%2Ffit-in%2F250x250%2Fguide_websites%2F122582%2Fimages%2F1775016703553logo.jpeg&w=1200&q=100)
/users/35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3/ratecard/547458734_122115252806973028_2951381008673303275_n-mnff8opo.jpg)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3%2Fratecard%2F547458734_122115252806973028_2951381008673303275_n-mnff8opo.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3%2Fimages%2Fblack-drum-rockport-texas-fishing-2635.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3%2Fimages%2Frockport-redfish-black-drum-catch-2645.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3%2Fimages%2Frockport-fishing-catch-dock-2351.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3%2Fimages%2Frockport-redfish-fishing-success-2540.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3%2Fimages%2Frockport-mixed-species-fishing-catch-2633.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3%2Fimages%2Frockport-redfish-double-catch-2658.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3%2Fimages%2Frockport-redfish-black-drum-catch-2372.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3%2Fimages%2Frockport-redfish-fishing-success-2662.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3%2Fimages%2Fblack-drum-rockport-fishing-catch-2682.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F35805e16-2ad4-4651-b282-94d53b89eed3%2Fimages%2Fblack-drum-rockport-tx-fishing-2671.jpg&w=256&q=75)
Full Day Rockport Fishing Captain Jairus
What you will be catching:
Black Drum
Blacktip Shark
Bull Shark
Redfish
Sea Trout
- Eight-hour inshore fishing experience with 20+ year veteran Captain Jairus
- All gear, bait, and comfortable 21' Bay Quest vessel included
- Multiple productive fishing locations throughout St. Charles Bay waters
Trip Pricing and Availabilities:
Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.
Full Day Fishing Trip in Rockport, TX
When you're serious about fishing and want to make the most of your time on Texas waters, Captain Jairus has the perfect solution. This full-day 8-hour adventure gives you the luxury of time that shorter trips just can't match. You'll explore the productive waters of St. Charles Bay and beyond, moving between spots as conditions change and fish patterns shift throughout the day. Captain Jairus brings over 20 years of local knowledge to every trip, reading the water like a book and adjusting tactics to keep you on the fish. The comfortable 21' Bay Quest boat handles beautifully in these coastal waters, providing a stable platform for up to 2 guests who want a more personalized experience on the water.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early when the fish are most active and the bay is calm. Captain Jairus meets you at the dock with everything ready to go – rods rigged, tackle organized, and fresh bait in the wells. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is the flexibility it provides. If the morning bite slows down, there's plenty of time to move to different structure or try varying depths as fish relocate with changing tides. You might start working shallow grass flats for redfish, then transition to deeper channels for trout, or even venture to the jetties if conditions allow. The extended time frame means you're not rushed, giving you opportunities to learn different techniques and really dial in your presentation. Captain Jairus takes pride in teaching clients the nuances of reading water, understanding fish behavior, and adapting to what the bay gives you on any particular day.
Techniques & Tackle
The 21' Bay Quest is perfectly suited for inshore work, with a shallow draft that lets Captain Jairus access skinny water where big reds cruise the flats. All tackle is top-rated and tournament-ready – from light spinning gear for finicky trout to stouter rods when targeting bull sharks in deeper water. You'll fish with live bait, cut bait, and artificial lures depending on conditions and target species. Captain Jairus is skilled with various presentations, whether it's working topwater plugs over grass beds at dawn, drifting live shrimp under popping corks in the channels, or sight-casting to tailing redfish in ankle-deep water. The boat's layout provides excellent fishing angles from multiple positions, and the trolling motor allows for precise boat positioning when working structure or following moving fish. With 8 hours to work with, you'll experience different techniques throughout the day as conditions and opportunities change.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the bay system, and Rockport's waters hold some true giants. These powerful fish patrol oyster reefs and mud flats, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish with ease. Fall and winter months offer the best opportunities for trophy drum, with fish exceeding 40 pounds not uncommon. They're notorious for their bulldogging fights, making long runs and testing your drag system. The satisfaction of landing a big black drum on light tackle is something every angler should experience.
Sea Trout remain the bread-and-butter species for Rockport guides, and for good reason. These beautiful spotted fish are abundant year-round, though spring and fall provide the most consistent action. Trout are structure-oriented, relating to grass beds, shell reefs, and channel edges. They're incredibly responsive to subtle presentations, making them perfect for anglers looking to refine their technique. A solid 20-inch trout fighting on light spinning gear provides non-stop action, and the satisfaction of a well-executed presentation paying off keeps anglers coming back.
Redfish are the signature species of Texas coastal waters, and St. Charles Bay holds healthy populations of these copper-colored fighters. These fish are aggressive feeders that will take both live and artificial baits with gusto. Summer months offer exciting sight-fishing opportunities when reds push into extremely shallow water to feed. There's nothing quite like watching a 28-inch red crash a topwater plug in two feet of water. Their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style make every hookup memorable.
Blacktip Shark add serious excitement to any trip, especially during their seasonal runs in late spring and summer. These athletic sharks are incredibly fast and acrobatic, often launching completely out of the water when hooked. They typically range from 15 to 30 pounds in these waters and provide heart-pounding action on medium tackle. Captain Jairus knows the areas where blacktips concentrate, often near baitfish schools in deeper bay sections.
Bull Shark represent the apex predators of the bay system, and encounters with these powerful fish create lasting memories. Summer months bring bulls into the bay system following baitfish, with fish ranging from juveniles to massive adults exceeding 100 pounds. These sharks are incredibly strong and determined fighters that will test both angler and equipment. The combination of size, power, and the knowledge that you're battling one of the bay's top predators makes bull shark fishing genuinely exciting.
Time to Book Your Spot
A full-day trip with Captain Jairus offers the complete Rockport fishing experience without the constraints of shorter outings. The extended time on the water means you'll experience different bite patterns, learn various techniques, and have multiple opportunities to connect with quality fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new water or someone wanting to fully experience what Rockport's renowned fishery has to offer, this 8-hour adventure delivers. Captain Jairus's two decades of local experience combined with top-quality equipment and a customer-focused approach makes for an outstanding day on the water. The memories and skills you'll gain from this world-class inshore experience will last long after you've returned to the dock. Book your full-day adventure now and discover why anglers keep returning to fish with Captain Jairus year after year.
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish love crushing oysters and crabs with their strong jaws, so you'll find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and shallow bays. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we target them most. They're known for that distinctive drumming sound they make, especially the big ones. Guests love the solid fight they put up, though if you're keeping one for dinner, stick to fish under 15 pounds - the bigger ones get tough and lose flavor. Pro tip: use fresh crab on the bottom and be patient. These fish take their time deciding whether to commit, but when they do, you'll know it.
Blacktip Shark
Blacktip sharks are some of the most exciting fish you'll hook in our waters. These sleek predators average 4-5 feet but can reach up to 9 feet, and they're famous for their aerial shows when hooked. You'll find them in 30-100 feet of water around structure and drop-offs where baitfish congregate. Summer months bring the best action when water temps are warmest. What makes them special is their acrobatic jumps - they can launch 20+ feet out of the water. They're catch-and-release only, but the fight is what it's all about. These sharks are actually pretty timid despite their reputation, often hanging back until they commit. Pro tip: use oily baits like mackerel or sardines and set up a good chum line. Heavy tackle is a must - 30-50 pound gear minimum.
Bull Shark
Bull sharks are the ultimate apex predator in our coastal waters. These thick-bodied bruisers run 8-12 feet and can weigh 200-300 pounds, packing serious power. What's wild about bulls is they move between saltwater and freshwater, so you might hook one in the bay or way up in brackish creeks. Summer brings the best action when they cruise shallow coastal waters hunting for food. Guests target these for the pure adrenaline rush - there's nothing like hooking into a fish that can drag you around for an hour. They're strictly catch-and-release, but the memories last forever. My secret weapon: fresh eel makes the best bait due to its high oil content and tough skin that stays on the hook. Set up near drop-offs and be ready for a serious fight.
Redfish
Redfish are the bread and butter of our Texas coast, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties run 20-35 inches on average and love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll spot them tailing on muddy flats, around oyster reefs, and in back lakes. That distinctive black spot near their tail makes them easy to identify. Fall and spring are prime seasons when they're most active, but we catch them year-round. Guests love their bulldogging fight and the way they'll smash topwater lures in skinny water. The meat is mild and sweet, perfect for the grill. My go-to tip: look for nervous water and bait getting pushed around. When you find one redfish, there's usually more nearby. Work your lure slow and steady.
Sea Trout
Spotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are some of the prettiest fish in our bays. They typically run 14-24 inches and love hanging around grass flats and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water. Night fishing is when they really turn on, especially around lighted docks and shallow flats. These fish have a delicate, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table, but don't overcook it or it gets mushy. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater plugs and soft plastics with explosive strikes. Fall and winter months are best when they school up in deeper channels. Local trick: work your lure slow and steady - specks don't like erratic action like redfish do. They're more finicky but worth the patience.
About the 21' Bay Quest Bay Boat 2002
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 18
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 115
