4 Hour Half Day Fishing Trip PM - Carancahua Bay
Private Trip
Fourhour afternoon inshore fishing trip in Carancahua Bay25foot Mowdy bay boat provides shallowwater access and stabilityAll fishing equipment provided with beginnerfriendly instruction included
Looking for a solid afternoon fishing trip that won't eat up your whole day? Captain Clay's 4-hour PM trip on Carancahua Bay hits that sweet spot. This isn't some rushed tourist deal – it's a proper half-day charter where you'll actually have time to find fish and work them right. The bay system here is loaded with redfish, trout, flounder, and drum, and the afternoon hours often fire up as bait starts moving with the changing tides. Clay runs a 25-foot Mowdy that's built for these shallow Texas waters, so you'll get into spots the bigger boats can't touch. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing trip or you're an experienced angler wanting to hit some new water, this trip delivers without the all-day commitment.
Captain Clay knows Carancahua Bay like the back of his hand, and that local knowledge makes all the difference when you're working a 4-hour window. The afternoon timing is actually perfect – you'll avoid the morning rush of other boats and hit the water as fish start getting active again. The 25-foot Mowdy is a smart choice for this bay system. It's got the shallow draft to get you into those back lakes and protected shorelines where fish love to hang, but it's stable enough to handle whatever the Gulf decides to throw at you. Clay keeps all the tackle organized and ready, so you won't waste time rigging up. He'll have you on fish fast, adjusting techniques based on what's working that day. The boat's got plenty of room for casting, and the layout makes it easy for beginners to learn without getting tangled up with experienced anglers.
This trip covers all the bases when it comes to inshore fishing methods. Depending on conditions and what the fish are doing, you might be drift fishing over structure, working soft plastics along grass lines, or putting baits on the bottom for drum and flounder. Clay's got the gear dialed in – quality spinning reels spooled with braid, and tackle boxes stocked with everything from topwater plugs to weighted jigs. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety. One minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water, the next you're bouncing bottom rigs for flounder in deeper cuts. Clay reads the water and adjusts the game plan accordingly. If the wind's up, you'll work protected shorelines with plastics. If it's calm, maybe you'll hit some topwater action over shell reefs. The key is staying flexible and letting the conditions and fish behavior guide your approach rather than forcing one technique all day.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Carancahua Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches here, with plenty of slot fish that fight like freight trains. Reds are year-round residents, but they really turn on during the cooler months when they school up in deeper water. What makes them special is how they eat – sometimes subtle, sometimes violent – and once hooked, they'll strip drag and make multiple runs. Summer flounder add a different dimension to the trip. These flatfish are masters of disguise, lying buried in sand near drop-offs and channel edges. They're not always easy to find, but when you locate a good spot, you can often pick up several. Flounder hit hard and fight with surprising strength for a flatfish. Sea trout bring the numbers game to Carancahua Bay. These spotted beauties school up over grass flats and around structure, often providing consistent action when other species are being finicky. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics, making them perfect for keeping kids engaged. Black drum round out the slam opportunity here. These bottom-dwellers can surprise you with their size – fish over 30 inches are common, and they fight with steady, powerful runs that'll test your drag system and patience.
A 4-hour afternoon trip with Captain Clay gives you everything you need from a day on the water without the full-day commitment. You'll fish productive hours, learn the bay system, and have a real shot at multiple species. The Mowdy's setup and Clay's local knowledge stack the deck in your favor, whether you're after your first redfish or looking to add Carancahua Bay to your list of productive Texas waters. Remember to grab your fishing license ahead of time – Texas requires it for anyone 17 and up. Pack sunscreen, polarized glasses, and drinks to keep comfortable during the afternoon heat. The 2-day booking buffer ensures Clay can check weather and conditions, so your trip has the best chance of success. Ready to get on some quality Texas inshore fishing? This PM trip delivers the goods.
You'll be fishing aboard a 2020 Mowdy 25' bay boat powered by a reliable 250HP Suzuki engine, specifically built to handle Texas inshore waters. This boat is designed for stability and performance in shallow bays like Carancahua, giving you access to productive fishing spots that bigger boats can't reach. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need to sneak up on feeding fish, while the GPS and fish finder help locate the best structure and schools. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The shallow draft design means you can work the back lakes and grass flats where redfish and trout like to hunt. Captain Clay knows this boat inside and out, positioning you over oyster reefs and drop-offs where the action happens during those prime afternoon feeding windows.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Carancahua Bay, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These dark, barrel-shaped fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're serious fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to the smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table since the big ones get tough and stringy. Pro tip: use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and keep it right on the bottom - they won't come up for food.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These bruisers typically run 20-40 inches and love cruising shallow flats in just 1-4 feet of water, sometimes with their backs showing above the surface. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall when they're actively feeding around oyster reefs and grass lines. What makes them so popular is their incredible fight - they'll make long runs and never give up easy. Plus, the smaller "slot" fish make outstanding table fare with mild, sweet meat. Watch for nervous water and tailing fish, then cast ahead of them with a gold spoon or soft plastic.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are the bread and butter of Texas bay fishing - sleek, silver fish covered in black spots that cruise grass flats and shallow water. They typically run 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds, with a few bigger ones mixed in. These fish love to feed on shrimp and small baitfish, especially during moving tides around dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent eating quality - tender white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for families since they bite readily and don't require heavy tackle. My go-to trick: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork around grass edges where the water drops from 2 to 4 feet.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms with both eyes looking up, waiting to ambush prey. These "chameleons of the sea" actually change color to match their surroundings. Most run 15-20 inches, but they can hit 26 pounds and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're actively feeding before moving offshore. They're sneaky fighters - not flashy jumpers, but they'll pull hard and try to bury themselves in the sand. Here's the key: when you feel that tap-tap bite, give them a few seconds to turn the bait before setting the hook.
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