas famous.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from schoolie-sized 5-10 pounders to bruiser fish pushing 40+ pounds. They love oyster reefs, muddy flats, and structure where they crush crabs and mollusks with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. These fish are incredible fighters that will test your tackle and your patience. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with flaky white meat, while the big bulls are best released to keep the fishery strong. Here's the key: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom and be patient. When a drum picks up your bait, they'll often move off slowly before really committing, so give them time before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Texas flats - copper-colored fighters with that distinctive black spot near the tail. They range from scrappy slot fish around 18-27 inches to monster bull reds over 30 pounds in deeper water. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, around oyster reefs, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water. Fall is prime time, but they bite year-round here. What makes reds special is their aggressive attitude and powerful runs - they'll test your drag and your nerves. Plus, slot-sized fish are fantastic eating. The key is staying quiet and watching for tailing fish or nervous water. When you spot one, cast your bait or lure well ahead of where they're headed, not right on top of them. A spooked redfish will clear out the whole area, so patience and stealth pay off big time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter inshore species - beautiful silvery fish with distinctive black spots that love grass flats and soft bottoms. Most keepers run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with the occasional gator trout over 25 inches. They're most active during cooler months from fall through early spring, and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - there's nothing like watching a nice trout explode on a surface plug. They're also excellent eating with tender, flaky white meat. These fish can be finicky, so we'll work different depths until we find them. Early morning tip: start with a topwater lure over shallow grass, then switch to soft plastics if they won't come up. The bite often shuts down once the sun gets high and water warms up.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the pickpockets of the dock - they'll steal your bait faster than you can blink. These black-and-white striped fish hang tight around any structure: piers, jetties, and oyster bars where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-3 pounds and 12-16 inches, but we regularly see 5+ pound slabs that'll surprise you. Late winter through spring is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. People love targeting them because they're challenging to hook but make outstanding table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Their human-like teeth help them crush shellfish, which also makes them notorious bait thieves. The trick is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, getting tight to structure, and setting the hook the instant you feel weight.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish blend perfectly into sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. You'll typically find them in 2-8 feet of water around grass flats, channel edges, and structure drops. Most run 15-18 inches and 2-4 pounds, but we see some nice doormat-sized fish over 20 inches. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn. What makes them fun is the surprise factor - you never know when that "stick" on the bottom is actually a nice flatfish. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap on your bait, don't set the hook right away. Let them mouth it for a few seconds, then give it a firm hookset.
Port Aransas