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Top-Rated Tournament Fishing with 'The Fish' Guide
- Published Date: July 18, 2025
- Fishing
- Port Aransas
- $500 - $2,000 price range
Summary
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Tournament Tactics
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Tournament Fishing: Compete Like a Pro
Ready to test your skills against other anglers? Our Tournament Fishing Trip is your ticket to the competitive side of inshore fishing. We'll gear you up and guide you through the ins and outs of tournament angling, giving you the edge you need to land those prize-winning catches. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time competitor, we've got the know-how to help you make a splash in the tournament scene.
What's the Deal?
This ain't your average day on the water. We're talking high-stakes, adrenaline-pumping tournament action. You and a buddy will team up with one of our top-notch guides in the guided division. We'll hit the hotspots, targeting Black Drum, Sea Trout, and Redfish. Our guides know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're itching to share their tournament tricks. You'll learn how to read the water, pick the perfect lure, and land those keepers when it counts most.
Tournament Tactics 101
Fishing a tournament is a whole different ballgame. We'll school you on the finer points of competitive angling. You'll get the lowdown on live bait vs. artificials, how to work different structures, and when to make your move to a new spot. We're talking precision casting, working tides to your advantage, and mastering the art of the quick release. Our gear is top-of-the-line, but it's the skills we'll teach you that'll give you the real edge.
Target Species
Black Drum: These bruisers are the heavyweights of the inshore world. Known for their distinctive chin barbels and powerful fights, Black Drum can tip the scales and boost your tournament score. They love hanging around structure and oyster beds. During spawning season, you might even hear their famous "drumming" sound underwater. The bigger ones can be tricky to land, but man, do they look good on the leaderboard.
Sea Trout: Don't let the name fool you - these aren't your mountain stream trout. Speckled Sea Trout are salty predators with a mouthful of teeth and an appetite to match. They're known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. Trout are suckers for topwater lures at dawn and dusk, making for some heart-pounding action. In tournaments, consistency is key with trout - a steady stream of keepers can really add up.
Redfish: The crown jewel of inshore tournaments. Redfish, or Red Drum, are the go-to target for many competitive anglers. They've got that signature spot on their tail and a fight that'll make your drag sing. Reds love to cruise the flats and shorelines, often revealing themselves with their tails sticking out of the water as they root for crabs. Landing a slot-sized red (or better yet, an over-slot bull) can be a game-changer in any tournament.
Why Tourney Fishing Rocks
There's nothing quite like the rush of tournament fishing. It's not just about catching fish - it's about strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. You'll push yourself to new limits, picking up techniques that'll serve you well long after the weigh-in. Plus, there's the camaraderie. Even when the competition's fierce, there's a special bond among tournament anglers. You might just find yourself with some new fishing buddies by the end of the day.
Time to Sign Up
Look, tournament fishing isn't for the faint of heart. But if you're ready to step up your game and see how you stack up against other anglers, this is your chance. Our guides have the experience and the local knowledge to put you on the fish when it matters most. We've only got room for two per boat, so don't sleep on this opportunity. Book your Tournament Fishing Trip now, and let's get you in the money!
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Redfish are a favorite target for many anglers, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties typically range from 20-30 inches, though trophy fish over 40 inches aren't unheard of. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, oyster bars, and marshy edges in 1-4 feet of water. They love to root around in mud bottoms for crabs and shrimp. Fall is prime time as redfish school up to spawn. Look for their signature "tailing" behavior - when their backs and tails break the surface as they feed. It's an exciting sight that gets any angler's heart racing. Reds put up a great fight and make excellent table fare with their mild, sweet flavor. To hook one, try a gold spoon or scented soft plastic on a light jighead. Work it slowly along the bottom, mimicking a fleeing baitfish or crab. My secret weapon is to add a small rattle or popping cork - the extra noise can trigger aggressive strikes when reds are in a funk.
Redfish
Black drum are the heavyweight cousins of redfish, often topping 30-40 pounds. You'll find them in the same shallow, coastal waters - look for them rooting around oyster beds and mudflats. Their sensitive chin barbels help them detect crushed shellfish and crabs, their favorite foods. These fish can live 60+ years, so the biggest ones are true old-timers. Spring is spawning season when drum gather in large schools. Listen for their distinctive croaking sound - it's how they communicate during the spawn. Drum put up a stubborn, dogged fight. For table fare, keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds - the big boys get tough and wormy. To catch them, use fresh cut crab or clams on a fish-finder rig. Let it sit on the bottom and be patient - drum aren't known for their speed. Here's a local tip: When you find one drum, there are likely more nearby. They often travel in groups, so if you hook up, have your buddies drop lines close by. You might just get into a drum bonanza!
Sea Trout
Sea trout, also called speckled trout, are a blast to catch and great eating too. Most run 14-20 inches, but gator trout over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. You'll find them in coastal estuaries, grass flats, and around structure like docks and oyster bars. These fish are ambush predators, so look for them around points, drop-offs and creek mouths where bait gets funneled through. Dawn and dusk are prime feeding times. Sea trout really turn on when water temps hit the 60s in spring and fall. Trout have soft mouths, so a light touch is key. I like to use live shrimp under a popping cork - the noise attracts them and the natural bait seals the deal. For artificials, try a suspending jerkbait worked with twitches and pauses. The pause is when they usually strike. Anglers love targeting sea trout for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. Plus, they're excellent on the grill or blackened in a pan. Just be sure to release the big breeders to keep the population healthy.
