Texas Half-Day Fishing | Top-Rated Inshore Trip

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

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

Summary

Ready for some serious fishing in Port O'Connor? Captain Justin Dudley's half-day charter with 3rd Coast Sightcast is perfect for experienced anglers looking to dial in their inshore game. You'll be targeting hard-fighting species like Black Drum, Jack Crevalle, Redfish, and Speckled Trout across the bays, channels, and flats. The captain provides top-notch gear and knows these waters like the back of his hand. He'll help you refine your techniques and put you on the fish. With room for two guests, it's an ideal trip to challenge your skills and potentially land some impressive catches. Everything you need is included, so just bring your A-game and be ready to make the most of your time on the water. Whether you're sight-casting on the flats or working structure in the bays, this focused half-day trip delivers a solid fishing experience in one of Texas' prime coastal locations.

Texas Half-Day Fishing | Top-Rated Inshore Trip

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Trip Overview

Get ready for a half-day of serious fishing action in Port O'Connor, Texas. Captain Justin Dudley knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's geared up to put you on some big fish. This isn't your average tourist trip - it's designed for anglers who know their stuff and want to tangle with some hard-fighting inshore species. We're talking Black Drum, Jack Crevalle, Redfish, and Spotted Seatrout. You'll be hitting the sweet spots across the bays, channels, and flats where these bruisers hang out. The best part? All the gear is top-notch and included, so you can focus on what matters - catching fish.

What to Expect on the Water

When you step onto Captain Justin's boat, you're in for a no-nonsense fishing experience. He's not here to hold your hand - he's here to put you on fish and help you up your game. Expect to cover a lot of water, from the skinny flats to deeper channels. You might be sight-casting to tailing reds one minute, then battling a bulldogging black drum the next. The gear is all high-quality stuff - rods and reels that can handle whatever these Texas waters throw at you. And while Captain Justin's got the bait and tackle covered, don't be shy about bringing your favorite lure. This is the kind of trip where every cast counts, and you'll want to bring your A-game.

Techniques & Terrain

Port O'Connor's diverse waters mean you'll be switching up tactics throughout the day. In the shallows, we might be poling quietly, looking for those tell-tale signs of feeding fish. Sight-casting is the name of the game here - it's all about accuracy and a soft landing. When we hit the deeper areas, we might switch to live bait or jigging. For the jacks, be ready for some topwater action that'll test your drag and your arms. The terrain changes quickly here - from grass flats to oyster reefs and deep channels. Each spot requires a different approach, and Captain Justin's there to help you dial it in. Whether you're chunking bait for black drum or working a soft plastic for trout, you'll be using techniques the locals swear by.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Black Drum are the bulldogs of the bay. These bruisers can top 30 pounds and put up a fight that'll make your arms ache. They love hanging around structure, so we'll target oyster reefs and channel edges. The bigger ones make a distinctive 'drumming' sound - once you hear it, you'll know you're in for a battle. Spring and fall are prime time for the big ones, but you can catch them year-round.

Jack Crevalle, or "jacks" as we call 'em, are the speed demons of Port O'Connor. These guys will test your stamina and your gear. They show up in force during the warmer months, often busting bait on the surface. When a school of jacks is feeding, it's like a washing machine out there. Topwater lures are the ticket - nothing beats seeing a jack explode on your lure. Just make sure you've got a good grip on that rod!

Redfish are the rock stars of Texas inshore fishing. They've got that iconic spot on the tail, and they pull like a freight train. We'll be looking for them tailing in the shallows or cruising the edges of grass flats. Fall is the golden season for big reds, but you can catch 'em year-round. There's nothing quite like the 'thump' when a red takes your lure - it's addictive.

Spotted Seatrout, or "specks" as the locals say, are the bread and butter of bay fishing. They're known for their delicate bite and acrobatic jumps. We'll target them over grass beds or along drop-offs. Dawn and dusk are magic hours for trout fishing. They're suckers for a well-presented soft plastic, but live shrimp is hard to beat. The "gator" trout - the big ones over 25 inches - those are the trophies every angler dreams about.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Folks who fish with Captain Justin tend to book again before they even get back to the dock. It's not just about the fish - though there are plenty of those. It's about fishing with someone who respects your experience and pushes you to be a better angler. You're not just a passenger on this boat; you're part of the crew. Every trip is different, tailored to the conditions and what's biting. And let's be honest - there's something special about Port O'Connor. It's got that old-school Texas coast vibe that's getting harder to find. Whether you're battling a big red or watching the sun set over the bay, it's the kind of place that gets under your skin.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, if you're the kind of angler who's always looking to learn something new, to test yourself against some serious fish, this is your trip. Captain Justin's got the local knowledge, the right gear, and the attitude to make sure you get the most out of your time on the water. Port O'Connor's got the fish - big ones, mean ones, smart ones. All that's missing is you. So check your calendar, grab your favorite hat, and let's get you booked. The fish are waiting, and the tide's just right. Don't let this chance slip away - the best days on the water are always the ones ahead. Give Captain Justin a call, and let's make it happen. Tight lines, and we'll see you on the water!

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, typically running 5 to 30 pounds but sometimes hitting a whopping 90. You'll find them hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in 1 to 4 feet of water. These guys are bottom feeders, so live bait like crabs or clams works best. Spring's the prime time to target them when they school up to spawn. Black Drum put up a good fight and make for some tasty eating, especially the smaller ones under 15 pounds. The bigger ones can get tough and less flavorful. Listen for their distinctive drumming sound – it's how they communicate. One tip: when you're fishing the flats, look for their tails sticking up as they root around for food. It's a dead giveaway and makes for some exciting sight casting.

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of our waters. They're typically 12-24 inches but can grow up to 4 feet and 60 pounds. These powerhouses hang around structures like oil rigs and reefs, both inshore and offshore. Watch for birds diving – that's often a sign of jacks pushing bait to the surface. They're most active in warmer months. Jacks aren't great eating, but they're prized for their brutal fights. They'll hit just about any lure, but love fast-moving baits like topwater plugs or silver spoons. Here's a tip: when you spot a school, cast beyond them and retrieve quickly. These aggressive fish love to chase down their prey. Be ready for a scorching run when they hit – jacks will test both your gear and your stamina.

Redfish

Redfish, or Red Drum, are one of our most popular targets. They're easy to spot with that black dot near their tail. Most run 20 to 30 inches, but they can grow much bigger. Look for them in super shallow water, sometimes with their backs out of the water, around oyster reefs and grass flats. They'll eat just about anything, but love crabs and shrimp. Sight-casting to tailing reds in clear shallows is a real thrill. These fish put up a great fight and are excellent eating. Fall is prime time when they school up. Here's a local tip: on windy days, focus on shorelines where the wind is blowing into the bank. Reds often cruise these areas looking for bait pushed up by the waves.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are a favorite around here. They usually run 14 to 24 inches and put up a great fight on light tackle. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. In winter, they school up in deeper channels. These fish love shrimp and small baitfish, so soft plastics or live bait under a popping cork work well. They're most active in cooler months, from fall through spring. Sea Trout are known for their delicate, flaky white meat – just be careful not to overcook it. One tip: on calm mornings, listen for their distinctive "trout pops" on the surface. That's your cue to cast a topwater lure in that direction for some exciting strikes.

Summer Flounder

Summer Flounder, or fluke, are masters of camouflage, blending right into the sandy bottom. They average 15-20 inches but can grow up to 26 pounds. Look for them in estuaries and along the coast, especially near structures like jetties or drop-offs. Fall's the best time to target them as they migrate offshore. These flatfish are ambush predators, so they'll attack a moving bait. Try drifting with live minnows or squid strips, or work a bucktail jig slowly along the bottom. Flounder are prized for their mild, delicate flavor, making them a favorite for the dinner table. Here's a local trick: when you feel a bite, don't set the hook right away. Give the flounder a few seconds to fully take the bait, then reel steadily to set the hook in the corner of its mouth.

About the 3rd Coast Sightcast

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 2

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 36

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 70

Ready for some serious inshore fishing? Captain Justin Dudley's charter in Port O'Connor, Texas is geared towards experienced anglers looking to hone their skills and battle some tough fish. You'll be targeting Black Drum, Jack Crevalle, Redfish, and Spotted Seatrout in the productive local waters. This half-day trip takes you through bays, channels, and coastal flats where the action happens. Captain Justin provides top-notch gear and his expert knowledge to help you refine your techniques and boost your chances of success. It's a focused outing that gives you plenty of time to test your mettle against some hard-fighting fish. With all the equipment included, you can just show up ready to fish. If you're an angler who wants to make the most of your time on the water, this trip delivers a solid fishing experience without any fuss.

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