Full Day Port Aransas Fishing With Captain Joshua
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, black drum, and speckled trout inshoreCaptain provides all tackle, bait, and local expertiseSeven-hour trip aboard fully equipped 23-foot Majek boat
There's nothing quite like spending a full day chasing redfish, black drum, and speckled trout in the productive waters around Port Aransas. Captain Joshua McDonald knows these bays like the back of his hand, and he's built Saltwater Revival Guide Services around one simple idea: putting you on fish while making sure you have a blast doing it. This 7-hour inshore adventure takes you across the flats and bays of Corpus Christi and Aransas Pass, where some of Texas' best fishing happens year-round. You'll fish from his 23-foot Majek M2 rig - a boat that's built specifically for these shallow coastal waters and powered by a reliable 250 HP Yamaha that'll get you to the bite quickly and quietly.
Your day kicks off at 900 Tarpon Street, where Captain Joshua will have everything rigged and ready to roll. The beauty of this trip is that it's designed for everyone - whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a fishing rod. Joshua provides all the tackle, bait, and local knowledge you'll need, plus his boat comes loaded with top-shelf rods and reels, GPS technology, and a livewell to keep your catch fresh. The Majek is perfect for inshore work because it can run skinny water where the big reds like to cruise, but it's also stable enough to fish comfortably when the bay gets a little choppy. With just two anglers maximum, you're getting a personalized experience where Joshua can focus on putting both of you on fish rather than managing a crowd. The pace is relaxed but productive - you'll move between spots based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling you that day.
Inshore fishing in Port Aransas is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Joshua runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what species you're targeting. You might find yourself sight-casting to tailing redfish in ankle-deep water, drifting live shrimp under popping corks over grass flats, or working soft plastics around structure where black drum like to hang out. The beauty of fishing these bays is the diversity - one minute you're working a shallow flat where speckled trout are busting bait, the next you're targeting a deeper drop-off where black drum are feeding. Joshua's tackle setup includes everything from light spinning gear perfect for trout to medium-heavy setups that can handle a bull red when it decides to make a run. He keeps a good selection of live bait on board, including shrimp and croaker, plus an arsenal of artificial lures like soft plastics, topwaters, and spoons. The GPS and fish finder help locate structure and bait schools, but Joshua's years of experience reading these waters is what really puts you on the productive spots that other anglers miss.
Redfish are the stars of the show in these waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can range from slot-size fish around 20-28 inches up to bull reds that'll test your drag and your arms. Port Aransas reds are known for their aggressive strikes and powerful runs, especially when you hook one in shallow water where they can't dive deep. The best action typically happens during moving tides, and Joshua knows exactly which flats and shorelines produce based on wind and water conditions. Fall and spring offer some of the most consistent redfish action, but these fish are catchable year-round if you know where to look.
Black drum might not get the same press as redfish, but they're absolute fighters that'll surprise you with their strength. These fish can range from smaller "puppy" drum around 14-20 inches up to monster specimens pushing 30-40 pounds. They're bottom feeders that love structure, so you'll often target them around oyster reefs, channel edges, and deeper holes in the bay system. Black drum are particularly active during cooler months, and they're known for their distinctive drumming sound they make when pulled from the water. They're also excellent table fare, especially the smaller ones, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted pattern are aggressive predators that'll hit everything from topwater lures at dawn to soft plastics worked along grass lines. They typically range from 14-20 inches in these waters, with the occasional "gator" trout pushing 24-26 inches. Specks are most active during low-light periods and moving water, making them perfect targets for early morning or late afternoon fishing. They're also fantastic eating, which is why they're such a popular target for both guides and recreational anglers throughout the Gulf Coast.
A full day with Captain Joshua isn't just about catching fish - though you'll definitely do plenty of that. It's about experiencing some of the best inshore fishing the Texas coast has to offer with a guide who's passionate about putting you on fish and showing you why Port Aransas has earned its reputation as a world-class fishing destination. The 7-hour format gives you time to really get into the rhythm of the day, try different techniques, and explore multiple spots without feeling rushed. Whether you're looking to check redfish off your bucket list, hoping to land your personal best speckled trout, or just want to spend a day on the water learning from someone who lives and breathes these waters, this trip delivers. Joshua's local knowledge combined with top-quality equipment and a boat designed specifically for this type of fishing creates the perfect recipe for a memorable day on the water. Don't wait too long to secure your dates - the best inshore fishing guides in Port Aransas stay booked up, especially during prime seasons when the fish are most active.
Your fishing platform for this Port Aransas adventure is a 23-foot Majek M2 that cuts through Texas bay waters with authority. The 250 HP Yamaha pushes this 2018 rig smoothly across the flats where redfish cruise and into the deeper pockets where black drum and speckled trout hang out. Captain Joshua has this boat dialed in with everything serious anglers need - GPS to hit the sweet spots, fish finder to mark targets below, and a livewell to keep your catch fresh. The wireless trolling motor lets you ghost into shallow water without spooking fish, while the icebox keeps your drinks cold during those long summer days on the water. Built for two anglers who want to fish hard without fighting for elbow room, this Majek handles everything from skinny flats to nearshore runs with the stability and speed that makes Port Aransas fishing so productive.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of our Texas flats, ranging from keeper-sized 5-pounders to massive 30+ pound giants that'll test your gear. These grey-black powerhouses love hanging around oyster beds and muddy bottoms where they crush crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're amazing fighters that use their bulk and that broad tail to pull hard in shallow water. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with mild, flaky meat. My go-to tip: use fresh crab on the bottom near oyster bars, and when you feel that thump-thump bite, let them run a bit before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Port Aransas flats, typically running 20-30 inches with that signature copper color and black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy flats. Year-round fishing here is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love most is sight-casting to tailing reds in inches of water and watching them crush topwater baits in explosive strikes. They fight like freight trains, using that broad tail to make long runs. The smaller slot fish are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. Pro tip: look for nervous water and mullet activity on the flats, then cast your lure past the fish and work it back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our Texas bays, typically running 14-24 inches with some pushing 5+ pounds. These silver beauties with black spots patrol grass flats and sandy bottoms in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and love structure like drop-offs near channels. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - watching a trout blow up on a surface plug never gets old. They're also some of the best eating fish in the bay with delicate, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key is working soft plastics slowly along grass edges. When the water's calm, try a topwater lure over the flats right at first light.
Port Aransas, TX