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Expert 6-Hour Inshore Fishing in Port Aransas
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- Port Aransas
- $500 - $2,000 price range
Summary
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Flats Fishing Finesse
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Advanced Inshore Fishing: Port A's Hidden Gems
Ready to step up your inshore game? This 6-hour trip with Captain Levi Price is tailor-made for anglers who know their stuff and want to push their skills to the next level. We're talking sight fishing for tailing reds, precision casting to spooky trout, and outsmarting those big, wary drum. This ain't your average tourist trip – it's a chance to fish like a local and really dial in on what makes Port Aransas and Rockport some of the best inshore waters in Texas.
Trip Overview
Picture this: You're poling across gin-clear flats at dawn, scanning for fish shadows. The boat's so quiet you can hear mullet flipping in the distance. That's the kind of stealth and focus you'll need on this advanced charter. We'll hit prime spots around Port A and Rockport, switching up tactics based on conditions and what's biting. Expect to work hard, learn a ton, and hopefully put some impressive fish in the boat. This trip is all about quality over quantity – we're after those memorable catches that'll have you reliving the moment for years to come.
Top-Tier Tactics & Gear
Leave the basic baitcasting at home – we're stepping it up a notch. We'll be using light tackle and artificial lures, focusing on finesse presentations that fool even the wariest fish. Think skip-casting under mangroves for reds, working topwaters for aggressive trout, or sight-casting to tailing drum on shallow flats. Bring your favorite rod if you want, but we've got high-end setups on board too. Expect to throw everything from soft plastics to fly gear, depending on conditions. The name of the game is adaptability – we'll match our approach to what the fish are doing that day.
Why Pros Pick Port A
There's a reason seasoned anglers keep coming back to these waters. Port Aransas and Rockport offer a perfect mix of diverse habitats – from vast grass flats to oyster reefs and back bay marshes. One minute you're sight-fishing crystal clear shallows, the next you're working deeper channels for big trout. The fishery here is world-class, with a real shot at trophy-sized reds, gator trout, and monster drum. Plus, the seasonal nature of this trip means we're fishing when conditions are prime and the big ones are biting.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Southern Flounder: These masters of camouflage are a prized catch in Port A. We target them along drop-offs and around structure, using a slow, methodical approach. Fall is prime time as they start their migration to the Gulf. Flounder require patience and precision – when you hook one, it's a true angler's accomplishment.
Black Drum: Often overlooked, big black drum can provide some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities in the shallows. We look for their distinctive tails waving above the surface as they root for crabs. Spring is fantastic for big spawning drum, but you can find them year-round. Their powerful runs will test your drag and your nerves.
Sea Trout (Speckled Trout): The holy grail for many inshore anglers, big speckled trout are wary and challenging. We target them over grass flats and along channel edges, often using topwater lures for explosive strikes. Dawn and dusk are magic hours for trophy trout. Their soft mouths and head-shaking fights make landing a big one a true test of skill.
Redfish: The rockstars of Texas inshore fishing, redfish offer it all – sight-fishing opportunities, brutal fights, and great eating. We find them tailing in shallow grass or cruising along shorelines. Fall offers some of the best action as they school up before heading to deeper water. That copper-bronze flash when a red takes your lure is something every angler lives for.
Crevalle Jack: While not a primary target, when a school of jacks moves through, hold on to your rod! These bruisers will test your stamina and your gear. We sometimes encounter them busting bait on the surface – it's like a mini explosion. Jacks are pure muscle and will make you question if you brought enough line.
Time to Book Your Spot
Look, if you're reading this far, you know this isn't your average charter. This is for anglers who want to elevate their game, fish shoulder-to-shoulder with a pro, and target some of the best inshore action Texas has to offer. Spots are limited because we only run these trips when conditions are prime. If you're ready to push yourself, learn new techniques, and potentially land that fish of a lifetime, don't wait. Get in touch, check the calendar, and let's get you on the water. The big ones are out there – time to go find 'em.
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the flats, built like tanks and known for their powerful fights. These cousins of the redfish typically weigh 5 to 30 pounds, but monsters over 50 pounds aren't unheard of. Look for them in brackish waters, around oyster beds, and in shallow bays. They love structure and use their sensitive barbels to root out crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn, making them easier to target. Anglers prize Black Drum for their strong runs and the satisfying "thump" when they take a bait. While the smaller ones make great table fare, the big ones can be tough and wormy. For best results, use fresh crab or shrimp on a bottom rig. Here's a tip: if you're sight-fishing, look for their distinctive tails sticking up as they feed – it's a dead giveaway.
Crevalle Jack
Crevalle Jack are the muscle cars of our local waters. These hard-fighting fish typically range from 3 to 15 pounds inshore, but offshore monsters can top 30 pounds. Look for them around structure in bays, passes, and nearshore waters, often in fast-moving schools that drive bait to the surface. Spring through fall is prime jack season, with summer offering the best shot at big schools. Anglers love jacks for their blistering runs and dogged fights – pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fish you'll hook. While not known for table fare, they're a blast on light tackle. Watch for diving birds to find feeding schools, then cast fast-moving lures like spoons or topwater plugs into the fray. Local tip: when you see a jack go airborne after hookup, get ready – they often throw the hook on those acrobatic jumps.
Redfish
Redfish, or Red Drum, are the rock stars of our local flats. These copper-colored beauties, known for the distinctive spot near their tail, typically range from 20 to 30 inches inshore, with bull reds over 40 inches cruising the passes and nearshore waters. You'll find them tailing in shallow grass flats, prowling oyster bars, or hanging around dock pilings. They're here year-round, but fall is prime time when they school up for their spawning run. Anglers love reds for their powerful fights and their willingness to eat just about anything that fits in their mouth. They're great on the table too, especially the slot-sized fish. For a real thrill, try sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water with a gold spoon or a well-placed shrimp. Pro tip: when you see a red's back out of the water, they're usually so focused on feeding that you can get surprisingly close for a perfect cast.
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, also known as Speckled Trout, are a staple of our inshore waters. These silvery fish with distinctive spots typically run 14 to 20 inches, though gator trout over 25 inches aren't uncommon. You'll find them in grass flats, around oyster bars, and near drop-offs in bays and estuaries. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially around moving tides. Anglers love targeting specks for their aggressive strikes and tasty fillets. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but you can catch them year-round. They're suckers for live shrimp under a popping cork, but artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs can be just as effective. Here's a local secret: on calm mornings, listen for their distinctive "pop" as they feed on the surface – it's a dead giveaway to their location.
Southern Flounder
Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, blending seamlessly with the sandy or muddy bottoms they call home. These flat, oval-shaped fish typically range from 15 to 18 inches, though trophy specimens can reach over 30 inches. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries, often lurking near structure or in depressions on the bottom. Fall is prime time for flounder fishing as they move to deeper waters to spawn. Anglers love targeting them for their delicate, mild flavor and the challenge of their ambush-style feeding habits. When fishing for flounder, patience is key. Use a slow retrieve with live bait or soft plastics, feeling for that distinctive "thump" when they grab the bait. A local trick: give them a few seconds to fully take the bait before setting the hook – flounder often need time to adjust their grip on larger prey.
About the Haynie Custom (Flats boat)
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki 250SS
Maximum Cruising Speed: 55
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 250
