Extended Half Day Fishing in Rockport, TX
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour extended halfday inshore fishing adventure in Rockport watersCaptain with 20+ years experience targets St. Charles Bay productive areasAll tackle and equipment provided aboard comfortable 21foot Bay Quest boat
Looking for that sweet spot between a quick morning trip and a full-day commitment? Captain Jairus has you covered with his extended half-day fishing adventure in Rockport. This 6-hour charter gives you serious time to work the productive waters around St. Charles Bay without burning an entire day. With over two decades guiding these coastal flats, Captain Jairus knows exactly where the fish are holding and adjusts his game plan based on what Mother Nature serves up. You'll fish from his comfortable 21' Bay Quest that handles up to 4 anglers, though this particular trip is sized perfectly for 2 guests who want plenty of elbow room and personalized attention.
This top-rated charter starts early when the fish are most active, giving you the prime feeding windows that separate good days from great ones. Captain Jairus focuses on the inshore waters around Rockport where the grass beds, oyster reefs, and drop-offs create perfect ambush points for feeding gamefish. The extended timeframe means you're not rushed - if the bite slows in one area, there's plenty of time to relocate and try different presentations. The 21' Bay Quest is rigged specifically for these waters, with a shallow draft that lets you work skinny flats where bigger boats can't go. All your tackle, rods, reels, and fresh bait come included, so you just need to show up ready to fish. Captain Jairus provides everything from live shrimp to artificial lures, matching the presentation to current conditions and what the fish are wanting.
Rockport's inshore waters demand different approaches depending on tides, wind, and season. Captain Jairus switches between wade fishing the grass flats, working structure with bottom rigs, and sight fishing when conditions are right. You'll learn to read the water - spotting nervous baitfish, following bird activity, and identifying productive bottom changes. The boat stays positioned to give you clean casting angles whether you're pitching soft plastics under mangroves or working topwater over shallow reefs. Drift fishing with live bait produces consistent action on trout and redfish, while targeted bottom fishing around structure can yield surprising drum and even sharks. The captain adjusts techniques throughout the trip, teaching you why certain baits work better in specific situations and how subtle changes in retrieve speed or depth can trigger strikes when fish seem finicky.
Black Drum around Rockport are absolute bruisers that'll test your drag system. These copper-colored fighters congregate around oyster bars and mud flats, especially during cooler months when they move shallow to feed on crabs and shrimp. Mature drum can push 20-30 pounds, providing arm-burning fights that keep you hooked up for several minutes. They're incredibly strong but fight differently than other species - using their broad sides and heavy bodies to pull steady, determined runs that'll make you appreciate quality tackle.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Rockport fishing, with solid populations year-round and peak action during spring and fall transitions. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, hitting both live bait and artificials with aggressive strikes. Keeper trout in the 15-20 inch range are common, with trophy fish over 25 inches always possible. They're excellent table fare and provide exciting topwater action when conditions align, making that explosive surface strike every angler dreams about.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Rockport's waters hold some true giants. These bronze bulldogs cruise shallow flats, often showing their backs in inches of water while hunting for prey. Reds between 20-35 inches are typical, with oversized bulls occasionally topping 40 inches. They're incredibly strong fighters that use their broad tails and stocky bodies to make blistering runs toward structure. The visual aspect of sight fishing for reds in clear water adds another level of excitement to every hookup.
Blacktip Sharks bring serious adrenaline to any fishing trip, especially when they show up in the shallows chasing baitfish. These sleek predators typically run 3-5 feet long around Rockport and provide heart-stopping runs when hooked. They're most active during warmer months and often hit baits intended for other species, creating surprise encounters that'll have everyone scrambling for cameras. Their acrobatic jumps and lightning-fast runs make them a customer favorite despite being catch-and-release only.
Bull Sharks are the heavyweights of Rockport's inshore waters, with mature fish reaching impressive sizes that can exceed 6 feet. These powerful predators prefer deeper channels and areas with strong current flow, making them occasional but memorable catches during extended trips. Bulls are incredibly strong and surprisingly fast for their size, capable of stripping line even with heavy tackle. Landing one is a true achievement that creates lasting memories and great photos before a careful release.
This extended half-day format gives you the best of both worlds - serious fishing time without the full-day commitment. Captain Jairus's two decades of local experience means you're fishing with someone who truly knows these waters and how to put you on fish consistently. The personalized attention you get with just 2 guests means more coaching, better positioning, and techniques tailored to your skill level. Whether you're targeting a trophy red, hoping to box some trout for dinner, or just wanting to experience the incredible diversity of Rockport's fishery, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait - prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is world-class.
This 21' Bay Quest bay boat is your ticket to productive inshore fishing around Rockport's legendary shallow waters. With a reliable Yamaha 115hp engine pushing you through St. Charles Bay and surrounding flats, you'll have a stable platform that handles the choppy stuff while keeping you comfortable during those long fights with redfish and trout. The boat's design is perfect for navigating the skinny water where the big fish hang out, and with space for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to work your lines without bumping elbows. Captain Jairus has this bay boat dialed in for serious fishing - from the rod holders positioned just right to the layout that lets you move around easily when that bull red makes its run. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working structure for speckled trout, this boat puts you exactly where you need to be on Rockport's productive coastal waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90 pounds. You'll find them cruising shallow muddy flats and around oyster reefs where they use those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we really dial them in. These fish put up a solid fight and make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually feel through the boat. For eating, stick with the smaller ones under 15 pounds - they're much more tender. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom near oyster beds. The key is keeping your bait still and letting them find it.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are exciting targets that average 4-5 feet but can reach 9 feet and over 200 pounds. You'll encounter them in 30-100 feet of water around structure and drop-offs, often following baitfish schools. They're most active during warmer months and love oily baits like mackerel or sardines. What makes them fun is their acrobatic jumps - they'll launch clear out of the water multiple times during a fight. These sharks are purely catch-and-release, but the adrenaline rush is what guests remember most. They're surprisingly timid despite their reputation, so fresh cut bait works better than live. My trick is getting a good chum slick going with ground mackerel, then running circle hooks on wire leaders about mid-depth in the water column.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the true powerhouses of our coastal waters, typically 8-12 feet long and 200-300 pounds of pure muscle. These thick-bodied predators patrol shallow bays, river mouths, and anywhere brackish water mixes with salt - they're one of the few sharks that can handle freshwater. Summer months bring them into our area following prey. What sets them apart is their incredible strength and tenacity - they'll test every bit of your tackle and fighting ability. It's strictly catch-and-release, but landing one is a career memory. They respond well to large cut baits like mullet or mackerel. The secret weapon is fresh eel - its high oil content and tough skin make it irresistible and stays on the hook through their aggressive strikes.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature species around Rockport, running 20-40 inches and known for that bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. You'll find them in super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and drop-offs. They're year-round residents but really turn on during cooler months when they school up. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fight once hooked. They're excellent eating too, with firm white meat that's hard to beat. These fish will hit everything from topwater plugs to soft plastics, but they can be spooky in shallow water. My best advice is to stay quiet, make long casts, and work your bait slowly along the edges of structure.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets here in St. Charles Bay, typically running 14-24 inches and weighing 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats and shallow areas, especially around structure like downed trees or drop-offs. Cool weather months are fantastic as they school up in deeper pockets, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. These fish are scrappy fighters with great table fare - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Night fishing under lights can be phenomenal when they're feeding on shrimp. My local trick is working soft plastics slow and low along grass lines during moving tides. The bite often happens right at the grass edge where they're ambushing baitfish.
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