Target Black Drum and Flounder in Port A's Prime Spots
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour afternoon charter targeting redfish and speckled troutPrivate 23-foot center console accommodates up to five guestsAll fishing equipment provided with experienced captain guidance
There's something special about hitting the water when the afternoon sun starts working its magic on Port Aransas' productive inshore flats. Captain Frank's 4-hour private charter kicks off at 1:00 PM, giving you prime time to target the fish when they're most active. This top-rated fishing experience puts you right in the heart of some of Texas' best redfish and speckled trout habitat aboard a spacious 23-foot center console that handles these waters like a dream. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to put some fish in the cooler or someone who just picked up their first rod, this charter delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back to Port Aransas year after year.
Captain Frank knows these waters like the back of his hand, and it shows from the moment you step aboard his well-equipped center console. With room for up to two guests, you'll have plenty of space to work without bumping elbows – a real plus when the bite gets hot. The boat comes rigged with quality rods and reels that can handle everything from schoolie reds to bull drum, so you don't need to worry about bringing your own gear unless you want to. The afternoon departure time is no accident either. As the day heats up, baitfish start moving toward cooler water, and that's when predators like redfish and speckled trout go on the hunt. You'll be working shallow flats, grass beds, and structure where these fish love to ambush their next meal. Don't forget to grab your Texas fishing license before you head out – it's required for anyone 17 and older, and game wardens do check.
This charter focuses on time-tested inshore methods that consistently produce fish in Port Aransas waters. You'll likely spend time working soft plastics along grass edges where speckled trout hide, waiting to ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Captain Frank will have you pitching live or cut bait near oyster reefs and structure where redfish cruise looking for an easy meal. When targeting flounder, expect to work sandy bottoms and drop-offs where these flatfish bury themselves to ambush prey. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast might bring a hard-fighting red drum, while the next could hook into a hefty flounder or aggressive black drum. The shallow water means you'll see a lot of the action happen right at the surface, especially when reds start tailing in the skinny water. Captain Frank will adjust tactics based on tide, wind, and what the fish are telling him that day.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Port Aransas inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow flats and oyster reefs around the area, especially during moving tides. Slot-sized reds typically run 18 to 27 inches and put up a serious fight, making long runs and using their broad tails to bulldoze through the water. You'll find them year-round here, but fall and spring offer some of the most consistent action when schools of reds work the flats in surprisingly shallow water. What makes catching them so addictive is their aggressive nature – they'll crush a well-placed spoon or gulp down a live shrimp without hesitation.
Summer flounder, or fluke as many anglers call them, are the chameleons of the inshore scene. These flatfish can change color to match the bottom perfectly, making them masters of ambush. In Port Aransas waters, they typically hold near sandy bottoms, channel edges, and around structure where current brings them food. Flounder fishing requires a bit more finesse – they'll often grab your bait and hold it before committing to the bite, so patience pays off. When you hook into a good one, you'll feel that distinctive head-shaking fight as they try to get back to the bottom. The meat quality is outstanding, making them a favorite target for anglers looking to fill the cooler with table fare.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they'll definitely test your tackle and your arms. These bottom-dwellers love oyster reefs and structure where they can use their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. In Port Aransas, you'll encounter everything from smaller puppy drum to massive bulls that can top 30 pounds. The big ones are particularly common around deeper structure and channel edges. What makes black drum special is their pure power – they don't jump or make flashy runs, but they'll put a serious bend in your rod and test your drag system. Many anglers target them specifically for their consistent bite and the challenge of wrestling a big drum away from the structure.
Port Aransas afternoon fishing doesn't get much better than this. Captain Frank's private charter gives you the flexibility to target the species you want most while learning techniques that'll make you a better angler long after you head home. The 4-hour window provides plenty of time to work different areas and adjust to what the fish are doing that day, without feeling rushed or cutting the trip short just when the bite picks up. With quality gear provided and a captain who knows how to put you on fish, all you need to bring is your license, some snacks, drinks, and sun protection. This world-class inshore fishery produces year-round, but afternoon trips during moving tides consistently deliver the kind of action that creates lasting memories. Reserve your spot with Fish Tank Charters today and get ready to experience why Port Aransas has earned its reputation as one of the Gulf Coast's premier fishing destinations.
Your afternoon fishing adventure starts aboard our 23-foot Freedom Boats center console, perfectly designed for Port Aransas inshore waters. This reliable fishing machine packs a 250 HP Yamaha engine that'll cruise at 55 knots, getting you to the best fishing spots quickly. The spacious center console layout gives you and your fishing buddy plenty of room to work your lines while staying comfortable during the 4-hour charter. Captain Frank has equipped this boat with everything you need for successful inshore fishing - GPS navigation to hit productive waters, fish finder technology to locate schools of Redfish and Speckled Trout, plus a wireless trolling motor for silent approach when the fish are spooky. The stable platform handles Port Aransas bay conditions with ease, whether you're casting to structure for Flounder or working the grass flats for Black Drum. Quality rods and reels are provided, so just bring your Texas fishing license and get ready to put some fish in the cooler.
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 hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. You'll find them in 1-6 feet of water, especially during spring spawning season when they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound. They're incredibly strong fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to keeping the smaller ones under 15 pounds - they taste way better than the big tough ones. My go-to trick is using fresh crab on a Carolina rig and letting it sit right on the bottom near oyster structure. They're not flashy, but they'll give you a workout.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, known for their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These bruisers typically run 20-35 inches in our waters and absolutely love the shallow flats and grass beds around Port Aransas. They're year-round residents but really shine in fall and spring when they school up in the shallows. What makes them special is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll strip drag and make multiple runs. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, flaky meat. The real magic happens in 1-3 feet of water where you can sight cast to tailing fish. Pro tip: when you see their backs out of the water, cast your spoon or soft plastic past them and work it back slowly.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. They average 15-20 inches but can reach 26 pounds, with both eyes on their left side after an amazing transformation during development. Look for them on soft bottom areas in 8-25 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and channels. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavy before winter. Guests love the challenge of sight fishing for them and they're fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's the key - use a slow drift with live mullet or large shrimp on a bucktail jig, and give them time to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Port Aransas, TX