Inshore Fishing Charter in Port Arthur, TX
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting speckled trout and redfish.Captain Sidney Shetley guides up to four passengers starting 7 AM.All rods, reels, and lures included in private booking rate.
Captain Sidney Shetley knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish in some of the most productive inshore spots along the Texas coast. This 6-hour charter targets the deep-water structures and swift currents where the Intracoastal Waterway meets the Port Arthur Ship Channel – a setup that creates prime feeding zones for speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. With all tackle included and room for up to 4 anglers, this trip delivers serious fishing action without the hassle of bringing your own gear.
You'll meet Captain Sidney at 7 AM sharp, giving you the best shot at catching fish during their most active feeding periods. The early start means cooler temperatures and less boat traffic, which translates to better fishing conditions overall. Sidney runs a well-equipped boat designed for inshore work, with plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up with your buddies. The $650 rate covers three anglers, and if you've got a fourth person who wants in on the action, it's just an extra $100. Everything you need is already on board – rods, reels, lures, and all the terminal tackle. Sidney stocks his boat with proven baits and artificial lures that consistently produce in these waters, so you don't have to guess what's working.
The magic happens where the Intracoastal Waterway intersects with the ship channel, creating a network of drop-offs, current breaks, and structure that holds baitfish – and the predators that hunt them. Sidney uses his intimate knowledge of these transitions to position the boat exactly where fish are most likely to be feeding. You'll work everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges, adapting your technique based on what the fish are telling you. The tidal flow through this system is key, and Sidney times each spot to hit it when conditions are optimal. Expect to throw both live bait and artificials, depending on what's producing. The channel's unique structure means you might be sight-casting to redfish in three feet of water one moment, then working a deeper drop-off for speckled trout the next.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of this fishery, and Port Arthur's waters consistently produce quality fish. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and channel edges where baitfish concentrate. Trout here typically run 14 to 20 inches, with plenty of keeper-sized fish and the occasional trophy pushing 24 inches or better. They're most active during cooler parts of the day and respond well to both live shrimp and soft plastic baits worked slowly along the bottom. What makes catching speckled trout so satisfying is their willingness to bite and their solid fight – they'll make several strong runs before coming to the boat.
Redfish patrol these waters year-round and offer some of the most exciting fishing you'll find inshore. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-sized fish around 20 inches up to bull reds that can stretch past 40 inches and weigh 30 pounds or more. Port Arthur's redfish are known for their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights that test your tackle and technique. They're often found cruising shallow flats or holding near structure, making them perfect targets for both sight fishing and blind casting. The thrill of watching a big red slam your bait in shallow water never gets old.
Southern flounder add variety to your catch and provide some of the best table fare you'll find. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush passing prey. Port Arthur's flounder fishing peaks during fall months when fish move toward deeper water, but quality flatfish are caught throughout much of the year. They typically range from 14 to 18 inches, with larger fish pushing 20 inches and several pounds. Flounder require a different approach – slow presentations along the bottom with live bait or jigs work best. Their subtle bite means you need to stay alert, but once hooked, they put up a surprisingly strong fight.
Black drum round out the target species list and offer excellent action for anglers of all skill levels. These bottom feeders are found around structure and deeper holes, where they root around for crabs and other shellfish. Port Arthur's black drum can range from smaller fish perfect for the dinner table up to massive specimens weighing 20 pounds or more. They're known for their powerful, steady pulls rather than flashy runs, making them a favorite for anglers who enjoy a good tug-of-war. Black drum bite well on cut bait and are often caught while targeting other species, adding welcome variety to your day on the water.
Port Arthur's inshore fishing delivers consistent action in waters that many visiting anglers never get to experience. Captain Sidney's local expertise and well-equipped boat give you the best shot at a successful day on the water, whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or a newcomer wanting to learn the ropes. The 6-hour trip provides plenty of time to work different spots and techniques, and the all-inclusive tackle package means you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about gear. With space for up to 4 anglers and competitive pricing, this charter offers outstanding value for groups looking to experience some of Texas's best inshore fishing. Book your trip with Sabine Lake Charters and get ready to see why Port Arthur's waters have earned their reputation among serious inshore anglers.
Fish the productive waters around Port Arthur aboard our brand-new 2025 25' Skeeter center console. This high-performance fishing machine cuts through Sabine Lake with authority, thanks to its 300HP Yamaha that'll push you to 50 knots when you need to beat other boats to the hot spots. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to fight fish and move around the deck. Our wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow redfish water without spooking your targets, while the fish finder marks structure and bait schools in the deeper channel areas. GPS keeps you on the productive banks and ledges that hold speckled trout. Whether you're working live bait along the grass lines or throwing artificials at surface feeding reds, this boat handles the technical water of the Intracoastal and ship channel with confidence. Modern electronics and solid construction mean you spend time catching fish instead of dealing with equipment issues.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from schoolie 5-10 pounders up to bruisers pushing 40-50 pounds. These grey-black fish have crushing jaws built for crab and oyster shells, so they put up a serious fight once hooked. You'll find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and structure where they can root around for food. Spring is magic time when they school up to spawn - that's when we target the bigger fish. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut bait works best. Smaller drum under 15 pounds make great eating with firm, white meat, but the big boys are better released. The key trick here in Port Arthur is using just enough weight to hold bottom in the current but not so much that you can't feel their subtle bite. When they pick up that crab, give them a second before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore gamefish - aggressive, hard-fighting, and built like copper-colored torpedoes. Most run 18-27 inches around here, but we see plenty of bigger "bull reds" in the 30+ inch range. Look for that signature black spot near the tail - it's their trademark. These fish love our shallow flats, especially around oyster reefs, grass beds, and the marshy areas where they can tail-feed in 1-3 feet of water. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the hottest action when they're most active. What makes them special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. The meat is sweet and firm too. My favorite local technique is sight-casting with gold spoons or soft plastic shrimp to fish you can actually see cruising the shallows. Keep your casts ahead of them and work the bait slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, typically running 14-24 inches with those distinctive black spots scattered across their silver sides. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass flats, drop-offs, and the deeper cuts in our bay system. Spring through fall are your best bets, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What guests love about specks is they're aggressive biters that put up a scrappy fight, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with tender, flaky white meat. They can be finicky though - some days they want topwater plugs, other days soft plastics or live shrimp. The local secret is working the channel edges and spoil banks during tide changes. Use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below, and let the tide drift you along the structure.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on muddy and sandy bottoms where they blend in perfectly. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though bigger ones up to 20+ pounds show up. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them easy to spot once you know what to look for. They love our shallow bays, estuaries, and the transition areas where the ship channel meets softer bottom. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. What makes them fun is the surprise factor - you never know when that "piece of bottom" will grab your bait. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick is using a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp on a light jig head, keeping it right on bottom where they're waiting to ambush.
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