Private BackCountry Fishing for Redfish & Black Drum
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Private backcountry charter targets redfish and black drum in shallow watersHalfday and fullday options accommodate all experience levelsAccess to less traveled back bays with expert guidance
When you're looking for world-class inshore fishing away from the crowds, Port O'Connor's back country waters deliver exactly what serious anglers are after. This private charter gets you into the productive shallow bays and less-traveled waters where redfish, black drum, and other sought-after species hang out year-round. You'll have your choice between a focused 4-5 hour half-day trip or a full 7-hour adventure that really lets you work the water. With room for up to three anglers, this is the kind of personalized fishing experience that keeps people coming back to the Texas coast.
Your captain knows these back bays like the back of their hand, and that local knowledge makes all the difference when you're targeting fish in shallow water structure. The beauty of Port O'Connor's back country is the variety – one minute you're working grass flats for tailing redfish, the next you're dropping baits near oyster reefs where black drum love to feed. The water stays relatively protected, so even when the Gulf gets choppy, you'll still have fishable conditions in the back bays. Your guide will position the boat based on tides, weather, and recent fish activity, constantly adjusting to put you on the best bite. Just remember to grab your bait before you head out – it's not included in the trip price, so swing by a local tackle shop or bring what you need.
Back country fishing here is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll likely be throwing both live bait and artificials, depending on what the fish are telling you. Popping corks with live shrimp work great for trout over grass beds, while cut bait on the bottom is money for black drum around structure. When sight-fishing for reds in skinny water, soft plastics and gold spoons are go-to choices that consistently produce strikes. Your captain will have the boat rigged with quality rods and reels suitable for the species you're targeting, plus a good selection of terminal tackle. The key in these back waters is staying quiet and making accurate casts – these fish get spooked easily in the shallows, so boat positioning and presentation matter more than anything else.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Port O'Connor back country fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-30 inches in the back bays, with plenty of slot-sized fish mixed in with some real bruisers. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but you can catch reds year-round if you know where to look. They love shallow water structure – oyster bars, grass edges, and drop-offs where baitfish congregate. What makes redfish so popular is their aggressive nature and the way they fight in shallow water, often making long runs and putting on a real show.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they'll test your tackle and your patience in the best possible way. These bottom-feeders can range from schoolie-sized fish around 14-16 inches up to massive 40+ pound bulls that will make your drag sing. They're most active during cooler months, particularly winter and early spring, when they move into the shallows to feed on crabs and shellfish around oyster reefs. Black drum are notorious for their crushing bite and bulldogging fight – once you hook a big one, you'll understand why locals target them specifically.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the perfect species for anglers who love finesse fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 15-20 inches in the back country, with occasional gator trout pushing 25+ inches that really get your heart pumping. They're most active during spring and fall transitions, especially early morning and late afternoon when they're feeding aggressively over grass flats. Trout are particular about presentation – they want your bait moving naturally with the current, and they'll let you know immediately if something doesn't look right.
Southern flounder round out the slam opportunities in these waters, and they're masters of disguise that provide a totally different fishing experience. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to ambush passing baitfish. They're most active during fall months when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. Flounder fishing requires patience and the right technique – slow presentations along the bottom with soft plastics or live bait typically produce the best results. When you hook into a nice doormat flounder, their initial run and head-shaking fight makes for some exciting action.
Port O'Connor's back country fishing offers something special that you won't find in crowded public areas – genuine solitude and consistently productive water. Whether you choose the half-day option to get a taste of what these waters offer or commit to the full seven-hour experience, you're getting access to some of the Gulf Coast's most renowned inshore fishing. The combination of diverse species, year-round opportunities, and expert local guidance makes this a customer favorite for both visiting anglers and locals who know quality fishing. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what makes Port O'Connor's back bays a top-rated destination for serious inshore anglers.
The 18' Silver Dollar airboat cuts through Port O'Connor's shallow back bays with ease, powered by a 502HP Chevy engine that'll get you to those hard-to-reach redfish and black drum spots. Built in 2016, this unique fishing machine runs in water so shallow that traditional boats can't follow, opening up prime fishing territory that stays largely untouched. With room for up to 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your lines without bumping elbows. The GPS keeps you on track through the maze of back country waters, while that big engine pushes you along at a comfortable 30 knots between fishing holes. Perfect for targeting reds in skinny water where they love to feed, this airboat gives you access to the kind of spots that make Port O'Connor fishing legendary.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our back bays, commonly running 10-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+. These powerful fish cruise oyster reefs and muddy flats, using their strong jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time, especially during their spawning runs when they school up in shallow water. You can actually hear them "drumming" underwater - it's wild when a big school moves through. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. What guests love is the raw power - these fish will test your drag and make long runs through the shallows. They're also great for kids since they don't jump and fight more like a bulldozer. My local trick: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near oyster bars. When you get a bite, don't horse them - let that fish wear itself out.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our back country fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-27 inches in the shallows, perfect for keeping. What sets them apart is how they hunt in water so shallow their backs stick out - it's like sight fishing for submarine torpedoes. You'll find them cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges, often in schools of 5-20 fish. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding aggressively. They hit everything from topwater plugs to soft plastics, and their initial run will test any angler. The fight is pure power - long runs and head-shaking that'll get your heart pumping. Smaller reds are excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. My go-to trick: look for muddy water or "nervous" water where they're feeding, then cast a gold spoon past the school and retrieve it right through the middle.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are probably the most popular inshore species around Port O'Connor. These silver beauties with black spots typically run 14-18 inches and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. You'll find them over grass flats, around shell bars, and near creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall when water temps are in the 70s. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats watching a good trout blow up on a surface plug at dawn. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the dinner table. Early mornings and late evenings are best, especially when you find birds working over baitfish. Here's a local secret: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below it over shallow grass beds. The noise draws them in from a distance.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms, changing color to match their surroundings. They typically run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. You'll find them in our shallow bays, around oyster bars, and near drop-offs where they ambush prey like shrimp and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What makes them fun is the surprise factor - you never know when that "stick" on the bottom will suddenly come alive. The meat is excellent eating with a delicate, flaky texture. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them run with it for a few seconds - flounder like to grab prey sideways before turning it to swallow.
Port O'Connor