Fishing Charters with Captain Blake
If you are trying to figure out which trip to book, how much it costs, what you need to bring, and what the fishing is really like, this page is the straight answer.
Captain Blake has spent more than 15 years fishing the Texas coast, grew up on these waters, and has put in the kind of time that lets him adjust to wind, tide, water color, and season without wasting your day. Whether you want a calm family trip in the bay, a serious inshore day chasing a mixed bag, or a Port Aransas deep-sea run, the goal is simple: keep the trip honest, keep it safe, and put you where the fish should be.
Inshore trips
If you want the most classic Rockport day with the widest range of options, book an inshore trip. This is the bread-and-butter water Captain Blake fishes around Aransas Bay, Copano Bay, Estes, St. Charles, nearby flats, reefs, marsh edges, drains, and protected shorelines.
These trips usually target redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and flounder, and the plan changes with the day. One morning may mean drifting open bay over bait and bottom changes. Another may mean tucking into protected water, working a shoreline, or sliding into back lakes when the wind is up.
What inshore feels like with Blake is not a long boat ride followed by guessing. It is a local, adaptive trip where you spend more time fishing and less time wondering what to do next.
Bay trips
Bay trips are the calm-water, easy-riding side of Captain Blake's inshore program, and they are the best fit for a lot of first-time customers. If you have kids, grandparents, first-timers, or anybody who wants steady action without a rough run, this is usually the right call.
Rockport's protected bay system stays much gentler than the open Gulf, the runs are shorter, and the learning curve is lower. You are still targeting redfish, trout, black drum, and seasonal flounder, but the whole feel of the trip is more relaxed and family-friendly.
When somebody texts Captain Blake and says, "We have kids," "We have never done this before," or "We just want a fun day on the water," this is usually where he starts.
Offshore trips
Offshore is a different animal. Once you clear Aransas Pass, the trip changes fast. The jetties fall behind you, the water color starts changing, and now the day is built around distance, weather, and the species you want to chase.
Shorter offshore days can work the transition water from the jetties out to nearshore structure for kingfish, Spanish mackerel, cobia, and other seasonal fish. Longer reef and wreck trips push into the 50-100 foot zone for red snapper, kingfish, and cobia. When the season and conditions line up, the bluewater game opens up for mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo, and marlin.
If your main priority is calm water, kids, or learning the basics, bay or inshore is usually the better first trip. If you want bigger water, heavier tackle, and a more intense Gulf day, offshore is the move.
Pricing and What’s Included
Captain Blake's published Rockport rates are straightforward. Bay and inshore pricing is fixed. Offshore is quoted before booking because run distance, target species, fuel burn, season, and the boat scheduled for that day can all change the trip.
| Trip | Duration | Group Size | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay / Inshore Half-Day | 4 hours | 2 people | $500 |
| Bay / Inshore Half-Day | 4 hours | 3 people | $600 |
| Bay / Inshore Half-Day | 4 hours | 4 people | $700 |
| Bay / Inshore Half-Day | 4 hours | 5 people max | $800 |
| Bay / Inshore Full Day | 8 hours | 2 people | $700 |
| Bay / Inshore Full Day | 8 hours | 3 people | $800 |
| Bay / Inshore Full Day | 8 hours | 4 people | $900 |
| Bay / Inshore Full Day | 8 hours | 5 people max | $1,000 |
| Offshore / Deep Sea | 6-hour nearshore to 10-12 hour bluewater days | Depends on offshore boat and target trip | Custom quote before booking |
What is included
Boat
Captain and guide service
Rods, reels, tackle, bait, and trip-matched gear
Bottled water and ice
Fish cleaning and bagging
Instruction for beginners
Safety gear and required onboard safety equipment
What is not included
Texas fishing license with saltwater endorsement for anglers 17 and older
Food, snacks, and extra drinks beyond the boat's water supply
Gratuity
Hotel pickup or transfer to the dock
What to Bring
Captain Blake should sound practical here. Not salesy. Just honest.
You do not need to show up with a truck bed full of gear. Most people fish better when they bring less and show up prepared.
The boat provides
Rods and reels
Tackle, hooks, weights, lures, and bait
Water and ice
Fish cleaning and bagging
Life jackets and required safety equipment
You should bring
Texas saltwater fishing license if you are 17 or older
Sunscreen, preferably lotion instead of spray
Polarized sunglasses
Hat and lightweight clothes
Non-slip deck-friendly shoes
Snacks, lunch, and any extra drinks you want
Motion sickness medication if you are even slightly worried about it
A cooler in your vehicle for cleaned fish
Photo ID and tip money if you want it handy
Captain Blake's practical recommendations
On bay and inshore trips, keep it light. You do not need to show up with a pile of gear.
On offshore trips, take your motion sickness medicine before you think you need it.
Bring more water than you think you will drink, even though the boat already has water and ice.
If you want to bring your own rod or favorite lure, keep it compact and let Blake know ahead of time.
If you are bringing kids, pack extra sun protection and a backup shirt.
If you want fish for dinner, leave a cooler in the truck.
And yes, the no-bananas rule still stands.
First-timer tips
If this is your first saltwater charter, do not overthink it. Bay trips are the easiest first experience. Inshore is the next step if you want more water coverage and a little more strategy. Offshore is best when you are excited about the ride as much as the catch.
What first-timers forget most often is not tackle. It is sunscreen, water, hats, and a cooler for fish.
Best Seasons and Timing
There is no single month when everything is perfect. Rockport and Port Aransas fish year-round, but each part of the calendar has a different personality
| Month | What is usually biting | Honest take |
|---|---|---|
| January | Trout, black drum, sheepshead, some redfish | Good winter fishing, especially in protected water. Not the flashiest redfish month, but a solid time for patient anglers. |
| February | Trout, black drum, redfish | Still a winter pattern month. Good for deeper channels, coves, and structure. |
| March | Redfish, trout, sheepshead, black drum | One of the first months where everything starts waking up. Great time for mixed-bag inshore trips. |
| April | Redfish, trout, flounder | Warming water, more bait, more movement. Very good for beginners and families. |
| May | Trout and cruising redfish | One of the best months on the calendar. Morning trout bite can be excellent. |
| June | Redfish, trout, black drum, sheepshead | Strong bay fishing early and late in the day. Heat starts to matter by midday. |
| July | Redfish, trout, kingfish, snapper offshore | Summer is strong, but start early. Great month if you want inshore and offshore options. |
| August | Redfish, trout, flounder, offshore pelagics | Still productive, but the heat is real. Fish structure and low-light windows. |
| September | Redfish, trout | Prime time starts here. Schooling reds and stronger all-around action. |
| October | Redfish, trout, flounder, black drum | One of the top months of the year. If you only pick one fall month, October is hard to beat. |
| November | Redfish, black drum, trout, flounder | Late-fall action stays strong and flounder is still a real player early in the month. |
| December | Trout, drum, sheepshead, some redfish | Productive winter fishing with fewer crowds. Better if you value quality over heat and beach-weather vibes. |
Species peaks at a glance
Redfish: best from late summer through fall, but available in some form almost all year
Speckled trout: strongest in spring, early summer, and fall; winter can mean better quality fish on the right days
Black drum: especially dependable in cooler months
Flounder: best in fall during the migration, with some carryover into early winter
Offshore snapper, kingfish, and cobia: summer into early fall is the core window
Mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo, and marlin: depend on season, weather, and run distance
Best time of day
For most trips, early morning and late afternoon are the best fishing windows. In summer, that matters even more. Trout and redfish both fish better when you beat the midday heat.
Offshore departure time also depends on sea state, target species, and how far Blake needs to run.
Boat and Equipment
Bay and inshore boat
Captain Blake's current bay listing shows a 22-foot Boatright bay boat built in 2017 with room for up to 5 people. It is powered by a 225 HP Tohatsu and rigged for the kind of shallow-water work Rockport trips demand.
GPS
Fishfinder
Radio
Live bait well
Ice box
Wheelchair-accessible layout on the current bay listing
Offshore setup
Texas Crew'd also runs a separate offshore setup for Port Aransas and Gulf trips. The current site shows a real Texas Crew'd offshore boat, and Blake's reports reference a 35-foot offshore boat for snapper season runs.
Offshore gear and layout are built around longer runs, bigger fish, and heavier tackle than a normal bay day.
Tackle and gear
Captain Blake's bay listing calls out Shimano spinning reels, Power Pro braided line, live bait, dead bait, and lures. The bigger point is that the gear is already matched to the trip.
You do not have to guess whether to bring popping corks, jigheads, wire leaders, or heavier offshore tackle. Blake rigs for the fish, the conditions, and the style of trip you booked.
Safety
Captain Blake holds a United States Coast Guard Master License, runs required onboard safety equipment, and makes the weather call with safety first. If conditions are not safe, the right answer is to reschedule, not force the trip.
Customer Testimonials
“Went fishing with Capt Blake off Rockport in the afternoon of 4/29/21. This was a GREAT trip and he made it so enjoyable that we look forward to our next trip with him! He really knows the area and made sure we had opportunities to catch some Redfish.”
— S B“Been coming down to Rockport for years fishing with Blake at Texas Crew’d. Would definitely recommend Texas Crew’d if you want a great bay fishing trip!”
— Brandon Greer“This was our 4th time fishing with TX CREWD we always have a blast awesome boat and Captain we cant wait until the next trip!”
— Jason RylandFAQs
Here’s answers to a few popular questions. In the meantime, click below for more info and our rates.
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Bring sunscreen and any food, snacks, or drinks you'd like. We provide all fishing gear, water, and ice, so none of that is necessary. Please note: absolutely no bananas allowed on the boat (it's a fishing tradition!). Comfortable, non-slip shoes and casual clothing you don't mind getting wet are recommended.
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Your catch depends on the season and trip type. On bay fishing trips, you're most likely to encounter redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum.
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Not at all. All levels of experience are welcome, and kids are too. Captain Blake specializes in working with first-time anglers and will teach you everything you need to know—from casting technique to reading the water and fighting fish. Many of our best days have included complete beginners who caught more fish than they expected because they had expert guidance.