Duck Hunt & Wade Fishing Combo in Port Aransas
Private Trip
Bird hunting
Morning duck hunt followed by wade fishing adventureTarget Redfish and Speckled Trout with artificial luresCaptain Cory guides small groups in prime locations
Looking for the ultimate cast and blast adventure along the Texas coast? Captain Cory's 9-hour duck hunting and wade fishing combo delivers exactly what serious hunters and anglers crave. This top-rated Port Aransas experience puts you right in the heart of some of the best waterfowl hunting grounds on the Gulf Coast, then switches gears to target trophy Redfish and Speckled Trout in shallow waters. Whether you're a seasoned hunter looking to maximize your day or someone ready to try their first combo trip, this world-class adventure gives you double the action in one epic outing.
Your day kicks off before dawn in prime duck hunting locations around Port Aransas, where Captain Cory has been working these waters for years. The morning hunt targets multiple species as they move along the Central Flyway, giving you shots at everything from fast-flying teal to big diving ducks. After the morning flight winds down, you'll transition seamlessly into wade fishing mode, working the flats and grass beds for aggressive Redfish and finicky Speckled Trout using artificial lures. This isn't your typical half-day trip – with 9 full hours on the water, you get serious time to work both the duck blinds and fishing spots without feeling rushed. The small group size of just 2 hunters means personalized attention and plenty of shooting opportunities. You can bring your own shotgun and fishing gear, or Captain Cory can set you up with rentals for an additional fee. Just remember to grab your hunting and fishing licenses before the trip – Texas doesn't mess around with compliance.
The hunting portion takes place in shallow bay systems and marshes where waterfowl naturally funnel during their daily feeding patterns. Captain Cory positions you in productive blinds or boat setups depending on wind conditions and bird movement. Shot placement is critical here – these aren't pen-raised birds, so brush up on your wing shooting before the trip. For the wade fishing segment, you'll be working knee to waist-deep water with sandy and grassy bottoms. The key technique involves covering water methodically with topwater plugs, soft plastics, and spoons while reading the subtle signs that give away fish location. Captain Cory provides the local intel on productive lure colors and retrieval speeds that work best in Port Aransas waters. The transition between hunting and fishing happens smoothly – while you're switching gear, the guide is already scouting the next productive fishing zone. Expect to cover several different areas throughout the day as conditions and fish activity dictate. Weather plays a huge role in both duck movement and fish behavior, so flexibility is part of the game plan.
Blue-winged Teal are speed demons that show up early in the season and provide some of the most challenging wing shooting you'll find. These small ducks fly in tight formations and can change direction instantly, making them a favorite among hunters who like to test their skills. They're typically the first species to migrate through Port Aransas in late summer and early fall, often providing fast action during the morning flights. What makes them exciting is their unpredictability – one minute you're watching an empty sky, the next you've got a flock of 20 buzzing the decoys at mach speed.
Redhead ducks are the powerhouse divers that hunters dream about. These stocky birds commit hard to decoy spreads and provide excellent table fare. Peak season runs through late fall and winter when big rafts move through the coastal bays. Redheads dive deep for submerged vegetation and shellfish, so they're typically found in areas with good water clarity and healthy grass beds. When a flock of Redheads decides to work your spread, get ready for some serious action – they come in with purpose and give you clear shooting opportunities.
Northern Pintail are the aristocrats of the duck world with their elegant long necks and distinctive silhouettes. These birds are incredibly wary and provide a real challenge for hunters. They prefer shallow feeding areas and can be picky about decoy setups. Pintail hunting peaks during cold fronts when northern birds push down the flyway. What makes them special is their wariness – earning a limit of pintails means you've really mastered your calling and concealment techniques.
American Wigeon are the grazers that follow other diving ducks to steal food, earning them the nickname "baldpate bandits." They're medium-sized ducks with distinctive white crowns on males and provide consistent action throughout the season. Wigeon are social birds that respond well to calling and often decoy with confidence. They're perfect for hunters who want steady shooting opportunities without the extreme challenge of more wary species.
Bufflehead are the smallest diving ducks you'll encounter, but don't let their size fool you – they're fast, tough to hit, and incredibly fun to hunt. These black and white bullets typically show up during colder months and prefer deeper water near oyster reefs and channel edges. Bufflehead hunting requires quick reflexes and good shot placement since they're small targets moving at high speed. Many hunters consider them a bonus species that adds variety to the bag.
This cast and blast combo represents serious value for hunters and anglers who want to maximize their time on the Texas coast. Captain Cory's local knowledge and years of experience mean you're not just booking a trip – you're getting access to prime hunting and fishing locations that produce consistent results. The 9-hour format gives you enough time to really get into the rhythm of both activities without feeling like you're being rushed off the water just when things get good. With waterfowl seasons heating up and Redfish biting year-round, there's never been a better time to book this customer favorite adventure. Remember that 20% tip in cash – good guides like Captain Cory earn every dollar through hard work and local expertise. Don't wait until the last minute to secure your spot, especially during prime hunting seasons when
Get ready for the ultimate cast and blast adventure aboard this versatile center console flats boat! Built for navigating the shallow Gulf waters around Port Aransas and Rockport, this rig handles both your morning duck hunt and afternoon wade fishing with ease. The boat comfortably fits your hunting party with room for gear, decoys, and rods. You'll have a fish finder to locate those redfish and speckled trout hotspots, GPS to mark your best duck blinds, plus an icebox to keep your drinks cold during the action. The multimedia system keeps spirits high between shots and casts. Whether you're calling in mallards at sunrise or working topwater lures in the afternoon shallows, this boat gets you to where the action is. Perfect setup for hunters who want to maximize their time on the Texas coast pursuing both winged and finned targets in one epic day.
American Wigeon, or "baldpate" as old-timers call them, are medium-sized ducks about 17-20 inches long that winter along our coast from November through February. They stick to shallow bays, marshes, and grassy areas where they graze on vegetation both above and below water. Wigeon are social birds that often raft up in large groups, making for exciting shooting when they work your spread. Their distinctive whistling call is easy to pick out. The meat is good eating, though they can taste a bit grassy depending on their diet. What sets wigeon apart is their habit of stealing food from diving ducks - they'll wait for redheads or canvasback to surface with vegetation, then grab it. Your best bet is using wigeon calls mixed with mallard quacks and setting up near areas with submerged grass beds.
Blue-winged Teal are small, fast ducks about 14-16 inches long that show up along our Texas coast from September through March. These birds prefer shallow marshes, ponds, and protected bays where they can dabble for seeds and small invertebrates. They're early migrants, so your best shot is usually October and November when numbers peak. What makes them fun to hunt is their erratic flight patterns and tendency to fly in tight groups. They make excellent table fare too - some of the best eating duck you'll find. The key with bluewings is patience and good calling. They respond well to soft quacks and feeding calls, but overcall them and they'll flare hard. Set up near shallow water with good cover and keep your shots ready - when they commit, it happens fast.
Bufflehead are the smallest diving ducks you'll encounter here, only about 13-16 inches long, but they make up for size with personality. These little black and white ducks show up in our deeper bay waters from December through March, often in small groups around piers, jetties, and drop-offs where they dive for small fish and crustaceans. They're fast, agile fliers that can pop straight up off the water like a cork. While not everyone's first choice for the dinner table due to their size, they're fun to watch and challenging to hunt. Bufflehead are curious birds that often investigate decoy spreads, but they're quick to leave if something seems off. The secret is using a small spread of diver decoys in deeper water and staying absolutely still - these sharp-eyed little ducks will spot the slightest movement.
Northern Pintail are elegant ducks running 21-26 inches long with those distinctive pointed tails that give them their name. They show up in our coastal marshes and shallow bays from October through January, preferring areas with mudflats and sparse vegetation where they can tip-feed for seeds and small crustaceans. Pintails are wary birds with sharp eyes, making them a challenge that experienced hunters respect. They fly fast and high, often circling multiple times before committing. The meat is top-notch - mild and tender. These birds respond well to mallard calls and pintail whistles, but you need to be subtle. They spook easily from movement or poor concealment. The best approach is hunting them early morning in areas where they feel safe, with plenty of open water nearby for their escape route.
Redheads are diving ducks that run about 18-22 inches and weigh around 2-3 pounds, making them a solid bird for the bag. Around Port Aransas, you'll find them in deeper bay waters and near oyster reefs from November through February. They dive for mollusks, crabs, and aquatic vegetation, so they prefer areas with 3-8 feet of water depth. Hunters love targeting redheads because they decoy well when conditions are right and provide excellent meat - rich and flavorful without being too strong. These birds are social, often mixing with other divers like canvasback and ring-necks. The trick with redheads is setting up in their feeding areas with a good spread of diver decoys. Windy days work in your favor since they help birds work the decoys more naturally.
Port Aransas, TX