5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Bay Fishing in Aransas Pass
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday afternoon fishing charter targets redfish and trout.All fishing gear and equipment provided by experienced guides.Small group capacity accommodates up to two guests maximum.
Looking for a solid afternoon on the water? Captain Josh and the Jawjackers Charters crew know exactly where the fish are biting in Aransas Bay. This half-day trip puts you right in the middle of some of Texas' best inshore action, targeting redfish, trout, black drum, and sheepshead in the productive waters around Port Aransas. We're talking about a no-nonsense fishing experience where you'll actually catch fish, not just burn gas looking for them. The afternoon bite can be absolutely phenomenal here, especially when the water temps are right and baitfish are moving through the flats.
This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip where you sit in one spot all day hoping something happens. Captain Josh runs a top-rated operation that moves with the fish, hitting multiple spots throughout Aransas Pass depending on conditions, tides, and what's been producing. The afternoon timing works perfectly for this approach – you'll launch when the day anglers are heading in, often finding less pressured fish and better action. The boat stays comfortable with just two guests max, so you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn to fish prime water. All your tackle, bait, and gear comes included, which means you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the cooler. The captain provides everything from circle hooks for live bait to the right jigs for working grass flats, plus he'll adjust techniques based on what's working that day.
Inshore fishing in Aransas Bay means adapting to what the fish want, and Captain Josh runs through the full playbook. You'll likely work live shrimp under popping corks over grass beds, which is deadly for speckled trout when they're feeding shallow. For redfish, expect to throw soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations near oyster reefs and drop-offs where these copper-colored bruisers like to ambush prey. Black drum fishing often involves bottom rigs with cut bait near structure, while sheepshead require finesse – small hooks, light line, and precise presentations around pilings and rocks. The boat carries medium-action spinning gear that handles everything from 14-inch trout to bull reds pushing 30 inches. Don't worry about rigging or re-rigging – the captain handles that so you stay fishing instead of fumbling with tackle. The key spots include shallow flats, deeper channels, and transition areas where different bottom types meet, creating natural feeding zones that hold multiple species.
"We're a family of four who originally booked a bay fishing trip with Captain Josh on a rainy day. The weather and water conditions weren't ideal, but Josh was super flexible and rescheduled us for the next day when things cleared up. He took us to several different spots, and we ended up catching a great mix of fish. Josh was friendly, patient, and made sure everyone on board was taken care of. We all had a fantastic experience and would definitely recommend booking with him!" - Lacy
Redfish are the crown jewel of Aransas Bay, and these copper-colored fighters are what most anglers dream about. These fish average 18-25 inches in the bay, with plenty of slot-sized keepers mixed in with oversized bulls that'll test your drag system. Reds feed year-round but really turn on during fall months when mullet and shrimp are thick. They're ambush predators that love structure – oyster bars, grass edges, and shallow flats where they can corner baitfish. What makes them special is that fight – redfish don't jump, but they'll bulldoze toward the nearest snag and make long, powerful runs that get your heart pumping.
Speckled trout might be the most consistent biters in these waters, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper grass beds. These spotted beauties typically run 14-18 inches, with the occasional "gator" trout pushing over 20 inches and several pounds. They're most active during moving tides and low-light periods, which makes afternoon trips perfect timing. Specs are also table fare champions – their white, flaky meat is hard to beat, and they're easy to clean and cook. They'll hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastic jigs, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop.
Black drum don't get the respect they deserve, but these bottom-dwelling tanks provide serious rod-bending action. In Aransas Bay, you'll find drum ranging from smaller "puppy" drum around 15-20 inches up to true giants exceeding 40 pounds. They're year-round residents that love structure and bottom baits, especially blue crab and cut mullet. The bigger drum are pure power – they won't make flashy runs like reds, but they'll dig deep and test every knot on your rig. Plus, the smaller drum are excellent eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for blackening or grilling.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the bunch – these black-and-white striped convicts have incredible bite detection and will steal bait faster than you can blink. They hang around any hard structure in the bay, using their human-like teeth to crush barnacles, oysters, and crabs. Most sheepshead run 12-16 inches, but the big ones can reach 18-20 inches and several pounds. They're excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat, but catching them consistently requires patience and skill. When you hook a good sheepshead, you'll know it – they fight dirty, diving straight for the nearest piling or rock pile to break you off.
This half-day afternoon trip delivers exactly what serious anglers want: productive fishing time on proven waters with a captain who knows where to find fish. At just two guests maximum
This Gulf Coast motorboat powered by a reliable Suzuki 150 outboard is your ticket to productive fishing in Aransas Bay's prime waters. Built for inshore action, she cuts through shallow flats and deeper channels with ease while you target redfish, trout, and other coastal species. The GPS keeps you on track to hot spots while the fish finder reveals what's swimming below. With space for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and move around the deck. The boat handles Port Aransas' varying conditions well, from calm morning glass-offs to afternoon chop. Perfect for serious fishing without the crowds - just you, your fishing partner, and some of Texas' best inshore action.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 90+ pounds. These gray-black fighters hang around oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom works best. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with flaky white meat, while the big bulls are better released. Pro tip: when you feel that steady pull and hear the drumming, don't horse them - let that drag work and enjoy the long, stubborn fight these fish are famous for.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature species of our Texas coast, easily spotted by their copper-red color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, but the bull reds offshore can hit 40+ inches and 50 pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around grass beds, oyster reefs, and muddy flats. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up. The fight is what hooks people - long, powerful runs that'll test your drag. Smaller reds are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. They'll eat almost anything but live shrimp and topwater plugs in skinny water create explosive strikes. Local tip: look for nervous water and tailing fish on calm mornings - sight casting to these copper torpedoes is pure adrenaline.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are hands down one of our most popular targets, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These silvery beauties with black spots love grass flats, shallow bay waters, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes and channels. The meat is tender and flaky - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. They're scrappy fighters that jump and make long runs, especially on light tackle. Night fishing under lights can be dynamite when they move shallow to feed. My go-to trick: work a soft plastic shrimp or topwater plug slowly over grass beds at dawn and dusk - that's when these spotted fighters are most aggressive.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and white stripes and those weird human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds around dock pilings, bridge supports, and any barnacle-covered structure in the bay. They're notorious bait thieves with delicate bites, but once hooked, they put up a solid scrap. Spring spawning season from February through April gives you the best shot at them when they gather in big schools. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating around - sweet and mild flavor that's hard to beat. These fish rarely venture far from cover, so get your bait tight to the structure. Here's the key: use a sharp hook and set it hard the moment you feel weight - they'll steal your bait clean if you hesitate.
5.0 out of 5.0We’re a family of four who originally booked a bay fishing trip with Captain Josh on a rainy day. The weather and water conditions...
Aransas Pass