Full Day Port Arthur Fishing - Top-Rated Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday private inshore fishing adventure targeting redfish and troutCaptain Luke provides all equipment and explores multiple fishing spotsEighthour trip accommodates up to six guests on Sabine Lake
Ready to spend a full day chasing redfish and trout in some of Texas' best inshore waters? Captain Luke's 8-hour fishing adventure takes you deep into Port Arthur's productive fishing grounds, where Sabine Lake meets a maze of marshes and backwater channels. This isn't a rushed half-day trip - you'll have plenty of time to work multiple spots, adapt to changing conditions, and really dial in on what the fish are doing. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to put some quality fish in the cooler or a family wanting to introduce kids to the sport, this private charter adjusts to your crew's experience level and fishing goals.
Your day starts early, meeting Captain Luke at the dock before sunrise to maximize your time on productive water. You'll be fishing from a comfortable center console boat that handles the shallow flats and deeper channels of Sabine Lake with ease. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is the flexibility - if one spot isn't producing, you've got time to move and find active fish. Port Arthur's inshore waters offer incredible variety, from grassy flats where redfish cruise in skinny water to deeper cuts where speckled trout stack up during temperature changes. Captain Luke knows these waters like the back of his hand, reading tides, wind, and seasonal patterns to put you on fish. The relaxed pace means you can take breaks, grab some water, and really enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. All rods, reels, tackle, and lures are provided, and when conditions are right, live bait adds another deadly weapon to your arsenal.
Inshore fishing in Port Arthur requires versatility, and Captain Luke comes prepared for every scenario. You'll be using medium-action spinning rods matched with quality reels that can handle everything from 14-inch trout to bull redfish pushing 30 inches. The tackle box is stocked with soft plastics in multiple colors - think paddle tails, shrimp imitations, and topwater plugs that drive fish crazy during morning and evening feeds. When live bait is available, nothing beats a frisky shrimp under a popping cork or a mud minnow freelined along a grass line. The key to success here is reading the water and adjusting your approach. In the marshes, you'll be sight-casting to tailing redfish in 2 feet of water. Move to the lake's deeper structure, and you'll be working soft plastics along drop-offs where trout ambush baitfish. Captain Luke teaches proper technique throughout the day, from how to work a topwater lure to setting the hook on a subtle trout bite. The boat is rigged with everything you need, including a quality fish box to keep your catch fresh and a live well for those premium live baits.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port Arthur's inshore scene, and these copper-colored fighters never disappoint. These fish range from slot-size specimens around 20 inches up to bull reds that'll test your drag and patience. Spring and fall offer the best action, when reds move shallow to feed aggressively before and after spawning seasons. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat - they'll crush topwater lures, inhale soft plastics, and absolutely demolish live shrimp. The fight is pure power, with long runs and head-shaking battles that'll leave your arms burning. Sabine Lake's grass flats and marsh edges provide perfect redfish habitat, and on calm days, you might spot their bronze backs cruising just under the surface.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with distinctive black spots are known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. Port Arthur's trout fishing peaks during cooler months when fish school up in deeper water, but summer action can be fantastic during early morning and late evening feeds. Trout are structure-oriented, hanging around oyster reefs, drop-offs, and grass lines where they can ambush prey. A 20-inch speck is a trophy fish, and anything over 24 inches is the catch of a lifetime. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who like to take a few fish home for dinner.
Southern flounder are the ninjas of the inshore world, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. These flatfish are most active during fall months when they make their spawning run toward the Gulf, but Port Arthur's waters hold resident fish year-round. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique - you'll be bouncing soft plastics or live baits along the bottom, feeling for that distinctive "thump" when a flatfish inhales your offering. A 16-inch flounder is a keeper, and fish over 20 inches are true slabs that provide fantastic eating. The challenge is setting the hook properly, as flounder often grab prey and run before fully committing to the bite.
Sheepshead might be the most challenging fish in these waters, earning the nickname "convict fish" for their black and white stripes and their ability to steal bait without getting hooked. These structure-loving fish hang around pilings, oyster reefs, and any hard bottom they can find, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and barnacles. Sheepshead fishing is all about finesse - light tackle, small hooks, and fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs for bait. When you finally connect with a quality sheepshead, you'll understand why anglers get obsessed with targeting them. They're incredibly strong fighters and absolutely delicious, with firm white meat that rivals any saltwater fish.
This full-day fishing adventure offers unmatched value for serious anglers and families alike. With 8 hours on the water, professional guidance, and all tackle provided,
This 22' Nautic Star center console is your ticket to Port Arthur's best inshore fishing action. Powered by a reliable Yamaha 115HP engine, she'll get you to the productive waters of Sabine Lake and the surrounding marshes with room for up to six anglers. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working shallow redfish flats, while the GPS and radar ensure you can navigate safely even when morning fog rolls in. The fish finder helps locate those deeper trout holes, and the live bait well keeps your shrimp and croakers fresh all day. Built for comfort during those long 8-hour trips, this boat handles the choppy bay waters smoothly while giving everyone plenty of casting room. Whether you're targeting speckled trout in the channels or sight-fishing for reds in the shallows, this setup has everything you need for a successful day on the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands down the most exciting fish we chase in these Texas waters. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and 5-10 pounds, with that distinctive black spot near their tail. They love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet where you can see their backs and tails working the flats. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they're schooling up. What makes reds special is their power - they'll make blistering runs and test your drag like no other inshore fish. They're also great eating when kept within slot limits. You'll find them around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges where they root for crabs and shrimp. My favorite local trick: look for nervous water or tailing fish on shallow flats during incoming tides. Cast a gold spoon or live shrimp just ahead of moving fish and hang on - these fish don't give up easy and will give you a fight you won't forget.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here around Port Arthur. These spotted beauties typically range 14-20 inches with 2-4 pounders being common, though trophy fish over 6 pounds show up regularly. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding. What makes trout fishing so popular is their aggressive strikes on both live bait and artificials - they'll hammer a topwater plug or soft plastic with authority. They're also fantastic table fare with delicate, flaky white meat. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels making for fast action. My local secret: work soft plastics under a popping cork around grass beds during moving water. The sound of the cork mimics feeding activity and draws them in from a distance.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters, easily spotted by their black and white stripes. These crafty fish average 2-4 pounds but we regularly see 6-8 pounders around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure. They've got human-like teeth for crushing crabs, oysters, and barnacles, making them notorious bait thieves. Spring months are peak season when they're moving through our area to spawn. What guests love about sheepshead is the challenge - they require finesse and quick hook sets since they're masters at stealing bait. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat that's absolutely delicious. Here's my go-to tip: use fiddler crabs or live shrimp on a small hook, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard immediately. They'll test your drag with their powerful runs.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are one of the coolest fish we target here in Sabine Lake. These flat fish typically run 15-18 inches but we see plenty up to 25 inches and 5+ pounds. They're masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Both eyes sit on their left side, which makes them instantly recognizable. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavy before their offshore spawning run. What makes them special is their fight - they pull hard and make strong runs. Plus, they're table fare champions with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. My local trick: when drift fishing, work your bait slow along the bottom in 3-8 feet of water around structure transitions. Use live shrimp or mullet on a Carolina rig and be patient - they'll often mouth the bait before taking it.
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