5.0(1 Reviews)Full-Day Inshore Fishing Charter Port O'Connor
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore charter targets redfish, trout, and black drumCaptain John Ashley provides gear, bait, and expert guidanceEight-hour trips explore productive bays and back lakes
Port O'Connor's shallow bays and back lakes offer some of the most consistent inshore fishing on the Texas coast, and Captain John Ashley knows every productive spot. This 8-hour charter takes you through scenic waterways where redfish cruise the flats and speckled trout ambush bait along grass lines. With all gear, bait, and tackle provided, you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the cooler. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or have been chasing reds for years, this trip delivers the hands-on guidance and local knowledge that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Your day starts early at the Port O'Connor marina, where Captain Ashley will have the boat rigged and ready. The shallow-draft vessel is perfect for navigating the maze of bays, cuts, and back lakes that make this area so productive. You'll cover water that ranges from knee-deep flats where redfish tail in the mornings to deeper pockets where black drum and sheepshead hang around structure. The captain reads conditions like wind, tide, and water clarity to put you on fish throughout the day. Expect to move between several spots, learning how different areas fish and why certain techniques work better in specific conditions. The pace is relaxed but focused – this isn't a race, but rather a methodical approach to finding and catching quality fish.
All fishing gear comes included, from rods and reels to terminal tackle and fresh bait. You'll primarily use medium-action spinning gear loaded with braided line, perfect for feeling subtle bites and fighting fish in shallow water. Live bait like shrimp and croaker are staples, but you'll also throw artificial lures when conditions call for it. Soft plastics rigged on jig heads work great for targeting trout along grass beds, while gold spoons can trigger aggressive strikes from redfish. Captain Ashley will show you how to work different lures, read water for signs of fish, and set the hook when you feel that telltale thump. The key is matching your presentation to what the fish want – sometimes they're aggressive and chase fast-moving baits, other days they want something slow and natural.
"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 bread and butter of Port O'Connor inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers grow fat in the nutrient-rich bays, with slot fish ranging from 20 to 28 inches providing excellent table fare. Reds are most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon when they push into shallow water to feed. They're aggressive fighters that make long runs and use their broad tails to bulldoze toward structure. What makes them so exciting is their willingness to eat – they'll take live shrimp, cut bait, and a variety of artificial lures. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some of the biggest fish of the year.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the other primary target species. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots along their sides are found throughout the bay system, typically relating to grass beds, drop-offs, and shell reefs. Trout are more finicky than redfish and require a subtle approach. They feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish, making them perfect targets for soft plastic lures worked slowly along the bottom. The best trout fishing happens during cooler months when fish school up in deeper water, though summer can produce numbers of smaller fish. A good speck has firm, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish commonly reaching 30 to 40 pounds in these waters. They're bottom feeders that love crab, shrimp, and cut bait presented near oyster reefs and structure. Drum are incredibly strong fighters that use their size and power to wear down anglers. They're most active during spring spawning runs when big schools move through the bays. While smaller drum make good eating, the big ones are usually released to fight another day. Finding drum requires knowledge of structure and tides – they're creatures of habit that return to the same feeding areas.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of inshore fishing, known for their ability to steal bait without getting hooked. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing crabs and barnacles around structure. They require small hooks, light sinkers, and quick reflexes to hook consistently. Sheepshead are excellent table fare with firm, mild flesh that rivals any saltwater fish. Winter months produce the best sheepshead action when fish school up around jetties and reefs.
Tripletail are the bonus fish that can make any trip special. These unique fish drift under floating debris, crab traps, and channel markers where they ambush prey. They're sight-fishing targets that require accurate casts and stealthy approaches. Tripletail are strong fighters that jump and shake their heads violently when hooked. They're also considered one of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with meat that's often compared to grouper or snapper. Finding tripletail requires sharp eyes and patience, as they can be difficult to spot and spook easily.
Port O'Connor's inshore fishing delivers year-roun
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable motorboat, perfectly sized for up to 3 anglers seeking redfish, speckled trout, and black drum in Port O'Connor's productive waters. The GPS navigation system keeps us locked onto the hottest fishing spots throughout the shallow bays and back lakes where these game fish love to feed. Captain John Ashley knows these coastal waters like the back of his hand, and this boat gets you there efficiently while providing a stable platform for casting into the grass flats and oyster reefs. Whether you're working topwater lures at first light or bottom fishing during the midday bite, the boat's design handles the shallow draft requirements of inshore fishing perfectly. All your gear, bait, and tackle are ready to go, so you can focus on reading the water and landing fish during this full 8-hour charter.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but can push 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers have crushing jaws built for demolishing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we see the most action. What makes them fun is the pure power once hooked, plus they're great eating when kept under 15 pounds. Bigger ones get tough and stringy. My go-to tip: use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and keep your bait right on the bottom. They're picky eaters but once they commit, hang on tight because they'll bulldoze straight for the nearest structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water game, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-32 inches in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and marshy shorelines. They're year-round residents but spring and fall offer the hottest action when they're most aggressive. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike - pure adrenaline when a 20-pounder crushes a surface plug in skinny water. The meat is firm with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. My favorite approach is sight-casting to tailing fish with gold spoons or live shrimp under a popping cork. Stay quiet and cast past them, then work your lure into their path. They'll eat almost anything but spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter fish, running 14-24 inches and perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow waters, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. They're most active in spring and fall when water temps are comfortable, though we catch them year-round. What guests really enjoy is how willing they are to hit artificials - topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp all work great. The meat is tender and flaky, but don't overcook it or it gets mushy. My local trick is to work the grass edges where they ambush baitfish. During winter, look for them schooled up in deeper channels around 10-20 feet. They're fighters that'll give you some nice head shakes before coming to the boat.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of the bay with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the smartest fish we target. Most run 1-8 pounds around dock pilings, bridge supports, and anywhere with barnacle-covered structure. They've got human-like teeth perfect for crushing shellfish, which makes them notorious bait thieves. Spring spawning season from February through April gives us the best action when they gather in big numbers. Guests love the challenge and the payoff - their white, flaky meat rivals any restaurant fish. Here's the trick: use fiddler crabs on a small hook and get as close to structure as possible. Set the hook hard the instant you feel weight because they'll strip your bait clean if you hesitate.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique catches - they look like floating debris until you get close and see those three distinctive fins. These chunky fighters average 2-13 pounds and hang near the surface around weed lines, channel markers, and floating structure. Summer months from June through September are peak season when they move inshore to spawn. What guests love is the sight-fishing challenge and their acrobatic fight once hooked. The meat is firm and tasty, comparable to snapper or grouper. They're spooky fish that require stealth - cast well past them and work your bait back slowly. Live shrimp or crab on light tackle works best. The key is staying quiet and patient since they can change color to blend with their surroundings. Once you hook one, expect some serious aerial shows.
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