5.0(2 Reviews)Half Day Family Fun on Port Aransas Waters
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour family fishing trip targeting redfish and sea troutAll fishing gear provided with techniques adjusted for beginnersCaptain Randy guides trips through Port Aransas coastal waters
Captain Randy's got the perfect setup for families looking to get their kids hooked on fishing without breaking the bank or spending all day on the water. This 4-hour trip hits the sweet spot - long enough to really get into some fish, but short enough that nobody gets cranky or seasick. You'll be working the productive flats and bay systems around Port Aransas, Rockport, and Corpus Christi, where the fishing stays consistent year-round and there's always something biting.
Captain Randy knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not afraid to move around to find where the fish are holding. The boat's set up to handle up to 2 guests comfortably, which means plenty of room for everyone to cast without tangling lines or bumping elbows. All your tackle and bait come included, so you just need to bring your Texas fishing license, some drinks, and snacks for the crew. The captain's great with first-timers and kids - he'll adjust his approach based on who's on board, whether that means switching to easier techniques or letting the little ones take turns reeling in the big ones. These shallow water flats are perfect for family fishing since the action stays steady and you're not dealing with rough offshore conditions.
You'll be fishing the classic Texas inshore style - working live bait and artificials around grass beds, drop-offs, and structure where game fish like to ambush their prey. Captain Randy switches between drift fishing and anchoring up on productive spots, depending on wind conditions and where the fish are showing up on the fish finder. The gear's all medium-action stuff that's forgiving for beginners but still has enough backbone to handle a good redfish or oversized trout. Expect to throw everything from popping corks with live shrimp to soft plastics worked along the bottom. The beauty of these bay systems is you can cover a lot of different water types in one trip - from shallow grass flats where reds cruise in inches of water to deeper channels where the big trout like to hang out.
"Very nice experience , we got 12 trouts and 2 redfish, he was switching spots all the time to get more fish. I will do it again without any doubt" - Gus
Black Drum are the workhorses of these flats - they're always around and willing to bite, making them perfect for keeping kids engaged when the action slows down. These chunky fighters typically run 2-8 pounds in the shallows, though you might hook into a real bruiser that'll test your drag. They love crabs and cut bait, and they're not picky about presentation. Black drum are most active during the cooler months from fall through early spring, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes them special is how they fight - they don't jump like a trout, but they'll pull steady and hard, giving everyone a real workout.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties are aggressive predators that'll hit both live bait and artificials with equal enthusiasm. The average fish runs 14-18 inches, but the Port Aransas area is famous for its "gator trout" - those thick-bodied 20+ inch fish that'll make your day. Spring and fall are prime time for numbers, but summer produces the biggest fish if you can get them early or late in the day. Trout are exciting because they fight on top, often jumping and shaking their heads trying to throw the hook. Plus, they're excellent eating if you decide to keep a few for dinner.
Redfish are what dreams are made of down here in Texas. These copper-colored bruisers are built like tanks and fight twice as hard as their weight suggests. School reds in the 18-27 inch range are common, but you've always got a shot at a bull red that'll straighten your hooks and test your knots. They're sight-fishing favorites too - watching a big red cruise through shallow water with its back out is something that'll get your heart pumping every time. Reds are less seasonal than trout, staying active throughout the year, though they tend to school up more in fall and winter. The real thrill with redfish is never knowing if that next bite is going to be a keeper or a 30-pound bull that'll take you into your backing.
Captain Randy's half-day family trips book up quick, especially during the cooler months when the fishing really turns on. Four hours gives you enough time to work multiple spots and put together a solid catch without wearing out the kids or breaking the budget. The gear's included, the captain knows how to keep everyone happy, and you'll be fishing some of the most productive inshore waters on the Texas coast. Whether you're looking to introduce the family to fishing or just want a fun morning on the water, this trip delivers exactly what it promises - good fishing, good times, and memories that'll last long after you head home.
Get ready to cruise the shallow waters around Port Aransas aboard Captain Randy's sleek 23-foot Haynie center console! This 2023 bay boat packs serious punch with its 300HP Suzuki engine, capable of hitting 50 knots when you need to chase the fish. Built for Texas coastal waters, this center console design gives everyone great visibility for spotting redfish tails and working the flats around Rockport and Corpus Christi. The boat's equipped with a fish finder to locate those schools of trout and black drum, plus GPS navigation to hit all the best fishing spots. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during the 4-hour adventure. With comfortable seating for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room for the whole family to cast lines and learn new techniques. The shallow draft design lets you access those productive back bays where the big reds like to hang out.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 50+ pounds. These grey-black fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they cruise around crushing crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their signature drumming sounds underwater. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near oyster bars. Keep it still and let them find it - they're not shy about eating.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing - copper-bronze beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. They average 20-30 inches and 3-8 pounds, though we catch plenty of "bull" reds over 10 pounds. These fish love super shallow water, often cruising flats so thin their backs show above the surface. They hang around oyster reefs, grass beds, and marsh edges year-round, with fall being absolutely prime. What guests love most is watching them "tail" in shallow water and the explosive topwater strikes. They're also excellent eating when kept within slot limits. My secret weapon: gold spoons worked slowly over grass flats. When you see them tailing, cast well ahead and let the spoon flutter down naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "Specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish with distinct black spots covering their sides. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we'll occasionally hook into a 5+ pounder. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around structure like dock lights or drop-offs. Fall and winter are peak seasons when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish in these waters. They're also great for beginners since they bite readily and don't require heavy tackle. Pro tip: fish live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds at dawn or dusk. The cork draws them in and they can't resist that wounded shrimp action.
5.0 out of 5.0Cpt. Randy hosted my son and me for a half day of fishing and it was everything we hoped. He was extremely helpful and patient wi...
Very nice experience , we got 12 trouts and 2 redfish, he was switching spots all the time to get more fish. I will do it again wi...
Port Aransas