Port Aransas Beginner Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour beginnerfriendly fishing charter accommodates up to six guestsTarget Black Drum, Flounder, Sheepshead, Pompano, and Redfish inshoreAll gear and tackle instruction provided by experienced local guide
Looking to get your feet wet in the fishing world? Mark's Guide Service has put together the perfect introduction to inshore fishing along the Texas coast. This 6-hour charter in Port Aransas takes up to 2 guests into some of the most productive shallow waters on the Gulf, where Black Drum, Sheepshead, Sea Trout, and Redfish are just waiting to test your skills. Your guide brings all the tackle and knows exactly where these fish like to hang out, so you can focus on learning the ropes without worrying about gear or guesswork. The pace is relaxed, the instruction is hands-on, and there's a real good chance you'll head home with dinner and some new confidence on the water.
This trip starts early when the fish are most active and the Texas sun isn't beating down on you yet. You'll launch from one of Port Aransas' well-known boat ramps and head into the protected bays and flats that make this area famous among inshore anglers. The water here stays relatively shallow - usually 2 to 8 feet - which means you can actually see the bottom in many spots and sometimes even watch fish cruise by. Your guide knows these waters like the back of his hand, from the grass flats where Redfish love to patrol to the structure around docks and jetties where Sheepshead hang out. Don't be surprised if a pod of dolphins decides to join the party - they're regular visitors in these parts and always seem curious about what we're up to. The boat stays within the protected bay system, so even if it's a little choppy outside, you'll have a comfortable ride and plenty of fishable water.
Mark's Guide Service specializes in light tackle fishing, which is perfect for beginners because it's easier to handle and gives you a better feel for what's happening on the other end of your line. You'll be using spinning reels with 15-20 pound test line, paired with rods that have enough backbone to handle a good-sized Redfish but won't wear you out fighting smaller fish. The techniques you'll learn are the bread and butter of inshore fishing - bottom fishing with live or cut bait around structure, drift fishing over grass flats, and maybe some sight casting if the conditions are right. Your guide will show you how to read the water, identify good fishing spots, and most importantly, how to feel the difference between a fish bite and your sinker bumping the bottom. All bait, tackle, and rods are provided, plus you'll get real-time instruction on everything from rigging your line to properly setting the hook. This isn't just about catching fish - you're learning skills that will serve you well on future fishing trips.
Black Drum are one of the most reliable fish in Port Aransas waters and perfect for beginners to target. These chunky, copper-colored fish can range from 2 to 15 pounds in the shallows, with the bigger ones putting up a serious fight that'll test your drag system. They're bottom feeders that love crab, shrimp, and cut bait, and they're not particularly picky about presentation - which makes them forgiving for new anglers still learning to set the hook. Spring and fall are prime time for Black Drum, when they move into the shallows to spawn and feed. What makes them exciting is that you never know if you've hooked a 3-pounder or a 10-pounder until it starts pulling drag.
Sheepshead are the trickiest fish on this list but also the most rewarding when you figure them out. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and love to hang around any kind of structure - docks, pilings, jetties, you name it. They're notorious bait stealers, so learning to catch Sheepshead will sharpen your reflexes and make you a better angler overall. They bite light and fast, so you have to stay alert and set the hook quickly. Most Sheepshead in these waters run 1 to 4 pounds, and they're excellent eating with white, flaky meat. They're year-round residents, but winter and early spring are when they really turn on and become easier targets for patient anglers.
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter gamefish of the Texas coast. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, especially during low-light periods like early morning or late evening. They're aggressive feeders that will hit live shrimp, soft plastics, or topwater lures with equal enthusiasm. Most of the Trout you'll encounter range from 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional "gator trout" over 25 inches that'll really get your heart pumping. They're seasonal fish that prefer cooler water, so fall through spring offers the best action. What makes them special is their willingness to bite and their acrobatic fights - they'll jump, run, and do everything they can to throw your hook.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing and the species that turns casual anglers into obsessed fishermen. These bronze-backed fighters can be found in water so shallow their backs stick out, or cruising deeper flats and channels. Port Aransas Reds typically run 18 to 30 inches and are known for their bulldogging fights - they don't jump much, but they'll peel drag and test your patience. They're sight-fishing targets in shallow water, where you can actually see them before you cast, adding a whole new level of excitement to the experience. Redfish eat almost anything - shrimp, crab, cut bait, and artificials - and they're present year-round in these waters. Landing your first Redfish is a rite of passage for Gulf Coast anglers, and the way they fight will leave you planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
This 2020 Haynie center console is built for Port Aransas inshore fishing adventures. At 24 feet with a powerful 250HP Mercury engine, she'll get you to the prime redfish and flounder spots quickly, cruising at up to 45 knots through the shallow bay waters. The center console design gives everyone room to cast and fight fish comfortably, while the GPS navigation and fish finder help locate those productive grass flats and oyster reefs where black drum and sheepshead love to hang out. Perfect for beginners who want to learn the ropes in these protected coastal waters - you'll have plenty of space to practice your technique while your guide shows you the best spots along the Texas coast.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90+ pounds. You'll find them around oyster beds and muddy flats in 1-4 feet of water, using those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're fun fighters but stick with the smaller ones for eating; anything over 15 pounds gets tough and stringy. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near structure. These bottom-feeders won't chase anything, so keep that bait where they live.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, with that copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They range from 18-30 inches in our waters, cruising grass flats and oyster reefs in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding and easier to spot. Guests love them because they fight hard, look beautiful, and make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. These fish will eat almost anything - topwater plugs, soft plastics, live shrimp, or cut bait. The key is being quiet and accurate with your casts since they spook easily in shallow water. Watch for their backs or tails breaking the surface on calm days.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are perfect for beginners - they hit lures aggressively and fight well on light tackle. Most run 14-24 inches and love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring through fall gives you the best action, with night fishing being particularly productive. They'll strike topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. The meat is delicate and flaky - great table fare if you don't overcook it. These fish school up, so when you find one, work the area thoroughly. My favorite tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise draws them in, and the natural bait seals the deal.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, running 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure. They're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth, picking at your hook like they're paying rent. You'll find them year-round, but spring spawning season brings the best action when they gather in big groups. Most guests love the challenge - these fish will test your patience and skill. The white, flaky meat is top-shelf eating, though cleaning them takes some work. Here's my trick: get your bait tight against the pilings and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. They're not aggressive strikers, just persistent nibblers.
Port Aransas