8 HR Bayfishing Trip with Young Guns Guide Service
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing targeting redfish, black drum, and speckled troutExpert guides provide topquality gear and smoothriding boat experiencePrivate charter accommodates up to two guests in Rockport waters
Looking for a full day on the water that'll put some serious bend in your rod? This 8-hour bay fishing adventure out of Rockport gives you the perfect chance to chase some of Texas' most prized inshore species. We're talking redfish, black drum, and speckled trout – the holy trinity of Gulf Coast fishing. Whether you've been throwing lures for decades or just picked up your first rod, our guides know exactly where the fish are holding and how to put you on them. With top-quality tackle, a comfortable boat, and some of the most productive waters on the Texas coast, you're looking at a day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Your day starts early – that's when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. We'll launch from Rockport and head to spots that have been producing consistently, adjusting our game plan based on tides, wind, and what the fish have been doing lately. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is we've got time to really work different areas. If the reds are being finicky in the shallows, we can slide over to some deeper structure for black drum. Water not cooperating in one zone? No problem – we'll find where they're biting. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped bay boat that handles chop like a champ, with plenty of room for two anglers to work without getting tangled up. Our guides don't just put you on fish – they'll teach you how to read the water, spot feeding activity, and improve your technique along the way.
We've got you covered on the tackle front with quality rods, reels, and all the terminal gear you'll need. Depending on what we're targeting and where we're fishing, you might be throwing soft plastics on jig heads, working topwater plugs, or soaking bait near structure. The guides will match your setup to the conditions and target species – maybe a 7-foot medium action spinning rod with 15-pound braid for working the grass flats, or something with a bit more backbone when we're pulling drum off the bottom. Live bait's always an option when the fish want the real deal, and we'll have shrimp or croaker when the situation calls for it. The key is staying versatile – what worked yesterday might not work today, so we carry enough variety to adapt on the fly. You'll learn different retrieves, how to work structure, and when to switch up your presentation to trigger strikes.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Rockport bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-28 inches in our waters, with plenty of slot fish that'll test your drag system. They're most active during moving water, especially around dawn and dusk, though a full day gives us shots at them during multiple feeding windows. Reds love shallow grass flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs where they can ambush baitfish. What makes them so popular with anglers is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight – they'll use every bit of that broad tail to try and shake your hook. Fall and spring are prime time, but honestly, we catch quality reds year-round in these productive waters.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they'll give you a workout you won't forget. These bottom-dwellers can push 30-40 pounds in our area, though the 15-25 pound fish are more common and just as fun to fight. They hang around structure – think bridge pilings, shell reefs, and channel edges – where they root around for crabs and shellfish. The bite can be subtle, so you've got to stay focused, but once you set the hook on a big drum, you'll know why regulars keep coming back for them. They're strongest in cooler months but can be caught consistently throughout the year when you know where to look.
Speckled trout are the finesse fish of the trio, and catching them consistently takes some skill. These beautiful spotted fish typically run 14-20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing 25 inches or more. They're structure-oriented like the others but prefer areas with current flow and baitfish activity. Specks can be moody – one day they'll hammer anything you throw, the next they want a specific lure worked at just the right speed. That's what makes them fun to target. They're most active during cooler months but can be found in deeper water during summer heat. A good trout bite often means multiple fish, as they tend to school up in productive areas.
An 8-hour bay fishing trip with Young Guns Guide Service gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Rockport's inshore waters have to offer. You're not rushed, you can try different techniques, and there's time to really dial in what's working. The combination of productive waters, quality equipment, and experienced guides who know these bays like their backyard makes for a day you'll be talking about for months. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, introduce someone to saltwater fishing, or just spend a quality day on the water chasing some of Texas' best inshore species, this trip delivers. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak seasons.
Jump aboard our 2024 25' Majek Bay Boat and get ready to chase redfish and speckled trout through Rockport's prime inshore waters. This shallow-draft fishing machine is powered by a 300HP Suzuki that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots fast, hitting speeds up to 60 knots when we need to cover water quickly. The boat's built for serious bay fishing – her shallow draft lets us slide into those back-country areas where the big reds like to hang out. With seating for up to 5 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during our 8-hour adventure. GPS navigation helps us mark productive spots and navigate the flats safely, while the smooth hull design cuts through chop so you can focus on working your lures instead of holding on. Whether we're drifting over oyster reefs for black drum or working the grass flats for trout, this Majek handles it all with the reliability you want when you're miles from the dock.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, typically running 5-30 pounds with giants pushing 90+ pounds. These bruisers love crushing oysters and crabs with their powerful jaws around shell beds and muddy flats in 2-10 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their signature drumming sounds underwater. They're absolute bulldogs on the line, making long, stubborn runs that'll test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab bait and keep it right on the bottom near oyster structure. They're picky eaters but once hooked, you're in for a real tug-of-war.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish of Texas bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-28 inches in the bays, with their signature black spots near the tail making them unmistakable. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out of the water - around grass beds, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What gets people hooked is their power - reds make blistering runs and fight dirty in shallow water. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, firm meat. The trick is sight-fishing them in skinny water with topwater plugs or soft plastics. Keep quiet and cast ahead of cruising fish - they spook easy but hit hard.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter fish here in Rockport, usually running 14-24 inches with the occasional trophy pushing 5+ pounds. You'll find them over grass flats, around structure, and in 2-8 feet of water. They love soft plastics, topwater plugs at dawn and dusk, and live shrimp under popping corks. Fall and spring offer the best action when water temps are in the 70s. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and shake their heads trying to throw the hook. The meat is delicate and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: work your lures slow and steady over the grass beds. Specks are ambush predators, so make your bait look wounded and they'll hammer it.
Rockport