5.0(2 Reviews)Master Inshore Fishing Basics with Captain John Ashley
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
5hour guided inshore fishing adventure in Port O'Connor baysPerfect for beginners targeting Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Black DrumAll fishing gear, bait, and tackle provided by experienced guide
Looking for the perfect introduction to Texas inshore fishing? Captain John Ashley's 5-hour guided trip in Port O'Connor is exactly what you need. This top-rated fishing adventure takes you through some of the most productive shallow waters along the Texas coast, where redfish cruise the grass flats and speckled trout stack up in the back lakes. With all gear provided and a captain who knows exactly where the fish are biting, you'll spend your time learning proper techniques instead of wondering what lure to tie on. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing trip or finally taking that plunge into saltwater angling, this customer favorite delivers consistent action and real results on the water.
Your day starts early in Port O'Connor's protected bays, where Captain John has been reading the water for years. This isn't a crowded party boat situation – with just three anglers max, you'll get personalized instruction and plenty of rod time. The boat slides through knee-deep grass beds and around oyster reefs where redfish tail and trout blow up on topwater plugs. You'll learn to read the signs – nervous baitfish, slicks on the surface, and those telltale copper backs cruising the shallows. The scenic backdrop is just a bonus when you're focused on setting the hook on a slot red that's peeling drag. Captain John keeps things relaxed but productive, moving spots when the bite slows and always having a backup plan when the fish get finicky.
All the gear is handled for you – quality rods and reels spooled with fresh line, a tackle box full of proven lures, and live bait when the artificial bite gets tough. You'll master the basics of inshore fishing: working soft plastics along the bottom for black drum, twitching topwater plugs at first light for trout, and sight-casting to tailing redfish in the shallows. Captain John shows you how to read your rod tip, feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact, and work lures at the right speed for each species. The techniques you learn here – from proper hook sets to fighting fish without losing them at the boat – translate to inshore fishing anywhere along the Gulf Coast. No complicated deep-sea rigging or heavy tackle – just effective methods that consistently put fish in the boat.
"We had a great time. Captain John was very professional and experienced. On top on that , he is a funny guy. He got us on fish quickly and when we stopped getting bites , he knew exactly where to go. We will definitely book him again. Thanks again Captain John for a great fishing trip" - Sergio
Redfish are the bread and butter of Port O'Connor inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from 18 to 30 inches in these waters, with the occasional bull red mixed in for extra excitement. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk when they push into the shallows to feed on crabs and shrimp. What makes reds so special is their fight – they make long, powerful runs and don't give up easily. Plus, they're not spooky like some species, so beginners can get multiple shots at the same fish.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the most popular target for good reason. These beautiful fish with distinctive black spots along their sides are perfect for learning proper technique. They hit both live bait and artificials, typically ranging from 14 to 20 inches in Port O'Connor's grass flats. Spring and fall offer the best trout fishing, though they bite year-round in the deeper channels. Trout have a softer mouth than reds, so they teach you finesse – you can't just horse them to the boat. Their aggressive strikes on topwater plugs create some of the most exciting moments for new anglers.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're perfect for building confidence. These bottom-dwellers grow large – sometimes exceeding 30 pounds – and provide a steady, powerful fight that gets your heart pumping. They're most active around structure like oyster reefs and bridge pilings, feeding on crabs and mollusks with their crushing jaws. The smaller "puppy drum" in the 5 to 15-pound range are excellent table fare and fight harder than their size suggests. Black drum are less affected by weather changes than other species, making them reliable targets when conditions get tough.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge that keeps experienced anglers coming back. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and oysters, making them notorious bait stealers. They require patience and precise timing – you have to feel the subtle tap and set the hook immediately. Found around any hard structure, sheepshead are most active in cooler months when they move into the bays. Landing a quality sheepshead on light tackle is a real achievement, and they're considered some of the best eating fish in Texas waters.
Tripletail are the wild card that can make any trip memorable. These oddly-shaped fish float on their sides near floating debris, looking like dead leaves until they explode on a well-presented bait. They're not common, but Port O'Connor's waters hold good numbers during summer months. Tripletail are pure ambush predators with incredible speed and a unique fighting style that combines powerful runs with acrobatic jumps. Finding and catching one requires skill and luck – exactly the kind of challenge that hooks anglers for life.
Captain John Ashley's beginner-friendly approach and consistent results make this one of the most sought-after inshore trips in Port O'Connor. With small group sizes and hands-on instruction, you'll leave with real skills and confidence for
Jump aboard our reliable motorboat designed for comfortable inshore fishing adventures in Port O'Connor's productive waters. This well-equipped vessel easily handles up to 3 anglers, making it perfect for small groups targeting redfish, speckled trout, and black drum in the shallow bays and back lakes. The onboard GPS navigation system helps us locate the best fishing spots while keeping everyone safe on the water. Built for stability and smooth rides through varying conditions, this boat gets you to where the fish are biting without the rough offshore experience. Whether you're casting your first line or improving your technique, the spacious deck provides plenty of room to fish comfortably. Captain John knows these local waters inside and out, and this dependable boat is your ticket to a productive day on the Texas coast.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love oyster beds and muddy flats where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - that's how they got their name. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up in shallow water, making them much easier to target. After spawn, they scatter and get trickier to find. What guests love about Black Drum is their bulldogging fight - they don't jump much but pull hard and steady. Keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds for eating; the big ones get tough and stringy. My tip: use fresh crab on the bottom around oyster reefs, and be patient - they're notorious for picking at bait before committing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-red color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-32 inches, but we see plenty of bulls over 40 inches that'll test your drag. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy bottoms. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times when they're most active. What makes reds special is their powerful fight and that explosive topwater strike that gets everyone's heart pumping. Plus they're excellent eating in the slot size. They're not picky eaters either - live shrimp, crab, or artificials all work. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or "waking" fish in skinny water, then cast ahead of them and work your bait slowly back.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most popular targets, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds with beautiful spots covering their silver sides. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around structure where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Night fishing is fantastic, but early morning and evening produce well too. Spring through fall is peak season here in Texas waters. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they make excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. They're also great fighters with some nice jumps. Pro tip: work your lures slowly over grass beds in 2-4 feet of water, and when you find one, work the area thoroughly - they often school up and where there's one, there's usually more.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and gray stripes, and they've got human-like teeth that'll surprise you every time. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but we see some bruisers pushing 20 pounds around here. They live around any structure - docks, pilings, jetties - basically anywhere barnacles grow. Spring is prime time, especially February through April during spawn. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with incredible table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any fish we catch. They'll nibble and steal your bait all day if you're not quick on the hookset. Here's the key: get your bait right against the structure and set the hook hard the second you feel weight. Fresh shrimp or fiddler crab works best, and don't be shy about getting close to those pilings.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique catches - they look like a floating piece of debris until they turn sideways and you see that distinctive three-fin silhouette. Most run 2-13 pounds and about 18 inches, though we've seen them push 40 pounds. They're surface dwellers that love floating around weed lines, channel markers, and debris. Summer months, especially July and August, are prime time when they're most active in our area. What makes them special is they're incredibly acrobatic fighters despite their chunky build, and the meat rivals red snapper or grouper. They're also masters of camouflage, changing colors to match their surroundings. The trick is sight fishing - once you spot one, cast well past it and slowly work your bait toward them. They spook easily, so stealth is key. Live shrimp or small crabs work best.
5.0 out of 5.0Wow honestly MRS JENNIFER SMITH you are not just an amazing account manager but also a fantastic human being. I am entirely gratef...
We had a great time. Captain John was very professional and experienced. On top on that , he is a funny guy. He got us on fish qui...
Port O'Connor, TX