Full Day Family Fishing in Port Aransas Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing targeting redfish, trout, and flounderFamily-friendly trip accommodates all skill levels with experienced guideEight-hour bay boat adventure includes meals and equipment
Captain Heath Borchert knows these Port Aransas waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish during this 8-hour family adventure. Whether you're teaching the kids their first cast or you're a seasoned angler looking to bend some rods, this trip delivers consistent action targeting the Texas coast's most popular inshore species. You'll launch from J C Barr Boulevard and spend the day working the flats, grass beds, and structure that hold redfish, sea trout, and southern flounder year-round.
This isn't your typical rushed half-day charter – with 8 full hours on the water, Captain Heath has plenty of time to put you on fish and teach proper techniques along the way. The comfortable bay boat handles up to four guests, so families can fish together without feeling cramped. You'll start early to beat the crowds and work prime feeding windows when fish are most active. The captain provides all tackle and knows exactly where to find fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. Don't forget to grab your Texas fishing license before the trip – it's required for anyone 17 and older. While meals aren't included in the base package, breakfast and lunch options are available if you want to stay focused on fishing instead of packing snacks.
Port Aransas offers some of the most diverse inshore fishing on the Texas coast, and Captain Heath works everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges. You'll likely spend time drift fishing over shell reefs using live or cut bait for sea trout, then move to sight fishing redfish in skinny water using soft plastics and topwater lures. Flounder fishing often involves working structure like jetties, docks, and channel drop-offs with jigs bounced along the bottom. The captain adjusts techniques based on conditions – when wind kicks up, you might work protected back lakes, while calm days open up opportunities on the outside flats. Artificial lures dominate most situations, but live bait comes into play when fish get finicky or you're targeting trophy-sized specimens.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Port Aransas fishing, with keeper-sized fish averaging 15-18 inches and occasional "gator trout" pushing 25+ inches. These spotted beauties love grass beds and shell reefs, feeding heavily during moving tides and low-light periods. Spring and fall produce the most consistent action, though summer mornings and winter warm spells can fire up the bite. What makes trout fishing so addictive is their aggressive strikes – when they hit a topwater plug at dawn, you'll never forget that explosion on the surface.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore game fish, averaging 20-28 inches with bronze backs and distinctive black spots near their tails. These bruisers love shallow flats where they cruise and "tail" while feeding on crabs and shrimp. Year-round residents in Port Aransas waters, reds provide incredible sight fishing opportunities when conditions are right. Their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style make every hookup feel like you've tied into a freight train – perfect for getting kids excited about fishing.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 14-20 inches and provide excellent table fare for families wanting fresh fish dinners. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they stage near passes before heading to offshore spawning grounds. What makes flounder fishing so rewarding is the challenge – they're structure-oriented fish that require precise presentations, and their subtle bites teach anglers to stay focused and feel every tick on the line.
This top-rated family fishing experience fills up quickly, especially during peak seasons when weather conditions are most favorable. Captain Heath's local knowledge and patient teaching style make this the perfect choice for introducing kids to saltwater fishing while still providing enough action to keep experienced anglers engaged. With 8 hours on prime Port Aransas waters and a comfortable boat that handles families easily, you're looking at a full day of fishing memories that'll have everyone talking for years. The base trip covers up to three guests, making it an affordable option for most families ready to experience world-class Texas inshore fishing.
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard this reliable 24' Trans Sport, powered by a smooth 250HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to Port Aransas' best fishing spots quickly and comfortably. Built in 2018 and expertly maintained, this spacious bay boat handles inshore waters like a dream while you target redfish, sea trout, and flounder. The onboard GPS keeps you on course to productive fishing grounds, while the fish finder helps locate schools lurking beneath the surface. With room for three guests, there's plenty of space to cast lines, land fish, and enjoy a full day on the Texas coast without feeling cramped. The boat's stable platform makes it perfect for anglers of all ages and experience levels, whether you're teaching kids to fish or trying to land your personal best. Captain Heath knows these waters inside and out, and this well-equipped vessel gives you everything needed for a successful day chasing Port Aransas' famous inshore species.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here. These copper-colored bruisers average 28-33 inches but can push 45+ inches and 50 pounds. Look for that distinctive black spot near their tail - it's their trademark. They cruise super shallow water, sometimes with their backs showing, around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy drop-offs. Fall and spring are prime time when they're most active, but we catch them all year. What guests love most is their bulldogging fight and that explosive topwater strike. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. My go-to tip: cast past a cruising red and work your bait back into their path - they hate being surprised from behind.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are one of our most popular targets here in Port Aransas. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds, though we occasionally see bigger ones. They love shallow grass flats and hang around oyster reefs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels, but we catch them year-round. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady over the grass - specks like to follow before they strike, so patience pays off.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the chameleons of our bay system, blending perfectly into sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. These flat, oval-shaped fish typically run 15-18 inches, though we've caught some pushing 30+ inches and 20 pounds. Both eyes sit on their left side - nature's way of making the perfect bottom dweller. They love structure like channel edges, boat docks, and shell reefs in 3-15 feet of water. Fall migration brings the best action as they move toward deeper water. Families enjoy targeting them because they're fairly easy to catch and make outstanding table fare with firm, white meat. The key is fishing right on bottom with live shrimp or small baitfish - let it sit still and wait for that subtle tap.
Port Aransas