Black Drum & Redfish Half Day at Baytowne
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour private inshore fishing trip departing 7:00 AM dailyTarget redfish, black drum, speckled trout, and flounder speciesProfessional gear, tackle, and guidance included for seven guests
There's something special about being on the water at 7 AM when the fish are still feeding and the inshore flats are just coming alive. This four-hour guided trip from Baytowne Marina puts you right in the heart of some seriously productive fishing waters, where black drum and redfish make their home year-round. We're talking about a private charter experience that's perfect for families and first-time anglers who want to learn the ropes without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Your morning starts bright and early at Baytowne Marina, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on what's been biting lately. The boat's got plenty of seating and a shaded deck, so even when the sun starts climbing, you'll stay comfortable throughout the trip. We're heading into the local inshore waters where structure, grass beds, and shallow flats create the perfect hunting grounds for our target species. The best part? Everything's included - rods, reels, tackle, bait, and all the guidance you need to put fish in the boat. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will adjust the plan based on conditions, tides, and what's been producing.
This isn't a one-trick-pony kind of trip. Depending on what we're seeing out there, we'll mix it up with bottom fishing around structure where black drum love to hang out, jigging over grass beds for speckled trout, and working live bait along the flats for those trophy redfish. When conditions are right, we might even do some light trolling to cover water and find active fish. The gear is all professional-grade stuff - medium to medium-heavy spinning setups that can handle anything from a scrappy sheepshead to a bull red that wants to make a run. Circle hooks for the bottom fishing, jig heads for the artificials, and we'll have live shrimp, cut bait, and maybe some pinfish depending on what's working best that week.
Black drum are the bread and butter around here, especially in the morning hours when they're actively feeding along the bottom. These fish are built like tanks - thick shoulders, powerful tails, and they'll give you a workout on light tackle. Most of the drum we're catching run between 5 and 20 pounds, though don't be surprised if we hook into something bigger. They're bottom feeders, so we're talking about fishing with cut bait or fresh shrimp right on the deck, letting these fish find us through smell and vibration.
Redfish are the real prize though - copper-colored bulldogs that fight way above their weight class. These fish are ambush predators that cruise the shallows looking for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. A slot-sized red in the 18 to 27-inch range will absolutely bend your rod and test your drag system. What makes them special is how they feed - sometimes we'll sight fish to them in skinny water, other times we're working deeper grass beds where they're rooting around for food.
Speckled trout add some variety to the mix, especially when we're working the grass beds with soft plastics or live bait. These fish are more delicate fighters than reds or drum, but they're beautiful fish with distinctive spots and they're excellent table fare. Flounder are the masters of disguise - flat as a pancake and buried in the sand until something tasty swims by. When you hook a good flounder, they'll try to dive straight down and bury themselves. Sheepshead round out the crew as the bait stealers - they've got human-like teeth and they're notorious for picking baits clean without getting hooked, but when you do connect, they're surprisingly strong fighters.
Spanish mackerel show up when conditions are right, usually when there's baitfish around and the water's got some color to it. These fish are speed demons - they'll hit a moving bait so hard it nearly rips the rod out of your hands, then take off on screaming runs that'll have your drag singing. They're seasonal visitors, but when they're here, they add some serious excitement to the mix.
This half-day morning trip gives you the best of both worlds - prime fishing time when the fish are most active, plus you're back at the dock with plenty of day left to enjoy. The base rate covers up to four anglers, but we can accommodate up to seven people total if you've got a bigger crew. Just keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before you commit. The local inshore waters around Baytowne Marina consistently produce quality fish, and with professional guidance and gear included, you're setting yourself up for success whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time.
Set out from Baytowne Marina aboard this smooth-riding 23' World Cat catamaran, powered by twin Yamaha 150s that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast. The dual console setup gives everyone plenty of room to move around while chasing redfish and black drum in the productive inshore waters. With comfortable seating under the shade and an onboard head, you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the cooler. The boat's stable catamaran hull keeps things steady whether you're bottom fishing for drum or sight-casting to cruising reds in the shallows. Garmin electronics help locate structure and bait, while the JL Audio system keeps the mood light between hookups. Perfect for families wanting to experience some of the area's best inshore fishing without the long runs offshore.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some giants reaching 50+ pounds. These gray-black fish have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs around structure. You'll find them on muddy flats, oyster beds, and around dock pilings, especially during spring spawning season when they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound. They're bottom feeders that love live or cut crab, fresh shrimp, and clams. What guests love about drum fishing is the solid, steady fight - these fish use their bulk and power rather than speed. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent eating with firm, mild meat. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab and keep your bait right on the bottom. These fish are picky eaters, so patience pays off when targeting them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing with their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. These bruisers typically run 18-27 inches (slot size) and put up an amazing fight with powerful runs and head shakes. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings in 1-4 feet of water. They're year-round residents but really fire up in spring and fall. What guests love most is watching these fish cruise the shallows and the explosive strikes on topwater plugs. They're also fantastic eating with mild, slightly sweet meat. My best advice: sight fishing is key. Polarized glasses help you spot them cruising, then cast ahead of their path with live shrimp or gold spoons. Keep quiet - these fish spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are beautiful fish with spotted sides that typically run 12-20 inches and 1-3 pounds around here. They're grass flat specialists, cruising shallow water hunting shrimp and small fish, especially during low light periods. Spring through fall are best, with cooler months pushing them to deeper water near channels. These fish are perfect for beginners - they hit a variety of baits and aren't too picky about presentation. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but they also love soft plastics and topwater plugs early morning. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat that's excellent fried or grilled - just don't overcook it. The key is finding the grass beds in 2-4 feet of water and working your bait slowly. When you find one, stick around because they often travel in small groups.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters - gray bodies with black stripes and human-like teeth that crunch barnacles and shellfish. They typically run 2-8 pounds and hang tight around any structure: docks, bridges, pilings, and oyster bars. Winter and early spring are peak times when they gather for spawning. These fish are notorious bait thieves with light bites, so you need to stay alert and set the hook quick when you feel them nibbling. Guests love the challenge - sheepshead require skill and patience to hook consistently. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, white meat similar to snapper. My trick: get your bait as close to the structure as possible and use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. Don't anchor too close or you'll spook the whole school.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silvery fish with yellow spots that typically run 1-3 pounds and 14-20 inches. They're speed demons that travel in large schools, making them exciting to catch when you find them. Look for them around structure in open water - they love trolling spoons and small jigs worked quickly through the water column. Spring through fall are prime times when they move through our area, often feeding near the surface on baitfish. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and the way they fight - quick runs and jumps that keep you busy. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat that's great grilled or fried. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep working the same area since they school up. Where there's one Spanish mackerel, there's usually more nearby.
Baytowne Marina