Half Day Fishing Trip in Port Aransas
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8-hour guided inshore fishing trip with Captain JustinAll tackle and bait provided for up to 2 guestsCovers productive Port Aransas bay waters starting 7:00 AM
Port Aransas has earned its reputation as one of the Texas Coast's premier fishing destinations, and Captain Justin knows these waters like the back of his hand. This 8-hour guided trip gives you serious time on the water to chase redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum in the productive inshore bays around Port A. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been at it for years, this trip adapts to your skill level while maximizing your chances at a solid box of fish. We'll meet at J C Barr Blvd at 7:00 AM sharp, and everything you need is provided – rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait.
Eight hours gives us the flexibility to fish multiple spots and adjust our game plan based on tides, weather, and fish activity. We'll start early to beat the heat and catch the morning bite, then move around the bay system as conditions change throughout the day. The inshore waters around Port Aransas offer incredible diversity – from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise for crabs to deeper drop-offs where trout stack up during temperature swings. Captain Justin reads these waters daily, so you're getting real-time local knowledge about where fish are holding and what they're eating. The boat is rigged for comfort with plenty of shade, and there's room for up to two anglers to fish effectively without getting tangled up. Expect to cover some serious water and learn techniques that'll make you a better angler long after the trip ends.
We fish light tackle to maximize the fight and fun factor – typically 7-foot medium action rods spooled with 15-20 pound braided line. Depending on conditions and target species, we'll use everything from topwater plugs at dawn to soft plastics bounced along the bottom. Early morning often calls for She Dogs or Super Spooks worked over shallow flats, especially when redfish are tailing in skinny water. As the sun gets higher, we'll switch to scented soft baits like Bass Assassins or Gulp shrimp under popping corks. Captain Justin carries an arsenal of proven Port Aransas baits and knows exactly what to tie on based on water clarity, tide movement, and seasonal patterns. Live shrimp is always a go-to option, especially for trout, and we'll often have piggy perch or finger mullet for bigger redfish. The key is staying versatile – successful inshore fishing means adapting your presentation as conditions change throughout the day.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port Aransas inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up fights that'll test your drag system. They average 20-28 inches in these waters, with slot fish being prime table fare and oversized bulls providing pure adrenaline. Spring and fall offer the best action, but summer mornings can be phenomenal when reds push shallow to feed. What makes them special is their aggressive nature – a properly presented spoon or soft plastic often triggers explosive strikes that'll have you questioning your knot strength.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Port A fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and have a reputation for being finicky feeders that reward patient, precise anglers. They school up over shell beds and drop-offs, especially during cooler months when they stack deep for warmth. Summer specks love early morning topwater action, and there's nothing quite like watching a 3-pound trout explode on a surface plug in two feet of water. They're excellent eating and provide steady action when you locate a productive school.
Summer flounder patrol the sandy bottoms and channel edges, using their incredible camouflage to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. These flatfish typically range from 14-22 inches and require a different approach – slow presentations along the bottom with soft plastics or live bait. They're most active during warmer months and are considered premium table fare. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the subtlety – their bites are often just a slight tick or weight change, so you'll sharpen your fish-sensing skills considerably.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're powerful fighters that test your gear and technique. These bottom feeders can range from puppy drum around 16 inches to monster bulls exceeding 30 pounds. They're year-round residents that love crab and shrimp presentations worked slowly near structure. Big drum provide arm-burning fights in shallow water, and their distinctive drumming sound when landed adds to the experience. They're also incredibly hardy, making them perfect for catch-and-release fishing when targeting the larger specimens.
This 8-hour Port Aransas fishing adventure with Captain Justin delivers the complete inshore experience – from learning local techniques to landing quality fish in some of Texas' most productive waters. The extended time on the water means better chances at multiple species, adapting to changing conditions, and really dialing in your inshore skills. With all gear provided and expert guidance throughout the day, you're set up for success whether this is your first saltwater trip or you're looking to up your inshore game. Port Aransas fishing is world-class, and this trip gives you the time and expertise to experience it properly. Book now to secure your spot on the water with one of the area's top-rated guides.
This 25-foot Mowdy bay boat is your ticket to productive fishing waters around Port Aransas. Built in 2018 with a reliable 250HP Mercury engine, she cuts through the bays smoothly while the wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into those prime fishing spots without spooking the fish. The spacious deck gives you and your fishing buddy plenty of room to work, whether you're casting into grass flats or working structure along the shorelines. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh, while GPS navigation ensures you're always positioned over the best fishing grounds. Captain Justin knows exactly where to put you on the fish, and this stable platform makes it easy to land everything from speckled trout to redfish in the shallow waters that make Port Aransas famous.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These bruising fighters love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and become much easier to target. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spawning - it's wild. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom works best. Keep fish under 15 pounds for the table - the big ones get tough and stringy. Pro tip: when you feel that slow, heavy pull, don't horse them. Let that rod work and stay patient. These fish will test your drag and your arms, but that's what makes landing one so satisfying.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target - bronze-backed beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail. They run anywhere from slot-sized fish around 20-28 inches up to bull reds over 40 inches that'll test your tackle. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, around oyster bars, and in skinny water so shallow their backs show. They eat year-round but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they're pure muscle. The smaller ones are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. Live shrimp is hard to beat, but they'll crush topwater plugs and gold spoons too. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or mullet jumping - that usually means reds are feeding underneath. Cast past them and work your bait back through.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are bread-and-butter fish around here, running 14-24 inches with that beautiful spotted silver body. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night when they get aggressive. During cooler months they'll school up in deeper channels, but spring and summer find them scattered across the flats feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They're scrappy fighters that make great eating - delicate white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but they'll also crush topwater plugs and soft plastics. The key is working grass beds during moving water. Pro tip: when the bite gets tough, try switching to a smaller jig head and slow your retrieve way down. Sometimes they want it barely crawling along the bottom.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are masters of disguise - flatfish that lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some nice doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. They're active predators despite their lazy appearance, chasing down baitfish with surprising speed. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're feeding heavily before winter. These fish hit the table as good as anything we catch - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They love live minnows and sea worms presented right on the bottom. Here's the key: when you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them turn the bait and start moving off before you set. They bite sideways and need time to get it positioned right.
Port Aransas