Port Arthur Trophy Redfish & Trout Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour charter targets trophy Redfish and Speckled Trout.Captain brings twenty years of local Sabine Lake expertise.Advanced techniques and highend gear for experienced anglers.
Captain Sidney Shetley's been working these waters for two decades, and it shows in every cast. This top-rated 6-hour charter out of Port Arthur targets the kind of fish that make your drag scream – trophy Redfish and hefty Speckled Trout hiding in Sabine Lake's productive marshes. Starting at 7 AM sharp, you'll have the prime feeding hours locked down before other boats crowd the best spots. At $650 for up to three anglers (fourth person adds $100), this isn't your typical weekend warrior trip. Sidney hand-picks his clients because he knows experienced fishermen appreciate the difference between catching fish and catching the right fish.
Forget the tourist routine – this charter's built for anglers who know their way around a rod. You'll launch into Sabine Lake's maze of channels and grass flats where Sidney's spent years mapping fish patterns most guides never figure out. The boat stays positioned with GPS precision, often within feet of structure that holds feeding fish. Expect to work tidal movements, target specific depth changes, and adjust techniques based on real-time conditions. Sidney provides high-end tackle matched to the day's strategy, but bring your A-game because these fish didn't get big by being easy. The marshes here hold some serious weight, and you'll need to stay sharp when a 30-inch red decides to make a run toward the nearest oyster bed.
This charter runs on precision, not luck. Sidney reads water like most people read newspapers – every ripple, color change, and bird movement tells a story. You'll work everything from topwater explosions at dawn to soft plastics bounced along drop-offs when the bite gets technical. The tackle box stays stocked with proven producers: Z-Man paddletails, She Dogs for surface action, and Carolina-rigged live shrimp when finicky trout need convincing. Positioning matters huge here – Sabine Lake's tidal flow can shift feeding zones by hundreds of yards, and Sidney knows exactly where fish stage during each phase. You'll learn to read structure on the fish finder, understand how wind direction affects bait movement, and pick up the subtle differences between a trout tap and a redfish thump.
Redfish own these marshes from April through November, with fall producing the heaviest specimens. These copper-colored bruisers average 24-28 inches but push over 30 when conditions align. They cruise shallow flats during rising tides, tailing in knee-deep water while rooting out crabs and shrimp. A big red's initial run can strip 50 yards of line before you blink, and their bulldog fight in shallow water makes every hookup memorable. The key is keeping them out of the oyster shell – once they reach cover, your chances drop fast.
Speckled Trout here run bigger than most Texas waters, with 20-inch fish common and 25-inch specimens showing up regularly during peak months. These spotted predators suspend around structure drops and grass edges, feeding aggressively during moving water. Spring and early summer produce the most consistent action, though winter months can deliver the biggest fish when cold fronts push them into deeper holes. Trout fight with quick bursts and acrobatic jumps, testing your drag settings and hook-setting timing.
Southern Flounder become active players during fall months, especially October and November when they stage for their offshore spawning run. These flatfish ambush prey from sandy bottoms near channel edges, often exceeding 20 inches and providing excellent table fare. Their sideways strike feels like snagging bottom until they start that distinctive head-shaking fight.
Black Drum show up year-round but peak during cooler months when they school in deeper areas. These bottom-huggers can reach impressive sizes – 15 to 25-pound fish aren't uncommon – and their steady, powerful runs test heavy tackle. They're suckers for fresh dead shrimp bounced along shell beds, and their drumming sound during the fight adds extra excitement to the battle.
Captain Sidney's calendar fills up with repeat clients who know what separates world-class fishing from just getting on the water. This charter delivers the kind of technical fishing experience that keeps serious anglers coming back season after season. With 20 years of local knowledge backing every decision and tackle that matches the challenge, you're set up for the kind of day that becomes your new measuring stick. Sabine Lake's trophy potential is real, but it takes the right guide and approach to consistently connect with the best fish. Don't wait for peak season to book – the best dates disappear fast among anglers who understand what they're getting.
Hit the water aboard our brand new 2025 25' Skeeter center console, the ultimate fishing machine for targeting trophy reds and trout in Sabine Lake. This beast packs a 300HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hottest bite at 50 knots, then switch to whisper-quiet mode with the wireless trolling motor when stealth matters most. The fish finder puts you right on top of the action while GPS navigation guides you through the maze of productive marshes and channels. Built for serious anglers, this center console offers rock-solid stability whether you're working shorelines or deeper structure. Modern multimedia system keeps the crew connected, and there's plenty of deck space for up to 4 anglers to work lures and fight fish without getting tangled up. Captain Sidney knows exactly where this Skeeter performs best in these waters.
Pogonias CromisThe heavyweights of Sabine Lake, these bruisers average 5-30 pounds but can push 50+ in our deeper channels. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws, hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats where they crunch crabs and shellfish all day. Spring is magic time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their drumming calls underwater. What draws folks back is that bulldogging fight and the challenge of outsmarting a fish that's lived 20+ years. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with firm, white meat. The key is fresh blue crab or cut mullet right on the bottom. Use just enough weight to hold, and when they pick it up, let them run a few seconds before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusOur signature species here in Sabine Lake, reds run 20-35 inches and fight like freight trains. You'll spot that distinctive black eyespot near the tail and copper-bronze coloring. They cruise our shallow flats in 1-3 feet, often with backs out of water, especially around oyster reefs and grass beds. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the biggest schools. What hooks anglers is that powerful run when they feel steel - pure adrenaline. The meat is sweet and mild, though I release the big breeders over 28 inches. Spring and fall, work topwater plugs early morning over the flats. During summer heat, target deeper shell drops with soft plastics. The trick is approaching quietly - these fish spook easily in shallow water, so long casts and stealthy positioning make all the difference.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Sabine Lake, running 14-24 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. They love our grass flats in 2-4 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and shell pads. Spring through fall fishing is solid, but early summer mornings and late fall can be magic. These fish fight with quick runs and head shakes, plus they're some of the best eating in the bay - delicate, flaky white meat. The tricky part is their soft mouths, so a light drag is crucial. My secret is working soft plastics under popping corks around grass edges during moving tides. When you feel that subtle tick, don't jerk - just lift firmly and let the rod load up. Keep constant pressure but don't horse them.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms throughout Sabine Lake's shallows. Running 15-18 inches on average, they're ambush predators that change color to match their surroundings. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving through our area to spawn offshore. What makes them special is their unique fight - more like wrestling a dinner plate than battling a typical fish. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for the table. Both eyes sit on their left side, which guests always find fascinating. My go-to trick is dragging a bull minnow or shrimp slowly along the bottom near structure changes. They hit soft, so keep that drag loose and give them a second before setting the hook.
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