Smiley’s Guide Service
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Smiley’s Guide Service

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(78 reviews)
Map of Rockport, TX, United States
Highway 35 North 5860
Rockport, TX, United States
Trips & prices
Targeted species
What's included
Boat info
Reviews
Contact captain

Smiley’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!

  • Live Bait
  • You Keep Catch
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Child Friendly
  • Rods, reels & tackle

Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Price for 2 persons
    US $550
    This is a 4-hour trip targeting Redfish, Speckled Trout, as well as Black Drum. The captain includes all the bait and tackle, so just bring a fishing license as well as the food and drinks of your choice. The trip begins at 6:00 a.m.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Light Tackle
    Popping
    Targeted fish
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Flounder
    Flounder
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    Price for 2 persons
    US $550
    Starting at 3:00 p.m., you and the captain will be targeting Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Black Drum. All the bait and tackle will be waiting for you when you arrive, so just bring a valid fishing license and the snacks and drinks of your choice.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Light Tackle
    Popping
    Targeted fish
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Flounder
    Flounder
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
  • Private trip
    7 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Price for 2 persons
    US $650
    The captain provides all the bait and tackle and asks you to have all the required licenses. He'll clean and fillet your catch and will appreciate tips. You'll depart at 6:00 a.m. and target Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Black Drum.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Reef Fishing
    Flats Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Bottom Fishing
    Light Tackle
    Popping
    Targeted fish
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Flounder
    Flounder
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
There are 5 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 78 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (71)
Everything was great!!
Will Crushed it again!
Will Crushed it again!
+68
Angler rating
73
3
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
96%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 78 reviews
Henry S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

OUTSTANDING CAPTAIN / FISHING GUIDE

VERIFIED   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...
Henry S. recommends Smiley’s Guide Service
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Paul V.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome Fishing Trip

VERIFIED   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...
Paul V. recommends Smiley’s Guide Service
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  William Smiley Captain replied
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Ryan D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Father & Son Fishing Success

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on June 4, 2024
Let me tell you about Capt. Smiley and the awesome trip we had. Let’s make note of the 16-18 mph gusts also, because the...
Ryan D. recommends Smiley’s Guide Service
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  William Smiley Captain replied
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Jon L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

What a fun trip!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on September 21, 2024
Had a great time with my oldest son on his first trip to the bay!  And his buddy and his dad who are close friends of ours...
Jon L. recommends Smiley’s Guide Service
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  William Smiley Captain replied
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Marcus M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Two Thumbs Up!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 9, 2024
Booked a trip with Captain Smiley and had great communication right off the bat. Captain Smiley put my 2 son’s and I on fish...
Marcus M. recommends Smiley’s Guide Service
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  William Smiley Captain replied
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FAQs about 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)
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
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)
Smiley’s Guide Service offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
Smiley’s Guide Service offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Popping
  • Drift Fishing
Top targeted fish species with Smiley’s Guide Service include:
  • Black Drum
  • Flounder
  • Redfish
  • Speckled Trout

Your captain

William Smiley
Rockport, Texas, United States
78 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since June 2021
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

Black Drum Black Drum
Flounder Flounder
Redfish Redfish
Speckled Trout Speckled Trout

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
25 ft
Year built
2022
Boat manufacturer
Majek
Boat type
Bay boat
Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 250HP
Max cruising speed
35 knots

Which types of fishing are offered

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
Report listing

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

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