Texas Airboat Redfish Trip for Skilled Anglers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour airboat trip targeting redfish in shallow Texas watersExpert captain uses drift and anchor techniques for skilled anglersQuality gear provided with access to prime coastal fishing zones
Captain Nick's 6-hour airboat adventure puts you right where the action happens along the Texas coast. This isn't your typical guided trip – it's designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to push their skills in some seriously productive waters. You'll be targeting redfish primarily, but don't be surprised when speckled trout, flounder, black drum, and sheepshead crash the party. The airboat gets you into those skinny-water zones where bigger boats can't reach, giving you access to fish that rarely see pressure. With only 4 spots available, you're guaranteed personalized attention and plenty of room to work your techniques.
Captain Nick runs a mixed approach that keeps things interesting all day long. You'll experience both drift fishing and anchor setups depending on conditions and where the fish are staging. The beauty of airboat fishing is the mobility – when one spot goes quiet, you're already heading to the next honey hole before other boats even realize what's happening. The shallow bays and grass flats along the Texas coast are perfect airboat territory, and Nick knows every productive pocket from years of working these waters. Kids over 5 are welcome with proper adult supervision, so this works great for families where everyone's got fishing experience. The 6-hour window gives you enough time to really work different areas and adapt to whatever the fish are doing that day.
The airboat fishing game is all about reading water and adjusting your presentation on the fly. Captain Nick provides quality gear, but experienced anglers often appreciate bringing their own setups tuned for specific techniques. You'll be working both artificial lures and live bait depending on conditions – topwater plugs during low light periods, soft plastics around structure, and live shrimp or finger mullet when the fish get picky. The drift fishing lets you cover water efficiently while staying quiet, perfect for spooky redfish in clear shallows. When Nick drops anchor, it's usually over a productive structure or feeding zone where you can work baits methodically. The airboat's shallow draft means you're fishing areas that stay relatively unpressured, which often translates to more aggressive strikes and better hookup ratios.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this trip, and Texas coast reds are legendary for their fight and size. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and oyster reefs that the airboat accesses perfectly. Peak redfish action typically runs from late spring through early fall, with fish ranging from slot-size up to those trophy bulls that'll test your drag system. What makes redfish so addictive is their aggressive feeding style – when they're on, you'll see them tailing in inches of water or blowing up topwater baits with explosive strikes.
Speckled trout add finesse to the mix and they're abundant in these Texas waters. These spotted beauties prefer slightly deeper grass beds and drop-offs adjacent to the shallows. Spring and fall offer the best speck fishing, with fish averaging 2-4 pounds but occasional 6+ pounders keeping things interesting. Specks are notorious for their soft mouths, so they test your hookset timing and fight control – land one clean and you'll understand why they're such a favorite among skilled anglers.
Southern flounder are the ambush predators of the flats, lying buried in sandy pockets waiting for baitfish to swim by. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and provide a completely different fishing challenge. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they stage for their offshore spawning runs. A quality flounder fight is all about that initial run and their ability to use their flat profile to leverage against your line pressure.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs in shallow water. These bottom-feeders love crab and shrimp baits worked near oyster bars and mud flats. Drum fishing teaches patience – they're methodical feeders that require a gentle hookset, but once hooked, they use their broad profile and stubborn nature to give you a real workout on lighter tackle.
Sheepshead round out the mixed bag with their notorious bait-stealing abilities and excellent table fare. These convict-striped fish hang around structure and have some of the sharpest teeth in the bay. Catching sheepshead consistently requires precise bait presentation and lightning-fast reflexes on the hookset. When you finally connect with a good sheepshead, you'll appreciate both the challenge and the reward of some of the best eating fish in Texas waters.
This airboat redfish trip delivers exactly what skilled anglers want – access to prime fishing grounds, expert local knowledge, and the flexibility to adapt techniques throughout the day. Captain Nick's approach respects your fishing abilities while providing the insight that only comes from years of working these specific waters. With just 4 anglers maximum, you're guaranteed the space and attention to make the most of your skills. The 6-hour timeframe gives you real fishing time without feeling rushed, and the airboat opens up waters that most anglers never get to experience. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so plan accordingly, but also know that you're securing a spot on one of the most productive fishing platforms along the Texas coast.
Captain Nick's 22ft center console is built for serious redfish hunters targeting the shallow Texas coast waters. This stable platform handles Port O'Connor's varied conditions while keeping you comfortable during those long drifts and anchor sessions. The GPS and fish finder combo gets you on productive water fast, while the spacious deck gives up to 4 anglers room to work without crowding each other. Life jackets and safety gear are standard, plus there's an icebox to keep your drinks cold during those hot Texas days. Whether you're working the grass flats for reds or dropping down for black drum, this boat puts you in prime position to make the most of your 6-hour trip. The center console design means easy movement around the boat when fish are running, and Captain Nick knows exactly where to put you for the best shot at quality fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray to black fish have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow structure where they root around for food. Spring is prime time during their spawning season when they school up in shallow water - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" as they communicate. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab, cut bait, or live shrimp work best. Guests love the strong, steady pull these fish give - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use circle hooks with crab bait - Black Drum will mouth the bait and swim off, giving you time for a solid hookset.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These bruisers typically run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, though we see plenty in the 25-35 pound range. They live in super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are out of the water - around grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines. Fall and spring are peak seasons when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special is their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style - they'll peel drag and make your reel sing. Plus, the smaller "slot" fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters either, hitting everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. Local tip: watch for nervous water and tailing fish - when you spot them, cast past and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are silver-sided beauties covered in distinct black spots that make them easy to identify. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though trophy fish over 8 pounds show up regularly. They love grass flats, shallow bay areas, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, with dawn and dusk being prime feeding times. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they put up a solid fight with some nice jumps. They're also top-notch table fare with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Here's a local trick: during cooler months, look for them in deeper pockets and channels where they school up. Work soft plastics or live shrimp slowly along the bottom - they'll often follow structure edges where the depth changes.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth built for crushing barnacles and crabs. These crafty fish typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, hanging tight around docks, pilings, and any structure covered in barnacles. They're year-round residents but spring brings the best action when they move to spawn around passes and jetties. What makes them challenging is they're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and pick at your offering before committing. The reward is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. My advice: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel them pecking, wait for solid weight before setting the hook hard.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud to hunt. They typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though bigger ones hit 20+ pounds. You'll find them on shallow sandy and muddy bottoms in bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters where they feed on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime times when they're more active before their offshore spawning run. What makes them fun to target is their sneaky nature - they'll grab your bait and run with it, giving a solid fight once hooked. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. My tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap on bottom, don't set the hook immediately. Let them take it and start moving before you strike - they need time to get that bait positioned right in their mouth.
Port Oconnor