Private 4 Hour Bowfishing Trip In Seadrift
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour saltwater bowfishing adventure targeting multiple speciesExpert guide provides equipment and custom 22' aluminum boatNight fishing experience accommodates up to 4 guests
Get ready for a top-rated night on the Texas coast that's unlike any fishing you've done before. This 4-hour bowfishing adventure in Seadrift puts you right in the heart of some of the best shallow water action on the Gulf Coast. You'll be hunting fish with a bow instead of waiting for them to bite, making every shot count as you cruise the flats and backwaters where big fish come to feed. Our custom 22-foot aluminum boat gets you into the skinny water where these fish hang out, and with powerful LED lights cutting through the darkness, you'll spot your targets from yards away. Whether you've never drawn a bowfishing bow or you're already hooked on the sport, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers talking for months.
Your night starts when the sun goes down and the fish start moving into the shallows. We'll pick you up to four anglers and head out in our specially rigged bowfishing boat that's built for this kind of work. The setup is everything here - we've got high-powered lights that illuminate the water like daylight, letting you see fish cruising the flats from 20 feet away. The boat runs quiet through skinny water, and our shallow draft lets us get into spots where conventional fishing boats can't go. You'll be standing on the bow deck with a compound bow in your hands, arrow nocked and ready, scanning the lit-up water for shadows and movement. When you spot a fish, it's all about reading the refraction, leading your target, and making a clean shot. The adrenaline rush when you connect with a big alligator gar or black drum is something you won't get from any other type of fishing. Our guide knows these waters inside and out, so you'll be positioned over the best feeding areas where fish are actively hunting.
We provide all the specialized bowfishing equipment you'll need, including compound bows set up with heavy draw weights, bowfishing reels, and barbed arrows designed to hold fish securely. The bows are adjusted for the refraction you'll encounter shooting into water, and our guide will walk you through proper form and aiming techniques before your first shot. You'll learn how water bends light and why you need to aim low, especially on fish that are deeper than they appear. The arrows are attached to heavy line that feeds out from a specialized reel mounted on your bow, so when you hit a fish, you can fight it just like conventional fishing. The difference is you're the one who decides when and where to take the shot. We use barbless points that penetrate clean and hold tight, and the setup lets you handle everything from smaller sheepshead up to monster alligator gar that can stretch over six feet. The lighting system on our boat includes underwater lights that attract baitfish, which in turn draws in the predators you're targeting. Night vision takes a few minutes to adjust, but once your eyes adapt, you'll be amazed how clearly you can see fish moving through the water.
Black drum are the bread and butter of Seadrift bowfishing, and these fish put up a serious fight when you stick one with an arrow. They cruise the shallow flats in schools, especially around oyster reefs and grass beds where they're rooting for crabs and small fish. Black drum in this area typically run 15 to 40 pounds, with some real giants pushing over 50. They're most active in the first few hours after dark when they move up shallow to feed. What makes them so exciting to target is how they react when hit - a big drum will make powerful runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. The fight is intense and visual since you're connected directly to the fish through your arrow and line.
Summer flounder are another customer favorite that offers a completely different challenge. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottom with just their eyes showing, making them tough to spot until you develop an eye for their outline. They're ambush predators that lie motionless until prey swims overhead, then explode upward to grab their meal. Flounder in these waters range from keeper-sized fish up to door-mat sized specimens over 20 inches. The trick is learning to recognize their shape against the bottom and getting your arrow placement perfect since they're relatively thin targets. When you connect with a good flounder, they'll fight with surprising strength for a flatfish.
Sheepshead around Seadrift are plentiful near structure like docks, pilings, and oyster bars where they pick off crabs and barnacles. These fish are known for their human-like teeth and their ability to steal bait from conventional anglers, but bowfishing gives you the advantage of taking the shot when you want it. They typically range from 2 to 8 pounds and make excellent table fare. Sheepshead can be spooky in clear, shallow water, so shot placement and timing are crucial. They're most active during moving tides when they're actively feeding around structure.
Alligator gar are the ultimate prize for any bowfisherman, and the waters around Seadrift hold some true monsters. These prehistoric fish can exceed 6 feet and 100 pounds, making them one of the most powerful freshwater fish in North America. Gar are air breathers that surface regularly to gulp air, giving you clear shot opportunities when they roll. They prefer deeper channels and drop-offs but will move into surprisingly shallow water to hunt, especially at night. When you arrow a big gar, get ready for the fight of your life - they're incredibly strong and will jump, roll, and make long runs that test every piece of equipment. Landing a trophy alligator gar is a bucket-list experience that serious bowfishermen travel from across the country to achieve.
This world-class bowfishing experience books up fast, especially during peak season when fish are most active in the shallows
This 2023 22-foot Long Beach aluminum skiff cuts through Seadrift's shallow waters like it was built for them—because it was. The 175HP Suzuki pushes you up to 40 knots when you need to cover ground fast, but throttles down smooth for those precision shots at gar and drum. Four anglers fit comfortably with plenty of room to draw back and aim without bumping elbows. The aluminum hull handles oyster bars and grass flats that would scratch up fiberglass boats, while the GPS keeps you on productive water even when the shoreline all starts looking the same. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those long summer sessions. Perfect for bowfishing under lights or working the flats with conventional tackle.
Atractosteus SpatulaThese prehistoric giants are the dinosaurs of our waters, and seeing one never gets old. Most gar we encounter run 4-6 feet and 60-100 pounds, but there are true monsters out there pushing 200+ pounds. They cruise shallow flats and backwater areas, often rolling on the surface to breathe air. Late summer gives you the best shots when hot weather pushes them into shallow water. What makes them special is pure size and that ancient look - they're living fossils with armor-like scales and teeth that'll make you respect them. The fight is steady and powerful, not flashy but relentless. These fish are catch-and-release only, so it's all about the experience. Best tip: watch for them rolling on calm mornings - they'll show themselves if you're patient and quiet.
Pogonias CromisThese big drums are some of the strongest fighters you'll encounter in our local waters. They typically run 10-30 pounds, but we've seen monsters pushing 60+ pounds around the oyster reefs and shallow mud flats. Black drum love crushing shellfish with their powerful jaws, so you'll find them working the oyster beds and creek mouths year-round. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What makes them special is that solid pull they put on you, plus the smaller ones make great eating. For bowfishing, watch for them tailing in shallow water during low light. Pro tip: look for muddy water where they're rooting around - that's your money shot right there.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of the sea with their black and white stripes, but what really gets people talking are those human-like teeth. They use them to crush barnacles and crabs around any structure they can find - docks, pilings, oil rigs, you name it. Most fish run 2-8 pounds, though we've seen 15+ pounders that'll surprise you. They're year-round residents, but spring brings the best numbers when they spawn around structures. Guests love targeting them because they're tricky - they'll steal your bait and test your patience, but once you hook one, they fight hard for their size. The meat is sweet and flaky, definitely worth keeping. For bowfishing, get close to structure where they're feeding. My advice: watch for the flash of their sides as they turn - that's your window to make the shot count.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms and can actually change color to match their surroundings. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big females can hit 26 pounds and really test your gear. They're ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting to strike, which makes them perfect for bowfishing when you can spot them against the bottom. Best hunting happens fall through early winter when they're most active. You'll find them in estuaries, inshore waters, and around creek mouths where baitfish are plentiful. What guests love is the challenge - they're tough to spot until you train your eye. The meat is top-notch too, white and flaky. Key tip: watch for their outline in the sand, especially the eyes - once you see one, there's usually more nearby.
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