Half Day Afternoon Port Mansfield Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour inshore charter targeting redfish and speckled troutAll fishing gear provided for hasslefree Port Mansfield experienceFlexible morning or afternoon departure times accommodate schedules
Port Mansfield sits right in the sweet spot of Texas inshore fishing, and this 5-hour afternoon charter puts you exactly where you want to be when the fish start feeding heavy. True Story Adventures Charter knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they're not messing around when it comes to putting you on fish. You'll be targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after species - Southern Flounder, Black Drum, Sheepshead, and Sea Trout - in water that's been producing consistent catches for decades. The afternoon bite here is legendary, especially when the sun starts dropping and those fish move shallow to feed.
This isn't your typical run-and-gun charter. You're looking at a solid 5 hours on some of the most productive inshore waters Texas has to offer. The Laguna Madre system around Port Mansfield is shallow, clear, and absolutely loaded with structure that holds fish year-round. Your captain knows every grass bed, every drop-off, and every piece of bottom that produces. The afternoon timing is perfect - you'll hit the water when the morning pressure dies off and the fish start getting active again. Plus, the light gets better as the day progresses, making it easier to spot fish in the shallows. All your tackle is handled, so you can focus on what matters - putting fish in the boat.
Port Mansfield fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. You'll be working with medium-light spinning gear most of the time, perfect for the finicky bites these fish can throw at you. Live bait is king here - expect to work with live shrimp, croakers, and mud minnows depending on what's biting. When the fish are scattered, you'll be drift fishing over grass flats and sand holes. But when they're concentrated, it's all about precise presentations around structure like shell reefs and channel edges. The captain will have you rigged with circle hooks and appropriate weights for the conditions. Don't be surprised if you switch between bottom rigs and popping corks throughout the trip - that flexibility is what separates good days from great ones in these waters.
Southern Flounder are the bread and butter of Port Mansfield, and for good reason. These flatfish hang around channel edges, boat cuts, and anywhere the current creates an ambush point. Fall months are absolutely prime time, when doormat flounder move through the area heading to deeper water. They're ambush predators, so your bait needs to get down to their level and stay put. A 20-inch flounder is a solid fish, but don't be shocked if you hook into something pushing 25 inches or better. The fight isn't spectacular, but when you slide a big flounder into the net, you know you've got some serious table fare.
Black Drum around Port Mansfield can range from puppy drum to absolute monsters. The smaller ones in the 14-20 inch range are fantastic eating and fight harder than you'd expect. But it's those 30-40 pound bulls that get your heart pumping. They love oyster reefs and areas with structure where they can root around for crabs and shellfish. When a big drum takes your bait, you'll know it immediately - they make long, powerful runs and test your drag system. Spring and fall are peak times, but you can find drum year-round if you know where to look.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the bunch. These black-and-white striped convicts have mouths full of crushing teeth and they're not afraid to use them. They hang around any kind of structure - pilings, rocks, shell beds - picking off crabs and barnacles. The bite is subtle and lightning-fast, so you need to stay alert. Fiddler crabs are the go-to bait, but live shrimp works too. A 3-pound sheepshead is a nice fish, and anything over 5 pounds is a real trophy. They're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are the most consistent biters in the Port Mansfield system. They roam the grass flats in schools, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. A good speck bite can save the day when other species aren't cooperating. They're aggressive fighters, especially the bigger ones over 20 inches. Look for them in 2-6 feet of water over grass beds, particularly where you find potholes or sand breaks. They're most active during low-light periods, which makes afternoon trips perfect for catching them during the evening bite.
Port Mansfield's reputation as a top-tier fishing destination isn't going anywhere, and slots with experienced captains fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. This 5-hour afternoon charter gives you the best of both worlds - you can sleep in or handle morning business, then hit the water when the fish are most active. The gear is sorted, the captain knows the spots, and you're fishing some of the most consistent waters on the Texas coast. Whether you're looking to put meat in the cooler or just enjoy a solid day of fishing, this trip delivers. Don't wait around - good captains book up weeks in advance, particularly during the prime fall and spring months when the fishing is at its absolute best.
Hit the productive waters of Port Mansfield aboard our 2022 Shallow Stalker 20-foot center console, perfectly rigged for chasing redfish, speckled trout, and black drum in the Texas coastal shallows. This bay boat's design lets you access those hard-to-reach spots where fish love to hide, while the reliable Suzuki 200HP engine gets you to the best fishing grounds quickly. With GPS navigation keeping you on the hottest bite locations, you'll spend more time with your line in the water instead of searching around. The center console layout gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to work lures and fight fish without getting tangled up. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working the grass flats for trout, this boat handles the shallow Port Mansfield waters like a dream. All your tackle and gear comes ready to go, so just bring yourself and get ready for some solid Texas coast fishing action.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the inshore game, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90 pounds. These grey-black bruisers have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow structure in brackish water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when the action gets hot. They're famous for their drumming sounds and stubborn fights that'll test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with firm, white meat. My go-to technique is fresh crab on the bottom near oyster structure. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - they've got tough mouths but they'll pull hard and long.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are Texas coast favorites, typically running 14-24 inches with those beautiful silver sides covered in black spots. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Best action comes during spring and fall, especially on overcast days or around dawn and dusk. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp. The fight is fun with good runs and jumps, plus they're excellent table fare - tender white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They school up in winter in deeper channels. My favorite approach is working soft plastic tails under popping corks over grass beds. Local secret: during cold fronts, find the deeper holes in the bay systems - that's where they stack up waiting for warmer water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of the Gulf with their distinctive black and grey stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but 20-pounders show up around heavy structure. They live around docks, bridges, oil rigs, and anything covered in barnacles - that's their main food source along with crabs and shrimp. Spring months are best when they're spawning around structure. They're notorious bait thieves with those weird teeth, but that's what makes them fun to target. The meat is some of the best you'll eat - sweet, white, and flaky. Use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and fish tight to structure. Here's the key: when you feel them pecking at your bait, set the hook hard and immediately - they'll steal your bait otherwise.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of disguise - they bury themselves in sand and mud with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. You'll typically catch them between 15-18 inches, though bigger ones up to 33 inches show up. They hang out on sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow bays, estuaries, and coastal areas where they feed on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Best fishing is drift fishing or still fishing with live bait like bull minnows, mullet, or shrimp on light tackle. They're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: when you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook right away - let them take it and swim off a bit first, then set it firm.
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