Rockport Fishing Trips | 8 Hour Charter Trip
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
8hour wade fishing charter targets redfish and troutExpert guide provides artificial lure techniques on coastal flatsAccommodates up to 2 anglers with additional guests available
Looking for a real fishing adventure on the Texas coast? 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 8-hour wade fishing trip is built for anglers who want to get their feet wet – literally – while targeting some of the Gulf's most prized inshore species. You'll be throwing artificial lures in the shallows where Black Drum, Sea Trout, Southern Flounder, and Redfish love to hunt. At $600 for two anglers, it's a top-rated experience that combines expert guidance with hands-on fishing in some of the most productive waters along the Texas coast.
This isn't your typical boat-bound charter. Travis specializes in wade fishing, which means you'll be stepping out into knee-deep water and working the flats where the big fish feel comfortable feeding. The beauty of this approach is getting up close and personal with the habitat – you'll learn to read the water, spot nervous baitfish, and feel the subtle changes in bottom structure under your boots. The 8-hour format gives you plenty of time to master different techniques and hit multiple productive spots as conditions change throughout the day. You'll start early to take advantage of the morning bite, work through different tide phases, and finish strong when the fish start moving again in the late afternoon. Travis provides all the tackle and lures, so you can focus on perfecting your presentation and landing fish. Additional anglers can join for just $100 each, making it easy to bring along fishing buddies or family members who want in on the action.
Wade fishing with artificials is an art form, and Travis has it dialed in for these Rockport waters. You'll be working with soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons – each designed to mimic the baitfish and crustaceans that drive these flats crazy. The key is understanding how different lures work in shallow water and matching your retrieve to what the fish want on any given day. Soft plastics on jig heads are deadly for trout and redfish when worked slowly along grass edges and drop-offs. Topwater action can be explosive during low-light periods when predators are actively hunting in the shallows. Spoons and paddle tails cover water quickly and trigger reaction strikes from aggressive fish. Travis will teach you how to feel the bottom, work structure, and adjust your technique based on water clarity, wind, and tide movement. The wade fishing approach lets you work spots that bigger boats can't access, putting you right where the fish live without spooking them with engine noise.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise on these flats, lying perfectly camouflaged in sandy pockets and ambush points. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes – think 3 to 8 pounds of pure fighting power – and they're notorious for their lightning-fast strikes followed by determined runs toward structure. Fall and early winter are prime time for doormat flounder, when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning runs. What makes them so exciting to target is the visual game – you'll often see their outline in the sand just before they hammer your lure.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the flats, and Rockport's waters hold some real giants. These fish can range from schooling juveniles around 2-5 pounds to massive adults pushing 20-40 pounds or more. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall when they're actively feeding on crabs and shrimp in the shallows. When you hook a big drum, get ready for a slugfest – they use their broad sides and powerful tails to make long, determined runs that'll test your drag and your patience.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and these Rockport flats produce some beautiful specimens. You'll find everything from schooling trout in the 14-16 inch range to gator trout pushing 5-7 pounds. They're most active during cooler months but can be targeted year-round by working grass beds, drop-offs, and shell reefs. Trout have soft mouths, so the fight is more about finesse than power, but their acrobatic jumps and rapid direction changes keep things interesting.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Coast fishing, and these Rockport waters are renowned for producing quality reds. You'll encounter everything from slot-sized fish in the 18-27 inch range to oversized bulls that can exceed 35 inches and 15-20 pounds. Reds are visual feeders that cruise the flats looking for crabs, shrimp, and baitfish, often giving away their presence with nervous water or tailing behavior. They're strong fighters that make blistering runs and use their broad shoulders to fight you all the way to the net.
Guide Travis has built his reputation on consistently putting anglers on fish while teaching them the finer points of wade fishing these productive Texas flats. This 8-hour charter gives you the time and instruction needed to really understand how these fish behave and how to catch them consistently. The $600 price point for two anglers represents serious value when you consider the expert guidance, quality tackle, and access to prime fishing spots that most anglers never see. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so plan accordingly, but also know that you're booking with a guide who's committed to making your day on the water both educational and productive. Whether you're looking to improve your technique, introduce someone new to wade fishing, or just spend a day targeting some of the Gulf's best inshore species, this Marsh Life Charters experience delivers the goods. The flats are calling – time to answer.
Your fishing platform for this Rockport adventure is a 2020 Coastal Custom Boats 22-footer powered by a reliable 300HP Mercury engine that'll get you to the flats fast at speeds up to 60 knots. This boat was built for serious anglers targeting redfish, trout, and flounder in Texas coastal waters. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking fish in skinny water, while the GPS and fish finder help locate productive spots along the flats. When visibility drops, the onboard radar keeps you safe and on course. The boat comfortably handles up to four anglers, though your trip accommodates two for plenty of casting room. With wheelchair accessibility built in, everyone can enjoy a day chasing drum and trout. The shallow-draft design lets you access those hard-to-reach areas where the big fish hide, making it perfect for wade fishing adventures in Rockport's productive inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of our flats, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spring spawning season, which is prime time for targeting them. They love oyster beds, muddy bottoms, and shallow structure where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring brings the best action when they school up, but we catch them year-round. What guests love is the strong, steady fight - these fish don't give up easy. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating. My local trick: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near oyster shell. The heavier your sinker, the better - these fish want bait sitting still.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Texas flats, easily spotted by their copper color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most fish run 20-28 inches, though we see plenty of slot-busters over 30. They thrive in super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them around grass beds, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines year-round, with fall being peak season. What makes redfish special is their explosive strikes on topwater lures and their bulldogging fights. They're also excellent table fare when kept in the slot. My go-to technique: work a gold spoon slowly over shallow grass flats during moving tides. When you see them tailing, approach quiet and make your first cast count.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are probably our most popular target fish around Rockport. They typically run 14-24 inches and love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and evening. These fish are aggressive strikers that hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp. What makes them special is their willingness to bite artificials and their excellent table quality - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They school up in winter in deeper holes but spread out during warmer months. The key to consistent trout fishing is matching the tide and working your lures with plenty of action. Target the edges of grass beds where they ambush baitfish.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise that'll surprise you with their ambush tactics. These flat fish typically run 15-18 inches, hiding in sand and mud bottoms where they change color to match their surroundings. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them easy to identify. You'll find them year-round in our shallow bays and flats, but fall and winter are prime time when they're most active. They hit live shrimp, mullet, and jigs worked slow along the bottom. What makes them special is the challenge - they're subtle biters and great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My tip: when you feel that light tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
Rockport