Full Night Aransas Pass Fishing with Captain John
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Solo night fishing adventure with Captain John CryerTarget flounder, black drum, and sheepshead after darkOneonone guided experience in calm coastal waters
Picture yourself slipping through the quiet waters of Aransas Pass under a blanket of stars, with nothing but the gentle sound of water lapping against the hull and the soft glow of your lights cutting through the darkness. This solo night fishing adventure with Captain John Cryer is your chance to experience the magic that happens when the sun goes down and the fish start moving. You'll have the entire boat to yourself, creating the perfect setting to really focus on your technique and soak up every moment of this peaceful yet productive fishing experience. Whether you're looking to escape the daytime crowds or simply want to try something different, night fishing in these protected coastal waters offers a completely unique perspective on what makes Aransas Pass such a renowned fishing destination.
Captain John has been running these waters for years, and he knows exactly where the fish like to hang out once darkness falls. Your night starts with a relaxed cruise to the prime spots, where shallow flats and structure create perfect ambush points for hungry fish. The cooler evening temperatures bring a sense of calm to the entire experience, and you'll quickly discover why so many anglers prefer the tranquility of night fishing. This isn't about rushing from spot to spot – it's about taking your time, reading the water, and really connecting with the rhythm of the coast. Captain John will share local knowledge that only comes from countless nights on these waters, pointing out subtle changes in current, depth, and structure that make all the difference. The one-on-one format means you get his full attention, whether you're a seasoned night angler or this is your first time fishing after dark. Just remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure you're committed to this top-rated nighttime adventure.
Night fishing requires a different approach than daytime angling, and Captain John will walk you through all the techniques that work best in these waters. Flounder gigging takes center stage on many of these trips – there's something incredibly satisfying about spotting those flat fish lying motionless on the sandy bottom and making a perfect strike with the gig. You'll learn to read the subtle signs that give away a flounder's position, from the slight outline against the sand to the telltale eye shine that reflects your light. When you're not gigging, you'll be working with live and cut baits that really shine in the darkness. Black drum and sheepshead become much more aggressive feeders at night, and Captain John knows exactly what presentations trigger strikes. Expect to use everything from Carolina rigs with fresh shrimp to heavier tackle when targeting larger drum around structure. The boat is equipped with proper lighting systems that won't spook fish but give you enough visibility to work effectively. You'll also get hands-on experience with different retrieval techniques that work best in low-light conditions, including slow presentations that give wary fish time to commit to your bait.
Black drum are the bread and butter of night fishing in Aransas Pass, and for good reason. These powerful fish become incredibly active once the sun sets, moving into shallower water to feed on crabs, shrimp, and other bottom-dwelling prey. You'll typically encounter drum ranging from keeper-sized 14-inchers all the way up to bull drum that can push 30 pounds or more. What makes them so exciting to catch at night is their aggressive feeding behavior – during the day they can be finicky, but after dark they often hit baits with authority. The best action usually happens during the first few hours of darkness, particularly around structure like jetties, piers, and oyster reefs. Captain John knows the specific spots where these fish congregate, and he'll position you perfectly to intercept them as they move through their feeding patterns.
Alligator gar might seem like an unusual target, but these prehistoric fish offer some of the most exciting action you can find in Texas coastal waters. Reaching lengths of several feet and weights that can exceed 100 pounds, gar provide a completely different kind of fight than typical inshore species. They're ambush predators that lurk in deeper channels and around structure, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Night fishing gives you a real advantage when targeting gar because they become more active in low-light conditions. When a big gar takes your bait, you'll know it immediately – their initial run is explosive, and their aerial displays can be absolutely spectacular. Captain John will set you up with the right tackle to handle these powerful fish, including wire leaders that can withstand their razor-sharp teeth. The key to success is patience, as gar often follow baits for long distances before committing to a strike.
Sheepshead are known as some of the craftiest fish in the Gulf, but night fishing levels the playing field significantly. These black-and-white striped fish are notorious bait thieves during daylight hours, delicately picking crabs and shrimp off hooks without triggering a hookset. After dark, however, they become much more aggressive and less cautious about taking baits. You'll typically find them around any kind of structure – bridge pilings, jetties, oil rigs, and artificial reefs all hold good numbers of sheepshead. What makes them such a customer favorite is their excellent eating quality and the satisfaction of outsmarting such a clever fish. Captain John will teach you the subtle techniques needed to detect sheepshead bites, which can be incredibly light even when they're feeding aggressively. Fresh shrimp, small crabs, and cut bait all work well, but presentation is everything with these fish.
This solo night fishing adventure represents everything that makes Aransas Pass such a world-class fishing destination. You'll gain experience with multiple fishing techniques, target some of the most sought-after species in Texas waters, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere that only comes with night fishing. Captain John's local expertise and one-on-one guidance ensure you'll make the most of every moment on the water, whether you're perfecting your flounder gigging skills or battling a bull drum in the darkness. The memories you'll
Your night fishing adventure in Aransas Pass starts aboard a nimble 22ft Lobell aluminum skiff that's built for these shallow coastal waters. The Suzuki 150HP engine gives Captain John the power to get you to the best flounder gigging spots while running quietly through the flats. This fishing machine comes equipped with everything you need for a successful night on the water - GPS to navigate in the dark, fish finder to locate black drum and sheepshead, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and your drinks cold. The shallow-draft design lets you slip into those skinny water spots where the fish like to hang out after sunset. Perfect for solo anglers who want to focus on technique without distractions, this setup handles the calm night waters with ease while you work the lights for flounder or cast for drum.
Atractosteus SpatulaThese prehistoric monsters can stretch 4-6 feet and pack 100+ pounds of pure muscle behind rows of razor-sharp teeth. They're ancient fish that can actually breathe air, which makes them unique predators in our brackish backwaters and river bends. Late summer in hot, dry conditions is your best shot when they're active in deeper holes near shallow flats. Guests love the challenge - landing one is like wrestling a log with teeth. You'll need heavy tackle and patience since they're notorious for short strikes. Fresh carp or mullet on a treble hook works best. Remember, these are catch-and-release only in Texas, so bring your camera for the trophy shots.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs around shallow flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up in brackish waters - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds. Most folks target the smaller ones since anything over 15 pounds gets pretty tough to eat. Fresh crab is your best bet for bait since it stays on the hook better than shrimp. Pro tip: fish right on the bottom and use enough weight to stay put - these guys won't chase bait very far up in the water column.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black stripes and human-like teeth that can strip barnacles off pilings. They run 1-8 pounds typically, hugging any structure they can find - docks, jetties, bridge pilings. Spring months are best when they school up for spawning. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with lightning-fast nibbles, so you need quick reflexes on the hookset. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Fresh shrimp or fiddler crab works great, but here's the trick: get your bait right against the structure and be ready to set that hook hard the second you feel them mouthing it.
Aransas Pass