Half Day Fishing Trip in Port Arthur, TX
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private inshore fishing trip with experienced Captain LukeTarget redfish, speckled trout, flounder in Sabine Lake watersAll equipment included with customized trips for any skill level
Looking for a solid fishing trip without burning the whole day? This 4-hour private inshore charter with Captain Luke hits all the right spots around Port Arthur and Sabine Lake. Whether you're just getting your feet wet or you've been working these waters for years, this half-day trip gives you plenty of time to get on fish while still having time for whatever else you've got planned. We're talking about targeting redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead in some of the most productive shallow water fishing on the Texas coast.
Captain Luke knows these waters like the back of his hand – we're talking decades of experience fishing Sabine Lake and the surrounding marsh systems. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip where you just troll around hoping something bites. Every outing gets tailored to what's biting, where they're holding, and what your group can handle. New to saltwater fishing? No problem – Luke will walk you through everything from how to work a soft plastic to reading the water for signs of fish. Been fishing these parts your whole life? Even better – you'll appreciate having a guide who can put you on fish you might have walked right past. The boat's a comfortable center console that handles the shallow stuff with ease, so you're not stuck fishing the same pressured spots everyone else hits from shore.
All your rods, reels, tackle, and lures come included, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything but yourself and maybe some snacks. Luke runs a mix of techniques depending on what's working – could be bouncing jigs along the bottom for flounder, working topwater plugs over grass flats for trout, or sight-casting to tailing redfish in the shallows. When conditions allow, live bait comes into play, which can absolutely make the difference on tough days. The beauty of fishing these marshes and bays is the variety – one minute you're working structure for sheepshead, the next you're casting to nervous water where trout are busting shrimp. Water's typically pretty calm and family-friendly, so you don't have to worry about getting beat up by big waves or dealing with seasickness.
Redfish are the bread and butter around here, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow marshes and grass flats that Sabine Lake is famous for. They'll eat just about anything you throw at them – soft plastics, spoons, topwater plugs – and they fight like they mean it. Best fishing usually happens during the warmer months when they're actively feeding in the shallows, but don't count them out in cooler weather when they stack up in deeper pockets. What makes redfish so popular is they're just plain fun to catch, whether you're watching one blow up on a topwater bait or feeling that head-shaking fight when you hook into a big one.
Speckled trout might be the most technical fish you'll target on this trip, but they're worth the effort. These guys are picky eaters that like their bait presented just right – too fast and they'll ignore it, too slow and they'll lose interest. They love grass flats, shell banks, and drop-offs where baitfish congregate. Spring and fall are prime time for specks, when they're actively feeding and easier to pattern. When you hook into a good trout, you'll know it – they've got this distinct head-shaking fight that's different from anything else swimming around here.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise in these waters, laying flat on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting for an easy meal to swim by. They're ambush predators that require a different approach – usually bouncing baits along the bottom near structure, creek mouths, or anywhere baitfish are getting funneled through. Fall is traditionally the best time for flounder as they start their migration to deeper water, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. They might not be the flashiest fighters, but they're excellent eating and provide a nice change of pace from the more aggressive species.
Sheepshead are the bait thieves of the inshore world, known for their ability to steal your bait without getting hooked. They hang around structure – docks, pilings, jetties – where they pick barnacles and crabs off with their human-like teeth. Fishing for sheepshead requires patience and a sensitive touch, but when you figure them out, they can provide steady action. They're most active during cooler months when they move inshore to spawn, and they're some of the best eating fish you'll find around here.
This half-day charter hits the sweet spot for anyone wanting quality fishing without the full-day commitment. Captain Luke's experience on Sabine Lake means you're not just buying time on the water – you're getting decades of local knowledge and the kind of personalized attention you won't find on bigger boats. Whether you're looking to introduce someone to saltwater fishing or you just want to get out and bend some rods without the pressure, this trip delivers. The fish are here, the guide knows where to find them, and you've got everything you need included in the price. Don't wait until the prime dates are gone – these top-rated half-day trips fill up quick, especially during peak fishing season.
Captain Luke's 22-foot Nautic Star center console is your ticket to prime redfish and trout waters around Port Arthur. This fishing machine runs on a reliable Yamaha 115HP outboard that'll get you to the hot spots on Sabine Lake without burning through your fuel budget. The boat's rigged with everything serious anglers need - GPS to mark productive structure, radar for those foggy morning runs, and a fish finder to locate schools holding in deeper pockets. What really sets this rig apart is the wireless trolling motor that lets you slip into shallow marsh areas without spooking fish. The live well keeps your bait frisky all day, while the center console layout gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish. Built for inshore conditions, this boat handles the chop and gets you back to the dock comfortable and dry.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of shallow water fishing, with their copper-bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. These bruisers cruise 1-4 feet of water across oyster reefs, marsh edges, and grass flats - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. Keeper-sized reds run 20-28 inches, but we target slot fish around 18-27 inches that fight like freight trains. They're active year-round, with fall being prime as they school up in big numbers. What makes them special is their power - once hooked, they'll peel drag and make long runs that test your gear. Plus they're excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. My go-to technique: cast topwater plugs or gold spoons to visible fish, or work live shrimp under a popping cork near structure. Key tip: keep your rod tip up during the fight - they love to dive into oyster shells and cut you off.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, with their distinctive spots and aggressive strikes. These beauties cruise grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Most keepers run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional "gator trout" pushing 5+ pounds. They bite best during cooler months from October through March, especially on overcast days and moving tides. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus their acrobatic jumps when hooked. The meat is tender and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: work soft plastics like paddle tails or shrimp imitations slowly along grass edges during dawn and dusk. When water's cold, they school up in deeper channels, so adjust your depth accordingly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're crafty fighters with human-like teeth. You'll find them around any structure: bridge pilings, jetties, oyster reefs, and dock supports in 5-20 feet of water. Most range 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we occasionally hook into double-digit fish. Spring through fall are best, especially around spawning time in March and April when they school up. Anglers love them because they're notorious bait thieves that test your patience, then surprise you with a strong run. The payoff is excellent table fare - firm white meat that's worth the effort. Here's the key: get your bait tight to structure with live shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your drag loose, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in mud and sand, waiting to ambush prey. You'll typically find them in 2-8 feet of water around oyster reefs, channel edges, and grassy flats throughout Sabine Lake. Most run 15-18 inches, but we regularly see keepers up to 3-4 pounds. They're active year-round here, with fall and winter being prime time as they fatten up before heading to deeper water. What makes them special is their incredible camouflage ability and how they fight once hooked - plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. My best tip: use a Carolina rig with live shrimp or finger mullet, and fish it slow along bottom transitions. When you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
undefined, undefined