Smiley’s Guide Service
Veteran owned
+18Smiley’s Guide Service welcomes you to Rockport, Texas! You and Captain William Smiley will be fishing the beautiful Texas Gulf Coast bays near Rockport targeting various inshore and nearshore species. The captain is an experienced angler who’ll make sure you have a great time on the water. If needed, he can also accommodate larger groups and multi-boat trips. Join him and have a memorable fishing adventure in Texas!
On your trip, you’ll use a 25’ Majek bay boat that can accommodate up to 4 guests. Running on a 250 HP Suzuki engine that can reach a maximum cruising speed of 35 knots along with GPS and fishfinder systems, the boat will quickly and safely take you to your prey. It also features a wireless trolling motor and a livewell.
You’ll target Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Redfish by bottom fishing, spinning, trolling, popping, as well as drift fishing, all using light tackle. You can either keep or release the fish you catch and you’re free to bring kids on your trip.
All the bait and tackle are provided along with cleaning your catch. You’ll need a fishing license with a saltwater stamp or an all-water license. You may also bring a small ice-chest with snacks and drinks. Captain William recommends bringing sunglasses and sunscreen, a camera, and a good attitude!
Join him aboard, catch fish, and have fun!
Captain
William Smiley
Most popular features:
Trip availability and prices
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (81)
+78Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
97%
Appropriate for children
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Caught fish
96%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Very polite and experienced
Half Day Trip (AM) on April 19, 2025
My family has gone on several fishing guides trips throughout the years. I can confidently say that our guide was one of the best! The boat was big and the seating arrangements were great! He knew all of the good spots and we were able to catch fish that we have never caught before, Black Drums! Catching these big fish made for an exciting and adventurous experience! We also caught a lot of trout and ended up with a good dinner haul! I would go on another fishing boat trip with him again!
My family has gone on several fishing guides trips throughout the years. I can confidently say that our guide was one of the best! The boat was big and the seating arrangements were great! He knew all of the good spots and we were able to catch fish that we have never caught before, Black Drums! Catching these big fish made for an exciting and adventurous experience! We also caught a lot of trout and ended up with a good dinner haul! I would go on another fishing boat trip with him again!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
OUTSTANDING CAPTAIN / FISHING GUIDE
Half Day Trip (PM) on August 6, 2024
Fantastic and super fun fishing trip! I took my 11 year old son on a half day fishing trip guided by Captain Will Smiley and we had the time of our life! Not only did we catch several large keepers but we lost count of how many fish we caught after the first 30 minutes of fishing! In addition to being a great Captain and Fishing Guide, Capt Smiley is excellent with kids as he is very kind and patient with them as they (the kids) learn the techniques of catching redfish, black drum, and the occasional string ray [the sting ray was not intentional but still cool that we caught and safely released one]. Thank you again Captain Smiley and we can’t wait to head back out with you again in the future!
Fantastic and super fun fishing trip! I took my 11 year old son on a half day fishing trip guided by Captain Will Smiley and we had the time of our life! Not only did we catch several large keepers but we lost count of how many fish we caught after the first 30 minutes of fishing! In addition to being a great Captain and Fishing Guide, Capt Smiley is excellent with kids as he is very kind and patient with them as they (the kids) learn the techniques of catching redfish, black drum, and the...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Fish Fish Fish !!!
7 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing on March 8, 2025
We caught over 70 fish and kept over 10lbs of fish to take home. This was a trip to remember and was only possible by Capt William. He was professional and knowledgeable, made us feel very comfortable as well. His vessel was large as well three of us went and there was more than enough space. I can’t say enough will be booking again very soon !
We caught over 70 fish and kept over 10lbs of fish to take home. This was a trip to remember and was only possible by Capt William. He was professional and knowledgeable, made us feel very comfortable as well. His vessel was large as well three of us went and there was more than enough space. I can’t say enough will be booking again very soon !
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Awesome Fishing Trip
7 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing on August 15, 2024
My trip was fantastic and Will was a great fishing guide! I hadn’t really fished in a couple of years and was looking for a ggreat experience! Will brought it! Everywhere we went we caught fish! Not all were keepers but I ended up with 6 great fish that became an incredible dinner! Will was friendly and such a professional! His boat is very nice and he gives great advice without making you feel like a novice! I’ll definitely be back to fish with Will! Thanks for an incredible day of fishing Will!
My trip was fantastic and Will was a great fishing guide! I hadn’t really fished in a couple of years and was looking for a ggreat experience! Will brought it! Everywhere we went we caught fish! Not all were keepers but I ended up with 6 great fish that became an incredible dinner! Will was friendly and such a professional! His boat is very nice and he gives great advice without making you feel like a novice! I’ll definitely be back to fish with Will! Thanks for an incredible day of fishing...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great fishing trip!!
7 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing on May 3, 2025
We had a great fishing trip with Captain Will Smiley! He went above and beyond to insure we caught fish even though weather conditions were less than favorable for ideal fishing. He never gave up, he is a very pleasant guide with a wonderful attitude. We had a great time and will definitely use him again. We highly recommend him!!
We had a great fishing trip with Captain Will Smiley! He went above and beyond to insure we caught fish even though weather conditions were less than favorable for ideal fishing. He never gave up, he is a very pleasant guide with a wonderful attitude. We had a great time and will definitely use him again. We highly recommend him!!
FAQs about Smiley’s Guide Service
What are the trip rates for Smiley’s Guide Service?
Smiley’s Guide Service offers the following trips to customers:
- US $550 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
- US $550 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
- US $650 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - 7 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing (7 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Smiley’s Guide Service?
When you book a trip with Smiley’s Guide Service, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Live Bait Well
- Wireless Trolling Motor
What's included in the trip price with Smiley’s Guide Service?
Trips booked with Smiley’s Guide Service include:
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live Bait (Live bait provided )
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting (Free filleting of your catch)
What types of fishing does Smiley’s Guide Service offer?
Smiley’s Guide Service offers the following types of fishing:
- Inshore Fishing
- Nearshore Fishing
- Reef Fishing
- Flats Fishing
What fishing techniques does Smiley’s Guide Service offer?
Smiley’s Guide Service offers the following fishing techniques:
- Light Tackle
- Bottom Fishing
- Trolling
- Spinning
- Popping
- Drift Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Smiley’s Guide Service?
Top targeted fish species with Smiley’s Guide Service include:
- Black Drum
- Flounder
- Redfish
- Speckled Trout
Your captain
Rockport, Texas, United States
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Captain Wiliam Smiley welcomes you to Texas. He's a USAF veteran having served for 8 years. Join him on the inshore and nearshore waters of Rockport and have a great time fishing!
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Flats Fishing
Which fishing techniques you can try
Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Popping
Drift Fishing
Which amenities are available onboard
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
What’s included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Live bait provided
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Free filleting of your catch
How cancellations work
Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 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.
What the listing policies are
Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
Kids are welcome
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
How you can pay
Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% 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
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.
What’s biting in Rockport right now
Black Drum
Flounder
Redfish
Speckled Trout