5.0(3 Reviews)Extended Half Day Port Aransas Inshore Fishing
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, speckled trout, and black drum in Port Aransas baysExpert guides provide instruction for all skill levelsExtended halfday trip accommodates up to 2 guests
Looking for a solid fishing trip that delivers results? Captain Randy and the Fill-A-Bite Guide Service crew know exactly where to find the fish in Port Aransas waters. This extended half-day charter takes you through some of the most productive bays and flats around Rockport, Port Aransas, and Corpus Christi. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, this trip is designed to put you on fish while showing you the ropes of inshore fishing along the Texas coast.
Your day starts at the Port Aransas marina, where Captain Randy will get you set up with everything you need for a successful fishing trip. The boat heads out into the protected bays and shallow flats where redfish, speckled trout, and black drum call home. These aren't deep sea adventures – you'll be fishing in water that's often knee to waist deep, perfect for sight fishing when conditions are right. The captain reads the water like a book, adjusting tactics based on wind, tide, and what the fish are doing that day. Some days you'll be casting to redfish tailing in skinny water, other days you'll be working deeper grass beds for trout. The extended half-day format gives you plenty of time to try different spots and techniques without feeling rushed. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and coaching that makes a real difference in your success rate.
Inshore fishing along the Texas coast is all about reading conditions and matching your approach to what the fish want. Captain Randy comes equipped with both artificial lures and live bait setups, switching between them based on what's working. You might find yourself throwing soft plastics on jig heads over grass flats, working topwater plugs early in the morning, or dropping live shrimp around structure when the fish are finicky. The tackle is medium-light spinning gear that's perfect for the 15-30 inch fish you'll be targeting. Wade fishing is often part of the program when water levels and weather cooperate – there's nothing quite like stalking a big red in two feet of crystal clear water. The captain handles all the rigging and bait, so you can focus on casting and fighting fish. He'll teach you how to work different lures, read the water for signs of fish, and handle these hard-fighting inshore species properly for photos and release.
"Captain Randy had to work hard to find the fish today. No wind and water that looked like glass meant the Red bite was off. He finialy suggested we move to trout and we managed to limit out on trout with one lone red fish. The captain never gave up and we ended the trip with fish in the cooler and a great day on the water. I highly recommend Captian Randy Fillabite he will do his absolute best to get you on fish." - Terry
"My son and I have used Captain Randy before. He is a knowledgeable Captain. He got us on our fish right away, and we caught our limit. Then we still had time to go look for some big ones. It was a great day and he made sure we got our fish." - Eric
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Port Aransas waters hold some beautiful specimens. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-30 inches in these bays, with occasional bulls pushing over 35 inches. Reds are most active during spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What makes them special is their willingness to eat in shallow water – watching a big red crush a topwater plug in three feet of water gets your heart pumping every time. They're strong fighters that use their broad tails and body mass to pull drag, making even average fish feel much bigger than they are.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter species that keeps your rod bent throughout the trip. These spotted beauties are abundant in the grass beds and drop-offs around Port Aransas, typically ranging from 14-20 inches with the occasional gator trout over 24 inches. Specks are most cooperative during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes, but summer fishing can be excellent early and late in the day. They're aggressive feeders that hit both artificials and live bait with authority. The best part about trout fishing is the numbers – when you find a good school, you can catch fish on consecutive casts until your arms get tired.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're incredibly fun to catch and surprisingly good table fare when they're under 20 pounds. Port Aransas drum typically run 3-15 pounds, with their crushing bite often surprising anglers who think they're hung on the bottom. These fish are most active during winter months when they move into shallow bays to feed on crabs and worms. What makes drum fishing exciting is their raw power – they don't jump or make long runs, but they bulldoze toward structure with surprising strength. Finding a school of feeding drum can make for fast action, especially when using fresh shrimp or crab as bait.
This extended half-day trip gives you the perfect taste of what makes Port Aransas fishing so special without committing to a full day on the water. Captain Randy's local knowledge and willingness to adapt to conditions means you're getting maximum value for your time and money. The intimate two-person limit ensures you get hands-on instruction and plenty of fishing time without waiting your turn. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, introduce someone to inshore fishing, or just get out there and catch some fish, this trip delivers. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. The fish are waiting – all you need to do is show up ready to have a great day on the water.
Step aboard our brand new 2023 Haynie 23-footer and get ready to chase some serious fish in Port Aransas waters! This center console bay boat packs a punch with its 300HP Suzuki engine, cutting through the flats at speeds up to 50 knots to get you to the hot spots fast. Built for serious anglers, she's equipped with a top-notch fish finder to locate those trophy redfish, speckled trout, and black drum hiding in the grass beds and oyster reefs. The onboard GPS keeps us dialed in on productive areas across Rockport, Port Aransas, and Corpus Christi bays. With comfortable seating for your group and a spacious icebox to keep your drinks cold during those warm Texas days, this boat handles everything from shallow water sight fishing to deeper bay structure. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access and plenty of room to work a hooked fish. Whether you're casting topwater plugs at sunrise or working soft plastics around structure, this Haynie delivers the perfect platform for targeting inshore species in the coastal bend.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, typically running 10-30 pounds with some giants pushing 50-plus. These grey-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring spawning season from February through April is prime time when they school up in 2-4 feet of water. What makes them special? They're strong fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and listen for their drumming sounds - when you hear that vibration through your rod, you know you're in the right spot. They're bottom feeders, so keep your bait on the deck.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, typically running 18-28 inches with that distinctive copper-bronze color and black spot near the tail. These bulls love cruising 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds special? They eat almost anything, fight like freight trains, and the slot-size fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. Plus, spotting them in skinny water and making sight-casts is pure adrenaline. Here's a local secret: look for nervous water or muddy puffs where they're rooting around feeding. A gold spoon or topwater plug worked over these areas will usually draw explosive strikes.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our bay fishing, running 14-20 inches on average with some nice ones hitting 24-plus. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around structure like shell beds and drop-offs. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods - dawn, dusk, and overcast days are money time. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great fighters with acrobatic jumps. Here's my go-to tip: work a soft plastic shrimp or paddle tail slowly along the bottom of grass flats. When the water's murky, switch to bright chartreuse or pink - the louder colors really trigger strikes when visibility drops.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Randy had to work hard to find the fish today. No wind and water that looked like glass meant the Red bite was off. He fin...
My son and I have used Captain Randy before. He is a knowledgeable Captain. He got us on our fish right away, and we caught our ...
Port Aransas