World Class Half Day Fishing Adventures in Port Aransas
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour guided inshore fishing trip with Captain JustinAll fishing equipment and bait provided for convenienceAccommodates up to two guests with expansion options available
If you're looking to get serious about fishing the legendary waters around Port Aransas, this 8-hour guided trip with Captain Justin is exactly what you need. Starting bright and early at 7:00 AM from J C Barr Blvd, you'll have the entire day to work the productive inshore bays and flats that make this stretch of the Texas coast famous among anglers. This isn't your typical rushed half-day charter – with eight full hours on the water, you've got time to really dial in on what's biting and adjust your approach as conditions change throughout the day.
Captain Justin knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's built this trip specifically for anglers who want to maximize their time fishing rather than rushing from spot to spot. You'll start the morning working the cooler water when fish are most active, then adapt your strategy as the day progresses. The beauty of having eight hours is that you can follow the bite – if the redfish are crushing topwater baits in the shallows at dawn, you'll be there. When the trout start working the grass flats mid-morning, you'll make the move. Port Aransas offers some of the most consistent inshore fishing on the Gulf Coast, and this extended trip lets you experience the full range of what these waters have to offer. The trip accommodates up to 2 guests, which means you'll get personalized attention and coaching whether you're a seasoned angler looking to learn local techniques or a beginner who wants to build confidence with different presentations.
All your rods, reels, and bait are included, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your fishing license and enthusiasm. Captain Justin runs quality gear that's perfectly matched to the conditions you'll be fishing. You'll likely work with medium-light spinning setups spooled with braided line – perfect for feeling subtle bites and making long casts to spooky fish in shallow water. Depending on what's happening, you might throw soft plastics on jig heads, work topwater plugs over grass beds, or drift live shrimp under popping corks. The captain will teach you how to read the water, recognize structure that holds fish, and adjust your retrieve based on what the fish are telling you. Port Aransas sits right where Corpus Christi Bay meets the Gulf, creating a unique mix of environments – from shallow grass flats perfect for sight fishing to deeper channels where bigger fish patrol. You'll learn to work different depths and cover types, picking up techniques that will make you a better angler no matter where you fish.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port Aransas inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in these waters and fight like they're twice that size. Reds are year-round residents here, but they're especially aggressive in spring and fall when they're feeding heavily before and after spawning. What makes catching redfish so addictive is their explosive strike – whether they're crushing a topwater bait in two feet of water or inhaling a soft plastic bounced along the bottom, there's no mistaking when a red takes your offering. They're also perfect for sight fishing when conditions are right, letting you watch the entire sequence from cast to hookset.
Sea trout might not have the raw power of redfish, but they make up for it with sheer numbers and willingness to bite. These silvery gamefish are scattered throughout the bay system and respond well to a variety of presentations. The best trout fishing typically happens during the cooler months from November through March, when schools of keeper-sized fish move into the bays to escape colder offshore waters. Trout have a soft mouth, so you'll learn the importance of a smooth drag and steady pressure. When you find a school of trout, the action can be fast and furious – it's not uncommon to catch a dozen or more once you dial in the right depth and retrieve speed.
Black drum are the gentle giants of the inshore scene, with fish ranging from small "puppy drum" to monsters pushing 30+ pounds. These bottom-feeders love structure and are suckers for fresh shrimp or blue crab. Black drum fishing teaches patience – they're deliberate feeders who often mouth the bait before committing, so you'll learn to detect subtle taps and know when to set the hook. The bigger fish are surprisingly strong and will test your drag system with long, steady runs. Peak black drum action typically happens in late winter and early spring when large schools move into the bays to spawn.
Summer flounder add a different dimension to your fishing experience. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottoms near drop-offs and channel edges. Flounder fishing requires a methodical approach – working soft plastics slowly along the bottom and being ready for their distinctive "thump-thump" bite. They're most active during warmer months, from April through October, and the bigger "doormat" flounder often hit just as you're thinking about reeling in. What makes flounder special is that they're excellent table fare, so you'll be taking home some of the best eating fish in the Gulf if you're lucky enough to connect with a few keepers.
This 8-hour trip represents serious value for dedicated anglers who want to experience the full range of what Port Aransas inshore fishing has to offer. Captain Justin's local knowledge, combined with the extended time on the water, gives you the best possible shot at consistently catching fish while learning techniques you can use for years to come. The early 7:00 AM start time puts you on the water when fishing is typically at its best, and the small group size ensures you'll get personalized instruction and plenty of fishing time. Whether you're looking to check multiple species off your bucket list, learn new techniques, or simply enjoy a full day pursuing some of the Gulf Coast
Step aboard this 25' Mowdy bay boat and get ready for some serious fishing action in Port Aransas waters. Built in 2018 with a powerful 250HP Mercury engine, this boat cuts through the bay with ease while keeping you comfortable during your half-day adventure. The spacious deck gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to cast lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. What makes this boat perfect for inshore fishing? The wireless trolling motor lets Captain Justin position you quietly over productive spots without spooking the fish. When redfish are tailing in shallow water or trout are feeding along grass lines, stealth makes all the difference. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and preserves your catch, while the GPS navigation system helps locate those honey holes where the fish are biting. This stable platform handles Port Aransas bay conditions beautifully, whether you're drifting over oyster reefs or working structure near the jetties. At 25 feet, it's big enough to fish comfortably but nimble enough to access those skinny water spots where bigger boats can't go. Perfect for targeting speckled trout, redfish, and flounder in the productive inshore waters around Port Aransas.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from keeper-sized 5-pounders to massive 50+ pound bulls that'll test your tackle. These powerful bottom-feeders love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're fantastic fighters that use their broad sides and weight to wear you down. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig - the scent drives them crazy and catfish usually leave crab alone, so you're targeting the right species.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature species of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These powerful drum typically range from 20-35 inches and are famous for their bulldogging fights in skinny water. They cruise oyster reefs, grass flats, and marshes in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. What makes them special is that explosive topwater bite and their willingness to eat almost anything. The slot-sized fish make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action. My favorite setup is a gold spoon or topwater plug worked slowly over the flats. Watch for nervous water or tailing fish, and always approach quietly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are probably the most popular inshore target around Port Aransas. These beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. The meat is tender and flaky - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, though they bite year-round here. During colder months, they school up in deeper holes. My favorite technique is working a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over the grass beds. The key is making noise to get their attention, then letting that bait fall naturally.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise that lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush baitfish. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches but can reach impressive sizes up to 26 pounds. They're most active from September through November when cooler water temps get them feeding aggressively. What makes them special is watching that explosive strike when they come off the bottom - plus they're some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, white meat. Look for them around channel edges and drop-offs where current brings food. The key is keeping your bait moving just off the bottom - a slow drift with live minnows or sea worms on a circle hook works best. Don't set the hook hard; let them run with it first.
Port Aransas