Austin's Premier 12-Hour Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 12-hour inshore fishing adventure from dawn to duskMaximum 2 guests for personalized Austin fishing experienceFull day on water with James Roberts Fishing guides
There's nothing quite like spending a full day on Austin's waters with your line in and the sun on your back. This private 12-hour fishing trip with James Roberts Fishing gives you and one buddy the entire day to chase bass, crappie, and whatever else is biting. Starting at first light around 6 AM, we'll hit multiple spots and fish until dark - maximizing every hour and giving you the best shot at landing some trophy fish. Whether you're looking to break your personal record or just want to spend quality time on the water, this all-day adventure delivers the goods.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking 12 solid hours of fishing Austin's top spots, moving around to find where the fish are actively feeding throughout the day. The beauty of a private trip means we can adjust our game plan based on conditions and what you want to target most. Maybe the bass are schooling up in the morning, then we'll switch to crappie structure in the afternoon heat, and finish strong chasing white bass as the sun sets. You'll get to see how different species behave at various times of day, and I'll share local knowledge about seasonal patterns that most weekend anglers never pick up on. With just two anglers max, there's plenty of room to spread out, and you won't be competing for the best casting spots.
Austin's waters demand versatility, and that's exactly what we bring to the table. We'll be switching between multiple techniques throughout the day - from topwater action at dawn to deep structure fishing during midday, then back to shallow presentations as evening approaches. I provide all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need, including everything from finesse rigs for pressured bass to jigs for crappie around cover. We'll work both artificial lures and live bait depending on what the fish are telling us. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders to locate structure and schools, plus we've got a live well system to keep your catch fresh if you're planning a fish fry later. I'll walk you through each technique as we use it, so whether you're new to certain presentations or want to fine-tune your approach, you'll leave with skills that'll serve you well on future trips.
Largemouth Bass are the crown jewel of Austin fishing, and these waters produce some real giants. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're shallow and aggressive, but we catch quality fish year-round by adapting our approach. What makes largemouth so special here is their fight - Austin bass are scrappy and will test your drag with powerful runs toward cover. They're ambush predators that love structure, so we'll work everything from fallen trees to rocky points where they stage to feed.
Green Sunfish might surprise you with their attitude - these feisty little fighters punch way above their weight class. They're abundant in Austin's waters and provide consistent action when other species get finicky. Spring and summer are peak times when they're protecting beds and will hit just about anything that moves. Don't let their size fool you; green sunfish are aggressive biters that'll keep your rod bent when the bass decide to play hard to get.
Crappie fishing in Austin is all about timing and location, and that's where local knowledge pays off big time. These schooling fish move with the seasons and concentrate around specific structures. Fall and winter months can be outstanding for slab crappie, especially when we locate them in deeper water around submerged timber. When you hook into a school of quality crappie, the action can be fast and furious - perfect for filling the cooler with some of the best eating fish in freshwater.
White Bass provide some of the most exciting action you'll find anywhere, especially when they school up and start feeding aggressively. These fish are known for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps, plus they often travel in large groups that can keep you busy for hours. Spring and fall are peak seasons when white bass make their runs, and when you find them feeding on shad, the surface will look like it's boiling with activity.
Smallmouth Bass are the scrappiest fighters pound-for-pound in Austin's waters. They prefer rocky areas and current breaks, fighting harder and jumping more than their largemouth cousins. Cooler months often produce the best smallmouth action, and these bronze-backed beauties will give you a workout on light tackle. Their aggressive nature and preference for moving baits makes them a favorite among anglers who appreciate technical fishing.
A full-day fishing trip like this is exactly what serious anglers dream about - no rushing, no cutting the day short just when the fish start biting, and enough time to really learn the waters. With Austin's fishing getting more popular every year, booking a top-rated private guide ensures you'll hit the proven spots with someone who knows these waters inside and out. This 12-hour adventure gives you the best chance at landing multiple species while soaking up everything Austin fishing has to offer. Don't let another season slip by - grab your fishing buddy and let's make it happen.
The Pro Angler 20 is your ticket to serious fishing around Austin's prime waters. This 20-foot Bass Cat skiff packs a 250HP Mercury engine that'll get you to the hot spots fast and keep you there all day during our marathon 12-hour adventure. Built tough in 2008, she's designed specifically for working the flats and shallow waters where the fish hide. You'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish with space for up to 2 anglers, plus all the tech you need to find them. The GPS keeps us on course to productive areas, while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. When morning fog rolls in or weather kicks up, the radar keeps us fishing safely. From the pre-dawn launch at 6 AM until we head back at sunset, this boat handles whatever Austin's waters throw at us. Perfect for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water and get into some serious action.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the tastiest fish swimming in our local waters, running 7-12 inches and about a pound on average. We've got both black and white crappie - the blacks prefer clearer water while whites handle murkier conditions. Look for them around submerged brush, fallen trees, and drop-offs where they school up in good numbers. Spring during spawn is peak time, but they bite year-round if you find their depth. Dawn and dusk are your best bets since they're not big daytime feeders. Guests love crappie fishing because they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat that's perfect for a fish fry. Pro tip from these waters: use a small jig tipped with a minnow and fish it slow - crappie have soft mouths so set the hook gently or you'll pull it right out.
Lepomis CyanellusGreen sunfish are scrappy little fighters that pack more attitude than their 3-7 inch size suggests. These blue-green panfish with yellow flecks love hanging around debris piles, weed beds, and slow-moving water where they can ambush prey. They're aggressive year-round but really active during warmer months when they're protecting territory. What guests love about targeting them is their willingness to bite - they'll attack almost anything that moves, making them perfect for kids or anyone wanting consistent action. They're bony fish, so most folks catch and release, but the fun is in their feisty nature. Here's a local trick: use live nightcrawlers on a small hook and give it some movement by gently lifting your rod tip - these fish can't resist a squirming worm.
Micropterus SalmoidesAustin's lakes are loaded with largemouth bass, and they're the bread and butter of our fishing trips. These green-bodied fighters typically run 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper spots. You'll find them around submerged structure, fallen trees, and weed lines in shallow to mid-depth water. Spring through fall are prime times, especially early morning and late evening when they're actively feeding. What makes them so popular? They hit hard, jump when hooked, and put up a solid fight that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. Plus, they taste great on the dinner table. My local tip: when fishing around downed timber, cast past the structure and work your bait back through it slowly - that's where the big ones hide.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are the pound-for-pound fighters of our clear rocky areas, typically running 18-20 inches with females pushing 3-6 pounds. These bronze-backed fighters prefer rocky bottoms and clear water, often hanging around boulders, ledges, and current breaks. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're in shallower water, though they move deep during summer heat. What sets them apart is their incredible fight - they jump, run, and never give up until they're in the net. Many consider them better eating than largemouth with their firm, mild meat. The key to success in our waters is matching your lure to the bottom - use crawfish-colored baits around rocks since that's their favorite meal. Work your bait slow and keep it near the bottom where they feed.
Morone ChrysopsWhite bass are the silver bullets of our local lakes - aggressive schooling fish that average 10-12 inches and can hit 7 pounds. These silvery fish with dark horizontal stripes love open water and creek channels, especially around structure like points and drop-offs. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're running shallow to spawn, but they bite year-round if you locate the schools. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive nature - when you find one, you'll usually find a bunch, and they'll hit fast-moving lures with authority. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. My go-to method here is using small white or chartreuse jigs worked quickly near the surface when they're feeding - once you hook into a school, the action can be non-stop for as long as you can cast.
Austin, TX