Best Beginner Flounder Trip | Port O'Connor

Published Date: August 19, 2025
Fishing

Port O'Connor
$600 - $750 price range
Updated Date: August 21, 2025

Summary

Ready for a laid-back fishing adventure in Port O'Connor? Captain Pat's 4-hour flounder gigging trip is perfect for newcomers to inshore fishing. You'll head out at 7 AM, learning the ropes as you target flounder in the shallow waters. There's a good chance you'll also come across redfish, trout, or drum. With all the bait provided and your catch cleaned for you, it's a stress-free way to experience Texas coastal fishing. The trip is set up for 2 guests, but you can bring along 2 more friends for an extra $100 each. It's a great opportunity to try your hand at gigging, a unique fishing technique where you use a spear-like tool to catch flatfish. Whether you're a first-timer or just looking for a relaxed day on the water, this trip offers a fun glimpse into the local fishing scene. You'll get to enjoy the beauty of the coast while picking up new skills – and maybe even bringing home dinner!

Best Beginner Flounder Trip | Port O'Connor

Flounder Gigging Action

Angler with a black drum fish catch in Port O'Connor

Port O' Connor Texas fishing style!

Bent rod, tight line!

Redfish, sheepshead? Got 'em right here in Texas

Lost count on Redfish catches

Half-Day Flounder Gigging: Port O'Connor's Hidden Gem

Ready to try your hand at one of Texas's most unique fishing experiences? Captain Pat's half-day flounder gigging trip in Port O'Connor is the perfect way to dip your toes into the world of inshore fishing. Whether you're a complete newbie or just looking for a laid-back morning on the water, this 4-hour adventure is tailored for folks who want to learn the ropes without any pressure. We'll head out at 7 AM, giving you plenty of time to grab breakfast before we hit the flats in search of those tasty flatfish.

What's the Deal?

This trip is all about keeping it simple and fun. You and a buddy (or three, if you want to bring the whole crew) will hop aboard Captain Pat's skiff for a private tour of Port O'Connor's best flounder spots. We're talking shallow water action where you'll learn the art of gigging – it's like fishing meets spearfishing, and it's a blast. Don't worry about bringing any gear; we've got you covered with all the bait and tackle you'll need. And the best part? When we're done, Captain Pat will clean your catch, so you can start dreaming up dinner plans on the ride back to the dock.

Gigging 101

Alright, let's break down what flounder gigging is all about. Picture this: you're standing on the bow of a flat-bottomed boat, armed with a long pole that's got a multi-pronged spear on the end. We'll be cruising the shallows, using special lights to spot flounder buried in the sand. When you see one, you've got to be quick – a well-aimed thrust of your gig, and you've got dinner! It's a bit like playing a real-life video game, but with the added bonus of fresh fish at the end. Don't sweat it if you're not a pro right off the bat; Captain Pat's got years of experience and will show you all the tricks of the trade. And hey, if we spot some redfish, trout, or drum along the way, we might switch it up and do some regular rod and reel fishing too. It's all about having a good time and maybe learning a new skill or two.

Why Folks Keep Coming Back

There's something special about flounder gigging that keeps anglers coming back for more. Maybe it's the thrill of the hunt, scanning the water for that telltale outline in the sand. Or it could be the peaceful early morning hours on the water, watching the sun come up over the Texas coast. For a lot of folks, it's the satisfaction of bringing home a cooler full of fresh flounder fillets – talk about a tasty souvenir! Plus, this trip is perfect for those days when the offshore weather isn't cooperating. The protected bays around Port O'Connor offer plenty of action without the rough seas. And let's be honest, there's nothing quite like the look on your friends' faces when you tell them you caught dinner with a spear instead of a hook!

Flatfish Facts

Southern Flounder are the stars of the show on this trip, and for good reason. These quirky flatfish are masters of camouflage, able to change their color to match the sandy bottom they're hiding on. They've got both eyes on one side of their head, which gives them a comical, almost cartoon-like appearance. But don't let their looks fool you – flounder are ambush predators with a serious appetite. They'll lie in wait, buried in the sand, and then explode into action when a small fish or shrimp swims by. In Port O'Connor, we typically see flounder in the 14-20 inch range, though lucky anglers might land a doormat over 25 inches! Fall is prime time for flounder fishing, as they start their annual migration to the Gulf to spawn. This trip is a great way to get in on the action without having to invest in all the specialized gear yourself.

Time to Get Your Gig On!

So, are you ready to try your hand at one of Texas's coolest fishing traditions? Captain Pat's half-day flounder gigging trip is the perfect way to experience the unique thrill of inshore fishing in Port O'Connor. Whether you're looking to learn a new skill, want to bring home some of the tastiest fish in the Gulf, or just want to spend a fun morning on the water, this trip's got you covered. With everything provided and a beginner-friendly approach, all you need to bring is your sense of adventure (and maybe a camera to capture your first gig). Spots fill up fast, especially during peak flounder season, so don't wait to book your spot. Get ready to make some memories and maybe start a new fishing addiction – Port O'Connor style!

Learn more about the animal

Southern Flounder

Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) Fish Description

A Southern Flounder is a flat, oval fish and is a part of the Paralichthyidae family. It is known for having both of its eyes on the left side of its head. It has an underdeveloped pectoral fin or has none at all. It also does not have any spines on its fins, and its caudal fin is separate.

The Southern Flounder is often mistaken as a Summer Flounder but one of its distinguishing factors among other flounders is its numerous light and dark blotches and spots on their dark side. Other flounders have oscillated spots, which is absent in a Southern Flounder.

It is a known predator, and it ambushes its prey from the bottom, camouflaging itself under sand or mud. It feeds on worms, shrimp, blue crabs, and smaller fishes like anchovies, menhaden, and mullets.

Interesting Facts About Southern Flounder

A female Southern Flounder can lay up to 9,000 eggs at once.
It can change its color and mimic the substrate they are in. This helps help hide from predators and also hunt for prey.
Flounders are anguilliform swimmers. They swim using their bodies and caudal fin.
Its eyes are both found on one side – also called their ocular side.
Most Southern Flounders are 'left-handed' (both eyes on the left side), but there are also 'right-handed' Southern Flounders in rare cases.
A male Southern Flounder's life is shorter than its female counterpart. It can live for at most three years only.

Size

A Southern Flounder typically ranges from 15 to 18 inches and can grow as long as 33 inches. Typically, they weigh around 5 lbs. but it recorded an all-tackle weight of 20 lbs—9 oz.

Habitat and Distribution

The Southern Flounder is found in the waters along the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. It is commonly found in sandy, rocky, or muddy bottoms of shallow waters of coastal marine areas, bays, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. This makes it easier to catch and feed on prey. Most adult Southern Flounders prefer staying offshore during the winter season.

Southern Flounder - Fishing Techniques

The best technique to catch a Southern Flounder is still fishing or drift fishing since they settle at the water's bottom. Anglers can use live fish and artificial lures as bait. It is best to use a single-hooked, slip lead, or free-line rig with heads ranging from 1/4 "- 3/8". It is advised to use light-to-medium lines with reels that can spool 150 yards per 10 lbs. Anglers can also fly fish using medium lines.

Bull minnows, mullets, and shrimps are the best baits to catch flatfish like flounders.

About the Long Beach (Flounder Boat)

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Evinrude

Maximum Cruising Speed: 40

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 200

Captain Pat's boat is a cozy and reliable vessel, perfect for cruising the calm inshore waters around Port O'Connor. While the exact make and model aren't specified, you can expect a stable, shallow-draft boat that's ideal for navigating the coastal flats and estuaries where flounder like to hide. The boat is equipped with all the necessary gear for gigging flounder, including lights to spot them in the dark and long poles with prongs for catching them. There's enough room for 2 guests to fish comfortably, with space for additional anglers if needed. The deck is spacious enough to move around safely, and there might be a small covered area for shade or protection from spray. While not luxurious, this practical fishing boat is well-suited for beginners looking to learn the art of flounder gigging in the shallow Texas waters.

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