Port O'Connor Offshore Red Snapper & Kingfish
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
8hour private offshore charter targeting red snapper and kingfish40 miles offshore with all bait and gear providedAccommodates up to 6 guests with boat pickup available
Ready to experience some of the best offshore fishing the Texas Gulf Coast has to offer? This 8-hour private charter with Texas Fins and Feathers puts you right in the middle of the action, about 40 miles out from Port O'Connor where the big fish live. We're talking serious offshore structure here – the kind of bottom that holds red snapper, monster kingfish, and bull amberjack year after year. With room for up to 6 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of elbow room to work your lines without bumping into each other. All your tackle and bait come included, so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the box.
Your day starts early with about an hour run to the prime fishing spots – those productive offshore structures that consistently hold fish. This isn't some shallow water bay trip; we're heading to the real deal where the water's blue and the fish fight hard. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on structure that's been producing for years. Plan on a full 8 hours of fishing time once we reach the grounds, with plenty of opportunities to rotate between different techniques depending on what's biting. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from heavy conventional reels for bottom fishing to lighter setups when the kings are running hot on the surface. Just remember to grab your Texas fishing license before you head out – you'll need it, and there's an additional fuel cost on top of the charter rate.
We fish these offshore waters using a variety of proven methods that match what the fish are doing on any given day. Bottom fishing with heavy tackle is your bread and butter for red snapper and amberjack – we're talking 6/0 to 8/0 circle hooks loaded with fresh cut bait dropped down to structure in 80 to 120 feet of water. When the kingfish are active, we'll switch gears and pull live bait or dead bait on downriggers and planer boards to cover water and find the schools. The captain provides all the gear, from the heavy bottom rigs to the wire leaders you need for those razor-sharp king mackerel teeth. Conventional reels loaded with 50-pound test are standard for the bottom fishing, while the trolling setups run lighter at 20 to 30-pound test with wire or heavy fluorocarbon leaders. The boat's rigged with quality fish finders and GPS, so we're not just fishing blind – we're targeting specific structure and bait schools that show up on the electronics.
Red snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf Coast offshore fishing, and Port O'Connor's waters hold some beauties. These fish love hard bottom structure and artificial reefs, typically holding in 60 to 150 feet of water. Red snapper season runs June through July, and when it's open, these fish are aggressive and fun to catch on heavy tackle. They'll slam a chunk of cut bait and make strong runs toward the bottom, testing your drag and technique. Most fish run 4 to 15 pounds, with the occasional trophy pushing 20-plus pounds. What makes red snapper special is their excellent table fare – firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Lane snapper might be smaller than their red cousins, but they make up for size with numbers and attitude. These feisty little fighters are available year-round and love the same structure as red snapper, just in slightly shallower water. They're perfect for kids and novice anglers since they bite readily and fight hard for their size. Most lanes run 1 to 3 pounds, but they're excellent eating and great practice for learning bottom fishing techniques. They'll hit cut squid, shrimp, and small chunks of cut bait with enthusiasm.
King mackerel are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of blistering runs that'll smoke your drag in seconds. These fish are available spring through fall, with peak action typically in late spring and early fall when they're migrating along the coast. Kings love to follow bait schools and will hit both live and dead bait presented at various depths. A good kingfish will run 10 to 30 pounds, with the occasional smoker hitting 40-plus. Their initial run is legendary – pure speed and power that'll get your heart pumping. Just watch those teeth when you bring them to the boat; they're razor sharp and designed for cutting.
Greater amberjack are the bulldozers of the deep, using their broad tails and thick bodies to make powerful runs toward structure once hooked. These fish live around offshore wrecks and hard bottom areas, typically in 80 to 200 feet of water. Peak season runs from spring through early fall, and a good amberjack will test your tackle and endurance. Most fish range from 15 to 40 pounds, with occasional giants pushing 60-plus pounds. They're notorious for making strong initial runs followed by bulldogging fights where they use their body weight and the current to try to break you off. The key to landing big amberjack is keeping steady pressure and pumping them up before they can get back down to structure.
This offshore charter represents some of the best fishing Port O'Connor has to offer, combining proven techniques with productive waters that consistently hold quality fish. The 40-mile run puts you in prime habitat where these species thrive, and the 8-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunities to put different techniques to work. Whether you're after a limit of red snapper during the season, looking to tangle with a smoker king, or want to test your tackle against a bull amberjack, this trip delivers the goods. The private boat setup means you're fishing with your group at your own pace, and the included tackle takes the guesswork out of what to bring. With boat pickup available within 5 miles of the dock, getting starte
Hit the Gulf waters aboard this battle-tested 36' Contender center console, completely restored in 2016 and ready for serious offshore action. Triple 300HP Suzuki engines push this rig to 50 knots, cutting your run time to the prime snapper and kingfish grounds 40 miles out. The spacious center console design gives all six anglers room to work while the captain navigates using top-notch GPS, radar, and fish finder electronics. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 8-hour adventure. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over structure where red snapper, amberjack, and kings like to hang. Texas Fins and Feathers provides all tackle and bait – you just bring your Texas license and get ready to load the cooler. Boat pickup available within 5 miles of the dock makes it easy to start your Gulf Coast fishing day.
Seriola dumeriliThese bruisers are the bulldogs of the deep, averaging 20-40 pounds but capable of hitting 60+ when conditions are right. We find them holding tight to structure in 80-200 feet of water - oil rigs, wrecks, and hard bottom. They're year-round residents, but spring and summer offer the most consistent action. What guests love about jacks is the pure power - they'll drag you straight down to the structure and test every piece of your gear. The meat's firm and white, great on the table. Here's the key: once you hook up, keep constant pressure and don't let them get their head down. Use heavy tackle and be ready for a workout - these fish don't give up easy.
Scomberomorus CavallaKingfish are some of the fastest predators we target out here, typically running 10-30 pounds with the occasional 40+ pounder. These silver rockets cruise the deeper water around 40-150 feet, following baitfish and structure. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps hit that 70-80 degree sweet spot. What makes kings special is their blistering speed - they'll scream line off your reel like nothing else. The meat's rich and oily, perfect for grilling. My go-to trick is using a two-hook rig with live bait - one hook in the nose, another trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail section first, so that back hook saves you from a lot of missed strikes.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are feisty little fighters, usually 12-16 inches and 2-4 pounds. They hang around the same structure as reds but often in shallower water, 30-80 feet deep. March through September is prime time when they're spawning and most aggressive. What makes lanes fun is their attitude - they'll hit almost anything and fight way above their weight class. Plus they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. These fish aren't shy about taking bait, but they've got small mouths so downsize your hooks. I like using smaller pieces of shrimp or squid on a #2 or #4 hook. Fish them just like reds but expect faster action - they travel in schools and once you find them, you can usually catch several.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing, typically running 3-8 pounds with occasional teens. We target them around structure in 60-120 feet - think oil rigs, artificial reefs, and rocky bottom. Summer season brings the best fishing when they're most active. These fish are scrappy fighters that'll head straight for cover once hooked, and the table fare is absolutely top-shelf - firm, white, and sweet. The key is getting your bait down to the bottom where they live. I always tell guests to use circle hooks and fresh cut bait like cigar minnows. Drop it straight down and keep contact with the bottom. When you feel that thump, don't set the hook hard - just start reeling steady and let the circle hook do its work.
Port O'Connor