Rockport Fishing Guides | 6 Hour Charter Trip
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Sixhour wade fishing charter targets redfish and sea troutExpert guide Travis provides personalized flats fishing experienceTwoangler trips start at $500 with artificial lure techniques
Looking for a solid day of fishing the Texas coast without all the crowds? Guide Travis from Marsh Life Charters knows these Rockport flats like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This isn't your typical boat charter – we're talking six hours of walk and wade fishing where you'll actually feel connected to the water and the fish you're chasing. At $500 for two anglers, it's a fair price for quality time on some of the most productive flats along the Gulf Coast. Want to bring a buddy or two? No problem – additional anglers can jump in for $100 each, keeping the group tight and the fishing focused.
This trip is all about getting your boots wet and working the flats the right way. Travis will have you wading through knee-deep water over grass beds and sandy potholes where the fish actually live and feed. You're not sitting in a boat hoping something swims by – you're stalking redfish in eighteen inches of water, watching their backs break the surface as they cruise the shallows. The whole experience feels more like hunting than traditional fishing, and that's exactly what makes it so addictive. We'll cover a lot of water during these six hours, moving from spot to spot based on tide, wind, and where the fish are showing up that day. Some days you'll see schools of reds tailing in the grass, other days we'll find them holding around structure or working bait along drop-offs. Travis reads the water constantly and adjusts the game plan to match what's happening right now, not what worked last week.
We fish exclusively with artificials on this trip, which means you'll learn to read water, present lures naturally, and actually outsmart the fish instead of just throwing bait at them. Most of the time we're working soft plastics on jig heads – paddle tails, shrimp imitations, and gulp baits that trigger strikes from multiple species. Travis will have you rigged with medium-light spinning gear that's perfect for the flats – sensitive enough to feel subtle bites but with enough backbone to handle a big red or black drum when it decides to make a run. The walk and wade approach lets you get incredibly close to fish without spooking them, and you'll learn to spot feeding activity, read current lines, and understand how structure holds fish. Some days we'll throw topwater plugs early in the morning when the trout are busting bait on the surface. Other times it's all about working the bottom with slow presentations for flounder and drum. Travis matches the technique to the conditions and teaches you the why behind every cast, so you'll actually become a better angler instead of just catching fish.
Redfish are the kings of these flats and the fish that brings most anglers back trip after trip. These copper-colored bulldogs cruise the shallows year-round, with fish ranging from schoolie reds around 18-24 inches up to bull reds pushing 35+ inches that'll test your drag and your patience. Spring and fall offer the best action when reds move shallow to feed aggressively, but even summer produces solid fishing if you know where to look. What makes reds so special is their attitude – they're curious, aggressive, and when hooked in shallow water, they'll make blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming. You'll often see them before you cast, watching their bronze backs glide through clear water or their tails waving above the surface as they root for crabs.
Sea trout might not fight as hard as reds, but they're beautiful fish and some of the best eating you'll find. The Rockport area produces quality trout, especially during cooler months when they hold in deeper grass beds and around structure. Spring brings the big spawning females – gator trout that can push 6-7 pounds and provide fights that'll surprise you. These fish are spookier than reds and require more finesse, making them perfect targets for light tackle. When you find a good trout bite, it's often fast and furious with multiple fish in the same area.
Southern flounder are the sneaky predators of the flats, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush anything that swims by. Fall migration brings the best flounder action as they move from back bays toward the Gulf, fattening up for the journey. These fish require patience and technique – you've got to work your bait right along the bottom and feel for that subtle pickup that signals a flounder has inhaled your lure. They're excellent table fare and always a welcome addition to the cooler.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the group, with fish commonly ranging from 5-20 pounds and occasional giants that can top 30. They're bottom feeders that cruise grass flats and oyster reefs, using their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. When a big black drum takes your bait, you'll know it – they make strong, steady runs and use their broad sides to fight in the current. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer when they move shallow to spawn.
Six hours on the Rockport flats with a guide who knows these waters inside and out is exactly what you need to experience some of the best fishing the Texas coast has to offer. Travis keeps groups small, focuses on actually teaching you to fish these flats, and puts you in position to catch quality fish on artificials. The walk and wade approach connects you with the environment in a way that boat fishing simply can't match. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. But once you experience this style of fishing and see what these flats produce, you'll understand why so many anglers make this trip an annual tradition. The combination of world-class fishing, personalized instruction, and the raw beauty of the Texas coast creates the kind of day
Your fishing platform for this Rockport adventure is a 2020 Coastal Custom Boats 22-footer powered by a 300HP Mercury engine that'll get you to the productive flats quickly at speeds up to 60 knots. This specialized shallow-water vessel features a wireless trolling motor for silent approaches when stalking redfish and speckled trout in skinny water. The boat's equipped with GPS navigation and fish finder technology to locate structure and baitfish, plus radar for those early morning runs when visibility gets sketchy. You'll appreciate the spacious casting deck designed for two anglers to work artificial lures without crowding each other. The shallow draft hull lets Guide Travis position you perfectly on those productive grass flats and oyster reefs where black drum and southern flounder like to hang out. With comfortable seating and wheelchair accessibility, this fishing machine combines performance with practical features for a solid day chasing coastal gamefish along the Texas coast.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our flats, commonly running 10-25 pounds with some real giants pushing 40+ pounds. They love cruising oyster reefs and muddy bottoms where they crush crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we get the best action. These fish are serious fighters that will test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spawning season, which is pretty cool. My go-to trick is using fresh crab on a Carolina rig, but keep your bait right on the bottom where they're feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water game, running 18-30 inches on average with that distinctive copper color and black spot near the tail. They cruise super shallow flats where you'll see their backs out of water, plus oyster reefs and grass beds. Year-round fishing here in Rockport, but fall is when they really get aggressive before winter. What guests love is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water - it's addictive watching them crush topwater plugs. These fish fight hard and make solid eating when kept within slot limits. Pro tip: if you see nervous water or birds working, there's probably reds underneath. Cast beyond them and work your lure back through the school.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our Texas coast, typically running 14-20 inches with those beautiful spots covering their silver sides. They hang around grass flats and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Early morning and evening are best, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. Trout are fun because they hit topwater lures hard and make great table fare with that flaky white meat. They can be finicky though - one day they want topwater, next day soft plastics. The trick is matching the hatch and paying attention to water temperature. When it's cooler, slow down your presentation and work deeper water along channel edges.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on muddy and sandy bottoms where they blend perfectly with their surroundings. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches around Rockport, but we catch some nice 20+ inchers that really pull. You'll find them in shallow bays and grass flats, especially during cooler months when they move through our area. What makes them special is watching them ambush prey from the bottom - plus they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. The key is working your lure slow along the bottom since they won't chase much. A 1/4 oz jig head with a soft plastic works great, and don't set the hook too hard when you feel that subtle tap.
Rockport