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Port Aransas Inshore Fishing: Reds, Drums & Trout
- Published Date: October 30, 2025
- Fishing
- Port Aransas, TX
- $200 - $750 price range
Summary
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Reels and Keels
Reel moments, real memories.
Port Aransas: your fishing playground.
The tide is high, the fun is higher.
Salt in the air, rod in hand.
Where every trip is a story.
Lines in the water, smiles on deck.
Catching memories in Port Aransas.
Hooked on coastal adventures.
Nothing beats a day on the bay.
Your perfect fishing escape awaits.
Reel moments, real memories.
Port Aransas: your fishing playground.
The tide is high, the fun is higher.
Salt in the air, rod in hand.
Where every trip is a story.
Lines in the water, smiles on deck.
Catching memories in Port Aransas.
Hooked on coastal adventures.
Nothing beats a day on the bay.
Your perfect fishing escape awaits.
Reel moments, real memories.
Port Aransas: your fishing playground.
The tide is high, the fun is higher.
Salt in the air, rod in hand.
Full Day Port A Fishing: Reds, Drums & Trout
Ready to wet a line in some of the best inshore fishing waters Texas has to offer? Captain Joshua McDonald of Saltwater Revival Guide Services has got you covered with this full-day trip in Port Aransas. We're talking seven solid hours chasing redfish, black drum, and speckled trout across the rich bays and flats of Corpus Christi and Aransas Pass. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, Cap'n Josh will put you on the fish and make sure you have a blast doing it.
What to Expect on the Water
We'll be cruising in style aboard a 23' Majek M2, a Texas-built boat that's perfect for navigating these shallow waters. This rig is powered by a beefy 250 HP Yamaha outboard, so we can cover some serious ground when needed. The boat's decked out with top-notch electronics, including GPS to find those honey holes, and a livewell to keep our bait frisky. Cap'n Josh provides all the tackle and bait, so you just need to bring your game face and maybe a lucky hat. We'll meet up at 900 Tarpon St in Port A, and from there, it's fish on!
Fishing Techniques & Hotspots
In these parts, we're all about light tackle and the thrill of sight-casting. On a calm day, you might spot a tailing redfish in ankle-deep water – talk about heart-pounding action! We'll mix it up between drifting the flats, working the grass lines, and maybe even tossing some topwater lures if the bite is right. Cap'n Josh knows all the local sweet spots, from the hidden back lakes of Redfish Bay to the bustling Aransas Channel. And don't worry if you're new to this kind of fishing – Josh will show you the ropes, from how to work a popping cork to the best way to present a soft plastic to a wary trout.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the crown jewels of Texas inshore fishing. Known for their powerful runs and that signature black spot on their tail, redfish can range from "rat reds" of a few pounds to bull reds over 40 inches. They love to cruise the shallow flats, often revealing their location with a golden tail waving above the surface. Fall is prime time for reds, but you can catch them year-round in Port A.
Black Drum: Often overlooked but never underappreciated, black drum are the workhorses of inshore fishing. These cousins of the redfish can grow to monster sizes – we're talking 50-pounders that'll test your drag and your biceps. They've got a distinctive whiskered chin and make a croaking sound that's unmistakable. Spring is the peak season when big schools move into the bays to spawn, but you can catch them pretty much any time of year.
Speckled Trout: Also known as spotted seatrout, these guys are the finesse targets of the bunch. With their spotted sides and canine teeth, specks are beautiful fish that put up a great fight on light tackle. They're known for their soft mouths, so a gentle touch is key when reeling them in. Trout fishing heats up in the summer months, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on the surface. There's nothing quite like the explosion of a big trout on a topwater lure!
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Port Aransas isn't just another fishing town – it's a slice of angler's paradise. The diversity of the fishing grounds here is insane. One minute you're sight-casting to reds in gin-clear shallows, the next you're drifting deep channels for monster drum. And let's not forget the weather – with over 300 days of sunshine a year, Port A's got fishing weather when other spots are socked in. Plus, there's something special about ending your day with a cold one at one of the local fish joints, swapping stories about the day's catch. It's no wonder folks come back year after year – this place gets in your blood.
Time to Book Your Spot
Look, if you're itching for some world-class inshore action, this full-day trip with Saltwater Revival Guide Services is your ticket. Cap'n Josh knows these waters like the back of his hand and he's all about putting clients on fish. Whether you're looking to bend a rod, learn some new techniques, or just soak in the beauty of the Texas coast, this trip's got you covered. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait around. Get your crew together, book your date, and get ready for a day of fishing you won't soon forget. The reds, drums, and trout are waiting – let's go get 'em!
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are hefty fighters that'll give you a run for your money. These cousins of the Redfish typically range from 5 to 30 pounds, but can get up to 90 in rare cases. You'll find 'em hanging around oyster beds, mudflats, and inlets in our bays. They love chomping on crustaceans, so fresh crab is your best bet for bait. Spring's prime time as they school up to spawn, making them easier to target. What's cool about Drums is the croaking sound they make – you might even hear 'em before you see 'em. When you're reeling one in, be ready for a good tussle. They've got strong jaws, so make sure your gear can handle it. Pro tip: if you're keeping one for dinner, stick to the smaller ones under 15 pounds. The big guys can be tough and not as tasty. Remember, patience is key with these bottom-feeders – let your bait sit and wait for that telltale thump.
Redfish
Redfish are the rockstars of our local waters. These copper-colored beauties, with their trademark tail spot, usually run 20 to 30 inches in the bays, but can grow much bigger offshore. You'll spot 'em tailing in shallow flats, often in water so skinny their backs break the surface. They love hanging around oyster reefs, grass beds, and mangroves. Fall's the prime time when they school up, but you can catch 'em year-round. What makes Redfish special is their versatility – they'll hit topwater lures with explosive strikes or gulp down a live shrimp on the bottom. They put up a stubborn fight, often making long runs that'll test your drag. The meat's delicious too, with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Here's a local secret: on calm days, cruise the flats and look for their copper backs gleaming in the sun. Once you spot 'em, a well-placed cast with a gold spoon often does the trick. Just be ready for that initial surge when they realize they're hooked!
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call 'em, are a favorite around here. These silvery beauties usually run 14 to 24 inches and put up a great fight for their size. You'll find them cruising grass flats and hanging around deeper channels, especially at night. They're suckers for live shrimp, but artificial lures like topwater plugs and jigs work wonders too. Fall and spring are your best bets, when the water temps are just right. What makes Sea Trout special is their delicate, flaky white meat – it's a local delicacy. Just be careful not to overcook it, or you'll lose that tender texture. When you're out there, keep an eye on the tide changes. That's when these guys get most active, feeding on baitfish getting pushed around by the current. Here's a little trick: try a popping cork rig with a shrimp imitation about 18 inches below. The noise attracts them, and once they're close, that fake shrimp seals the deal.
About the Salt Water Revival Guide
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 50
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 250
