Target Reds & Drum When They Feed Best
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private halfday afternoon trip targets redfish and black drumFamilyfriendly charter includes tackle, bait, and professional instructionShaded boat accommodates up to four guests departing 1:00 PM
Looking for a solid afternoon on the water without the early morning alarm? This half-day guided fishing trip from Baytowne Marina hits the sweet spot for families and beginners who want to experience the best of inshore fishing. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish while keeping things relaxed and fun. The 1:00 PM departure gives you time to grab lunch and ease into your fishing day, while four hours on the water provides plenty of opportunity to land some keeper fish and learn new techniques.
Your afternoon starts at Baytowne Marina with a quick safety briefing and tackle setup. The boat offers plenty of shade and comfortable seating for up to four anglers, making it perfect for multi-generational trips or couples looking to try something new together. You'll cruise out to productive inshore spots where redfish and black drum patrol the shallows, plus prime areas for speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead. The captain adjusts the game plan based on current conditions, tides, and what's been biting lately. This isn't a rushed cattle-boat operation - you'll have space to cast, learn proper techniques, and actually enjoy the experience without feeling crowded.
All your tackle, bait, and gear come included, so you can travel light and let the pros handle the setup. The crew runs a mix of bottom fishing rigs for black drum and sheepshead, jigging setups for speckled trout, and live bait presentations that drive redfish crazy. You'll learn how to read structure on the fish finder, feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact, and pick up casting tips that'll serve you well on future trips. The guides switch between techniques based on what's working - maybe starting with live shrimp under popping corks, then switching to jigs if the trout are schooled up. They'll teach you how to set the hook properly, fight fish without losing them, and handle your catch for photos or the cooler.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this trip, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers fight hard and taste even better. Look for them in 2-8 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and channel edges. They average 18-27 inches in these waters, with slot-size fish being perfect for the dinner table. Redfish feed aggressively in the afternoon heat, especially when the tide is moving. They'll crush live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures with equal enthusiasm. What makes them so exciting is their initial run - when a good red takes off, it'll test your drag and get your heart pumping.
Black drum bring the muscle to this fishing equation. These bottom-dwelling powerhouses can range from 2-pound puppy drum perfect for kids to catch, all the way up to 20-plus pound bulls that'll make experienced anglers work for every inch. They love structure - piers, jetties, oyster reefs - anywhere they can root around for crabs and shellfish. Black drum have excellent hearing, so they respond well to baits fished right on bottom with minimal weight. Their fight is different from redfish - more of a bulldogging, head-shaking battle that relies on pure strength rather than speed.
Speckled trout add finesse fishing to the mix. These beautiful fish suspend in the water column and can be picky about presentation. They love soft plastics worked slowly, live shrimp under popping corks, and topwater lures during low-light periods. Specks average 14-18 inches but can surprise you with fish pushing 20-plus inches. They're structure-oriented but more mobile than drum, often schooling over grass beds and sand holes. The key with trout is a gentle hookset - their mouths are soft, and too much pressure will pull the hook right out.
Flounder provide the table fare that many anglers specifically target. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying perfectly still on sandy bottoms waiting for prey to swim by. They hit baits with a distinctive thump, then try to bury themselves in the sand. Flounder fishing requires patience - they often mouth the bait before committing, so you need to give them time to fully take it. Most flounder in these waters run 12-16 inches, with doormat-sized fish over 18 inches being a real trophy.
Sheepshead round out the mixed bag with their excellent eating quality and challenging bite detection. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs off structure. They're notorious bait thieves, able to clean a hook without the angler feeling a thing. Successful sheepshead fishing requires sharp hooks, minimal weight, and lightning-fast reflexes. They school heavily around structure during cooler months, making them a consistent target when other species slow down.
This top-rated afternoon fishing experience gives you everything needed for a successful day on the water without breaking the bank or requiring a dawn departure. The professional instruction, quality tackle, and local knowledge come together to create the kind of fishing trip that hooks people for life. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing, planning a couples' adventure, or just want to unwind with some afternoon angling action, this half-day charter delivers solid results in a relaxed atmosphere. The boat accommodates up to four anglers comfortably, and the crew's focus on customer education means you'll leave with new skills and confidence for future fishing adventures. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so lock in your preferred date early - afternoon slots fill up quickly, especially during peak season when the fish are most active.
Get ready to fish the inshore waters around Baytowne Marina aboard this impressive 23' World Cat 230DC catamaran. Twin Yamaha 150s power this stable dual console platform through shallow flats and deeper channels where redfish and black drum love to feed. The cat hull design cuts through chop smoothly while you work bottom rigs and live bait presentations. Everyone stays comfortable under the shade with plenty of seating, plus there's an onboard head for convenience during your four-hour afternoon session. Garmin electronics help locate fish-holding structure while the JL Audio keeps spirits high between hookups. This boat handles up to seven anglers total, though your private trip includes four guests. Perfect setup for targeting speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead using various techniques from jigging to trolling.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore trips, commonly running 5-30 pounds with that distinctive dark coloration and powerful build. They love hanging around oyster bars, muddy flats, and structure where they crush crabs and shellfish with those strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. Guests love the solid, bulldogging fight these fish put up - they're not flashy but they'll test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab bait and keep it right on the bottom. When you feel that steady weight and headshaking, set the hook hard because those jaws are tough.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our inshore trips with their copper-bronze sides and signature black spots near the tail. Most fish run 18-27 inches in the slot, though we see plenty of oversized bulls that'll test your tackle. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds where they root for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times when they're most active. Guests love their powerful runs and the way they'll eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. The smaller slot fish make excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. Best tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish in skinny areas, then cast past them and work your bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in black spots, typically running 12-20 inches and 1-3 pounds in our waters. They cruise grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where shrimp and small baitfish hang out. Fall and winter provide consistent action when they school up in deeper holes and channels. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they make great table fare with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for any recipe. The trick is working them slow - these fish can be finicky, so when fishing jigs or soft plastics, keep it just above the grass and let the current do most of the work.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the craftiest fish we target, known for their black and white stripes and those human-like teeth they use to crunch barnacles off pilings. Most run 1-3 pounds, though we occasionally hook 8-pounders around docks, bridges, and any structure with good barnacle growth. Winter and early spring are prime time when they're thick around the pilings. Guests love the challenge - these "convict fish" are notorious bait thieves that'll clean your hook without you feeling it. The payoff is some of the best eating in the Gulf with sweet, white meat. The secret is using small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp, getting tight to structure, and setting the hook the instant you feel weight.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fighters that typically run 1-3 pounds with their silver bodies and distinctive yellow spots. You'll find them near the surface around structures, bridges, and open water where baitfish gather. They're some of the speediest fish in these waters, often traveling in schools that can stretch for miles. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps are warm. What makes them popular with guests is their willingness to hit lures and the screaming runs they make when hooked. The meat is excellent - mild, flaky, and perfect for grilling. Pro tip: when you see diving birds, get there fast and cast small spoons or jigs right into the commotion where the mackerel are feeding.
Baytowne Marina