Redfish and Black Drum Half Day Afternoon Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour afternoon trip targeting redfish and black drum inshoreFamily-friendly charter with shaded boat and professional instruction includedAll tackle, bait, and guidance provided for up to four guests
If you're looking for a laid-back afternoon on the water targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most popular inshore species, this four-hour guided trip from Baytowne Marina hits all the right notes. Starting at 1:00 PM, you'll have plenty of time to sleep in and grab lunch before heading out for some serious fishing action. Our experienced captains know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish while keeping things relaxed enough for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you're a first-timer or just want to unwind after a busy morning, this trip delivers consistent action without the early morning rush.
This private charter keeps things comfortable with a maximum of four anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows. The boat features shaded areas and comfortable seating, which you'll appreciate during those hot Gulf Coast afternoons. Your captain will adjust the day based on conditions and what's biting, but expect to spend time working the grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels where redfish and black drum love to hang out. The pace stays relaxed – perfect for families with kids or anyone who wants to enjoy the fishing without feeling rushed. You'll cover different spots throughout the trip, giving you the best shot at multiple species while learning about the local ecosystem from guides who fish these waters year-round.
All your gear comes included, from rods and reels to tackle and fresh bait. Your captain will set you up with the right equipment for each technique, whether you're dropping live shrimp near structure for sheepshead, working soft plastics along grass edges for redfish, or bouncing bottom rigs in deeper water for black drum. You'll get hands-on instruction with jigging techniques, learn how to read the water for signs of feeding fish, and pick up tips on proper bait presentation. The guides also bring along trolling gear for when the fish are scattered or you're moving between spots – a great way to cover water and potentially hook into some bonus Spanish mackerel. Live bait fishing is a staple here, using everything from live shrimp and finger mullet to cut bait depending on what the fish are preferring that day.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 18 to 30 inches in our local waters, with slot-size fish providing fantastic action on medium tackle. They're aggressive feeders that hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastic lures, and they put up a memorable fight with their bulldog runs and head-shaking jumps. Fall and spring offer the most consistent redfish action, but you'll find them year-round in the deeper grass beds and around structure.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute powerhouses that will test your drag system. These bottom-dwellers can range from keeper-size fish around 16 inches up to massive bulls pushing 30-plus pounds. They're suckers for fresh shrimp and cut bait fished near oyster bars and bridge pilings. Winter months often produce the biggest black drum, while spring and fall see more consistent numbers of slot-size fish perfect for the dinner table.
Sheepshead earn their nickname as the "convict fish" with distinctive black stripes, but they're also known as tackle thieves for their ability to steal bait without getting hooked. These structure-loving fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs, making them one of the tastiest catches you'll find. Target them around docks, pilings, and oyster beds with live or dead shrimp, and be ready for a quick hookset when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap.
Speckled trout provide some of the most exciting action when they're feeding aggressively in the shallows. These spotted beauties love soft plastics worked over grass flats, and when you find a school, the action can be fast and furious. They're excellent table fare and fight well above their weight class, making spectacular jumps when hooked. Cooler months typically produce the largest specimens, while summer brings numbers of smaller, more aggressive fish.
Spanish mackerel add speed and excitement to any trip when they show up in numbers. These silver bullets hit trolled spoons and jigs with abandon, providing non-stop action that's perfect for keeping kids engaged. They're also fantastic eating when prepared fresh, and their aggressive nature means multiple hookups are common when you locate a feeding school. Summer and early fall typically offer the best Spanish mackerel fishing in our area.
This top-rated afternoon charter offers the perfect blend of productive fishing and family-friendly fun, all while avoiding the early morning departure that many fishing trips require. With experienced guides, quality equipment, and access to some of the Gulf Coast's most productive inshore waters, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. The four-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunity to target multiple species using different techniques, while the afternoon timing means you might even catch a beautiful Gulf Coast sunset on your way back to the marina. Don't wait – these popular afternoon slots fill up quickly, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its best.
Your afternoon fishing adventure launches aboard a spacious 23' World Cat 230DC catamaran, perfectly rigged for chasing redfish and black drum in the shallows around Baytowne Marina. This dual console cat cuts through choppy water with ease thanks to twin Yamaha 150s, while the catamaran design keeps everyone comfortable during the four-hour hunt. You'll appreciate the onboard head, plenty of shade for those hot afternoon sessions, and crystal-clear Garmin electronics to mark productive spots. The JL Audio system adds some tunes between bites, and with room for up to seven anglers, there's space to spread out while working the flats and grass beds where these bronze beauties like to feed. Whether you're sight-casting or soaking bait, this stable platform gives you the perfect setup for targeting inshore species.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of the flats, running 5-30 pounds with some giants reaching 50+ pounds. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in 2-15 feet of water. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. These fish are pure power - they'll test your drag and give you a long, grinding fight. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Live or fresh dead crab is the ticket - blue crab, fiddler crab, or cut shrimp. Pro tip: use a circle hook and let them run with the bait before setting. They're notorious for picking up and dropping baits.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that make them easy to identify. Most run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, though bulls over 30 inches pack serious power. They love super shallow water - oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet where you can often see their backs. Fall and spring offer the best fishing when they're most active. They're fantastic fighters and excellent table fare when under slot size. These fish aren't picky eaters - live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, and topwater plugs all work. The shallow water sight fishing is what hooks most anglers. My tip: look for tailing fish in skinny water and approach quietly - they spook easily but the visual strike is worth it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are beautiful silver fish with black spots that average 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds. They love grass flats and shallow bays in 2-8 feet of water, especially around oyster bars and drop-offs. Spring and fall provide the hottest action, with early morning and evening bites being prime time. They're aggressive fighters that make great eating with tender, white meat that's perfect for the table. Topwater plugs at dawn create explosive strikes, while soft plastics and live shrimp work throughout the day. They're very temperature sensitive, so focus on moving water during summer heat. Pro tip: work your lures slowly and vary your retrieve - trout often follow before striking, so a pause or speed change triggers the bite.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with black stripes and human-like teeth that crunch barnacles and crabs around docks, pilings, and jetties. They typically run 1-5 pounds and 12-18 inches. Winter through early spring is peak season when they gather to spawn. They're notorious bait thieves - you'll feel light taps before they strip your hook clean. Fresh shrimp, fiddler crabs, and sand fleas work best on small hooks. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, white meat. Get your bait tight to structure since they rarely venture far from cover. My advice: use a sensitive rod, watch your line closely, and set the hook at the first sign of weight - these guys are sneaky but worth the effort.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silver fish with yellow spots that run 1-2 feet and typically weigh 2-4 pounds. You'll find them in schools near the surface around structure and open water. They're excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps warm up. These speedsters put up a solid fight and hit a variety of lures - spoons, jigs, and live bait like shrimp work great. They've got razor-sharp teeth, so use a wire leader. My tip: when you find one, work the area fast since they travel in schools. Once spooked, they move on quickly, so make your casts count while they're around.
Baytowne Marina