Rockport Inshore Fishing Guide | Texas Crew'd
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4 to 8-hour guided inshore fishing charters in Rockport bay waters.Target redfish, black drum, speckled trout, and flounder with expert guides.All equipment provided for intimate 2-guest maximum fishing experience.
Looking for some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer? You've come to the right place. Rockport sits right in the sweet spot where the bays meet the Gulf, creating perfect habitat for redfish, trout, drum, and flounder. Our 4 to 8-hour guided trips put you right in the action with an experienced captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand. Whether you're bringing your kid for their first fishing trip or you're a weekend warrior looking to land some quality fish, we've got you covered. The boat holds up to 2 anglers, so it's intimate enough that everyone gets personalized attention and prime fishing time. Pack some snacks and drinks because once we get on these fish, you won't want to head back to the dock.
We'll meet you at the Rockport marina bright and early, usually around sunrise when the fish are most active. The boat's equipped with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and a cooler full of ice to keep your catch fresh. Rockport's bay system is a maze of shallow flats, deeper channels, and grass beds that hold different species throughout the day. Your guide reads the tides, wind, and water conditions to put you on the most productive spots. Some days we're sight fishing in skinny water where you can see redfish tailing in the grass. Other days we're working deeper drop-offs and shell reefs where the trout and drum hang out. The beauty of booking a longer trip is we can adjust our game plan based on what's biting and move around to different areas. You'll learn why Rockport has earned its reputation as one of the top-rated inshore fishing destinations on the Texas coast.
Inshore fishing here is all about adapting to what the fish want on any given day. We'll have rods rigged with everything from topwater plugs for early morning redfish action to soft plastics on jig heads for working the grass flats. Live bait is a game changer – we'll often start with live shrimp under popping corks in the deeper areas where trout like to suspend. When the wind lays down and the water clears up, we switch to artificial lures and sight cast to cruising fish. Your guide will show you how to work a spoon through a redfish school or bounce a gulp shrimp along the bottom for flounder. The tackle is sized perfectly for these bay fish – light enough to feel every bite but strong enough to muscle a bull red away from the oyster reefs. If you've got your own lucky rods, bring them along, but our gear is tournament-quality stuff that gets the job done. Most of our fishing happens in 2 to 8 feet of water, so you'll actually see a lot of the action unfold right in front of you.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of Rockport's bays, and when you hook into a good one, you'll know it immediately. These fish love to hang around oyster reefs and structure, where they root around in the mud looking for crabs and shrimp. They can range from small puppy drum around 2 pounds all the way up to massive bulls pushing 40 pounds or more. Spring and fall are prime time for the bigger fish, especially around the new and full moon phases when the tides really move. What makes drum fishing so addictive is the fight – they use their broad sides to pull hard and don't give up easy. Your guide knows exactly which reefs produce the best drum, and we'll have you rigged with fresh cut bait to get their attention.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as some folks call them, are masters of disguise that lay flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush baitfish. Rockport's channels and drop-offs hold good numbers of these tasty flatfish, especially during the warmer months when they move into the bays to feed. They typically run 14 to 20 inches, with some doormat-sized fish over 24 inches mixed in. Flounder fishing requires a bit more finesse – you're dragging soft plastics or live bait along the bottom and waiting for that distinctive thump when they inhale your offering. The bite is subtle, but once you figure it out, flounder become one of the most rewarding fish to target. Plus, they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table, which makes the fight even more worthwhile.
Sea Trout, specifically speckled trout, are probably the most popular target species in Rockport for good reason. These beautiful fish are aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and artificials with authority. The grass flats around Rockport are perfect speckled trout habitat, providing cover and food sources they need to thrive. Most of the trout we catch run 15 to 22 inches, with some real hawgs over 25 inches that'll make your drag scream. Early morning and evening are prime time, especially when you can find birds working over schools of baitfish. Trout are also one of the most consistent biters throughout the year, so whether you're fishing in February or July, there's always a good chance of putting some specks in the box.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Rockport's shallow bays provide world-class opportunities for both numbers and size. These copper-colored fighters are built for the shallow water lifestyle, with powerful tails perfect for making blistering runs through the grass. Slot-sized reds between 20 and 28 inches are the bread and butter, but we also encounter oversized bull reds that can stretch over 35 inches and weigh 20 pounds or more. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat just about anything – topwater plugs, spoons, soft plastics, live shrimp, or cut bait. They're also one of the few inshore species
Hit the water in style aboard this 2017 Boatright 22-footer, your ticket to some serious fishing action in Rockport's productive bay waters. This center console beauty packs a 225HP Tohatsu that'll get you to the fish fast, cruising at speeds up to 40 knots when you need to chase down that perfect spot. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of redfish, speckled trout, and flounder hiding in the grass flats and drop-offs. GPS keeps you dialed into those honey holes, while the VHF radio ensures you stay connected and safe out there. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to work your lures and fight fish, whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water or drifting over structure for trout. Keep your catch fresh in the built-in icebox, along with cold drinks and snacks for the crew. This rig handles Rockport's shallow bays like a dream, getting you into those back-country spots where the big fish live.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 90. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and shallow areas where they root around for food. Spring during spawning season is prime time when they school up and get easier to target. After that, they scatter and become trickier to locate. What makes them fun is their bulldogging fight - they don't jump but they'll bend your rod double. Fresh crab is your best bet for bait since it stays on the hook better than softer baits. Keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table - the big ones get tough and aren't worth eating.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Rockport flats, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. They typically run 20-30 inches in the shallows, feeding in water so thin their backs stick out. Look for them tailing around oyster bars, grass flats, and shoreline structure. They bite year-round but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're feeding aggressively. What guests love is their power - reds make long runs and fight dirty in shallow water. Plus they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. Topwater lures at first light create explosive strikes you'll never forget. My go-to trick is throwing a gold spoon past a tailing red and working it back slowly - the flash drives them crazy and they'll crush it every time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular inshore targets, typically running 14-24 inches with those beautiful black spots covering their silver sides. They love grass flats and shallow bay areas, especially around drop-offs and current breaks. Dawn and dusk are magic hours, and they really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. What makes them special is their delicate bite and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and shake their heads trying to throw the hook. The meat is sweet and flaky, but don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Artificial shrimp under a popping cork is deadly effective here. The key is working it slow with gentle twitches - trout are finicky and will spit a lure that doesn't feel right. Live shrimp works too, but keep it moving slightly.
Paralichthys DentatusThese flatfish are masters of disguise, lying on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side watching for prey to swim by. They're ambush predators that blend perfectly with the seafloor until something tasty passes overhead. Most run 15-20 inches, though big females can hit 26 pounds. You'll find them on sandy bottoms in deeper channels and around structure where baitfish gather. Fall months from September through November are your best shot when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. They're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The trick is using a circle hook and letting them take the bait completely - they bite sideways and need time to turn it around. Live minnows or sea worms work great, just keep your bait on the bottom where they're hunting.
Corpus Christi