Tournament Fishing with Captain Levi Price
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day tournament fishing with expert Captain Levi Price guidanceTarget Redfish, Sea Trout, and Black Drum in prime inshore watersProfessional strategies and local knowledge for competitive angling success
Looking to step up your game in the competitive fishing world? Captain Levi Price's full-day tournament fishing trip puts you right in the thick of Port Aransas' best inshore action. This isn't your typical charter – we're talking serious tournament preparation with a captain who knows what it takes to put fish in the boat when it counts. You'll fish the guided division of local tournaments with access to Captain Levi's proven spots and strategies that have consistently put anglers on the podium.
This top-rated experience runs as a full-day trip designed specifically for tournament competition. You'll launch early from Port Aransas with Captain Levi, who brings years of local knowledge and tournament success to every outing. The boat holds just two anglers, so you get personalized attention and coaching throughout the day. We'll hit multiple proven spots across the prime inshore waters, targeting the big three species that dominate tournament leaderboards around here – Redfish, Sea Trout, and Black Drum. Captain Levi focuses on teaching you to read the water, understand tidal movements, and position yourself for maximum success when tournament day arrives. No meals are provided, so pack your own fuel for the day, but everything else you need is covered.
Captain Levi runs a well-organized operation that mirrors real tournament conditions. You'll learn proper drift techniques over grass flats, structure fishing around spoil islands, and how to work transition zones where different bottom types meet. The boat comes equipped with quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle suited for each target species. Live bait is the primary approach here – we're talking live shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows depending on conditions and target species. You'll also get hands-on experience with artificial lures including soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons. Captain Levi emphasizes quick fish handling, proper measurement techniques, and efficient boat management – all crucial skills when you're fishing against the clock in actual tournament settings. The shallow waters around Port Aransas require finesse and local knowledge, both of which you'll gain throughout this intensive day on the water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Port Aransas tournament fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up fights that'll test your drag system. These fish run anywhere from 18 to 35 inches in these waters, with the slot-sized fish being prime tournament targets. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some monster bulls in deeper water. Redfish love to cruise the grass flats during moving tides, and they're aggressive feeders that'll hit both live bait and artificials. What makes them exciting is their power – once hooked, they make long runs and use their broad sides to fight hard in shallow water.
Sea Trout are the finicky cousins that require more technique but reward skilled anglers with beautiful fish and excellent table fare. These spotted beauties typically run 14 to 24 inches in local waters, with gator trout over 25 inches being the stuff of tournament legends. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, though summer nights can produce excellent action. Sea Trout are structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, drop-offs, and shell bars. They're exciting because they're selective feeders – you need to match the hatch and present baits with finesse to consistently fool these smart fish.
Black Drum are the heavyweights that can make or break a tournament day, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 14-inchers up to massive 40-pound bulls. These bottom-dwellers are year-round residents but really turn on during their spring spawning runs from February through April. They're found around structure like jetties, reefs, and channel edges where they feed on crabs and shellfish. Black Drum are exciting because of their sheer power – big drum will test your tackle and your back, making runs that can last several minutes. They're also excellent eating in the smaller sizes, making them valuable both for tournament points and the dinner table.
This world-class tournament fishing experience with Captain Levi Price gives you the competitive edge you need to succeed in Port Aransas tournaments. You'll gain insider knowledge of productive areas, learn proven techniques, and get comfortable with tournament-style fishing pressure. The personalized instruction and small group size mean you'll absorb more information and have more hands-on time than larger charter operations. Whether you're new to tournament fishing or looking to improve your game, this trip delivers the local expertise and professional guidance that separates winners from also-rans. Book your spot with The Fish Guide Service and get ready to compete with confidence in Port Aransas' renowned tournament scene.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What makes them special is the raw power they bring to the fight, plus smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom - they won't chase anything more than a few inches off the mud.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature inshore species, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches around here and love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them on grass flats, around oyster reefs, and in back bay areas with muddy bottoms. They bite year-round but fall and winter offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their incredible fight in shallow water and that explosive topwater bite. The meat has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Local secret: look for nervous water or "muds" where they're stirring up the bottom while feeding - that's your money spot.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful fish with distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. They typically run 14-24 inches and love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around structure like shell bars or drop-offs. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes, though they bite year-round here. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious, but cook it gently since it's delicate. Here's a local trick: work soft plastics under a popping cork over grass beds, letting it sit motionless between pops.
Port Aransas