5.0(3 Reviews)Port Aransas Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Fishing
Five-hour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish, trout, and black drum.Fully equipped 24-foot Haynie boat accommodates up to five guests total.All fishing gear provided with optional pickup from Fisherman's Wharf.
Captain Larry knows these Port Aransas waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some seriously good fish. This 5-hour inshore charter targets the big three—redfish, speckled trout, and black drum—in some of the most productive shallow water along the Texas coast. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been chasing reds for years, Larry tailors each trip to match your experience level. His fully rigged 24' Haynie is built for these waters, giving you the perfect platform to work the grass flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs where these fish love to hang out.
You'll meet Captain Larry either at the dock or take advantage of his optional pickup service from Fisherman's Wharf for a small fee. The trip is designed for two anglers, but Larry can accommodate up to three additional guests if you want to bring the whole crew along to watch the action. His 24' Haynie is equipped with everything you need—quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait—so you can focus on fishing instead of gear. The boat's shallow draft lets you get into those skinny water spots where the big reds cruise, while the stable platform gives you room to fight fish without feeling cramped. Plan to bring your fishing license, some snacks, and drinks for the day. Larry's approach is relaxed and educational, so expect to learn plenty about reading water, understanding tides, and recognizing the signs that fish are around.
Inshore fishing in Port Aransas is all about adapting to conditions and fish behavior. Captain Larry uses a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what's working best. You might be throwing soft plastics over grass beds one minute and soaking shrimp near oyster bars the next. The key to success here is understanding how redfish, trout, and drum relate to structure and tides. Larry's boat is rigged with quality spinning gear that's perfect for these species—not too heavy to take the fight out of a trout, but strong enough to turn a big red away from the rocks. You'll work shallow flats where you can actually see fish tailing, deeper channels where drum like to feed, and everything in between. The technique varies throughout the day as conditions change and fish move, but that's what makes inshore fishing so engaging. Larry reads the water constantly, adjusting spots and presentations to keep you on fish.
"Exciting, Great day on the water !! We caught lots of fish reds, trout, and black drum and had so much fun! We definitely will be booking captain Larry again for another fun fishing adventure !!" - Randi
"We had a great day on the water with captain Larry ! My husband and I both limited out on red fish and filled the box ! He is very knowledgeable, taught us a lot about salt water fishing, never got in a hurry, and was very laid back, relaxed, and great time ! His boat is awesome and a bonus to the trip! We will definitely book him again !! Thanks captain Larry for a great day !" - Randi
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Port Aransas serves up some beauties. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 20 to 30 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish and some real bulls mixed in. Reds are most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk, though they'll feed throughout the day in cooler months. What makes them so exciting is their power—they'll make blistering runs and use their broad sides to put serious pressure on your drag. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, ambushing bait around oyster bars, and holding near drop-offs where they can dart into the shallows to feed. Fall and winter are prime time for numbers, while summer offers shots at bigger individual fish.
Speckled trout bring finesse to the mix, and they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table. These spotted beauties average 15 to 20 inches in Port Aransas waters, with the occasional gator trout pushing 25 inches or better. They're structure-oriented fish, holding around grass beds, shell pads, and channel edges where they can ambush prey. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though they can be caught year-round with the right approach. What anglers love about trout fishing is the variety—you might catch them on topwater plugs at sunrise, soft plastics during the day, or live shrimp when they're being picky. Their strike is often subtle, just a slight tick on the line, but once hooked they'll jump and shake their heads trying to throw the hook.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the inshore scene, and Port Aransas has some real tanks. These fish can range from puppy drum around 15 inches all the way up to monster 40-pounders that'll test your tackle and your back. They're bottom feeders with incredible pulling power, using their weight and strength to try to reach structure where they can break you off. Drum are most active during cooler months, from fall through early spring, when they school up in deeper channels and around oyster reefs. What makes them exciting is their raw power—they don't jump like a red or shake like a trout, but they'll put a serious bend in your rod and make long, steady runs that seem to go on forever. They're also excellent eating in the smaller sizes, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Captain Larry's Port Aransas inshore charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want—productive fishing, quality equipment, and the kind of local knowledge that puts you on fish consistently. This isn't a cattle boat operation where you're just another number. With
Step aboard this 2023 24-foot Haynie catamaran and get ready to chase redfish, speckled trout, and black drum in the productive waters around Port Aransas. This modern fishing machine comes loaded with GPS navigation and fish finder technology to help Captain Larry put you on the fish at his favorite local hotspots. The spacious layout comfortably handles two active anglers with room for up to three additional guests who want to come along for the ride. Built for inshore fishing, this Haynie cat's shallow draft design lets you access those back-country flats and protected bays where the big reds like to feed. The stable platform gives you a solid casting deck whether you're working topwater plugs at first light or bouncing soft plastics along the bottom. All your tackle and gear is provided, so you can focus on setting the hook when that drag starts screaming.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the inshore flats, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish cruise oyster beds and muddy bottoms in our shallow bays, using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they school up and get aggressive. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - that's how they got their name. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when you're working oyster reefs, drop fresh blue crab right into the structure gaps where they can't resist an easy meal.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target, cruising our shallow flats in water so thin their backs show above the surface. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-35 inches and are built for power, using their broad tails to make blistering runs. You'll spot them by those distinctive black spots near their tail - nature's fake-out to confuse predators. They're year-round residents here, but fall brings the best action when they school up in massive numbers. What makes them special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their explosive strikes on topwater lures. The smaller "slot" fish are great eating too. Local secret: look for nervous bait or mullet jumping - that's usually reds pushing them up from below. Cast beyond the commotion and work back through it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, typically running 14-24 inches with occasional trophy fish pushing 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties love our grass flats and drop-offs, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. They're ambush predators with excellent eyesight, making them fun on topwater lures at dawn and dusk. The bite really heats up in spring and fall when water temps are just right. Guests love them because they fight well for their size and make outstanding table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady over grass beds. When you see that telltale swirl, resist the urge to set the hook immediately - let them turn down with it first.
5.0 out of 5.0Exciting, Great day on the water !! We caught lots of fish reds, trout, and black drum and had so much fun! We definitely will be ...
Randi Joiner, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
We had a great day on the water with captain Larry ! My husband and I both limited out on red fish and filled the box ! He is very...
Randi J., Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Rockport, TX