Captain Russ Wheeler of Coastal Rod Bender covers famous fishing grounds such as Rockport, Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, and Corpus Christi. He prides himself on achieving exceptional results both for beginners and experienced anglers, and families with young children are always welcome.

You will be fishing aboard a comfortable 23’ Haynie Cat center console that offers a stable and dry ride. Powered by a 250 HP Mercury Pro XS engine, the boat runs fast to the fishing spots. The super quiet Minn Kota Trolling Motor will allow you to get up close to the fish and perfect your cast.

Capt. Russ specializes in sight casting, bay, flats, and wade fishing. He uses live and/or fresh dead bait, and/or artificial lures depending on your preference and how the fish are biting on the day. You may do some drift fishing, letting your bait float naturally in the water, or you can practice sight fishing, throwing your bait or lures out towards the fish.

These are abundant waters, so there’s no shortage when it comes to the species you can target. Jack Crevalle, Black Drum, Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Flounder, and Sheepshead all call these waters their home, and are all potential targets.

Don’t forget to buy a valid Texas saltwater fishing license before your trip.

Get on board Coastal Rod Bender and experience fishing in some of the most productive waters off the coast of Texas!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (4–5 Hours)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Mar 1 - Dec 31
    US $500
    This is a half day trip that will have you out on the water in the morning for that early bite. Explore the prolific waters off the coast of Texas, and have a great fishing adventure. You can expect to be fishing for Redfish, Trout, and maybe also Founder.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip (6–7 Hours)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Mar 1 - Dec 31
    US $550
    Get out on the productive fishing grounds off the coast of Texas in the early morning, and spend the day bending the rods. You'll target the iconic inshore species that call these waters their home, including Redfish, Trout, as well as Flounder.

FAQs about Coastal Rod Bender

Coastal Rod Bender offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $500 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (4–5 Hours) (4 hours)
  • US $550 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip (6–7 Hours) (6 hours)

When you book a trip with Coastal Rod Bender, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box Food Cooler & Fish Cooler

Trips booked with Coastal Rod Bender include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting

Coastal Rod Bender offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Coastal Rod Bender offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Drift Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Coastal Rod Bender include:
  • Black Drum
  • Flounder
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Redfish
  • Sheepshead
  • Spotted Seatrout

Meet the Captain

Russ Wheeler
Aransas Pass, Texas, United States
ID & license verified
144 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since August 2016
Captain Russ Wheeler has 28 years of experience fishing the waters of South Texas. Not only is he a very experienced and family friendly charter boat captain, he is also a certified Bird & Wildlife Guide, and he will be more than happy to share his knowledge of the area's amazing flora and fauna throughout your fishing trip.

About this listing

Targeted species

Black Drum Black Drum
Flounder Flounder
Jack Crevalle Jack Crevalle
Redfish Redfish

Boat specs

Haynie (Center console) originally built in 2012. Powered by a 250HP Mercury engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 40 knots.

Length
23 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Drift Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box
Food Cooler & Fish Cooler

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting

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 not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

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
American Express
PayPal
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 5% charge will apply.

Aransas Pass Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 144 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (190)
Most enjoyable guided trip I\u2019ve been on
Most enjoyable guided trip I\u2019ve been on
Most enjoyable guided trip I\u2019ve been on
+187
Angler rating
133
8
0
2
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
98%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
90%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 144 reviews
Larry H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Russ

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (4–5 Hours) on August 12, 2023
Larry H. recommends Coastal Rod Bender
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Larry H. recommends Coastal Rod Bender
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Stephanie A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Chill captain

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip (6–7 Hours) on April 22, 2023
Took my future FIL and my special needs SIL on our first fishing trip together. Captain Russ was calm, flexible with time and...
Stephanie A. recommends Coastal Rod Bender
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  Russ Wheeler Captain replied

James H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Most enjoyable guided trip I’ve been on

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip (6–7 Hours) on October 21, 2023
Has an amazing time fishing with Capt. Russ. He took excellent care of my wife and brother-n-law during our time on the water....
James H. recommends Coastal Rod Bender
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  Russ Wheeler Captain replied

Liz C.
Bandera, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Day trip with Russ

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip (6–7 Hours) on June 24, 2023
Although the heat & other conditions has made fishing the past few weeks tough in the area, Russ knew where to take us and...
Liz C. recommends Coastal Rod Bender
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Liz C. recommends Coastal Rod Bender
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Bruce B.
Katy, TX
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Full Day with Captain Russ

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip (6–7 Hours) on June 11, 2023
We had good time fishing with Captain Russ. We fished three days out of Aransas Pass with three different guide on June...
Bruce B. recommends Coastal Rod Bender
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Bruce B. recommends Coastal Rod Bender
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You found this review helpful