5.0(3 Reviews)Extended Half Day Fishing - Port Aransas
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Expert guides target redfish, trout, and black drum inshoreSmall group charter accommodates maximum two guests comfortablyBay and flats fishing covers Rockport to Corpus Christi
When you're looking for a solid fishing trip that won't eat up your whole day, Captain Randy's extended half-day charters hit the sweet spot. We're talking about 6+ hours on some of the most productive inshore waters along the Texas coast, targeting the big three that make this area famous: redfish, speckled trout, and black drum. These aren't your typical tourist trips where you might catch a few small ones for photos. This is real fishing with a captain who's been working these waters for years and knows exactly where to put you on quality fish.
Your day starts early at the Port Aransas marina, where Captain Randy has the boat rigged and ready to go. We'll cruise through the protected bays and shallow flats that stretch between Port Aransas, Rockport, and Corpus Christi - some of the most fish-rich waters you'll find anywhere on the Gulf Coast. The beauty of an extended half-day trip is we've got time to really work the water. If the reds aren't cooperating in one spot, we can move to find where the trout are stacked up. With just two anglers on board, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work your lines without bumping elbows. The shallow draft boat lets us get into skinny water where the big fish like to hang out, especially around grass beds and oyster reefs where baitfish congregate.
Captain Randy provides all the gear you'll need - quality spinning rods matched with reels that can handle anything from schoolie trout to bull reds pushing 30+ inches. We primarily fish with live bait when it's available, but artificial lures are just as effective in these waters. Soft plastics rigged on jigheads work great for trout over grass flats, while spoons and topwater plugs can drive redfish absolutely crazy when they're feeding aggressively. The captain will adjust tactics based on conditions - wind, tide, water clarity, and what the fish are telling us. Some days they want slow presentations along the bottom, other days they'll smash a noisy topwater plug. That's the beauty of having an experienced guide who reads the water and adapts to what's working.
"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 bread and butter of Port Aransas inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-28 inches in these waters, with plenty of oversized bulls mixed in that'll test your drag system. Reds feed year-round but really turn on during fall months when they school up for their spawning runs. They're ambush predators that love structure - oyster bars, grass edges, and shallow flats where they can cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. When a red takes your bait, you'll know it immediately. They make strong initial runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat.
Speckled trout might be the most popular target for local anglers, and once you hook into a few, you'll understand why. These beautiful fish have distinctive black spots along their sides and can reach impressive sizes in Port Aransas waters - 20+ inch fish are common, with some true giants exceeding 25 inches. Trout are more finicky than reds and really respond to subtle presentations. They school up over grass beds and shell bottom, especially during cooler months. Spring and fall offer the best action, though summer early mornings and late evenings can produce excellent catches. Their soft mouths mean you need to play them carefully, but the reward is some of the best eating fish in Texas waters.
Black drum often get overlooked, but they shouldn't be. These bottom-dwellers are the heavyweight champions of the flats, with fish over 30 inches and 20+ pounds caught regularly. Drum have powerful jaws designed for crushing shellfish, so when they grab your bait, it's game on. They're most active during cooler months and can be found around oyster reefs and mud flats where they root around for crabs and worms. Big drum fight with pure power - long, steady runs that'll have you wondering if you hooked into a small shark. They're also excellent table fare when properly prepared, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Port Aransas offers world-class inshore fishing year-round, but the best days book up fast, especially during peak seasons. Captain Randy's extended half-day trips give you the perfect balance of serious fishing time without the commitment of a full day charter. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to put some quality fish in the cooler or a beginner wanting to learn from one of the area's top-rated guides, this trip delivers. The two-person limit ensures you get personalized instruction and plenty of fishing time. Don't wait until you're standing on the dock wishing you'd booked - secure your spot now and get ready for some of the best inshore fishing the Texas coast has to offer.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our pristine 2023 Haynie center console, a 23-foot bay boat built specifically for Texas inshore waters. Powered by a reliable 300HP Suzuki engine, this boat cuts through the coastal bays around Port Aransas, Rockport, and Corpus Christi with ease, reaching speeds up to 50 knots when you need to chase the bite. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access while our captain navigates to prime redfish and speckled trout spots using onboard GPS and fish finder technology. An integrated icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Texas afternoons on the water. With comfortable seating for your group and plenty of deck space for casting, this boat puts you right where the fish are feeding in the shallow flats and protected bays that make this area famous.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our flats, ranging from 5-30 pounds with giants pushing 90. These powerhouse bottom-feeders love crushing crabs and oysters with their strong jaws around oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow bays. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're tough fighters that'll test your tackle, and smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near shell structure. The scent drives them crazy, and crab stays on the hook better than shrimp when the catfish are around.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, running 20-35 inches and famous for those black spots near their tails. These copper-colored fighters love super shallow flats where you'll see their backs out of water, plus oyster bars and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the hottest action when they're actively feeding and easier to spot. What guests love most is watching them blow up on topwater lures - it's pure adrenaline. They're also fantastic table fare with mild, sweet meat that grills perfectly. My go-to technique: look for nervous water or tailing fish, then cast a gold spoon past them and work it back slowly. Redfish can't resist that flash and wobble, just make sure to lead them by a few feet so you don't spook the school.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets, typically running 14-24 inches with a delicate, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow waters, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. Dawn and dusk fishing produces the best results, particularly around structure like docks and drop-offs. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live shrimp and artificial lures - they're aggressive feeders that put up a solid fight for their size. Pro tip: when working grass flats, use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise attracts them from a distance, and that setup keeps your bait just above the grass where they're feeding.
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