Professional Anglers Inshore Trip Port O'Connor
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Five-hour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and black drumCaptain John Ashley provides expert guidance and local knowledgeAll gear, bait, and tackle included for three guests
Port O'Connor sits right where you want to be for serious inshore fishing. This 5-hour charter with Captain John Ashley puts you on fish in some of the most productive shallow water along the Texas coast. We're talking about prime bay systems and back lakes where redfish cruise the shorelines and speckled trout stack up over shell beds. You'll fish with quality gear, fresh bait, and the kind of local knowledge that comes from working these waters day in and day out. Whether you're looking to dial in your technique or just want to put some keeper fish in the boat, this trip delivers the goods.
Captain John runs a tight operation focused on putting anglers on fish. You'll launch early and head straight to the productive zones - no time wasted running around looking for action. The boat accommodates up to three anglers, so you've got plenty of room to work and won't be bumping elbows when the bite gets hot. All your tackle, bait, and gear comes provided, which means you can focus on reading the water and working your presentations. The captain knows where fish hold during different tides and seasons, and he's not shy about sharing techniques that work in these specific waters. You'll fish structure, grass flats, and oyster reefs depending on conditions and what's biting best that day.
This isn't your typical tourist trip with heavy spinning gear and chunked bait. Captain John sets you up with the right tackle for the conditions - whether that's throwing soft plastics on jigheads, working topwater plugs over shallow grass, or drifting live shrimp along drop-offs. You'll use medium-action spinning rods paired with quality reels spooled with braided line for sensitivity and hook-setting power. The bait selection includes live shrimp, finger mullet, and an arsenal of proven artificials like paddle tails, spoons, and topwater baits. Techniques vary with the target species and structure you're fishing, but expect to learn proper drift presentations, how to work structure effectively, and when to switch up your approach based on fish behavior and water conditions.
Redfish are the backbone of Port O'Connor's inshore fishery, and these copper-colored bruisers know how to fight. They range from schoolie-sized fish up to bull reds that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish cruising shallow flats and ambushing bait around oyster reefs. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat both live and artificial baits, plus they'll fight you all the way to the boat. You'll find them in water from six inches to six feet deep, often tailing in skinny water during higher tides.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the glamour species that keep anglers coming back. These spotted beauties love structure and can be incredibly selective about presentation. Peak season runs from late spring through early winter, with fish averaging 14 to 20 inches and occasional trout pushing the 25-inch mark. They're ambush predators that relate to grass beds, shell pads, and drop-offs. What makes specks exciting is their explosive strikes on topwater baits and their tendency to school up when you find them.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs that'll give you a workout. These bottom-huggers cruise oyster reefs and mud flats, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish. They're most active during cooler months and can range from puppy drum around 16 inches up to fish that'll break the 30-pound mark. What's fun about black drum is their deliberate bite - you'll feel them mouthing the bait before they commit, and once hooked, they use their broad sides to fight in the current.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" with distinctive black stripes and a reputation for bait theft. They hang around structure with their human-like teeth, picking barnacles and crabs off pilings and rocks. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action when they school up for spawning runs. These fish require finesse - light tackle, small hooks, and quick reflexes to set the hook before they steal your bait. Landing a quality sheepshead feels like an accomplishment because they make you work for it.
Tripletail are the wildcards that can make any trip memorable. These oddball fish float like debris around structure and possess an incredibly aggressive strike. They're more common during warmer months and tend to suspend around crab trap floats, channel markers, and weed lines. What makes tripletail special is their unpredictability - you might go months without seeing one, then boat three in a single trip. They're excellent table fare and fight with surprising strength for their body type.
Port O'Connor's inshore fishing stays productive year-round, but the best trips book up fast with Captain John. This isn't a cattle-boat operation - you're getting personalized attention and access to productive water that casual anglers never see. The 5-hour timeframe gives you enough time to hit multiple spots and adjust tactics based on conditions without feeling rushed. All gear and bait comes included, so you just need to bring yourself and be ready to fish. Whether you're working on your technique or just want to bend some rods with quality fish, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps serious anglers coming back to Port O'Connor's world-class inshore fishery.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some pushing 90. These gray-black bruisers love oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - much easier to target than when they scatter after. What makes them special is that deep, drumming sound they make underwater, plus they're bulldogs on the line. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab on the bottom and keep it pinned tight to structure - they won't chase bait far from cover.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water game, averaging 20-30 inches with that signature black spot near the tail. These copper-colored fighters love skinny water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They cruise oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges looking for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing here, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What gets anglers hooked is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights in shallow water. Plus they're excellent eating when kept under the slot. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats, then cast well ahead and let them find your bait - they spook easily in thin water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk. Cooler months bring the best action when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them favorites is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their delicate, sweet meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're scrappy fighters despite their size. The key is fishing the grasslines at first light with soft plastics or topwater plugs - work them slow and steady. When the water drops below 60 degrees, move to deeper holes where they winter up in big schools.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Texas waters - those black and white stripes make them unmistakable. Running 1-8 pounds typically, they're structure lovers who hang tight to dock pilings, bridge supports, and anything with barnacles. Spring through early summer is your best shot when they're most active. What hooks anglers is those human-like teeth and their reputation as notorious bait thieves - they'll steal your shrimp faster than you can blink. The white, flaky meat rivals snapper when cooked right. Here's the secret: get your bait as close to the pilings as possible and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight - they're masters at picking bait clean without getting hooked.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are the odd-shaped gems that float like leaves near the surface, fooling both prey and anglers. These chunky fish run 2-13 pounds with three fins that look like tails, giving them their name. Summer through early fall is peak season when they drift around weed lines and floating debris. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight and table fare that rivals grouper - firm, white meat with outstanding flavor. They're sight-fishing targets that require stealth and patience. The trick is spotting them laying sideways near floating grass or debris, then casting past them and working your bait slowly into their zone - spook them once and they're gone for good.
Port O'Connor, TX