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First Cast Guide Service 

4.8
(16 reviews)
 
State licensed
 1303 water street , Port O'Connor, TX 77982, United States–
+110
+107

First Cast Guide Service 

Port O'Connor, TX, United States
–
25 ft
4
4.8
(16 reviews)
Trips & prices
Targeted species
Boat info
What's biting
What's included
Contact captain
Trips & prices
What's included
Targeted species
Boat info
Reviews
Contact captain

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Experience world-class fishing in Port O'Connor, Texas, with First Cast Guide Service! Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, Captain John Ashley will guide you through the area's rich inshore and nearshore waters, including reefs, flats, and backcountry spots, where you'll target trophy Black Drum, Speckled Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead, and Tripletail.

Step aboard a spacious 25' Ultra Cat flats boat, designed for comfort and stability. With room for up to 4 guests, this vessel is powered by a 250 HP Mercury engine reaching speeds of 50 knots, ensuring you get to the best fishing spots quickly. It's equipped with GPS navigation for precise tracking and a livewell to keep bait fresh for optimal fishing.

You'll have the chance to try bottom fishing, spinning, jigging, popping, and drift fishing, all with light tackle. Captain John provides top-quality rods, reels, tackle, and lures, and will clean and fillet your catch for free! Kids are welcome, making this a fantastic trip for families.

All you need to bring is your fishing license, snacks, and drinks. (Live bait is available at an extra cost.)

Book your adventure today and make unforgettable memories with First Cast Guide Service in Port O'Connor!

Experience world-class fishing in Port O'Connor, Texas, with First Cast Guide Service! Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, Captain John Ashley will guide you through the area's rich inshore and nearshore waters, including reefs, flats, and backcountry spots, where you'll target trophy Black Drum, Speckled Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead, and Tripletail.

Step aboard a spacious 25' Ultra Cat flats boat, designed for comfort and stability. With room for up to 4 guests, this vessel is powered by a 250 HP Mercury engine reaching speeds of 50 knots, ensuring you get to the best fishing spots quickly. It's equipped with GPS navigation for precise tracking and a livewell to keep bait fresh for optimal fishing.

You'll have the chance to try bottom fishing, spinning, jigging, popping, and drift fishing, all with light tackle. Captain John provides top-quality rods, reels, tackle, and lures, and will clean and fillet your catch for free! Kids are welcome, making this a fantastic trip for families.

All you need to bring is your fishing license, snacks, and drinks. (Live bait is available at an extra cost.)

Book your adventure today and make unforgettable memories with First Cast Guide Service in Port O'Connor!

John Ashley
Captain
John Ashley
27 years of experience
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour
Popular features
Live bait
You keep catch
Catch cleaning & filleting
Child friendly
Rods, reels & tackle
Popular features
Live bait
You keep catch
Catch cleaning & filleting
Child friendly
Rods, reels & tackle

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
October 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
5 Hour Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
US $575
Entire boat: up to 3 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
US $700
Entire boat: up to 3 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.8
16 reviews
4.9
Boat & equipment
4.7
Captain & crew
4.7
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (13)

All reviews (16)

Showing 1 – 5 of 16 reviews
Jeff Lee
Jeff Lee
us
Texas, US
Member since 2024
5.0
Verified
New
Great trip
5 Hour Trip (AM) on October 12, 2026 • 2 adults

Caught a limit of reds early and then chased drum. Captain John worked hard to keep us on the fish. Nice boat with plenty of space, top of the line equipment and tons of experience. We’ll be booking Captain John again.

John Ashley
Response from Captain

Thanks for booking with me. Enjoyed fishing with yall.

Jordan Samuelson
Jordan Samuelson
us
Texas, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Fun trip
5 Hour Trip (AM) on July 17, 2026 • 4 adults

Captain John put us in the right spots. Slower bite, with his experience he put us in the right spots to catch some fish. Thanks for the good time.

Jesse Goodwin
Jesse Goodwin
us
Texas, US
Member since 2026
4.7
Verified
New
October fishing trip
Full Day Trip on October 17, 2026 • 4 adults

Mandy Koch
Mandy Koch
us
Texas, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Fishing with John
5 Hour Trip (AM) on June 26, 2026 • 3 adults

Michell Sicking
Michell Sicking
us
Texas, US
Member since 2026
4.3
Verified
Good Trip!
5 Hour Trip (AM) on September 12, 2026 • 3 adults

Caught out limit on redfish. good experience.

Reported catch:
Redfish
Speckled Trout

FAQs about First Cast Guide Service

First Cast Guide Service offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $575 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - 5 Hour Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $700 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
When you book a trip with First Cast Guide Service, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Live bait well
Trips booked with First Cast Guide Service include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live bait (Live bait extra at market cost )
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
First Cast Guide Service offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore fishing
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Reef fishing
  • Flats fishing
  • Backcountry fishing
First Cast Guide Service offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Drift fishing
Top targeted fish species with First Cast Guide Service include:
  • Black Drum
  • Redfish
  • Sheepshead
  • Speckled Trout

Your captain

John Ashley
John Ashley
Port O'Connor, Texas, United States
ID & license verified
16 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since January 2019
Captain John grew up fishing the middle Texas Coast with his father and grandfather. The first encounter with fishing happened when he was only 8. He's been fishing the bays and waterways from Matagorda Bay to Mesquite Bay for over 4 decades. In 1999, he started guiding and has been a full-time professional fishing guide for the past 26 years.
John Ashley
John Ashley
Fully verified
16
reviews
2019
member since
~1h
response
Captain John grew up fishing the middle Texas Coast with his father and grandfather. The first encounter with fishing happened when he was only 8. He's been fishing the bays and waterways from Matagorda Bay to Mesquite Bay for over 4 decades. In 1999, he started guiding and has been a full-time professional fishing guide for the past 26 years.

The fish you can target

Black Drum
Black Drum
Redfish
Redfish
Sheepshead
Sheepshead
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout
Black Drum
Black Drum
Redfish
Redfish
Sheepshead
Sheepshead
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout

Real catches by this captain

  • Angler proudly displays a large redfish on the bow of a shallow-water fishing boat.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    Michell S.
    Michell S.
    Caught out limit on redfish. good experience.
  • An angler proudly displaying a large Redfish after a successful day of fishing at the dock.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    R W.
    R W.
    Day started a little slow but ended day in a honey hole. We were doubling and tripling up on big reds. Pure chaos to finish an adventure!
  • An angler proudly displaying a Redfish against a scenic sunset backdrop while fishing from a boat.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Redfish
    Sergio S.
    Sergio S.
    We had a great time. Captain John was very professional and experienced. On top on that , he is a funny guy. He got us on fish quickly and when we stopped getting bites , he knew exactly where to go. We will definitely book him again. Thanks again Captain John for a great fishing trip
  • Angler holding a large redfish on the deck of a fishing boat, with another adult and open coastal water in the background.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    Albert S.
    Albert S.
  • Multiple redfish and speckled trout arranged on a boat cleaning table, showcasing a coastal fishing catch.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Redfish
    Wayland H.
    Wayland H.
    Great day on the bay

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
25 ft
Year built
2007
Restored in
2024
Boat manufacturer
Ultra cat
Boat type
Flats boat
Engine model
Mercury
Powered by
1 x 250HP
Max cruising speed
50 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Drift Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Live bait well
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live bait
Live bait extra at market cost
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child friendly
You keep catch
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
 Cash
 Visa
 Mastercard
 American Express
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Port O'Connor right now

Black DrumBlack Drum
RedfishRedfish
SheepsheadSheepshead
Speckled TroutSpeckled Trout

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
First Cast Guide Service
First Cast Guide Service
State licensed
4.8
(16)
25 ft
Group size 1 - 4
1 - 4
Fish 1
Fish 2
+2
5 hour trip • 4 persons
US $575