5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Seasonal Fishing Trip In Port Aransas
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing trip targeting soughtafter Gulf Coast speciesCaptain Levi provides expert techniques and local fishing knowledgeSmall group experience accommodating maximum two guests
Captain Levi knows these Port Aransas waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This half-day morning trip is all about getting your drag screaming and your arms burning from the constant action. Whether you're chasing trophy redfish in the grass flats or picking apart structure for black drum, Levi's got the local knowledge to make it happen. He's not just going to put you over fish – he's going to teach you the why behind every cast, every drift, and every technique that makes Port Aransas one of Texas's top-rated inshore fishing destinations. With room for just two anglers, you're getting personalized attention that bigger boats simply can't offer.
When you step aboard with Captain Levi, you're signing up for a fishing education disguised as pure fun. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip where you sit back and wait for bites. Levi's going to have you working different techniques depending on what the fish are telling him that morning. Maybe it's sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water, or maybe it's bumping soft plastics along oyster bars where the trout like to ambush baitfish. The beauty of these Texas coastal waters is that every tide brings something different, and Levi reads these changes better than most. You'll learn to read the water yourself – spotting nervous bait, understanding how wind direction affects fish behavior, and recognizing the subtle signs that separate good anglers from great ones. The morning bite is legendary around here for good reason, and starting early means you're hitting prime time when these inshore species are most active and aggressive.
Levi comes prepared with everything dialed in for Port Aransas conditions. We're talking quality spinning gear spooled with fresh line, a tackle box full of proven baits, and the local knowledge to match techniques to conditions. Depending on the season and what's biting, you might be throwing topwater plugs at first light, working soft plastics through the grass, or live-lining shrimp under popping corks. The shallow-draft boat lets Levi get you into places the bigger charter boats can't reach – those back-country spots where fish feel safe and feed heavy. He'll teach you to feel the difference between a redfish pickup and a trout bite, how to work a paddle tail to trigger strikes, and when to switch from artificials to live bait. The gear stays rigged and ready because when you find a school of feeding fish, every second counts. Levi's system keeps you fishing instead of retying, and that translates directly to more fish in the boat.
"This trip was my 6th trip out with Levi and we have more than limited out on redfish on all but one trip! That one trip we caught 30 to 40 reds but all but 6 were in undersized! If catching a lot of fish is what you're after then Captain Levi is the guide for you!" - Dennis
"Captain Levi was awesome. Even in 47 to 60 degree weather, he had us on the fish. We kept 20 beautiful Black Drum and 9 fantastic Redfish and released more than we kept. Forgot about the cold when you are realing in fish after fish." - James
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port Aransas inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers fight like freight trains and show up in good numbers year-round. Spring and fall see the biggest schools, when reds pile up in the shallows to feed on blue crabs and mullet. A slot-sized red will test your drag system and give you that arm-burning fight that keeps anglers coming back. They're smart fish that spook easy in clear water, making sight-casting to them one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in saltwater fishing.
Black Drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute monsters when it comes to pulling power. These bottom-huggers love structure – oyster reefs, dock pilings, and channel edges where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Winter months are prime time for big drum, and landing a 20-pound bull drum will leave your shoulders sore for days. They're also fantastic table fare when you keep the smaller ones, with firm white meat that's perfect for fish tacos.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are the bread and butter of Port Aransas fishing. These aggressive predators hit hard and jump like miniature tarpon when hooked. They school up over grass flats and along drop-offs, especially during the warmer months. A good trout bite means steady action with fish in the 2-4 pound range, though trophy specks over 5 pounds are always a possibility. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, making them a customer favorite for anglers who like to keep a few for the dinner table.
Southern Flounder are the ninjas of the inshore world, laying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing baitfish. Fall is prime time for doormat flounder as they stage near passes before heading offshore to spawn. These flatfish might not fight as hard as reds or trout, but landing a 4-pound flounder is like finding buried treasure. They're also incredible on the plate, with sweet white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Crevalle Jack round out the target species list and bring pure chaos to any fishing trip. These silver torpedoes travel in schools and attack baitfish with reckless abandon. When you hook into a school of jacks, it's game on – they hit topwater baits with explosive strikes and fight way above their
Hit the flats of Port Aransas aboard this sleek 24' Haynie Custom, built specifically for serious inshore fishing. Powered by a robust 250HP Suzuki engine, this flats boat cuts through Texas coastal waters at speeds up to 50 knots, getting you to the productive fishing spots quickly. The shallow draft design lets Captain Levi navigate tight backwater areas where redfish and speckled trout love to hide. Onboard tech includes GPS navigation to mark your hotspots, a quality fish finder to locate schools, and a whisper-quiet wireless trolling motor perfect for sneaking up on spooky fish in skinny water. With room for up to 5 anglers, this custom rig handles everything from sight-casting in the shallows to working deeper grass beds along the coast.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from keeper-sized 5-pounders up to massive 40+ pound bulls that'll test your tackle. You'll find them around oyster reefs, shallow muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we get the best action. They're famous for that drumming sound they make, and guests love the strong, steady fight they put up. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm white meat, while the big ones are better released. Here's what works: fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom is hard to beat. The key is using enough weight to hold bottom in current and being patient - they'll pick up the bait and move with it before really taking it.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of our local waters and will absolutely wear you out on light tackle. These brassy, powerful fish typically range from 3-15 pounds around here, with broad shoulders and serious pulling power. They roam both shallow flats and deeper structure, but you'll often spot them busting bait on the surface with birds diving overhead. Spring through fall gives you the best shots at schools, especially when mullet and shrimp are thick. Guests love the non-stop fight they put up - once hooked, they just don't quit. They're not great eating, so most folks release them, but the battle is what you're after anyway. Here's the deal: when you see birds working, cast silver spoons or topwater plugs past the school and retrieve fast. Jacks love the chase, so don't slow down. Quick aggressive retrieves trigger strikes better than anything else.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing here in Port Aransas. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-28 inches with that distinctive black spot near the tail, though we see plenty of oversized "bull" reds pushing 35+ inches. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them on grass flats, around oyster reefs, and in the back lakes where they cruise and tail feed. Year-round fishing is solid, but spring and fall are peak times. What makes them special is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging fights, plus they're great table fare when kept in the slot. My local trick is watching for nervous water or tailing fish in skinny areas, then making a long, quiet cast ahead of where they're moving. Use weedless spoons or soft plastics and let them find it naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are one of the most popular inshore targets around Port Aransas. They typically run 14-20 inches with beautiful silver sides covered in dark spots. You'll find them over grass flats, around structure, and in 2-8 feet of water throughout our bay system. Spring and fall provide the hottest action, especially on moving tides during low-light periods. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater plugs and soft plastics, plus they make excellent eating with tender, flaky white meat. They're also great for beginners since they're pretty forgiving to catch. My go-to local tip is working soft plastics under a popping cork over grass beds early morning or late evening. The cork gives you the casting distance and makes noise to draw them in, while the plastic mimics the shrimp they're feeding on.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms where they blend in perfectly. These flat fish typically run 15-18 inches, but we catch plenty up to 25 inches in our local bays and estuaries. They're ambush predators with both eyes on one side of their head - pretty wild to see up close. Fall through early spring is prime time when they move through our passes heading to deeper water. What makes them special is they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Plus, the kids love seeing such a unique-looking fish. Here's a local trick: when drifting the flats, keep your bait right on bottom with just enough weight to stay down. They won't chase it up, so you've got to put it right in front of their face.
5.0 out of 5.0This trip was my 6th trip out with Levi and we have more than limited out on redfish on all but one trip! That one trip we caught...
Captain Levi was awesome. Even in 47 to 60 degree weather, he had us on the fish. We kept 20 beautiful Black Drum and 9 fantasti...
Port Aransas