Full Day Guided Fishing Trip in Port Aransas
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday wading trip targeting redfish and speckled seatroutExpert guides provide quality gear and live or artificial baitUpper Laguna location accommodates up to three guests maximum
Looking for a solid day of fishing in some of Texas' most productive shallow waters? This full-day wading trip in Port Aransas' Upper Laguna puts you right where the fish are feeding. We're talking about pristine flats where redfish cruise the shorelines and speckled trout work the grass beds like they own the place. Our guides know these waters like the back of their hand – every drop-off, every shell reef, every spot where the bait schools up and the predators follow. You'll spend eight hours wading the flats with professional gear, targeting the holy trinity of Texas inshore fishing: reds, trout, and flounder. Whether you want to throw artificials all day or soak some live shrimp, we've got you covered. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience what makes Port Aransas one of the top-rated inshore destinations on the Gulf Coast.
Your day starts early when we meet at the boat launch, usually around sunrise when the fish are most active. The Upper Laguna Madre system around Port Aransas is a wading angler's dream – clear, shallow water that averages 2-4 feet deep with excellent visibility most days. You'll be walking sandy bottoms and shell mixed flats, so we recommend bringing wading boots or old tennis shoes you don't mind getting salty. The beauty of this fishery is its diversity. One minute you're working a shallow grass flat for trout, the next you're sight-casting to tailing redfish along a marshy shoreline. Our guides carry a full spread of tackle – everything from topwater plugs for those explosive morning strikes to soft plastics for working deeper pockets when the sun gets high. We'll adjust our approach based on conditions, tides, and what the fish are telling us. The Upper Laguna stays fishable year-round, but spring through fall offers the most consistent action. Don't worry about bringing tackle – we provide top-quality rods, reels, and terminal gear. Just bring yourself, some snacks, plenty of water, and get ready to work some fish.
Wading fishing is all about stealth and precision. We'll teach you how to move quietly through the water without spooking fish, reading the subtle signs that indicate where fish are feeding. The Upper Laguna's gin-clear water means fish can see you just as easily as you can see them. Our guides will show you how to spot the nervous water that indicates feeding trout, the V-wakes of cruising redfish, and the muddy boils that signal flounder are stirring up the bottom. We run high-end spinning gear spooled with 15-20 pound braid – strong enough to handle big reds but sensitive enough to feel the subtle taps of winter trout. For artificials, we'll have you throwing soft plastics on 1/4 to 1/2 ounce jigheads, topwater plugs during low-light periods, and spoons when the fish are aggressive. If you prefer live bait, we'll rig you up with circle hooks and split shot to drift live shrimp under popping corks. The key to success is covering water methodically and paying attention to structure – grass lines, shell drops, and current breaks where baitfish congregate. Our guides will position you in the most productive spots and coach you through the techniques that consistently produce fish in these waters.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in the Upper Laguna, with plenty of slot fish that'll give you a proper fight in shallow water. Reds feed year-round here, but they're most aggressive during the warmer months when they're actively cruising the flats. What makes redfish so exciting to target is their willingness to eat just about anything – live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater plugs, even weedless spoons worked over grass beds. They're ambush predators that love structure, so we'll work you along oyster reefs, grass lines, and shallow drop-offs where they set up to intercept baitfish. The sight-fishing opportunities for reds in this system are world-class – there's nothing quite like watching a red turn and inhale your bait in two feet of crystal-clear water.
Speckled trout are the technical challenge of the trio, requiring finesse and patience to consistently catch quality fish. The Upper Laguna produces some beautiful trout, with fish in the 15-20 inch range being common and specimens over 24 inches always a possibility. Trout are structure-oriented fish that relate to grass beds, shell reefs, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during low-light periods – early morning and late evening – but can be caught throughout the day if you know where to look. What trout anglers love about this fishery is the variety of presentations that work. Soft plastics bounced along the bottom are deadly, but don't overlook topwater action during those magic hour periods when trout absolutely savage surface baits. The key to consistent trout fishing here is understanding their seasonal movements and adjusting your tactics accordingly.
Southern flounder might not get the same attention as reds and trout, but they're a customer favorite for their unique fighting style and excellent table fare. These flatfish are perfectly adapted to the sandy bottoms of the Upper Laguna, where they bury themselves and wait for unsuspecting prey to swim within striking distance. Flounder fishing is all about covering water and working your bait slowly along the bottom. They hit differently than other species – often just a subtle weight or tap that inexperienced anglers might miss. But once hooked, flounder make powerful runs and use their flat profile to create maximum resistance. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage near passes before heading to deeper water to spawn
Your fishing platform for this Port Aransas adventure is a reliable 24-foot Trans Sport motorboat, powered by a robust 250HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the productive waters quickly and smoothly. Built in 2018 and well-maintained, this spacious vessel comfortably accommodates up to three anglers with plenty of room to move around while targeting redfish, sea trout, and flounder in the shallow flats and grass beds. The boat comes equipped with GPS navigation to pinpoint the best fishing spots and a quality fish finder to locate schools of baitfish and game fish below. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water or working deeper grass lines for trout, this boat's shallow draft and responsive handling make it perfect for navigating Port Aransas' diverse inshore waters. The stable platform provides excellent casting angles from all positions, while the reliable Suzuki outboard ensures you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time worrying about getting back to the dock.
Sciaenops OcellatusThese copper-colored bruisers average 28-33 inches in our waters and can push 50 pounds when they get big. Reds love super shallow flats where you can literally see their backs out of water - 1 to 4 feet is their comfort zone. They cruise oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy bottoms looking for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing here, but fall months are hot when they school up. What guests love most is the fight - reds are bulldogs that'll strip line and make long runs. Plus they're excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. The black spot near their tail is their trademark. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or tailing fish, then cast your bait well ahead of where they're moving. They spook easy in skinny water, so stay quiet and keep your distance.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout run 14-24 inches here in Port Aransas, with some pushing 5 pounds. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow waters, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They love structure like oyster bars and drop-offs near the channels. Fall and spring are prime time when water temps hit that sweet spot. What makes specks so popular is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're not too picky. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect table fare. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook if you get aggressive. Work topwater plugs early morning for some explosive strikes.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 15-18 inches, though some reach over 2 feet and 5 pounds. You'll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow bays, around structure, and near creek mouths where baitfish concentrate. Fall is prime time as they stage near passes before heading offshore for winter. What's cool about flounder is watching them completely change color to match the bottom - it's like they disappear. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The key is fishing slow along the bottom with live mullet or bull minnows. When you feel that tap-tap bite, count to three before setting the hook. They grab prey sideways first, then turn to swallow it headfirst.
Port Aransas