5.0(1 Reviews)Full-Day Inshore Fishing Charter Port O'Connor
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and black drumCaptain John Ashley provides all gear and expert guidanceSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests maximum
Port O'Connor sits right where serious inshore anglers want to be – surrounded by some of Texas' most productive bay systems and back lakes. Captain John Ashley runs a top-rated 8-hour charter that puts you on fish while showing off the natural beauty that makes this stretch of coast special. Whether you're casting your first line or you've been working these waters for years, this full-day trip gives you the time and guidance to make it count.
This isn't a rushed half-day where you're barely getting warmed up before heading back to the dock. Eight hours gives Captain Ashley time to work different spots, adjust to changing conditions, and put you on the best bite of the day. You'll start early, moving through the bay system and back into productive lakes where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout work the grass lines. The boat stays comfortable for up to three anglers, so everyone gets plenty of room to fish without stepping on each other. All your gear, bait, and tackle comes with the trip – Ashley knows what's working and keeps his boxes stocked with the right stuff. The pace feels relaxed but focused, with plenty of time to learn the water and actually enjoy being out there.
Ashley works the classic Port O'Connor inshore approach – reading the water, following bait, and adjusting techniques as conditions change throughout the day. You'll fish everything from shallow flats where redfish tail in knee-deep water to deeper grass beds where trout hold near structure. The captain provides quality spinning gear rigged for whatever you're targeting, whether that's throwing topwater plugs at first light or working soft plastics through the afternoon bite. He knows when to move and when to stay put, reading signs that separate productive anglers from those just hoping for luck. The back lakes offer protection when wind picks up, while the main bay provides access to bigger schools when conditions allow. You'll learn why certain spots produce at different times and how tide, wind, and bait movement all factor into a successful day.
"Capt. John Ashley was very friendly and knowledgeable of all the bays. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip the entire day. It's definitely shows that he has guided for quite some time. It started off a little slow, due to nature being the way she is, but come around noon it picked up really quickly and we came home with four keeper reds. Even cooked and ate part of the catch that night. I'm already planning a trip for the fall." - Robert
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port O'Connor inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20 to 28 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish that make excellent table fare. They're year-round residents here, but fall and spring bring the best action when schools move shallow to feed. What makes reds special is their attitude – they'll crush a topwater plug with authority, then drag you through every oyster bar and grass bed they can find. The fight stays strong right to the boat, and experienced anglers know that first run can strip line fast if your drag isn't set right.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, provide consistent action and some of the best eating you'll find. These spotted beauties range from 14 to 20 inches, with occasional trout pushing 24 inches during cooler months. They're structure-oriented fish that relate to grass beds, drop-offs, and shell reefs. Spring and fall offer the most reliable trout fishing, though summer mornings can produce excellent topwater action. What keeps anglers coming back for specks is their willingness to bite and their delicate, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a simple pan-fry.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they'll test your tackle and your patience. These bottom-dwellers can range from keeper-sized fish around 14 inches to massive 30-plus-pound brutes that'll make you question your knot-tying skills. They're most active during cooler months and feed primarily on crabs and shellfish, which means fresh bait works better than artificials. The big drums provide pure pulling power, while smaller "puppy drum" offer steady action and good eating. They're often overlooked by anglers chasing flashier species, but smart guides know they can save a slow day.
Sheepshead are the thieves of the bay – master bait stealers with human-like teeth and a knack for testing your patience. These black-and-white striped fish live around structure and have the most delicate bite you'll encounter inshore. They average 12 to 16 inches but can reach 20-plus inches in deeper water. Winter months bring the best sheepshead fishing when they move into bays to spawn. What makes them special is the challenge – you need perfect timing and a gentle touch to hook them consistently. Once you figure them out, though, you'll have some of the finest-eating fish that swims.
Tripletail are the bonus fish that can make your day memorable. These oddly-shaped fish float near the surface, often mistaken for debris until they swim away. They're not abundant, but when you find one, the fight is worth it. Tripletail average 5 to 15 pounds and provide strong, head-shaking battles. They're most common during warmer months and often hold near floating objects or structure. What makes tripletail exciting is their rarity and the fact that each one feels like finding treasure – you never know when you'll spot that distinctive shape floating just under the surface.
Captain Ashley's full-day charter gives you the time and expertise to experience Port O'Connor inshore fishing the right way. With eight hours on the water, quality gear included, and a guide who knows
Your fishing platform for this Port O'Connor adventure is a well-equipped motorboat designed for navigating the shallow bays and back lakes where redfish, speckled trout, and black drum love to hang out. With room for up to 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your lines without bumping elbows. The GPS navigation system keeps Captain John Ashley on track to the most productive spots, so you spend more time with fish on the line instead of wandering around looking for them. This boat handles the choppy bay waters smoothly and gets you into those skinny back lakes where the big reds cruise. Whether you're casting into grass beds or working the deeper channels, this setup puts you right where the fish are biting in Port O'Connor's prime coastal waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with the occasional bruiser pushing 90. You'll find them cruising muddy flats, oyster beds, and around structure where they use those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - makes them much easier to target than when they scatter later in the year. These fish are pure bulldogs on the line, using their broad sides to fight hard in shallow water. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near oyster reefs. The scent drives them crazy and they'll inhale it before the catfish can steal it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water game, with that copper-bronze color and signature black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, perfect for the cooler and the table. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and shoreline structure. They bite year-round here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What gets people hooked is watching them cruise the shallows with their backs out of water, then seeing that explosive topwater strike. The meat is firm with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. My go-to technique is throwing gold spoons or topwater plugs early morning over shallow flats. Cast ahead of cruising fish and let them find your lure - don't chase them around or you'll spook the whole school.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most popular inshore targets, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds in these waters. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk when they move up to feed. Spring through fall gives you the best action, but winter can be productive when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and the way they'll hit topwater plugs in skinny water - pure excitement. The meat is tender and flaky with a mild flavor that's hard to beat on the dinner table. Just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Pro tip: work soft plastics slowly over grass beds during moving tides. The trout will be sitting in the current breaks waiting to ambush baitfish, and a well-placed cast often gets hammered immediately.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds, but we see some nice 15-20 pounders around the right structure. They live around anything with barnacles - dock pilings, bridge supports, and jetties. Spring months from February through April are best when they're spawning and more aggressive. Guests love the challenge because these guys are notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and steal your shrimp before you know it. Once hooked though, they make excellent eating with sweet, white meat. The key is getting your bait tight to structure and setting the hook hard the instant you feel weight. Use fiddler crabs on a jig head and keep it right against those pilings where they're picking off barnacles.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of the most unique fish we target - they look like floating debris until they turn sideways and show that distinctive three-fin silhouette. Most run 2-13 pounds with some real trophies hitting 25-30. They hang around weed lines, floating structure, and channel markers from spring through fall. What makes them special is they're sight-fishing targets that fight like crazy once hooked - lots of head shaking and acrobatic jumps. The meat rivals red snapper with firm, white fillets. These fish are easily spooked, so the trick is casting well past them and slowly working your bait into their zone. Live shrimp under a popping cork works great, but don't get too close. Keep your distance and let them come to you - patience pays off with these wary fish.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt. John Ashley was very friendly and knowledgeable of all the bays. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip the entire day. It’s definit...
Port O'Connor, TX