Half Day Morning Fishing Trip In Port Arthur
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderEarly morning departure at 7 AM for calm watersAccommodates up to three guests with local guide expertise
There's something special about hitting the water at sunrise in Port Arthur, and this 4-hour morning charter captures exactly that magic. Starting at 7:00 AM sharp, you'll beat the crowds and catch fish during their most active feeding times. The Texas Gulf Coast inshore waters around Port Arthur offer some of the most consistent fishing action you'll find anywhere, and with space for up to 3 anglers, this trip keeps things personal and productive. Whether you're looking to introduce someone new to saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler wanting to explore new waters, these protected bays and marshes deliver steady action with multiple species. Running on Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays, this customer favorite gives you the perfect excuse to get on the water and experience why Port Arthur has become a top-rated fishing destination.
Port Arthur's inshore waters are a maze of productive marshes, shallow flats, and deeper channels that hold fish year-round. The early morning start isn't just about beating the heat – it's prime time for feeding activity when redfish cruise the shallows and trout work the grass lines. You'll fish protected waters that stay calm even when the Gulf gets choppy, making this perfect for anyone who gets seasick easily or wants to focus on fishing instead of fighting rough seas. The 4-hour window gives you enough time to hit multiple spots without wearing yourself out, and the sunrise views over the Texas coast are worth the early wake-up call. These waters have been producing quality fish for generations, and local knowledge makes all the difference in finding where they're biting on any given day. Don't forget your valid Texas fishing license – it's required and they do check.
Inshore fishing around Port Arthur means working a variety of structure and cover to find different species. You'll be using medium-action spinning gear perfect for the slot redfish and keeper trout that call these waters home. Live bait like shrimp and croaker work great here, especially around the deeper channels where black drum and sheepshead hang out. Artificial lures get plenty of action too – soft plastics bounced along the bottom can trigger aggressive strikes from flounder, while topwater plugs create explosive surface hits during the right conditions. The key is reading the water and adjusting your approach based on tides, wind, and what the fish are telling you. Structure fishing around docks, oyster reefs, and channel markers produces consistent results, while working the grass flats can yield impressive numbers when you find active schools. Your guide knows exactly where to position the boat and what techniques work best for current conditions.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port Arthur inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters put up battles that'll test your drag system. They cruise shallow water looking for crabs and baitfish, often with their backs out of the water in what locals call "tailing." These fish average 20-28 inches in the slot, perfect for taking home a dinner's worth. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but summer mornings before the heat hits can be phenomenal. What makes reds so exciting is their aggressive nature – they'll crush a well-placed bait and make blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming.
Sea Trout provide non-stop action and excellent table fare throughout the warmer months. These spotted beauties love grass beds and drop-offs where they ambush small baitfish and shrimp. Port Arthur's trout typically run 14-18 inches with plenty of keepers mixed in, and they're perfect for anglers who want steady hookups. Spring and early summer are prime time when they move shallow to spawn, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. They hit both live bait and artificials with equal enthusiasm, making them a versatile target for any fishing style.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish pushing 20-40 pounds not uncommon in Port Arthur's deeper channels and around structure. These bottom dwellers have powerful jaws designed for crushing oysters and crabs, so when they grab your bait, you'll know it immediately. They're most active during cooler months when they move into shallower water, making them perfect targets for this morning trip timing. What anglers love about black drum is their bulldogging fight – they don't jump, but they'll pull steady and hard all the way to the boat.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge that keeps experienced anglers coming back. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and a knack for stealing bait without getting hooked. They hang around structure like dock pilings and oyster reefs, requiring precise presentations and quick hooksets. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action when they school up in deeper water, but you can find them year-round. Landing a quality sheepshead feels like solving a puzzle, and they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Summer Flounder add an element of surprise to any Port Arthur trip, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing prey. These flatfish can grow impressive in local waters, with doormat-sized fish caught regularly by anglers who know how to work the bottom properly. They're most active during warmer months when they move into shallow bays to feed, making summer morning trips particularly productive. What makes flounder exciting is their explosive strike – they'll engulf a bait and run, often hooking themselves in the process.
This world-class Port Arthur fishing experience delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – consistent action, multiple species, and the kind of local knowledge that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. The 4-hour morning format hits the sweet spot for productivity without wearing you out, and the 3-person maximum keeps things personal and gives everyone plenty of shots at quality fish. These protected inshore waters fish well year
Step aboard this reliable 23-foot Haynie Cat center console, your perfect partner for chasing redfish and trout in Port Arthur's productive inshore waters. Built in 2014 with a powerful Yamaha 250HP engine, this bay boat cuts through the Texas Gulf Coast shallows at speeds up to 34 knots, getting you to the hot spots fast while the morning bite is on. The center console design gives everyone room to cast and fight fish without tangling lines. Onboard fish finder helps locate schools of redfish and trout hiding in the grass flats, while the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them. GPS keeps you on productive structure, and the icebox ensures your catch stays fresh and your drinks stay cold during those warm Texas mornings. With space for three anglers, this boat handles Port Arthur's shallow bays and back lakes with ease, putting you right where the redfish cruise and the trout stack up along drop-offs and shell reefs.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our Texas waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. You'll find them around any structure - docks, reefs, or creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. Guests love the strong, bulldogging fight they put up. Keep fish under 15 pounds for the table - bigger ones get tough and stringy. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and keep it right on the bottom. When you feel that telltale tap-tap, let them run with it a second before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing - bronze-colored fighters with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most range 20-35 inches and pack serious power in shallow water. They love super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges, often feeding in water so thin their backs show. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the hottest action. What makes reds special is watching them cruise the shallows and that explosive strike when they hit topwater lures. They're also great on the table with mild, sweet meat. These fish aren't picky eaters - live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures all work. My favorite technique is sight fishing with topwater plugs in 1-3 feet of water. When you spot them tailing or cruising, cast well ahead and work the lure slowly past their nose.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter fish - beautiful spotted silver sides and some of the finest eating you'll find. Most run 14-20 inches and put up a decent scrap on light tackle. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially early morning and late evening when they're actively feeding. Spring through fall is prime time, but they can be caught year-round in our Texas waters. These fish are structure-oriented, hanging around drop-offs, oyster reefs, and grassy areas in 2-8 feet of water. What guests love is how aggressive they hit topwater lures and how good they taste on the dinner table. Soft plastics, live shrimp, and topwater plugs all work well. The trick is working grass flats at first light - make long casts and work your bait slowly. When the water's calm, they'll blow up on surface lures like nobody's business.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the best eating around. These 2-8 pound scrappy fighters have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles off dock pilings and bridge supports. Spring is peak season when they gather in big schools to spawn around structures. You'll find them tight to any vertical cover - docks, jetties, oil rigs - usually in 5-20 feet of water. They're notorious bait thieves with light, nibbling bites that'll clean your hook before you know it. Fresh fiddler crab or shrimp work best, and you need to get as close to structure as possible. Here's the key: when you feel them pecking at your bait, set the hook immediately and aggressively. They have tough mouths, so don't be gentle.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. They're most active September through November when they move through our area heading offshore. Look for them on sandy flats, channel edges, and around structure in 8-25 feet of water. What makes them fun is watching them change colors to match the bottom - real chameleons of the sea. The bite can be subtle since they grab bait and swim off sideways. Best bait is live minnows or mullet, but sea worms work great too. My go-to trick is hooking small baitfish through the eyes and using just enough weight to stay down. When you feel that soft pickup, count to three before setting the hook.
Port Arthur