Port O'Connor Inshore Fishing | Expert Charters

Published Date: September 22, 2025
Fishing

Texas
$500 - $800 price range
Updated Date: November 26, 2025

Summary

Grab your gear and join Captain Justin Dudley of 3rd Coast Sightcast for a half-day fishing trip out of Port O'Connor, Texas. This inshore adventure targets Black Drum, Jack Crevalle, Redfish, and Spotted Seatrout in the productive bays and channels along the coast. Whether you're new to fishing or an experienced angler, Captain Justin provides quality equipment and expert guidance to help you improve your technique and land some hard-fighting fish. The trip is designed to fit into a weekend schedule, giving you plenty of time on the water without taking up your whole day. With all the essentials covered - rods, reels, bait, and tackle - you can focus on the fishing and soak in the coastal atmosphere. It's a great way to experience the rich marine life of the Texas coast and potentially hook into some impressive catches. Perfect for a pair of friends or a couple looking for an active outdoor experience, this charter offers a blend of relaxation and excitement on the water.

Port O'Connor Inshore Fishing | Expert Charters

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Get ready to wet a line in some of Texas' most productive inshore waters. This half-day trip with Captain Justin Dudley of 3rd Coast Sightcast puts you right where the action is in Port O'Connor. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, you'll have a shot at hooking into hard-fighting black drum, jack crevalle, redfish, and spotted seatrout. With all the gear provided and expert guidance at your side, you're in for a day of non-stop fishing and coastal scenery that'll have you itching to come back for more.

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as you step aboard Captain Justin's boat, you'll feel the excitement building. The air's salty, the sun's warming up, and there's fish to be caught. You'll cruise through Port O'Connor's maze of bays and channels, each spot holding the promise of a bent rod. No need to fuss with gear - quality rods, reels, and tackle are all provided. Whether you're casting lures or soaking bait, Captain Justin's got the local know-how to put you on the fish. And don't worry if you're new to this - he'll show you the ropes, from setting the hook to landing your catch. This half-day trip is perfect for fitting some serious fishing into a busy weekend, giving you plenty of time to battle some bruisers without taking up your whole day.

Techniques & Hotspots

On this trip, you'll get to try out a variety of fishing techniques tailored to what's biting. Might be drifting live shrimp for trout, sight-casting to tailing redfish in the shallows, or chunking cut bait for big black drum. Captain Justin's always got a few tricks up his sleeve, like using popping corks to entice strikes or working topwater lures for explosive action. You'll hit up some of Port O'Connor's prime fishing grounds - maybe the grass flats of Espiritu Santo Bay, the deep channels near Pass Cavallo, or the structure-rich areas around Matagorda Island. Each spot's got its own personality, and you'll learn to read the water like a pro.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Black Drum: These bruisers are the bulldogs of the bay. They'll test your drag and your biceps, often weighing in at 20-30 pounds, with some real monsters pushing 50+. Black drum love to hang around structure and oyster reefs, using their sensitive barbels to root out crabs and shrimp. When you hook one, get ready for a stubborn fight - they don't give up easy. Best of all, they're available year-round, with peak action in late winter and early spring when they school up to spawn.

Jack Crevalle: If you're after a fish that'll make your arms ache, jacks are your target. These powerhouses are pure muscle, known for blistering runs that can strip a reel in seconds. They show up in Port O'Connor waters when it warms up, usually from late spring through fall. Spot a school of jacks busting bait on the surface, and you're in for some of the most exciting topwater action you'll ever experience. Just be ready - these guys don't know when to quit.

Redfish: The Texas coast's claim to fame, redfish (or red drum) are the perfect all-around gamefish. They've got the power to test your tackle, the willingness to eat a variety of baits, and they're excellent on the table to boot. In Port O'Connor, you might find them tailing in shallow grass flats or cruising along shorelines. That characteristic spot on their tail makes them easy to identify, and when they're feeding, the water looks like it's boiling. Fall is prime time for big bulls, but you can catch reds year-round here.

Spotted Seatrout: Known locally as "specks," these fish are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing. They're abundant, great to eat, and offer consistent action throughout the year. Trout love to ambush bait around grass beds, drop-offs, and channel edges. Early mornings often see them blowing up on topwater lures, which is about as fun as fishing gets. While most run in the 2-3 pound range, gator trout pushing 5+ pounds are always a possibility in these waters.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

It's not just the fish that make this trip a keeper. There's something special about being out on the water as the sun comes up, watching the coastal birds work and feeling that first tug on your line. Captain Justin's laid-back approach makes everyone feel at ease, whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro. You'll pick up new techniques, learn about the local ecosystem, and probably swap a few fishing tales along the way. And let's be honest - there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of reeling in a fish you caught yourself. By the time you're heading back to the dock, you'll already be planning your next trip.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to get out on the water and tangle with some of Texas' hardest-fighting fish, this Port O'Connor charter is calling your name. Captain Justin's got the skills, the spots, and the setup to make your half-day on the coast count. Whether you're looking to bend a rod, learn some new tricks, or just soak in the coastal vibes, you're in for a treat. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Grab a buddy (the boat can take two anglers), and get ready for a fishing trip that'll have you hooked on Port O'Connor's inshore action. The fish are waiting - all that's missing is you!

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black drum are the big cousins of redfish, and they can get huge - I'm talking 30-90 pounds for the big boys. You'll find them hanging around oyster beds, mudflats, and channels in our bays. They use those powerful jaws and teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring's the best time to target them when they school up to spawn. Smaller ones under 15 pounds taste great, but the big ones get tough. These fish put up a stubborn fight, especially around structure. They make a distinctive drumming sound underwater, which is pretty cool to hear. For bait, nothing beats a fresh blue crab - break it in half and fish it on the bottom. When you feel that thump-thump, get ready for a battle!

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle jacks are the bulldogs of our bays - pure muscle with an attitude to match. Most run 3-5 pounds, but they can hit 60+ pounds. You'll find them busting bait schools in open water or around structures like jetties. Watch for birds diving - that's often a dead giveaway. These fish are incredibly strong fighters, often described as "freight trains with fins." While not great eating, they're prized for their sporting qualities. They hunt in schools, so when you find one, you've likely found many. To catch them, cast silver spoons or topwater plugs into feeding frenzies and retrieve fast. Pro tip: use heavier gear than you think you need - these guys will test your tackle and your arms!

Redfish

Redfish, or red drum, are one of our most popular targets here on the Texas coast. They love shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are out of the water! Look for them tailing in 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, oyster reefs, and mud bottoms. Most run 20-30 inches, but they can get much bigger offshore. That black spot near their tail is actually a false eye to confuse predators. Reds put up a great fight, often making strong runs when hooked. They're also delicious on the grill. For best results, sight-cast to them with a gold spoon or soft plastic. My local tip: on calm days, look for their wakes or tails breaking the surface. Cast well ahead of them and slowly drag your lure into their path.

Sea Trout

Known locally as speckled trout, these fish are a staple in our waters. They typically run 14-24 inches, but can push 30 inches for real trophies. You'll find them in grass flats, around oyster reefs, and near drop-offs. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially on moving tides. Trout put up a good fight on light tackle and are excellent eating. They're known for their soft mouths, so a gentle hookset is key. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but artificial lures like soft plastics work great too. My go-to trick is to fish topwater plugs early morning - there's nothing like seeing a big trout explode on your lure. Just remember to work it slow and steady.

Southern Flounder

These flat fish are masters of camouflage, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms in our shallow bays and estuaries. Most run 15-18 inches long, but can reach over 30 inches. Look for them near structure like oyster reefs or drop-offs. Fall is prime time as they move toward the Gulf to spawn. Flounder put up a decent fight and make excellent table fare with their white, flaky meat. To catch 'em, work a jig or live bait slowly along the bottom - they're ambush predators, so patience is key. My top tip: use a Carolina rig with a live mud minnow, letting it dance enticingly near the bottom. When you feel that telltale thump, give it a second before setting the hook. These "doormats" are a blast to target and a local favorite.

About the 3rd Coast Sightcast

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 2

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 36

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 70

Captain Justin Dudley's 3rd Coast Sightcast offers a laid-back half-day fishing trip out of Port O'Connor that's perfect for anglers of all levels. You'll cruise the bays and channels of the Texas coast, targeting Black Drum, Jack Crevalle, Redfish, and Spotted Seatrout. No need to worry about gear - quality rods, reels, bait, and tackle are all provided. The Captain will share tips to improve your technique and boost your chances of landing some hard-fighting fish. This trip is ideal if you're looking to make the most of your weekend, balancing time on the water with solid fishing action. With everything taken care of, you can just relax and focus on reeling in your catch. Whether you're a seasoned pro or trying fishing for the first time, this coastal outing promises a fun and productive few hours on the water.

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