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Redfish Bay Flats Fishing Adventure
Rockport, TXWhat you will be catching:
Black Drum
Redfish
Sea Trout
Snook
Southern Flounder
- Two-hour guided kayak tour to historic Lydia Ann Lighthouse
- All skill levels accommodated with complete equipment provided
- Small six-person groups ensure personalized coastal experience
Trip Pricing and Availabilities:
Redfish Bay Flats Fishing Adventure
Looking for a solid day on the water targeting some of Texas' most prized inshore species? This guided flats fishing trip puts you right in the heart of Redfish Bay near the iconic Lydia Ann Lighthouse, where shallow water fishing doesn't get much better. Rocky Branch Charters knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish while you soak up one of the most scenic backdrops on the coast. Whether you're sight casting to tailing reds or working the grass beds for trout, this flexible trip adapts to what's biting and what you want to catch.
What to Expect on the Water
Your captain will meet you at the launch near Lydia Ann Lighthouse for this personalized fishing experience. With just one angler per trip, you get the guide's full attention and can fish at your own pace. The shallow flats around Redfish Bay are perfect for sight fishing when conditions are right, but your guide knows plenty of productive structure and grass beds when the fish are holding deeper. This isn't a rushed charter - you've got solid time to work different spots and techniques. The trip runs a minimum of two hours, but if the bite is hot, you can extend for $50 per hour. Your guide provides all the tackle and knows exactly what's working, whether that's live bait, soft plastics, or topwater when the morning bite is on.
Flats Fishing Techniques
Redfish Bay's shallow water fishing is all about reading the conditions and adapting your approach. Your guide will have you sight casting when the water's clear and the fish are cruising the flats. You'll learn to spot wakes, tails, and nervous water that gives away feeding fish. When the wind picks up or the water gets stirred, you'll switch to working the grass beds and oyster bars where trout and drum like to ambush baitfish. The tackle setup varies based on target species - lighter spinning gear for trout, heavier action for bull reds that can stretch into the slot and beyond. Your captain will coach you through proper presentations, whether you're dropping a live shrimp near structure or working a soft plastic along a drop-off. The boat positioning is key in the shallows, and your guide knows how to use the wind and tide to keep you in the strike zone.
Top Catches This Season
Redfish are the stars of this show, and Redfish Bay lives up to its name year-round. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the flats in schools, especially during fall when they're feeding heavily before winter. You'll find them tailing in knee-deep water on calm mornings, making them perfect targets for sight fishing. Slot reds (20-28 inches) are plentiful, with plenty of oversized bulls that'll test your drag. Southern Flounder stage up in the bay during their fall migration, lying flat on sandy bottoms near channels and drop-offs. These flatfish are masters of camouflage but can't resist a well-placed live bait or soft plastic bounced along the bottom. Snook love the structure around the lighthouse area and nearby docks, ambushing baitfish in the shadows. They're most active during warmer months and provide explosive topwater action in low light conditions.
Black Drum frequent the deeper grass beds and oyster reefs, often traveling in schools and feeding heavily on crabs and shellfish. These hard-fighting fish range from keeper-sized juveniles to massive bulls that can exceed 40 pounds. Sea Trout are scattered throughout the bay but concentrate around grass beds and structure changes. Spring and fall offer the best trout action, with fish feeding aggressively on shrimp and small baitfish. They're perfect for light tackle and provide consistent action when other species are finicky. The variety in Redfish Bay means you're rarely targeting just one species - it's common to catch three or four different fish in a single trip.
Time to Book Your Spot
At $100 for this personalized fishing experience, you're getting exceptional value for a guided trip in some of Texas' most productive inshore waters. The one-on-one attention means you'll learn techniques that'll make you a better angler long after the trip ends. Your guide's local knowledge is invaluable - they know where the fish are staging based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The flexible timing lets you make the most of good conditions, and the option to extend keeps you fishing when the action heats up. Bring your camera for the lighthouse views, pack plenty of water and sun protection, and get ready for a top-rated flats fishing adventure that showcases why Redfish Bay is a customer favorite among serious anglers.
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50-plus. These gray-black bruisers have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're bulldogs that use their weight and power rather than speed, making for a grinding, back-aching fight. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Bigger fish are best released as the meat gets tough. My go-to technique: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom near oyster beds. Keep your drag loose - they'll use that structure against you.
Redfish
Redfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing here in Redfish Bay. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-28 inches, though we see some bull reds pushing 40-plus inches. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines in 1-4 feet. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times. What makes them special is their power and that distinctive "thump" when they hit. They're bulldogs that use the shallows to their advantage. Smaller slot fish are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The real thrill is sight-fishing them in clear water. Pro tip: when you see one tailing, cast well ahead and let your lure settle before working it slowly past their nose.
Sea Trout
Spotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-20 inches, with some reaching 24-plus. They prefer grass flats and drop-offs in 3-8 feet, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and late evening. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent eating quality - soft, white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not the strongest fighters but make up for it with aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps. Winter finds them schooled up in deeper channels. Local tip: work soft plastics or topwater plugs over grass beds at first light. They're structure-oriented, so focus on points, potholes, and edges where the grass meets sand.
Snook
Snook are one of our most sought-after species, and for good reason. These sleek, golden-sided fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet but can hit 4 feet. They're ambush predators that love cover - mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in 2-10 feet of water. Spring through fall is your best bet, especially around new and full moons when they spawn. What gets folks hooked is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make runs toward structure to try breaking you off. The meat is white, firm, and delicious too. They're temperature sensitive, so warmer months are key. Here's a local secret: target them at dawn or dusk around moving water near structure. Use lures that mimic shrimp or baitfish, and be ready for that jarring hit.
Southern Flounder
Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. These ambush predators typically run 15-18 inches, though we see some pushing 2-3 feet. They love shallow bays and grass flats, especially around structure where they can bury in and wait for shrimp, crabs, or small fish to pass by. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. What makes them special is their unique appearance and excellent table fare - the meat is white, flaky, and mild. They put up a decent fight for their size, with that classic flatfish head-shaking action. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook. They tend to mouth it first.
About the Rocky Branch Pelican
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
