Pro Anglers Charter: Aransas Pass Inshore Action
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Five-hour private charter targets redfish, trout, and drum inshoreCaptain David provides advanced techniques for experienced anglers onlyAll fishing gear, bait, and tackle included with catch keeping
Captain David's 5-hour private charter puts you right in the thick of Aransas Pass's best inshore action. This isn't your typical family fishing trip – it's built for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to push their skills to the next level. You'll be working the flats, channels, and structure where the big reds, specks, and drums hang out, using techniques that separate the weekend warriors from the serious stick. With just two anglers max, you get personalized instruction and prime positioning on every drift and cast.
Captain David runs a tight ship focused on results. You'll launch early from Aransas Pass and head straight to productive water based on tides, wind, and recent fish movement. This charter targets the serious angler crowd – folks who appreciate the difference between a good guide and a great one. Expect to work different structure throughout the day, from shallow grass flats where reds cruise the edges to deeper cuts where big trout ambush bait. The pace stays steady, and you'll cover water efficiently while learning advanced reading techniques that'll make you a better angler long after the trip ends. All your tackle, bait, and ice are handled, so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.
This charter dials up the technical side of inshore fishing. You'll master sight-casting to tailing reds, learn to read water color changes that hold feeding trout, and work structure with precision. Captain David brings quality spinning gear rigged for everything from topwater action at dawn to bottom rigs for drum when the bite gets tough. Expect to throw everything from soft plastics on light jigs to live bait under corks, depending on conditions and target species. The boat's equipped with a shallow-water anchor system for precise positioning, plus electronics that'll show you exactly what's underneath. You'll pick up skills like reading bird activity, understanding how tidal flow affects fish positioning, and recognizing the subtle signs that separate productive water from dead zones.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Aransas Pass inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from schooling rats in the 18-24 inch range up to bull reds that'll test your drag system. Peak action runs from April through November, with fall months producing the biggest fish as they stage for their offshore spawning run. Reds feed aggressively in shallow water, often with their backs out of the water as they root around oyster bars and grass edges. The fight is what hooks most anglers – that initial screaming run followed by bulldogging power that'll make your arms burn.
Speckled Trout are the bread and butter species that keep your rod bent between red fish. These beautiful game fish hit hard and jump often, especially the bigger females that locals call "gator trout." Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to wall-hangers pushing 25 inches. Specks relate heavily to structure and moving water, making them perfect for anglers who like to think through their approach. They're also excellent table fare, which makes a successful day even more rewarding.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they're pure muscle and can absolutely humble unprepared anglers. These bottom-dwellers grow massive in Texas waters, with fish over 40 inches common in the right spots. They feed primarily on crabs and shellfish around structure, making them a perfect target when other species get finicky. Drum fishing requires patience and heavy tackle, but the payoff comes when you hook into a fish that refuses to give up. Winter months often produce the biggest specimens as they school up in deeper channels.
Sheepshead bring a technical challenge that serious anglers love. These black-and-white striped convicts have incredible eyesight and famously light bites, earning them the nickname "bait thieves." They hang around structure like pilings, rocks, and reefs, feeding on barnacles and small crustaceans. Success requires sharp hooks, sensitive tackle, and lightning-fast reflexes. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Red Snapper add offshore excitement to your inshore charter when regulations allow. These aggressive predators hit hard and fight dirty, using structure to try breaking you off at every opportunity. When they're open, snapper fishing around nearshore reefs and artificial structure provides non-stop action with fish ranging from legal-sized youngsters to true trophy specimens. Their bright red coloration and excellent table quality make them a favorite target for serious anglers looking to fill the cooler.
Captain David's pro angler charter delivers exactly what experienced fishermen want: quality fish, advanced techniques, and maximum time on productive water. The two-angler limit ensures you get personalized attention and prime fishing spots without the crowds. You'll leave with a cooler full of quality fish, new skills that'll improve your fishing anywhere, and the satisfaction that comes from a day well spent on the water. Aransas Pass consistently produces some of Texas's best inshore fishing, and this charter puts you right in the middle of it all. Don't wait – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hottest.
The CCB Fury cuts through Aransas Pass waters like a true fishing machine. This 24-foot center console boat brings serious performance to your inshore pursuit of redfish, trout, and drum. Built in 2018 with a powerful Suzuki 250HP engine, she'll get you to the productive spots fast, cruising at speeds up to 48 knots when the fish are biting elsewhere. What sets this boat apart for serious anglers is the wireless trolling motor – perfect for those stealthy approaches to spooky redfish in shallow flats. The GPS navigation keeps you on productive fishing grounds, while the fish finder helps locate schools of trout and structure-holding drum. With comfortable seating for up to 4 people, there's plenty of room for you and your fishing partner to work the waters without crowding. Captain David knows these Texas coastal waters inside and out, and this boat gives him the tools to put you on fish efficiently. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working deep drops for black drum, the Fury handles it all with the reliability and performance that serious anglers demand.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black fish with crushing jaws love oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-8 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning around February and March - that's when we target them most. They're famous for their drumming sounds underwater and put up a solid fight once hooked. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with flaky white meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and keep your bait right on the bottom. They're picky eaters but once you dial in their feeding pattern, you'll have steady action all morning.
Elops SaurusLadyfish are the "poor man's tarpon" - silver rockets that'll jump and thrash like crazy once hooked. They average 12-24 inches but can hit 35 inches on a good day. You'll find schools of them in bays, around piers, and near shore in 5-20 feet of water. They bite year-round and aren't picky about tides or time of day. While they're not great eating, they're pure fun on light tackle and make excellent live bait for bigger fish like snook. They're aggressive feeders that hit small jigs, shrimp, and flies. Pro tip: use a heavy mono leader because they'll bite through light line with their sharp little teeth. Perfect species for getting kids hooked on fishing - they're always willing to bite.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the prize of deeper Gulf waters - bright red fish that can reach 35 pounds, though most keeper-sized fish run 3-8 pounds. They live around structure in 40-100+ feet of water, hugging oil rigs, artificial reefs, and rocky bottom. Federal season typically runs June through July, so timing matters. What makes them special is their aggressive fight and world-class table fare - firm, sweet meat that's restaurant quality. They'll run straight for structure when hooked, so be ready to muscle them up quickly. The secret is dropping fresh cigar minnows or squid right to the bottom and staying patient. Once you find a productive rig or reef, work it thoroughly - where there's one snapper, there's usually more.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature inshore target - bronze beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most range 18-32 inches, feeding in ridiculously shallow water where you can see their backs. They cruise grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love most is sight-fishing to tailing reds and watching explosive topwater strikes. They fight hard with powerful runs and make excellent eating. The local secret is working topwater plugs over shallow grass flats at first light. When you see that copper flash and distinctive tail, make your cast count - these fish spook easily in skinny water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Texas waters - gray bodies with black stripes and human-like teeth that'll give you a double-take. Most run 1-8 pounds, though 20-pounders show up around deeper structures. You'll find them hugging bridge pilings, docks, and any barnacle-covered structure where they pick off crabs and shellfish. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months. What makes them special is their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort. They're notorious bait thieves, so here's the trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, get tight to structure, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Don't hesitate or they'll steal your bait every time.
Aransas Pass