6-Hour Expert Bay Fishing Trip – Arroyo City
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Expert 6hour inshore fishing targeting redfish and speckled troutDrift and wade fishing with soft plastics in Lower Laguna MadreUSCG Captain provides all gear, fish cleaning, and beverages included
When you're ready to move beyond weekend warrior status and fish with someone who really knows these waters, Captain DLS has your back. This isn't a hand-holding trip for beginners—it's six solid hours of targeted fishing in the Lower Laguna Madre, where serious anglers come to dial in their technique and fill the cooler. You'll be working the flats and channels around Arroyo City and Port Mansfield, using proven methods that consistently produce quality fish. With all gear provided, fish cleaning included, and a USCG licensed captain who's been reading these waters for years, you're set up for the kind of day that reminds you why you fell in love with fishing in the first place.
This trip is all about precision fishing in some of Texas' most productive inshore waters. Captain DLS runs a tight operation—you'll launch early to beat the crowds and position yourself over the best structure before other boats even know where to look. The Lower Laguna Madre system offers incredible diversity, from shallow grass flats perfect for sight fishing to deeper channels where big trout stack up during moving tides. You'll cover water efficiently, but this isn't a run-and-gun operation. When you find fish, you'll work them methodically, learning to read the subtle signs that separate good anglers from great ones. The boat handles two anglers comfortably, giving everyone plenty of room to work without tangled lines or crowded casting. Captain DLS keeps the atmosphere focused but relaxed—he's there to put you on fish, share local knowledge, and make sure you walk away with both a cooler full of fillets and skills you can use on your own trips.
This is soft plastic country, and you'll spend most of your time perfecting the art of working Wicked Paddle Tails and similar lures through prime redfish and trout habitat. Captain DLS has dialed in the presentation that works best in these specific waters—the right retrieve speed, the perfect depth, and the subtle rod work that triggers strikes when fish are being finicky. You'll learn to fish both from the boat while drifting productive areas and by wading the flats when conditions are right. Wade fishing here is special—the water clarity lets you sight cast to cruising reds, and the firm bottom makes for comfortable walking. All tackle is provided, from rods and reels matched perfectly to the fishing style to a full selection of soft plastics in colors that have proven themselves in these waters. Captain DLS ties his own rigs and knows exactly what pound test, hook size, and weight combination works best for each scenario you'll encounter. Whether you're bouncing bottom in eight feet of water or working a topwater bite in two feet, you'll have the right setup.
The redfish action around Arroyo City has been lights-out consistent, with fish ranging from slot-sized eating fish to bulls that'll test your drag and your patience. These aren't the pressured reds you find in more popular areas—they're aggressive, healthy fish that hit hard and fight harder. Captain DLS knows their seasonal patterns like the back of his hand, positioning you over the structures and flats where they're most likely to be feeding. Spring and fall produce the most consistent action, but summer brings the big schools that make your arms sore from fighting fish. The speckled trout fishing is equally impressive, with good numbers of keepers and enough bigger fish to keep things interesting. These aren't just average specks—the Lower Laguna Madre system produces some of the finest trout in Texas, with many fish pushing the 20-inch mark and occasional trophies that make you forget all about everything else. The key is understanding how these fish relate to structure, bait movements, and tidal changes, all knowledge that Captain DLS shares freely throughout the day.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are year-round residents that never stop eating and never stop fighting. In the Lower Laguna Madre, reds average between 20 and 28 inches, perfect eating size with enough fight to keep your adrenaline pumping. They school heavily during cooler months, often stacking up in such numbers that you'll hook up on consecutive casts. Spring brings the annual migration as fish move shallow to spawn, creating some of the best sight fishing opportunities in Texas. Summer finds them in deeper channels during the heat of the day, but they move shallow to feed during low-light periods. These fish hit soft plastics with authority—there's no wondering if you have a bite when a red decides your paddle tail looks like dinner.
Speckled trout add finesse and beauty to the mix, and the Lower Laguna Madre system produces some true specimens. These fish are more temperamental than reds, requiring precise presentations and a gentle touch on the hookset, but they reward skilled anglers with explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. Trout here average 15 to 18 inches, with plenty of fish over 20 inches and the occasional 24-inch-plus trophy that gets your heart racing. They're most active during cooler water periods—early morning, late evening, and during winter months when they stage in deeper holes. Speckled trout are structure-oriented, relating to grass beds, shell reefs, and channel edges where they can ambush baitfish. Captain DLS knows exactly where these structures lie and how to approach them without spooking the fish. The bite can be subtle—just a slight tick in your line or a barely perceptible weight change—but once you dial in their feeding behavior, you'll start connecting consistently.
Six hours with Captain DLS represents serious value for anglers who want to improve their skills while catching quality fish. You're not just paying for a guided trip—you're investing in local knowledge that takes years to accumulate,
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our dependable 21' Shallow Master, built specifically for navigating the shallow flats and productive waters of Lower Laguna Madre. This motorboat handles the unique conditions around Arroyo City and Rio Hondo perfectly, getting you to prime redfish and speckled trout spots that bigger boats simply can't reach. With room for up to two anglers plus your USCG captain, you'll have plenty of space to work your soft plastics without crowding. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold during those long drifts, while GPS navigation ensures we stay on the most productive structure and grass beds. Whether you're wading the shallows or drifting over drop-offs, this boat puts you exactly where the fish are feeding in these world-class Texas waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Lower Laguna Madre waters - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. These fish average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ pounds in deeper channels. They love super shallow water, often with their backs showing, cruising oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy flats. Year-round fishery here, but spring and fall see the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their power - they'll make blistering runs and test your drag like no other inshore fish. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. My advice: when you spot a red tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where it's moving and work your paddle tail slow and steady.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are what we're really after here in the Lower Laguna Madre - beautiful silver fish with dark spots that run 14-24 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. They love grass flats and shallow structure, especially around dawn and dusk when they're feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall are prime time, but summer nights can be magic too. These fish have delicate, flaky white meat that's outstanding on the table if you don't overcook it. The soft plastics we use work perfectly - that Wicked Paddle Tail mimics their favorite prey. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tick on your line, set the hook immediately. Speckled trout have soft mouths and light bites, so stay ready and keep your drag smooth.
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