Half Day Fishing Trip in Rockport, TX
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing trip targeting local favorites in St. Charles BayCaptain Jairus provides 20+ years experience with all tackle includedComfortable 21' Bay Quest boat accommodates up to 4 guests
Looking for a solid fishing experience without burning the whole day? Captain Jairus has you covered with this 4-hour guided trip that hits the sweet spot for productive inshore fishing. Operating out of Rockport, he'll take you and one other angler into the rich waters of St. Charles Bay and surrounding flats where the fishing stays consistent year-round. With over two decades on these waters, Jairus knows exactly where to put you on fish, whether the tide's running high or the wind's got the water stirred up. His 21' Bay Quest is built for this kind of work - stable enough for comfort but nimble enough to get into those shallow spots where the big reds like to hang out.
This isn't your typical party boat experience. With just two anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. Captain Jairus brings all the gear - quality rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait - so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat. The Bay Quest handles Rockport's inshore waters like it was made for them, which it basically was. You'll spend your four hours working the productive structure and grass flats that make this area famous among Texas anglers. Jairus reads the water like a book, adjusting tactics based on tide, weather, and what the fish are telling him. Some days that means working soft plastics over oyster reefs, other days it's live bait under the birds. The guy adapts, and that's why his clients keep coming back.
Captain Jairus runs a mixed bag of techniques depending on conditions and target species. You'll likely work with medium-action spinning gear rigged for the inshore bite - think 3000-series reels spooled with 15-20lb braid and fluorocarbon leaders. When the trout are schooled up, he'll put you on soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations worked along the grass lines. For reds, it's often live or cut bait presented near structure where they're feeding. The beauty of St. Charles Bay is the variety - one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working deeper channels for bigger trout. Jairus keeps multiple rods rigged and ready, so when the bite heats up, you're not wasting time retying. He'll teach you to read the water signs too - nervous baitfish, working birds, color changes that signal feeding fish.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Rockport fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters hang around oyster reefs, grass flats, and shallow backwaters year-round. Fall and spring are prime time when they school up in big numbers, but summer mornings and winter warm spells can produce some of your best fishing. Reds typically run 20-28 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish and some oversize bulls mixed in. What makes them special is how they fight - long, bulldogging runs that'll test your drag and your patience. They're also smart, especially the bigger ones, so presentation matters.
Sea trout bring a different kind of excitement to the table. These spotted beauties are structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, drop-offs, and areas where bait concentrates. Spring and fall see the best trout action, particularly on overcast days with a little chop on the water. A good Rockport trout runs 15-20 inches, but the area produces some genuine wall-hangers that'll surprise you. They're aggressive feeders when conditions are right, often hitting artificials with authority. The key is finding the right depth and matching the bait size to what they're eating.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they'll definitely test your tackle. These bottom-dwellers cruise the oyster reefs and deeper channels, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. They're year-round residents, but spring brings the bigger fish into shallower water for spawning. A typical black drum runs 5-15 pounds, though Rockport produces some real monsters that can exceed 30 pounds. They fight like freight trains - steady, powerful pressure that'll wear you down. Fresh cut bait on the bottom is usually the ticket.
Blacktip sharks add some serious adrenaline to the mix. These sleek predators patrol the flats and channels, especially during warmer months when baitfish are abundant. They're incredibly fast and acrobatic, often jumping multiple times when hooked. Most blacktips you'll encounter run 3-5 feet, but they punch well above their weight class when it comes to fighting power. They're also catch-and-release only, which keeps the population healthy and gives future anglers the same opportunity.
Bull sharks represent the apex predator experience in these waters. These thick-bodied bruisers can handle both salt and brackish water, making Rockport's bay system perfect habitat. Summer and early fall produce the most bull shark encounters, usually in deeper channels and around structure. They're powerful, determined fighters that'll test every knot and connection on your tackle. Bulls can range from juvenile fish around 4-5 feet to mature adults pushing 8-9 feet. Like blacktips, they're catch-and-release, but landing one is definitely a highlight of any fishing trip.
A half-day trip with Captain Jairus delivers exactly what serious anglers want - quality fishing time with an experienced guide who knows how to put you on fish. You're not paying for fancy amenities or a floating party; you're investing in local knowledge, quality gear, and access to some of Texas' most productive inshore waters. The 4-hour format works perfectly for families, couples, or anyone who wants great fishing without the full-day commitment. With everything provided and just two
This 21' Bay Quest bay boat is your ticket to productive fishing in Rockport's shallow inshore waters. Built tough for the Texas coast, she's powered by a reliable Yamaha 115hp that gets you to the fish quickly and quietly. The stable platform handles St. Charles Bay's conditions with ease, giving you a solid deck to work from whether you're casting to redfish in the grass or targeting trout along the drop-offs. With room for your small crew and all the gear, this bay boat cuts through the shallows like she was made for it. Captain Jairus has been running these waters for over 20 years, so you know you're in good hands. All tackle and bait provided - just bring yourself and get ready to put some fish in the box.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+ pounds. They love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they use those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. These fish are tough fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom is your best bet. Pro tip: when you feel that steady, heavy pull instead of sharp jerks, you've likely hooked into a drum - let them run and stay patient.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are some of the most exciting fish you can hook in our waters, typically running 3-5 feet but capable of reaching 8 feet. They patrol the deeper bay channels and near-shore waters, especially around structure and baitfish schools. Summer months bring the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their acrobatic jumps - they'll leap clear out of the water multiple times during the fight. They're catch-and-release only, but the thrill is unmatched. These sharks respond well to cut bait like mackerel or mullet fished on the bottom with heavy tackle. Local tip: set up a chum line with oily fish scraps to draw them in, and always use circle hooks - they're aggressive feeders and will hook themselves on the run.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the ultimate challenge fish in our waters - thick, powerful predators that can reach 8-12 feet and 300+ pounds. They roam deeper channels, river mouths, and anywhere there's good current flow bringing baitfish. Summer brings the most encounters when they follow bait into the bay system. What makes them legendary is their raw power and ability to strip line like no other fish. They're strictly catch-and-release, but landing one is a lifetime memory. Heavy tackle with cut mullet, whole fish, or fresh eel works best on the bottom. The secret weapon here is fresh eel - its high oil content drives them crazy. When you hook one, hold on tight and let your drag do the work because they'll make runs that'll test every knot you tied.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Rockport fishing, ranging from slot-size 20-28 inchers up to big bulls over 40 inches. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines. Fall and winter are peak times when they school up in large numbers. What guests love is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights that'll make your reel scream. Plus, those slot fish are some of the best eating around with mild, sweet meat. They'll hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, but gold spoons work magic here. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or birds working bait, then approach quietly and cast beyond the school - these fish spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are some of the most popular fish in our bay system, typically running 14-24 inches and putting up a solid fight for their size. You'll find them around grass flats, shallow drop-offs, and shell beds in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and early morning or evening hours when they move shallow to feed. What makes them special is their beautiful spotted pattern and that they're fantastic eating - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater lures with aggressive strikes. The key is working the grass lines where baitfish gather. Here's a local trick: during summer heat, look for them around deeper shell pads where they find cooler water and plenty of food.
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