Half Day Guided Fishing Trip in Port Aransas
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday morning trip targeting redfish, trout, and flounderCaptain Heath guides to productive jetties and flatsSmall group charter accommodating up to three guests
When you're looking for a morning that'll get your blood pumping, Captain Heath and SaltGrass Guide Service deliver exactly what serious anglers dream about. This half-day charter puts you right in the heart of Port Aransas' best fishing grounds, where redfish cruise the flats like they own the place and speckled trout stack up in numbers that'll make you forget all about your day job. We're talking about a top-rated fishing experience that locals have been keeping to themselves for years – until now.
Your morning kicks off before the sun gets too high, which is exactly when these fish are most active and hungry. Captain Heath knows these waters like the back of his hand – every grass bed, every drop-off, every piece of structure where fish love to hang out. You'll be fishing the jetties where the current brings in baitfish by the thousands, or working the shallow flats where redfish tail and speckled trout ambush anything that moves. This isn't some cattle-boat operation either – with just three anglers max, you get personal attention and plenty of room to work your lines without bumping elbows. The boat stays comfortable, the cooler stays stocked with ice, and Captain Heath keeps the coffee hot while sharing stories about the monsters that have been pulled from these very spots.
We fish smart here, not hard. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks around the jetties, working soft plastics on jig heads across sandy potholes, or sight-casting to tailing reds with gold spoons that flash like dinner bells. Captain Heath provides all the tackle – from light spinning gear perfect for trout to medium-heavy setups that can handle a bull red when one decides to crash the party. The beauty of Port Aransas fishing is the variety: one minute you're finessing a finicky trout with a slow retrieve, the next you're holding on tight as a redfish makes a screaming run toward the nearest oyster reef. Wade fishing opportunities come up regularly too, especially on the flats where you can get out and stalk fish in knee-deep water that's clear as glass on calm days.
Sea trout, or specks as we call them, are the bread and butter of Port Aransas fishing. These spotted beauties run anywhere from keeper size at 15 inches up to gator trout pushing 25 inches that fight like fish twice their size. Spring through fall brings the best action, with early morning being prime time when they're feeding aggressively in 2-8 feet of water around grass beds and shell. What makes speckled trout so addictive is their aggressive strikes – when they hit a topwater or a shrimp under a cork, there's no mistaking it. They'll pull drag and make multiple runs, especially the bigger females that show up in cooler months.
Redfish are the real stars of the show here, and Port Aransas sits right in the sweet spot of their range along the Texas coast. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in the slot, but don't be surprised when a 35-inch bull decides to inhale your bait and test your drag system. Reds feed year-round, but fall brings some of the most exciting action when they school up in massive numbers. You'll spot them tailing in shallow water, their bronze backs and distinctive black spots visible as they root around oyster beds and grass flats. When a redfish takes off, it's pure power – no fancy jumps, just bulldogging runs that'll make your arms burn.
Southern flounder add a different dimension to your fishing day, and Captain Heath knows exactly where these flatfish like to ambush their prey. These masters of camouflage hide in sandy areas near structure, waiting for baitfish to swim within striking distance. Fall migration brings the best flounder action as they move toward deeper water, with fish ranging from 14-inch keeper size up to doormat flounder that can push 5-6 pounds. What's cool about targeting flounder is the technique – you're often bouncing soft plastics or live bait along the bottom, feeling for that subtle tap that signals a flounder has picked up your offering. They don't fight like reds or trout, but landing a big flounder means some of the best eating you'll find in these waters.
This half-day trip with SaltGrass Guide Service gives you everything you need for a world-class fishing experience without eating up your entire day. Captain Heath's local knowledge, combined with Port Aransas' renowned fishery, creates the perfect recipe for both novice anglers looking to learn and experienced fishermen wanting to put some serious fish in the box. The three-person limit means you're not fighting for space or attention, and the morning timing puts you on the water when fish are most active. Whether you're visiting Port Aransas for the first time or you've been coming here for years, this customer favorite delivers the kind of fishing memories that keep people coming back season after season. Don't miss out on what locals consider one of the best fishing charters on the Texas coast – book your trip today and see why SaltGrass Guide Service has become the go-to choice for serious anglers.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable 24' Trans Sport, a solid workhorse that's been pulling fish out of Port Aransas waters since 2018. This spacious motorboat comfortably handles up to 3 anglers and packs serious power with its 250HP Suzuki engine - perfect for getting you to those productive jetty spots and shallow flats where redfish, sea trout, and flounder like to hang out. The GPS keeps us on track while the fish finder does the heavy lifting, helping locate schools and structure below. Captain Heath knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this boat gives him the flexibility to chase whatever's biting, whether that means running to the jetties for trout or poling the grass flats for reds.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Port Aransas flats fishing. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches but can push well into the slot and beyond. Look for that telltale black spot near the tail - it's their signature mark. They love super shallow water, often cruising flats so thin their backs show above the surface. You'll find them around oyster reefs, grass beds, and jetty structures feeding on crabs, shrimp, and mullet. Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round. What guests love most is the visual fishing - watching a big red cruise up to your bait in 2 feet of water. My go-to trick: cast well ahead of cruising fish and let them find your bait naturally. Rush the presentation and they'll spook every time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets here in Port Aransas. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising the grass flats and shallow bays, especially around structure like jetties. They love feeding on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, but they school up in deeper water during winter months. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater plugs and soft plastics, plus they're fantastic eating with delicate, flaky white meat. Pro tip: work your lure slowly over grass beds at dawn or dusk - that's when they're most aggressive and you'll get those heart-stopping surface strikes.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms and muddy flats. These flat, oval-shaped fish typically run 15-18 inches, though we see some pushing 25+ inches on good days. Both eyes sit on their left side, and they're ambush predators that bury themselves in sand waiting for shrimp, crabs, and small fish to pass by. You'll find them along channel edges, around jetty rocks, and over mixed bottom in 3-15 feet of water. Fall is peak season when they move toward passes before heading offshore. Guests love the challenge of sight fishing for them and they're top-notch table fare with sweet, white meat. Key tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp on a light jighead, bouncing it just off bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook.
Port Aransas