Full Day Port Aransas Inshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing targeting redfish, black drum, and speckled troutProfessional captain provides all equipment, bait, and local expertiseSevenhour guided trip aboard fully equipped 23foot Majek boat
Captain Joshua McDonald knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard his 23-foot Majek M2, you're getting seven solid hours with one of Port Aransas' most dedicated guides. This isn't your average charter – it's a full-day adventure targeting the holy trinity of Texas inshore fishing: redfish, black drum, and speckled trout. You'll fish the productive bays and shallow flats around Corpus Christi and Aransas Pass, areas that consistently produce quality fish year-round. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and prime positioning on every cast. Captain Joshua provides everything you need – premium tackle, fresh bait, and decades of local knowledge that only comes from fishing these waters day in and day out.
Your day starts at 900 Tarpon Street, where you'll meet Captain Joshua and get acquainted with his setup. The Majek M2 is built for these shallow Texas waters – its shallow draft gets you into those back-bay honey holes where the big reds cruise, while the reliable 250 HP Yamaha keeps you moving efficiently between spots. The boat's equipped with top-shelf rods and reels, GPS to mark productive areas, and a quality livewell to keep your catch fresh. Captain Joshua reads the water conditions, tides, and weather patterns to put you on fish, whether that means working oyster reefs for drum, stalking redfish in skinny water, or drifting grass flats for trout. He's patient with beginners but also knows how to challenge experienced anglers, adjusting techniques and locations based on your skill level and what the fish are doing that particular day.
The beauty of Port Aransas inshore fishing lies in its diversity – you're not stuck doing one thing all day. Captain Joshua switches up techniques based on conditions and what's biting. You might start the morning sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, then move to deeper structure to target black drum with cut bait. Speckled trout often respond well to soft plastics worked over grass beds, especially during moving water. The boat carries an arsenal of artificials – everything from topwater plugs for explosive dawn action to bottom rigs for drum. Live bait plays a huge role too, with fresh shrimp and croaker often being the ticket when fish get finicky. You'll fish the renowned flats around Aransas Pass, the productive back lakes of Corpus Christi Bay, and structure-rich areas where these species congregate. Captain Joshua positions the boat using his trolling motor for quiet approaches, especially important when targeting spooky redfish in shallow water.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Port Aransas waters hold some beauties. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 18 to 35 inches in these waters, with the occasional bull red pushing 40-plus inches providing serious arm-burning action. Reds are most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon. They love shallow oyster reefs, grass flats, and drop-offs where they ambush prey. What makes them special is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight – they use their broad shoulders to pull hard and steady. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, though summer fishing can be fantastic during low-light periods.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute powerhouses that test your tackle and technique. These bottom-dwellers grow large in Texas waters – catching one over 30 pounds isn't uncommon, and fish pushing 50 pounds show up regularly. They're most active during cooler months, from late fall through early spring, when they move into shallower waters to feed. Drum have excellent hearing and are drawn to structure like oyster beds, bridge pilings, and channel edges. Their fight is different from reds – more of a slow, powerful pull that seems unstoppable. The key is patience and strong drag systems, as these fish will test your equipment.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Texas bay fishing. These beautiful fish with distinctive black spots are active year-round but peak during spring and fall transitions. They typically run 14 to 20 inches, with occasional trophy fish exceeding 25 inches. Specks are structure-oriented, holding around grass beds, drop-offs, and shell ridges where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. They're also the most finicky of the three species, often requiring light tackle and subtle presentations. Their strikes can be aggressive or barely detectable, making them a technical challenge that keeps anglers sharp. What's rewarding about trout fishing is the consistency – when you find a good school, multiple fish are usually possible.
This seven-hour adventure with Captain Joshua represents serious value for anglers wanting to experience the best of Port Aransas fishing. You're getting a top-rated guide, premium equipment, fresh bait, and access to productive waters that many visiting anglers never see. The two-person limit ensures you're not fighting for rod time or missing opportunities while someone else fights a fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to learn new waters or a newcomer wanting proper instruction, this trip delivers. The combination of redfish, black drum, and speckled trout means action throughout the day, even when one species gets tough. Captain Joshua's local knowledge and commitment to putting clients on fish has made this one of Port Aransas' customer-favorite charters. Don't wait for the perfect conditions – book now and let a world-class guide show you why Texas inshore fishing has such a devoted following.
Captain Joshua's 23-foot Majek M2 is built for serious fishing in Port Aransas waters. This 2018 beauty runs on a powerful 250 HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hottest redfish and trout spots fast, then back to the dock with your limit. The boat's equipped with everything you need – GPS to navigate the flats, fish finder to locate schools, and a livewell to keep your catch fresh. The wireless trolling motor lets Captain Joshua position you quietly over spooky fish without spooking them. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold during those long summer days targeting black drum in the shallows. With space for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to fight fish and move around the deck. This Majek handles the choppy bay waters like a dream and gets you into skinny water where the big reds hang out.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of our bays - these copper-colored powerhouses can weigh anywhere from 5-30 pounds, with some monsters pushing 90. They love hanging around oyster reefs and muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during this season - it's wild. They fight like freight trains and smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. Here's a local trick: when you're fishing oyster beds, use fresh blue crab and let it sit right on the bottom. These fish are picky eaters but once they commit, hang on tight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature species of our Texas flats - bronze-backed beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 20-28 inches, but we regularly see fish pushing 40+ inches in our waters. They cruise super shallow flats, sometimes with their backs out of the water, and love oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. What guests love is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - plus they're fantastic eating in the slot size. The sight-fishing opportunities here are world-class. Local secret: look for nervous water or "waking" fish on calm mornings. Cast ahead of their path with a gold spoon or topwater - the explosive strikes will get your heart pumping every time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our Texas coast - sleek, spotted beauties that typically run 14-24 inches and fight way above their weight class. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around structure like drop-offs near deeper water. Cool mornings and evenings are prime time, and they absolutely light up during winter months when they school in deeper channels. What makes them special is their incredible table quality - soft, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for beginners since they're aggressive biters. Pro tip: work your lures slow and methodical around the grass beds. These fish are ambush predators, so let that shrimp imitation or topwater plug sit in their strike zone longer than you think.
Port Aransas, TX