Extended Half Day Port Aransas Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour inshore fishing targeting redfish, black drum, and speckled troutCaptain provides all equipment, bait, and tackle on 23' Majek boatFamilyfriendly charter accommodates up to 2 guests from Port Aransas
Six hours on the water with Captain Joshua McDonald means serious fishing time in some of the Texas Coast's most productive inshore waters. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – you'll have plenty of time to work the flats, grass beds, and structure around Corpus Christi Bay and Aransas Pass where the big reds, drum, and trout hang out. With just two anglers max, Captain Joshua can put you on fish and teach you the local techniques that consistently produce. His 23-foot Majek M2 is built for these shallow waters, and that 250 HP Yamaha gets you to the hot spots fast so you can spend more time with your line in the water.
You'll meet Captain Joshua at 900 Tarpon St, where his Majek M2 is rigged and ready to hunt fish in the maze of bays, channels, and grass flats that make Port Aransas a top-rated inshore destination. This boat was designed for Texas shallow water fishing – it'll float in less than a foot of water, letting you access those skinny flats where big redfish cruise and tail. The 250 HP Yamaha means quick runs between spots, and when the fish are moving, that speed makes all the difference. Captain Joshua's got the boat loaded with quality rods and reels matched to the species you're targeting, plus a livewell to keep your bait frisky and your catch fresh. The GPS and fish finder help locate structure and baitfish, but it's Captain Joshua's local knowledge that really puts you on the productive water. Six hours gives you the flexibility to adjust tactics as conditions change – if the trout bite dies off at one spot, there's time to relocate and find where the redfish are feeding.
The extended time frame lets Captain Joshua work multiple techniques and locations based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing. You might start the morning drifting live shrimp under popping corks over grass beds where speckled trout are feeding, then move to shallow flats to sight cast at tailing redfish with soft plastics. Black drum often stack up around structure like old oil rigs, jetties, and channel markers – Captain Joshua knows which spots hold fish and when to work them based on tide movement. The Corpus Christi and Aransas Pass area offers incredible variety, from the clear water flats near the jetties to the deeper grass beds in the back bays. Artificial lures like paddle tails, spoons, and topwater plugs are deadly here, especially when worked over submerged grass and shell. Live bait fishing with shrimp, mullet, or croaker is also highly effective, particularly when targeting larger black drum and bull redfish. Captain Joshua provides all tackle and bait, but he's always happy to show you how different presentations work in these waters so you can apply the techniques on your own future trips.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and the Port Aransas area consistently produces quality fish year-round. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 20 to 35 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish that make excellent table fare and oversized bulls that'll test your drag system. Reds are most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk, but they can be caught throughout the day in deeper grass beds and along channel edges. What makes redfish so exciting is their versatility – they'll crush a topwater plug in two feet of water or inhale a live shrimp bounced along the bottom. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but even winter fishing can be world-class when you find schools of reds stacked in deeper holes.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute powerhouses that will humble even experienced anglers. These bottom-huggers commonly reach 15 to 40 pounds in local waters, with occasional giants pushing 50-plus pounds during peak season. Black drum are structure-oriented fish that love oyster reefs, bridge pilings, and channel markers where they root around for crabs and shellfish. They're most active during cooler months from November through March, making them a customer favorite for winter fishing when other species might be sluggish. The fight is pure power – no jumping or fancy moves, just bulldogging runs that'll make your arms burn. Fresh shrimp, blue crab, and cut mullet are proven baits, and once you hook into a big drum, you'll understand why serious anglers target them specifically.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are probably the most popular inshore gamefish along the Texas coast, and for good reason. These spotted predators are aggressive, fight hard for their size, and taste fantastic on the dinner table. Port Aransas trout typically run 15 to 25 inches, with occasional "gator trout" exceeding 28 inches that become the stuff of fishing legends. Specks are most active during moderate temperatures in spring and fall, but they can be caught year-round by adjusting depths and techniques. They love grass beds, shell reefs, and channel drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. What makes trout fishing so addictive is their willingness to hit artificials – a properly worked soft plastic or topwater plug can trigger explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. They're also excellent on live shrimp under popping corks, especially during cooler months when they're holding in deeper water.
This extended half-day trip offers the perfect balance of serious fishing time without committing to a full day on the water. Captain Joshua's local expertise, quality equipment, and personalized approach make this a standout charter in the competitive Port Aransas fishing scene. Whether you're looking to put meat in the cooler, learn new techniques, or just enjoy some quality time on the water targeting premier inshore species,
Get ready to fish the productive waters around Port Aransas aboard this well-equipped 23' Majek M2. This 2018 bay boat runs smooth and fast with its 250 HP Yamaha, cutting through choppy water to get you to the best redfish and trout spots quickly. The shallow draft design lets Captain Joshua work tight against grass flats and oyster reefs where black drum and specks like to hang out. You'll appreciate the wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on tailing reds without spooking them, plus the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish. Keep your drinks cold in the icebox during those hot Texas afternoons, and the livewell ensures your catch stays fresh. With GPS navigation, you can fish further out knowing you'll find your way back to the dock at 900 Tarpon St. Built for two anglers, this Majek gives you plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 10-30 pounds with giants pushing 50+ pounds. These grey-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster reefs where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're serious fighters that'll test your drag and patience. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom near oyster beds - they can't resist it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target, cruising our shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water. Most run 18-27 inches, but slot-busters over 28 inches provide serious battles. Look for their distinctive black spot near the tail and copper-bronze sides. They love oyster reefs, grass flats, and shoreline structure where they hunt crabs and shrimp. These fish fight hard with powerful runs and head-shaking jumps. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action. Excellent eating when kept in the slot. My go-to technique: sight-cast gold spoons to tailing fish in skinny water - their aggressive strikes will get your heart pumping every time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Texas bay fishing, typically running 14-20 inches with occasional 4-5 pounders. These spotted beauties love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and sandy potholes. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures with explosive strikes - pure excitement on light tackle. The meat is delicate and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. Local secret: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork around the grass lines during moving tides - they'll hammer it.
Port Aransas, TX