Port Mansfield Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
5hour private inshore fishing charter in Port Mansfield watersTarget Black Drum, Flounder, Sheepshead, Sea Trout, and RedfishMorning or afternoon departure times with Captain TyPort Mansfield sits right in the heart of some of Texas's most productive inshore waters, and Captain Ty knows these flats like the back of his hand. This 5-hour private charter puts you and one other angler in prime position to work the shallow bays and grass beds where trophy redfish, speckled trout, and flounder love to hang out. You'll choose between a morning trip starting at 7 AM or an afternoon departure at 2 PM – both windows offer excellent fishing opportunities depending on tides and weather conditions.
Your day starts when you meet Captain Ty at the dock, where he'll have the boat rigged and ready with quality tackle suited for the day's conditions. Port Mansfield's shallow bay system gives you access to both protected grass flats and deeper channels where different species congregate. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast might bring up a hard-fighting redfish from a shallow pothole, while the next could hook into a nice trout working a drop-off. Captain Ty reads the water conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly, whether that means working live bait along oyster reefs or throwing artificials at visible cruising fish. The intimate 2-person capacity means personalized attention and plenty of casting room for everyone aboard.
Captain Ty employs a mix of live bait and artificial lure techniques depending on what the fish are doing. You might find yourself drifting croaker or shrimp along shell beds for black drum and sheepshead, or sight-casting topwater plugs at tailing redfish in skinny water. The boat carries spinning gear in various weights – lighter setups for trout in open water and heavier tackle for bull reds that might pull you into structure. Wading opportunities often present themselves when fish are holding in ultra-shallow areas, and Captain Ty will put you on fish whether you're comfortable getting your feet wet or prefer staying in the boat. Soft plastics on jigheads are a go-to technique here, especially when working grass edges and sandy potholes where flounder ambush baitfish.
Southern Flounder are some of the most sought-after fish in Port Mansfield's waters, and for good reason. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush passing prey. Fall months bring the best flounder action as fish fatten up before their offshore spawning run, with doormat-sized fish over 20 inches showing up regularly. They hit live bait fished on bottom as well as slow-worked soft plastics, and the fight is surprisingly strong for a flatfish. Captain Ty knows the sandy potholes and transition zones where these fish love to set up shop.
Black Drum around Port Mansfield can range from school-sized fish to absolute giants pushing 30-plus pounds. These bottom-dwellers cruise oyster reefs and shell bars, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish and crabs. Blue crab and cut bait work well, but fresh dead shrimp often produces consistent results. The bigger fish show up in deeper channels and around structure, while smaller drum school up in shallow bays. Their powerful runs and dogged fighting style make them a favorite among anglers who appreciate a fish that fights all the way to the boat.
Sheepshead frequent the same areas as black drum but require more finesse to hook consistently. These convict-striped fish have small mouths and are notorious bait stealers, earning them the nickname "Texas Permit" for their finicky feeding habits. Live or fresh dead shrimp fished tight to structure produces best results, and you need to stay alert for their subtle bites. Port Mansfield's jetties, pilings, and oyster bars hold good numbers of sheepshead, especially during cooler months when they move shallow to feed.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Port Mansfield fishing. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots along their sides are aggressive predators that hit both live bait and artificials with enthusiasm. Spring and fall bring the best trout fishing, with fish ranging from schoolie 14-inchers up to gator trout exceeding 25 inches. They love grass flats, drop-offs, and areas with good current flow. Soft plastics, topwater lures, and live shrimp all produce, and trout provide some of the most consistent action you'll find in these waters.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port Mansfield inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers are what dreams are made of. Reds here range from slot-size fish perfect for the dinner table up to bull reds that will test your tackle and endurance. They're year-round residents that feed aggressively in shallow water, often with their backs out of water as they root around oyster bars and grass flats. Sight-fishing opportunities are common, and there's nothing quite like watching a red inhale your lure in clear, shallow water. Their powerful runs and bulldogging fights make them a top target for serious anglers.
Port Mansfield's reputation as a world-class inshore fishing destination isn't by accident – the fish are here year-round, and Captain Ty's local knowledge puts you on the best opportunities each trip offers. Whether you're looking to check multiple species off your list or focus on specific targets, this private charter format gives you the flexibility to fish your way. The 5-hour timeframe provides plenty of opportunity to work different areas and techniques while keeping the trip focused and productive. Don't wait on this one – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons when the bite is hot.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some real giants pushing 50+ pounds. These powerful fish have crushing jaws designed for eating oysters, crabs, and shrimp around structure. You'll find them on shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around jetties and piers throughout the year. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we get into the best action. What guests love about drum fishing is the strong, steady fight and the drumming sound they make when hooked. They're also excellent eating when under 15 pounds. Pro tip: fresh blue crab is the ultimate bait, but here's the key - use just enough weight to hold bottom and keep your bait still. Drum are smart and will drop anything that feels unnatural.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing with their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we also target the big "bulls" that can push 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. These fish love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them on grass flats, around oyster reefs, and in back-country marshes. Fall and spring provide the most consistent action, but they bite year-round. What makes redfish special is their aggressive strikes, powerful runs, and that they're sight-fishing targets in shallow water. They're also great eating with mild, sweet meat. Here's my local secret: when you see tailing reds in skinny water, cast your bait well ahead of where they're moving and let it sit still. Movement spooks them, so patience pays off big time.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, making them perfect for lighter tackle fishing. These fish love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good current flow in 2-8 feet of water. Night fishing and low-light periods are when they really turn on, especially during warmer months. What makes trout fishing special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their acrobatic fights when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with delicate, flaky white meat. The key is not to overcook them since the meat is softer than other species. My local trick: work soft plastic baits slowly along grass edges during moving tides. Trout are ambush feeders, so let your bait fall naturally and be ready for that sudden strike.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black and gray stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth used for crushing barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we occasionally see 8-10 pounders that'll test your skills. These structure-loving fish hang tight around docks, pilings, and jetties where barnacles grow thick. Winter through early spring is prime time when they're most aggressive. Guests enjoy the challenge - sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with light, nibbling bites that require patience and quick reflexes. The reward is some of the best-eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky white meat. My advice: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel that subtle nibble, set the hook hard and fast.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, oval-shaped fish that spend their time buried in sand and mud on the bottom, perfectly camouflaged until they ambush passing prey. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some nice ones pushing 20+ pounds. You'll find them on shallow flats, around structure, and in deeper channels during winter months. They're active year-round but fall and winter tend to be most productive when they school up for their offshore spawn. What makes flounder special is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side of their head - and they're fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap on your bait, count to three before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first, then turn it to swallow headfirst.
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