Half Day Rockport Redfish & Trout Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting redfish, sea trout, and black drumAll fishing gear and safety equipment provided by Captain Michael FletcherMaximum two guests with Nauti Hookers Guide Service in Rockport waters
Captain Michael Fletcher knows these Rockport waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This half-day guided trip targets the Holy Trinity of Texas inshore fishing – redfish, sea trout, and black drum – in some of the most productive shallow waters along the coast. You'll be fishing the grass flats, shell reefs, and back lakes where these fish love to hang out, and with only two anglers max per trip, you're getting personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Captain Michael will pick you up at the dock and get you rigged up with top-shelf gear – we're talking quality rods, reels, and tackle that can handle whatever these Texas waters throw at you. The boat's equipped with everything from live bait to an arsenal of artificial lures, plus all the safety gear you need. Rockport's protected bays and back lakes offer some of the calmest fishing conditions on the Texas coast, making this trip perfect whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a fishing rod. The captain knows exactly where the fish are holding based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns, so you'll be fishing productive water from the moment you leave the dock. Just bring your sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and maybe a cooler with some drinks – everything else is handled.
You'll be working shallow water structure using a mix of live bait and artificials, depending on what the fish are hitting that day. Captain Michael might have you throwing soft plastics around oyster reefs, drifting live shrimp over grass beds, or sight-casting to tailing redfish in knee-deep water. The boat's shallow draft lets you get into those back country spots where the big fish feel safe, and the trolling motor keeps things quiet so you don't spook anything. You'll learn how to read the water – looking for baitfish, bird activity, and subtle color changes that tell you where predators are lurking. The tackle's medium-light to medium action, perfect for feeling those subtle trout bites but with enough backbone to turn a bull redfish away from structure. Live shrimp, croaker, and piggy perch are go-to baits, but don't be surprised if you end up throwing topwater plugs or soft plastics when the fish are aggressive.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Rockport's shallow flats are prime real estate for these copper-colored bruisers. These fish can push 30+ inches and fight like freight trains, making long runs and using their broad sides to pull drag. Fall and spring are peak seasons when big schools move through the area, but you can find quality reds year-round in the back lakes and marsh drains. What makes redfish so special is their aggressive feeding behavior – they'll crush topwater lures, inhale live bait, and even let you sight-cast to them in ultra-shallow water where you can watch the whole fight unfold.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Rockport fishing, with the area producing some of the biggest speckled trout on the Texas coast. These fish love the grass beds and shell reefs around the bay system, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. A good Rockport trout runs 3-5 pounds, but don't be shocked if you hook into a "gator" trout pushing 8+ pounds – these monsters are what fishing dreams are made of. Trout have soft mouths and require finesse, making them perfect for learning proper hook-setting technique and fighting fish without pulling the hooks.
Black drum are the heavyweight champions of the flats, with big bulls weighing 30-50 pounds cruising the shallows looking for crabs and shrimp. These fish are pure muscle and will test your drag system and your patience. Spring is prime time for the big drums when they move into shallow water to spawn, but smaller "puppy drum" provide consistent action throughout the year. What's cool about drum fishing is that you're often sight-casting to fish you can see – watching a 40-pound drum inhale your bait in three feet of water is about as good as fishing gets.
This half-day trip with Captain Michael gives you a real taste of what makes Rockport one of Texas's top fishing destinations. With all gear included, small group size, and a captain who lives and breathes these waters, you're set up for success whether you're looking to learn new techniques or just get away from the dock-talkers and actually catch some fish. The calm, protected waters mean comfortable fishing conditions, and the variety of species keeps things interesting all day long. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure you're committed to getting out there and experiencing some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer. Book your trip with Nauti Hookers Guide Service and see why anglers keep coming back to these productive Rockport waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 90. These gray-black fish love crushing oysters and crabs with their powerful jaws, so you'll find them around oyster reefs and muddy flats. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredibly strong fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near shell beds. The bigger drum can't resist it, and you'll avoid most of the catfish that steal other baits.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-red backs and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches and put up a serious fight with powerful runs that'll test your equipment. They thrive in our shallow flats, often feeding in just 1-4 feet of water around grass beds, oyster reefs, and drop-offs. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love most is watching these fish cruise the shallows - you can actually sight-fish them on calm days. The meat is firm and mild, perfect for the table. My go-to technique: work a gold spoon slowly along grass edges during moving tides. When you see their backs or tails breaking the surface, that's when the magic happens.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful silvery fish with distinctive black spots covering their sides. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, making them perfect for lighter tackle. They love grass flats and shallow bay waters, especially around dawn and dusk when they cruise the shallows feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, but night fishing can be outstanding. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best eating you'll find inshore. They're also scrappy fighters that'll jump and make solid runs. Pro tip: when working grass flats, use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise draws them in from a distance.
Rockport