Premium 12 Hour Private Fishing Adventure in Austin
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 12hour inshore fishing adventure from dawn to duskAccommodates up to 2 guests for personalized fishing experienceFullday trip maximizes water time and catch opportunities
When you're serious about fishing and want to make the most of your time on Austin's waters, this 12-hour private trip with James Roberts Fishing is exactly what you're looking for. Starting at 6:00 AM and running until dark, you'll have the entire day to work the best spots around Austin without worrying about other anglers crowding your lines. With just you and one buddy on board, Captain James can focus completely on putting you on fish and making sure you're using the right techniques for whatever's biting that day.
This isn't your typical half-day charter where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. Twelve hours gives you the chance to fish multiple locations, try different techniques, and really dial in what's working. You'll start early when the fish are most active, work through the midday bite changes, and finish strong during the evening feed. Captain James knows Austin's lakes like the back of his hand, and he'll move you around based on conditions, season, and what the fish are doing. Some days that means starting shallow for bass in the morning, then moving to deeper structure for crappie when the sun gets high. Other days you might spend hours working a single productive area when the bite is red hot. The beauty of a full-day trip is having the flexibility to adapt and make the most of whatever Mother Nature throws at you.
Captain James provides all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. He's got everything set up for the species you're targeting, whether that's throwing topwater for bass at dawn, vertical jigging for crappie around structure, or casting live bait for white bass when they're schooling. You don't need to be an expert angler to have success on this trip. James will show you the techniques that work best in Austin's waters and help you improve your skills throughout the day. If you've got your own gear and prefer to use it, that's fine too. The captain's boat is rigged with quality fish finders and GPS, so he can put you on structure and schools of fish that casual anglers might never find. With 12 hours to work with, you'll have plenty of time to master different presentations and really understand how fish behave in different conditions.
Largemouth Bass are the crown jewel of Austin fishing, and for good reason. These aggressive predators can grow impressive in the nutrient-rich waters around Austin, with fish over 5 pounds being caught regularly. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active, but summer mornings and evenings can produce explosive topwater action. What makes largemouth so exciting is their fight - they'll jump, run, and do everything they can to throw your hook. Captain James knows exactly where to find them based on the season, from shallow spawning areas in spring to deep structure in summer.
Green Sunfish might be smaller than bass, but they're scrappy fighters that bend ultralight rods in half. These colorful panfish are perfect for action when the bite gets tough, and they're found throughout Austin's waters. Kids and new anglers love them because they're aggressive and easy to catch, while experienced fishermen appreciate their willingness to bite when nothing else will. They're most active during warmer months and can be caught on everything from live worms to small jigs.
Crappie fishing in Austin can be absolutely phenomenal, especially during their spring spawning period when they stack up in shallow cover. These slab-sided fish are excellent table fare and put up a surprising fight for their size. Captain James uses his electronics to locate schools of crappie around submerged trees, brush piles, and creek channels. When you find them, you can often catch multiple fish from the same spot. Fall fishing can be just as productive when crappie school up to feed heavily before winter.
White Bass provide some of the most exciting action you'll find in Texas waters. When these fish are schooling and feeding on the surface, you can see them from hundreds of yards away as they crash bait and create a frenzy. They hit hard, fight tough, and when you find a school, you can catch dozens in a short period. Spring is peak time for white bass as they make their spawning runs, but they can be caught year-round by anglers who know where to look.
Smallmouth Bass are the fighters of the bass family, pound for pound stronger than their largemouth cousins. While not as common in Austin as largemouth, when you hook into a good smallmouth you'll never forget it. They prefer rockier areas and clearer water, and they'll make multiple jumps and long runs that test your drag and your reflexes. Summer and early fall are prime times when smallmouth are most aggressive and provide the best action.
A 12-hour private fishing trip with Captain James Roberts is the ultimate way to experience Austin fishing. You'll cover more water, learn more techniques, and have more opportunities to catch quality fish than any shorter trip could provide. The early morning start means you'll be fishing during the best bite times, and staying until dark lets you experience the evening feed when big fish become active again. With personalized instruction, top-quality gear, and access to the captain's best spots, this trip offers serious value for dedicated anglers. Don't wait to book your spot - prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons when the bite is at its best.
Your fishing machine for this epic dawn-to-dusk Austin adventure is a 2008 Bass Cat Pro Angler 20 – a serious 20-foot skiff that knows how to hunt fish in shallow waters. Built tough for the flats and powered by a muscular 250HP Mercury outboard, this boat cuts through Texas waters with authority while keeping you and one fishing buddy comfortable all day long. The cockpit is rigged with everything you need to put fish in the boat: GPS to navigate Austin's prime fishing spots, radar for those early morning runs when visibility gets sketchy, and a fish finder that'll show you exactly what's swimming below. At 20 feet, she's got the size to handle bigger water when needed but draws shallow enough to sneak into those backcountry honey holes where the big ones hide. Perfect setup for a full 12-hour assault on whatever Austin's waters are holding.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie fishing around Austin means targeting both black and white varieties, typically 7-12 inches and weighing under a pound. They school up around submerged brush, fallen trees, and deeper structure during daylight hours, becoming more active at dawn and dusk. Spring spawning season when water hits 62-68°F is prime time, but they bite year-round if you find the right depth. What draws people to crappie is the sweet, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish we have. They're also great for teaching patience since they can be finicky biters. The key difference: white crappie have vertical bars, blacks are speckled. My go-to technique is using small jigs or live minnows under a bobber around brush piles. Keep your bait just off the bottom and let them take it - rushing the hookset loses more fish than anything.
Lepomis CyanellusGreen sunfish might be small at 3-7 inches, but they pack attitude. These blue-green panfish with yellow flecks are everywhere in Austin's slower waters, especially around weed beds and debris piles where they build nests. They're aggressive little fighters that'll bite anything from bloodworms to small jigs, making them perfect for kids or beginners. While they're quite bony for eating, they're fun to catch year-round and often school up in good numbers. What makes them interesting is their cross-breeding habits - you might catch hybrids that look different each time. Spring and summer are prime time when they're spawning in shallow areas. Pro tip: use live nightcrawlers on light tackle near fallen logs. Let the bait sit still - these fish are curious and will eventually investigate.
Micropterus SalmoidesAround Austin waters, largemouth bass average 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper spots. These green-backed fighters love hanging around submerged structures, weed beds, and shallow muddy areas where they can ambush prey. That massive mouth extends past their eyes when they strike - impressive to see. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and late evening when they're actively feeding. Guests love the explosive strikes and strong fights these bass deliver. They're also excellent table fare when kept from clean water. My local tip: throw red lures near fallen timber or dock pilings. Largemouth are naturally attracted to red, and the structure gives them perfect cover to stage ambushes on passing baitfish.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are pound-for-pound the strongest fighters in our local waters. These bronze-backed beauties average 18-20 inches and prefer rocky bottoms and clear water with good current. Spring and fall are ideal when they move to shallow structures, though summer fishing can be great if you target deeper drop-offs during cooler parts of the day. What makes smallmouth special is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and test every inch of your drag. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild fillets. Around Austin, look for them near rock piles, bluff walls, and gravel banks where crayfish hide. Early morning and late evening produce the most strikes. My local secret: use a brown or green tube jig that mimics crayfish. Work it slow along rocky bottom and hang on - when a smallmouth hits, you'll know it immediately.
Morone ChrysopsWhite bass are some of the most fun fish to target when they're running. These silvery fighters with dark horizontal stripes typically run 10-12 inches and can hit 7 pounds. They school heavily in open water and along rocky points, especially during their spring spawning runs up tributaries. When you find a school, the action can be non-stop - they're aggressive feeders that love chasing baitfish to the surface. The fight is what gets people hooked, plus they make excellent eating with firm, white meat. Summer and fall offer consistent action, though spring runs are legendary. They prefer deeper water during hot months but come shallow at dawn and dusk. Here's the trick: when you see birds diving on baitfish, get there fast. Use small white or silver spoons and cast into the feeding frenzy. The bass will be underneath, feeding aggressively.
Austin, TX