Tails Up Guide Service offers inshore fishing adventures serving the areas of Rockport, Portland, Port Aransas, and Aransas Pass, Texas. Captain James Sabo has over 20 years of fishing experience, with 17 years of experience fishing the flats. He knows all the best spots in the area, and he’ll make sure you have a productive trip.

He fishes aboard a 25’ Haynie center console boat that provides a comfortable ride for up to 5 anglers. It can travel in the shallowest of water to catch the biggest inshore fish. The boat has quality Garmin marine electronics, a trolling motor, and an anchoring system, all designed to give you the best inshore fishing experience.

Capt. James specializes in fishing with topwater lures and soft plastics, although he is also happy to fish with live or dead bait at the customer’s preference. This could include mullet, mud minnow, crabs, and sea lice, depending on the type of fish that is being targeted.

These are prolific waters, so you can expect to come across a variety of prized inshore species. Your trip will involve sight casting and shallow water stalking for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Flounder, and sometimes also Sheepshead, Jack Crevalle, and even Tarpon.

All anglers need to buy a Texas saltwater fishing license with a saltwater stamp before their trip. You can buy these at Texas Parks and Wildlife, Deep Sea Headquarters in Port Aransas Texas, or at Rockport Tackle Town. Children under the age of 13 should have a life jacket, as the type 1 vests supplied on the boat can be uncomfortable for smaller kids.

All you need to do is book a trip with Tails Up Guide Service, and you’re in for a great Rockport fishing adventure!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $600
    This is a 5-hour trip that will have you exploring the productive shallow waters out of Rockport. You'll be Inshore fishing for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and big Black Drum. All the equipment will be provided, just get excited!
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $650
    Spend a whole day exploring the shallow waters off the coast of Texas. You'll be fishing inshore for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Black Drum. The captain will provide you with all the fishing equipment, just get ready to have some fun!
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

FAQs about Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport

Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $600 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (4 hours)
  • US $650 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip (6 hours)

When you book a trip with Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS Garmin
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Excluding Port Aransas)

Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing (Natural)
  • Wreck Fishing (Inland)
  • Flats Fishing

Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Fly Fishing (Wading only)

Top targeted fish species with Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport include:
  • Black Drum
  • Flounder
  • Redfish
  • Speckled Trout

Meet the Captain

James Sabo
Rockport, Texas, United States
4 Fishing Reports
56 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since March 2016
Capt. James Sabo grew up in Ohio, fishing the Grand River and Lake Erie for Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Steelhead. At the age of 18 he moved to Texas, where he started fishing the flats for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and Flounder. He has over 20 years fishing experience, with 17 years of experience fishing the flats. He specializes in fishing with artificial lures or fly fishing, although he can happily accommodate anglers who prefer to fish with live or dead bait.

About this listing

Targeted species

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

Boat specs

Mowdy (Center console) originally built in 2021. Powered by a 250HP Suzuki engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 47 knots.

Length
25 ft
Capacity
5 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Natural
Wreck Fishing
Inland
Flats Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Fly Fishing
Wading only

Amenities

GPS
Garmin
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Excluding Port Aransas

Cancellation policy

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.

Listing policies

Pickup included in price
Transfer from hotels or jetties in Rockport to departure site is available and included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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
PayPal
Checks
Bank Transfer
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 5% charge will apply.

Rockport Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 18 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (26)
Great morning  with Capt.James
Good stuff.
Good stuff.
+23
Angler rating
16
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
89%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 18 reviews
Carissa P.
Dallas, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great morning with Capt.James

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on May 24, 2023
Capt. James patiently and professionally helped this family of 4 adult beginners and a toddler have a great time fishing. Appreciate...
Carissa P. recommends Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  James Sabo Captain replied

Darryl G.
San Antonio, Texas
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captain James

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on June 10, 2021
We had an awesome fishing trip with captain James and would highly recommend him. He is willing to go the extra mile to ensure...
Darryl G. recommends Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  James Sabo Captain replied

TRAVIS B.
SWINNEY SWTCH, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Good stuff.

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on September 16, 2022
Limited out in 1.5 hours.  Doesn’t get much better than that. James puts you on fish no doubt.  Skills, the boy has skills!
TRAVIS B. recommends Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  James Sabo Captain replied

Robert B.
College Station, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day trip

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on June 2, 2022
Great time, put us on fish quick!
Robert B. recommends Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  James Sabo Captain replied

Robert S.
United States
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with James

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on July 26, 2021
Robert S. recommends Tails Up Guide Service – Rockport
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  James Sabo Captain replied