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Get ready to spend a full day on the water chasing after some of the most sought-after inshore species in Rockport, TX. This 7-hour guided trip is tailor-made for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to maximize their time fishing. You'll be targeting redfish, speckled trout, and black drum across multiple honey holes in the area. With just you and a buddy on board, you'll have plenty of elbow room to cast and reel in your catches. The best part? All the gear is provided, so you can focus on what matters most – landing those fish!
This ain't no leisurely boat ride, folks. We're talking about a full day of serious fishing action. Your guide from Bills and Gills Guide Service will have you on the fish from the get-go. You'll be hitting up several prime spots throughout the day, giving you the best shot at a diverse catch. The trip is designed for two anglers, so you and your fishing buddy can have a blast without feeling cramped. Your guide will be there to put you on the fish, but it's up to you to seal the deal. Expect to cover a lot of water and potentially use different techniques as the day progresses. It's all about adapting to what the fish are doing and maximizing your chances for a cooler full of keepers.
On this trip, you'll be using a mix of tried-and-true inshore fishing techniques. Depending on the conditions and target species, you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in the shallows, working soft plastics for trout over grass flats, or bottom fishing with live bait for black drum. Your guide will have all the necessary gear on board – quality rods, reels, and a variety of lures and bait. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped bay boat, perfect for navigating the shallow waters of Rockport. Don't worry about bringing any tackle; just show up ready to fish. However, if you've got a lucky lure you swear by, feel free to bring it along. Remember to pack some sunscreen, a hat, and polarized sunglasses – the Texas sun can be brutal out on the water.
"Great time and caught a bunch of fish. Will definitely use them again." - alan
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are a favorite among Rockport anglers. Known for their powerful runs and distinctive spot near the tail, redfish can be found in various habitats from shallow flats to deeper channels. During the cooler months, you might encounter schools of bull reds, offering the chance at a true trophy catch. Redfish love to cruise the shallows, often revealing their location with their tails sticking out of the water – a sight that gets every angler's heart racing.
Speckled Trout: Also known as spotted seatrout, these fish are prized for both their sporty fight and excellent table fare. Specks, as locals call them, can be found year-round in Rockport, but the bigger ones often show up in spring and fall. They're known for their delicate mouths, making for an exciting challenge when setting the hook. Trout love to hang around structure, so your guide will likely have you targeting oyster reefs, grass flats, and channel edges.
Black Drum: Often overlooked by visiting anglers, black drum can provide some of the most consistent action in Rockport's waters. These cousins of the redfish can grow to impressive sizes, with bull black drum easily topping 30 pounds. They're bottom feeders, so you'll be using different tactics than for reds and trout. Black drum have a distinctive thumping bite and can put up a stubborn fight, especially the bigger ones. While the smaller ones are excellent eating, the real thrill is hooking into one of the big boys.
Rockport isn't just another fishing town – it's a world-class inshore fishing destination. The diversity of species and fishing opportunities keeps anglers coming back year after year. One day you might be sight-casting to tailing reds in gin-clear water, the next you could be battling bull black drum in the deeper channels. The area's vast network of bays, flats, and channels provides endless opportunities to hone your skills and try different techniques. Plus, with a full day on the water, you've got time to really dial in your approach and potentially land that personal best catch.
Look, if you're serious about your fishing and want to make the most of your time in Rockport, this full-day trip with Bills and Gills Guide Service is the way to go. You're getting a solid 7 hours on the water with a guide who knows these waters like the back of their hand. Whether you're after a new personal best, want to fill the cooler with some tasty fillets, or just enjoy a day applying your angling skills in a top-notch fishery, this trip delivers. Remember, it's limited to just two anglers, so you'll want to lock in your date before someone else does. Don't miss out on what could be the fishing highlight of your year – book now and get ready for a day of rod-bending action in Rockport!
July 6, 2025
Black Drum are bruisers of the bay, ranging from 5 to 30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90. They're cousins to Redfish but with a distinctive croaking sound. You'll find them in brackish waters, especially around oyster beds and mudflats. Spring's the prime time as they school up to spawn. These guys are bottom-feeders, so live bait like crab or clams works best. For artificials, slow-moving jigs are the ticket. Black Drum put up a good fight and make decent table fare, but stick to the smaller ones under 15 pounds for the best eating. One local trick: listen for their drumming sounds on calm days - it can lead you right to them. Just remember, these fish can live up to 50 years, so consider releasing the big ones to keep the population healthy.

Redfish, or Red Drum, are the rockstars of our shallow flats here in Rockport. These copper-colored beauties with their signature tail spot love hanging in 1 to 4 feet of water, often tailing in water so shallow their backs break the surface. You'll find 'em around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marshy edges. Most run 28 to 33 inches, but they can grow much bigger offshore. Reds put up a great fight and are delicious on the plate. They'll hit just about anything when they're feeding – topwater lures, jigs, or live bait all work well. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but you can catch 'em year-round. Here's a local secret: look for nervous bait or disturbed water near shorelines, especially on incoming tides. That's often a dead giveaway for feeding reds.

Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call 'em here, are a favorite inshore target. They typically run 14 to 24 inches and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. During winter, they school up in deeper channels. These fish are opportunistic feeders, so artificial lures like jerk baits and topwater plugs can be deadly. Live shrimp is always a good bet too. Sea Trout have a mild, delicate flavor that's hard to beat, but be careful not to overcook 'em or they'll get mushy. Best time to fish is during their spawn from April to June. Here's a tip: troll slowly along grass lines if you're having trouble locating them. The bite can be finicky, so vary your retrieve speed until you figure out what they want.

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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 45
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 450
Great time and caught a bunch of fish. Will definitely use them again.