5.0(9 Reviews)Half Day AM Fishing Charters in Port Aransas
5.0(9 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Halfday morning inshore fishing charter in Port Aransas watersSmall group experience with maximum capacity of two guestsProfessional guide service specializing in local fishing techniques
When you're looking for a solid morning on the water in Port Aransas, you want a captain who knows where the fish are biting and how to put you on them fast. That's exactly what you get with Seidel's Guide Service. Captain Randy has been working these Texas coastal waters for years, and he's got the local knowledge that makes the difference between a good trip and a great one. This half-day morning charter is perfect for anglers who want to get after some quality inshore species without burning the whole day. We'll target the fish that make Port Aransas famous – redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and sheepshead – all in the productive shallow waters where these species love to feed.
Your morning starts early, which is exactly when you want to be fishing in Texas. The cooler water temperatures and active baitfish make dawn the prime time for inshore action. Captain Randy will have you rigged up and fishing within minutes of leaving the dock – no wasted time means more fish in the boat. This is an intimate charter experience with just two anglers max, so you'll get personalized attention and coaching whether you're a weekend warrior or trying to get your kids hooked on fishing. The boat is equipped with quality gear that's ready to handle everything from slot-sized trout to bull reds that'll test your drag. Randy knows how to read the water conditions, tide movements, and weather patterns that drive fish behavior, so even on tough days when other boats are struggling, you'll still have shots at fish.
Inshore fishing in Port Aransas is all about adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Captain Randy runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions – from working live bait around structure to throwing artificials in the grass flats. You'll fish with quality spinning gear that's perfectly matched to the target species, using everything from popping corks with live shrimp to soft plastics that mimic the baitfish these predators are feeding on. The shallow water around Port Aransas means you're often sight-fishing, watching for redfish tails or trout slicks that give away feeding activity. Randy will teach you how to read the water, spot the signs that indicate fish, and present your bait in a way that gets results. The boat stays in protected waters most of the time, so even when offshore conditions are rough, you can still have a productive day targeting inshore species.
"This is the guy to use for results! Had the waters and weather been better, would've had even better results. But caught my limit and was happy" - Michael. "Excellent fishing trip! Great communication before the trip and everything was ready to go once we arrived. Capt. Randy had us fishing very quickly and we had some nice redfish in the boat in no time. He's friendly, knowledgeable, and created a great experience for beginner and experienced fisherman. I would happily book with him again and would recommend him to anyone." - Mark. "Randy was extremely knowledgable on fishing conditions and techniques . Our conditions were poor to say the least . No wind , no tide , full moon last night , water temp 89 dg. Yet we were able to catch a few fish . I would like to have caught more fish , but hey thats why its called "fishing" !" - Dave.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Port Aransas has some of the most consistent red drum fishing on the coast. These copper-colored fighters love the grass flats and oyster reefs around the area, where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. You'll find them year-round, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding in preparation for their spawning runs. Reds between 20 and 28 inches are slot-legal keepers, and they make fantastic table fare. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight – they'll make long runs and use every bit of structure they can find to try to break you off.
Speckled trout are another Port Aransas favorite that responds well to early morning fishing. These silvery predators patrol the grass beds looking for small baitfish and shrimp, and they're incredibly structure-oriented. Spring through fall offers the best trout action, with fish ranging from 14-inch schoolies up to 5-pound gator trout that are true trophies. Specks are finicky feeders that require precise presentations, but when you dial in what they want, you can catch them consistently. They're also some of the best eating fish in Texas waters, with firm white meat that's perfect for the frying pan.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're scrappy fighters that will test your tackle. These bottom-dwellers use their pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters and crabs, so you'll often find them around shell reefs and structure. Smaller drum under 30 inches make good eating, while the big bull drum are catch-and-release trophies that can weigh 40 pounds or more. They fight deep and hard, using their bulk to wear you down. Black drum are available year-round, but winter months often produce the biggest fish as they move into deeper water.
Sheepshead are the challenge fish that separate good anglers from great ones. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth designed for picking barnacles and small crustaceans off pilings and rocks. They're notorious bait thieves with incredibly light bites, but once you master the technique for catching them, they become addictive targets. Sheepshead fishing is best during cooler months when they move inshore to spawn, and they're excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat that rivals any saltwater fish.
A half
Our 2015 24' Blazer Bay center console is built for serious anglers ready to target the productive inshore waters around Port Aransas. This fishing machine seats up to 5 guests comfortably while giving everyone plenty of room to work their lines. The center console design means easy access to all sides of the boat when that redfish or speckled trout decides to make a run for the grass flats. GPS navigation keeps us on the productive spots while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. The shallow draft lets us slip into those back bay areas where the big fish like to hide during feeding times. Whether you're sight casting to tailing reds or working the drop-offs for trout, this boat gets you there and keeps you fishing all morning long.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of our local waters, running 5-30 pounds with giants pushing 90. They love muddy flats, oyster beds, and around pier pilings where they crush crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - makes them way easier to find. These fish make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. They're solid fighters but keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds for eating since the big boys get tough and stringy. Here's the trick: use fresh crab for bait and fish right on bottom. While other fish steal your shrimp, drum zone in on that crab every time. Perfect for anglers wanting to tangle with something that has serious pull.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature species with that copper-bronze color and black eyespot near the tail. They average 20-30 inches but we see bulls over 40 inches that'll test your drag. These fish cruise super shallow flats, sometimes with backs out of water, feeding around oyster bars and grass beds. Fall and spring offer the hottest action when they school up tight. What makes them special is that explosive topwater bite and the way they peel drag on long runs. Plus, slot-sized fish are excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. My go-to trick is working topwater plugs over shallow flats early morning. When you see that bronze back cruising, cast ahead of them and work it slow - the strike will be something you'll remember.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are our bread and butter fish here, running 1-5 pounds with that beautiful speckled pattern. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Summer and fall give us consistent action, though they school up in deeper water during cold fronts. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater lures and the way they fight with those head-shaking jumps. The meat is delicate and flaky - perfect eating if you don't overcook it. Best technique is working the grass flats with soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. When the water's calm, try topwater plugs early morning - those surface strikes will get your heart pumping every time.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish with those black stripes and human-like teeth that'll give you nightmares. They run 1-8 pounds typically, but we see 20-pounders around the right structure. These guys live glued to pilings, docks, and anything covered in barnacles - that's their grocery store. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they gather in big numbers. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with light nibbles before committing. Once hooked though, they fight hard and taste amazing - sweet white meat that's worth the tough cleaning job. Pro tip: get your bait tight against structure and set the hook hard the moment you feel them picking at it. They'll steal your bait all day if you let them.
5.0 out of 5.0This is the guy to use for results! Had the waters and weather been better, would’ve had even better results. But caught my limit ...
Excellent fishing trip! Great communication before the trip and everything was ready to go once we arrived. Capt. Randy had us f...
We had a great trip with Randy. We were very fortunate to limit out the entire boat of 4 guys with a redfish haul incl. one overs...
I took my graduating grandson on a morning fishing excursion. Weather was a bit questionable but the experience was great! Thank...
Randy was extremely knowledgable on fishing conditions and techniques . Our conditions were poor to say the least . No wind , no t...
It was a rough day for fishing but Captain Randy did his best to put us on some fish. We had 3 little boys that did catch some no ...
Randy did a great job helping our 3 kids and was very patient. He knew the area well, even with kids we caught more than the 5/6 o...
Captain is super friendly and very helpful. Fishing was kind of slow but capt. Seidel knew what he was doing and took us to severa...
Wonderful trip and Randy is very great guide. 2nd time and and first time with grandson. Big smile tells the story!
Port Aransas