Full Day Offshore Fishing - Port Aransas
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eight-hour offshore fishing adventure targeting multiple Gulf speciesCaptain Herb provides expert guidance for all skill levelsDeparts 7 AM, explores productive grounds up to 20 miles offshore
Captain Herb Broussard knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 8-hour deep-sea adventure launches at 7:00 AM sharp from Port Aransas, heading up to 20 miles offshore where the big boys hang out. You'll be targeting some of the Gulf's most prized catches - red snapper, king mackerel, mahi mahi, cobia, and greater amberjack. With only 4 spots on the boat, you get personalized attention and prime fishing real estate. Captain Herb works with anglers at every level, so whether you're a weekend warrior or this is your first time holding a rod, you'll walk away with skills and stories.
The day starts early at the Port Aransas marina, where Captain Herb will brief you on the game plan and safety protocols. Once you clear the jetties, it's a 45-minute to hour-long run to the productive offshore structures and drop-offs where these gamefish congregate. The smaller group size means everyone gets quality time at the rail, and Captain Herb rotates positions so everyone gets shots at the action. You'll fish a variety of depths and structures throughout the day - from shallow wrecks holding cobia to deeper waters where the big amberjack patrol. The boat stays comfortable with plenty of shade, but bring that small cooler with snacks and drinks because 8 hours flies by when the fish are biting. Don't forget your Texas fishing license and life jackets for the kids - Captain Herb covers everything else.
This trip is all about versatility and reading the conditions. Captain Herb runs a mix of trolling and bottom fishing depending on what's happening that day. You might start the morning pulling spreads for king mackerel and mahi, working the color changes and temperature breaks where baitfish stack up. When you find structure or mark fish on the sounder, it's time to drop baits to the bottom for snapper and amberjack. Captain Herb provides all the tackle, from heavy trolling setups spooled with wire leader to conventional reels perfect for bottom fishing. He'll teach you how to read your rod tip, feel the bite, and work fish properly. The key out here is staying adaptable - conditions change, fish move, and successful offshore fishing means adjusting your approach throughout the day.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of Gulf fishing, and Port Aransas sits right in prime snapper country. These hard-fighting bottom dwellers average 3-8 pounds but can push 15+ pounds on structure. They're most active during summer months when regulations allow harvest, though catch-and-release opportunities exist year-round. What makes snapper special is their willingness to bite and the way they fight - pure bulldogging power straight down to the rocks. King mackerel patrol these waters spring through fall, with the biggest fish showing up during cooler months. These speed demons can stretch 20-40 inches and provide some of the most exciting fights in the Gulf. Their blistering runs and aerial displays keep everyone on their toes. Mahi mahi are the wild cards that make every trip exciting. These colorful gamefish follow floating debris and weedlines, usually running 10-25 pounds. When you hook into a school of mahi, the action can be non-stop with their aggressive feeding behavior and spectacular jumps. Cobia cruise the area during their spring and fall migrations, often approaching the boat out of curiosity. These bronze-colored bruisers average 20-40 pounds and are known for their intelligence and strong runs. Greater amberjack live around deeper structures and reefs, providing serious pulling power that tests your endurance. These fish commonly reach 30-60 pounds and fight like freight trains, making long, powerful runs that'll leave your arms burning.
Captain Herb Broussard has built his reputation one trip at a time, putting clients on fish while sharing his deep knowledge of Gulf Coast fishing. This full-day charter gives you maximum time on productive water with a captain who knows where to find them and how to catch them. The 4-person limit means you're not fighting for space or attention, and the variety of species keeps everyone engaged throughout the day. Port Aransas offers some of Texas's best offshore fishing, and this trip showcases exactly why. From the moment you clear the jetties to the final fish of the day, you'll experience world-class fishing with a top-rated guide. Book your spot with HB Charters LLC and get ready for the kind of fishing day that keeps you planning your next trip before this one's even over.
Captain Herb's 31-foot Century walkaround puts you right in the action for serious Gulf fishing. This 1997 cabin cruiser runs on twin Yamaha V6s pushing 500HP, getting you to those productive offshore grounds up to 20 miles out where the snapper, king mackerel, and cobia are biting. The boat's built for fishing with an onboard fish finder to locate the schools, plus GPS and radar to keep you on course. Between fishing spots, cool off in the cabin with AC, grab a cold drink from the fridge, or stretch out on the bed. The head and galley make those long 8-hour days comfortable while you're chasing amberjack and mahi. With space for 4 anglers and Captain Herb's local knowledge of Port Aransas waters, you'll spend more time fighting fish than searching for them. The walkaround design gives everyone room to work their lines without getting tangled up.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - dark brown, solitary cruisers that often get mistaken until you see that distinctive flat head. These fish average 20-50 pounds and are some of the best eating in the Gulf. Look for them in 20-60 feet near buoys, rigs, and floating debris, especially during their spring migration from March to June. What makes cobia special is they're curious - they'll actually swim up to the boat to investigate. That makes for some exciting sight fishing opportunities. The firm, white meat rivals any fish in the ocean. My secret: when you spot a cobia, don't cast right at it. Lead the fish by 10-15 feet with a bucktail jig or live bait. Let the cobia discover your offering naturally. If you spook them with a direct hit, they'll usually disappear. Also, keep the boat moving slowly - cobia seem more interested in moving targets than stationary ones.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are the bulldozers of the deep - thick-shouldered bruisers that average 20-40 pounds and can push 60+. You'll find them around structure like oil rigs, wrecks, and reefs in 60-200 feet of water. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall fishing is prime time when they're most aggressive. What makes amberjack fishing addictive is that raw power - they'll take you straight to the bottom if you let them. The meat is firm and tasty, though bigger fish can carry ciguatera. Here's the key to landing these fish: when you hook one, don't let it get back to the structure. Keep steady pressure and pump that fish up immediately. Once an amberjack gets into the rig or wreck, you're probably done. Heavy tackle is a must - 50-pound gear minimum. Live bait works great, but large jigs bounced near the bottom are equally effective.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest fish in the Gulf, averaging 15-30 pounds with occasional giants hitting 50+ pounds. These silver rockets patrol open water from 40-150 feet, especially around temperature breaks and baitfish schools. Here in Port Aransas waters, they're most active April through October when water temps hit that sweet spot above 70°F. What makes them special is that blistering speed - they'll absolutely smoke your drag when hooked. The meat is excellent eating too, though watch the mercury content. My go-to tip: use a dual-hook rig with wire leader when live baiting. Kings love to bite the back half of baitfish, so that trailing treble hook saves you from a lot of short strikes. When trolling, keep baits skipping on the surface - they can't resist chasing down what looks like a fleeing flying fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the ocean's rainbow fish - brilliant gold and blue that puts on a color show when brought to the boat. Most run 15-30 pounds out here, though we've seen some 40+ pounders. They're surface dwellers that love floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in open water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps warm up. What guests love most is watching these fish light up in different colors as they fight - it's like nothing else out there. Plus, the white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find offshore. Pro tip: when you hook one mahi, don't boat it right away. Keep it in the water and get more lines out fast. Mahi travel in schools, and that hooked fish will often bring the whole crew to the boat. I've seen anglers boat six fish in ten minutes using this trick.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing - beautiful red fish that average 3-8 pounds with occasional teens hitting the deck. They live around hard structure in 60-200 feet - oil rigs, reefs, and rocky bottom. Summer months during snapper season offer the best action when regulations allow. What anglers love is that classic snapper fight - they'll use every bit of structure to try breaking you off, plus the sweet, flaky meat is restaurant-quality. These fish are smart though, so you need fresh bait and sharp hooks. Here's my main tip: use just enough weight to reach bottom, then back your drag off once you hook up. Snapper will dive straight for cover, and if your drag is too tight, they'll snap you off on the structure. Let them run initially, then gradually tighten down and pump them up. Circle hooks are mandatory and actually help with hookups too.
Port O'Connor, TX, USA