5.0(1 Reviews)Port O'Connor Private 8-Hour Fishing Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing adventure departing at 7:00 AMExpert guides target marine life in pristine coastal watersPrivate charter accommodates up to 4 guests maximum
There's something special about spending a full day on Port O'Connor's waters with your own private crew. This 8-hour charter with Reel Salty Charters puts you right in the heart of some of Texas's best inshore fishing grounds, where redfish cruise the flats and tarpon patrol the jetties. Starting at 7:00 AM, you'll have the entire day to chase whatever's biting, with Captain Tim guiding you to the hottest spots based on conditions, tides, and what fish are moving. Whether you're looking to check a bucket list species off your list or just want to bend some rods with friends, this trip delivers the kind of fishing memories that last a lifetime.
Your day kicks off early at the Port O'Connor marina, where you'll meet Captain Tim and get your gear sorted before heading out. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is the flexibility – we're not rushing from spot to spot trying to beat the clock. Instead, we can follow the fish, adjust tactics as conditions change, and really dial in on what's working. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from live bait wells stocked with croakers and shrimp to tackle that can handle everything from speckled trout to bull sharks. Port O'Connor sits right where Matagorda Bay meets the Gulf, giving us access to shallow grass flats, oyster reefs, deep channels, and the productive jetty system. Depending on what species you're targeting and what the fish are doing, we might start shallow for reds and trout, then move out to the jetties for bigger game like tarpon and sharks. The boat's designed for inshore work, with a shallow draft that lets us get into skinny water where the big reds like to hunt.
Port O'Connor fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want. On the shallow flats, we'll work topwater plugs early in the morning when reds and trout are actively feeding on baitfish. As the sun gets higher, we'll switch to soft plastics rigged on jig heads, bouncing them along the bottom structure where flounder and black drum hang out. The jetties are a whole different game – here we're drifting live croakers and cut bait along the rocks, targeting the bigger predators that ambush prey in the current. Captain Tim knows exactly how to position the boat for each drift, using the wind and tide to our advantage. The tackle varies by target – medium spinning gear for trout and smaller reds, but we'll bump up to heavier conventional setups when tarpon are in the mix. Live bait is king out here, especially croakers, shrimp, and mullet. The key is staying mobile and letting the fish tell you what they want rather than forcing a technique that's not producing.
"Henry David Thoreau once said, 'many men fish their whole lives without knowing, it's not the fish they are after.' Today, it was about the fish. About fulfilling a lifelong dream. About checking something off my bucket list, thanks to Captain Tim Strakos. I was able to carry out that very dream. At 6:30 a.m., Laura and I met Tim Strakos at his boat slip, the early light just beginning to spill across the Port O'Connor marina. Tim greeted us with his easy confidence, and we loaded up, anticipation buzzing between us. We set out across the bay, the air still cool, heading for a promising flat where we quickly hooked a few spirited redfish. The rods bent, the reels sang, and laughter echoed across the water. After about an hour, as the sun tried to break through the overcast sky, Tim looked back with a glint in his eye and said, 'Let's go get a tarpon.' Excitement surged as we motored out to the jetties, the boat slicing through gentle swells. Here, the hunt truly began. We set up for our drift along the rocks, adrenaline and hope mingling with the salt air. On the first pass, nothing. But on the second drift, as we bounced live croakers over the bottom, I suddenly felt a jolt—a heavy slam at the rod tip that sent my heart racing. It was just after 8 a.m., the morning gray and expectant, when the Silver King struck. The line screamed and the fight began, twenty-five minutes of raw power and determination. The tarpon leapt, scales flashing, tail slapping thunder into the air. My arms burned, sweat beaded my brow, and Laura captured the chaos on camera and video, even handing me a bottle of water as I struggled to keep my grip. Tim's calm instructions kept me focused as the 85-pound beast tried every trick to throw the hook. Finally, slowly, I wore the tarpon down. With Tim's help, we hauled the magnificent fish aboard for a quick photo session, Laura beaming behind the lens, me grinning with the exhaustion and exhilaration of victory. The Silver King's image was immortalized to share with friends and family, a memory I knew I'd carry with me for a lifetime before we gently released him back to the wild, where he vanished with a single flick of his mighty tail. That day, alongside Laura and with Tim's expert guidance, I joined the ranks of Port O'Connor's tarpon anglers, forever bonded by the battle with the Silver King. Thank you, Tim, for the trip of a lifetime!" - Joe
Southern flounder are one of Port O'Connor's most reliable targets, especially around the muddy-bottom areas near the jetties and channel edges. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in the sand and mud to ambush prey. They typically run 14-20 inches, with doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds being the prize catches. Fall months bring the
Ready to hit the waters around Port O'Connor? Our 25-foot Tran Sport center console is your ticket to some serious inshore fishing action. This well-maintained boat handles the Texas coast like a dream and comfortably fits up to 4 anglers, so you'll have plenty of room to work your lines without bumping elbows. The wireless trolling motor lets us sneak up on those spooky redfish and trout without spooking them, while the GPS keeps us locked onto the best fishing spots. Pack your lunch and drinks - the onboard icebox will keep everything cold during our full 8-hour adventure. Whether you're casting into the grass flats or working structure, this boat puts you right where the fish are biting in Port O'Connor's productive waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights around here, and they'll give you a serious workout. These powerful fish typically run 5-30 pounds, but we've landed some real bulls pushing 50+ pounds. They cruise shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with those strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare, but the big ones are tough eating. You'll love the fight they put up - they're bulldogs that'll test your drag. Fresh blue crab is the magic bait here in Port O'Connor. My advice: use a Carolina rig with just enough weight to hold bottom, and when you feel that steady pull, don't horse them - let that drag work.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip Sharks bring serious excitement to any trip - these athletic predators average 4-5 feet but can reach over 8 feet and 200+ pounds. You'll recognize them by those distinctive black-tipped fins and their amazing aerial shows when hooked. They cruise nearshore waters from 30-100 feet, often around structure and baitfish schools. Summer months are prime when they follow the bait closer to shore. What guests love most is their explosive jumps - they can launch 20 feet out of the water spinning like corkscrews. They're catch-and-release only, but the fight is what you're after anyway. These sharks are surprisingly social and can get worked up during feeding frenzies. Heavy tackle is a must - 50+ pound braided line and circle hooks. My trick: get a good chum slick going with oily fish like mackerel, then be patient. When they show up, the action gets wild fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature species of our Texas coast, and they're absolute blast to catch. These copper-colored beauties average 18-27 inches and are famous for that black spot near their tail. They patrol super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marshy shorelines. You can target them year-round, but fall brings the best action when they school up. They're strong fighters that'll peel drag and make long runs. The smaller "slot" fish make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. What makes them special is you can sight-fish them in clear, shallow water - it's like hunting. Topwater plugs at dawn create explosive strikes, but live shrimp under a popping cork is hard to beat. Keep your approach quiet and make long casts - they're spooky in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most popular targets, and for good reason. These beautiful spotted fish average 14-18 inches but can reach 5+ pounds when conditions are right. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good current flow where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Early morning and evening are prime times, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. The meat is delicate and flaky - some of the best eating you'll find. They're scrappy fighters that'll give you some nice runs on light tackle. Look for them around structure like reefs and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water. My go-to setup is a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The key is working that cork with gentle pops to mimic feeding activity - that sound drives them crazy.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are those flat, oval-shaped fish with both eyes on their left side - pretty wild looking when you first see one. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud on the bottom to ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch plenty up to 25 inches in these waters. You'll find them in shallow bays, around oyster reefs, and along muddy bottoms where they love to hunt. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore. They're excellent eating with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. My tip: when drift fishing, keep your bait right on the bottom with a slip sinker rig and live shrimp - they won't come up for it, so you've got to get down to them.
5.0 out of 5.0Henry David Thoreau once said, “many men fish their whole lives without knowing, it’s not the fish they are after.” Today, it was...
Joe Meador, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Port O'Connor, TX