3-Hours of Bay Fishing South Padre Island
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Threehour bay fishing adventure for small groupsAll fishing gear and bait included with guideMultiple trip options including dolphin watching available
South Padre Island's bay waters offer some of the most consistent inshore fishing on the Texas coast, and this 3-hour trip puts you right in the sweet spot. Captain's at Anglers Choice Guide Service know these flats like the back of their hand, and they'll get you on fish whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The shallow bays around SPI are loaded with redfish, trout, flounder, and black drum year-round, making every cast count. You'll fish the grass flats, drop-offs, and structure that hold fish consistently, all while soaking up the coastal vibe that makes this area special.
This isn't your typical party boat experience – you're getting a true bay fishing adventure tailored to what's biting. Your captain will pick you up at the dock and head straight to the productive waters where fish are feeding. The beauty of South Padre's bay system is the variety – one minute you're working a grass flat for trout, the next you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water. The boat stays in protected waters, so even if it's breezy on the Gulf side, you'll have comfortable fishing conditions. Bring your appetite for action because these bays don't mess around when it comes to putting fish in the boat. All your tackle, bait, and gear comes included, so just show up ready to fish.
Your guide will have you rigged and ready with the right setup for whatever's biting that day. Live shrimp under popping corks is the bread and butter here – deadly for trout and redfish when they're feeding aggressively. When the bite gets finicky, you'll switch to soft plastics on jig heads, working them slow along the bottom for flounder and drum. The water clarity in these bays lets you see fish coming to your bait, which adds a whole new level of excitement to the fishing. Your captain knows exactly where to position the boat for the best drifts, and they'll coach you through the techniques that work best in each spot. The tackle is light enough that even smaller fish put up a great fight, but strong enough to handle those bull reds that love to crash the party.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators in these bay waters. They bury themselves in the sand near drop-offs and channel edges, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall and winter are prime time for doormat flounder, with fish pushing 20+ inches showing up regularly. What makes them so fun is the way they inhale your bait – you'll feel that distinctive thump, then they try to bury themselves back in the bottom. Once you get them up, they're excellent table fare and always make for great photos with their unique flat body and both eyes on one side.
Black Drum are the bruisers of the bay, especially the bigger ones that can push 30+ pounds. They cruise the shallow flats in schools, and when you find them, you're in for some serious arm-burning action. Spring brings the best black drum fishing as they move into the shallows to spawn. You'll hear them drumming underwater – they literally make noise by contracting muscles around their swim bladder. The smaller ones in the 3-8 pound range are perfect for the dinner table, while the big bulls are all about the fight. They'll test your drag and make multiple runs before you get them to the boat.
Sea Trout are the most consistent biters in South Padre's bay system, and they'll eat just about anything you throw at them when conditions are right. The speckled trout here average 15-18 inches, with plenty of keepers mixed in with some real gator trout that'll surprise you. They love the grass flats during warmer months and move to deeper water when it cools down. What makes trout fishing so addictive is their aggressive strikes – they'll often jump completely out of the water when hooked. Spring and fall offer the best trout action, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look.
Redfish are the crown jewel of South Padre bay fishing, and these copper-colored fighters never disappoint. The slot reds here typically run 20-28 inches and fight like fish twice their size. You'll find them cruising the shallow flats, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. Nothing beats watching a red's back come out of the water as it tails in skinny water – that's sight fishing at its finest. They're smart, spooky, and will test every knot and connection you have. The oversized bull reds show up in summer and fall, often in massive schools that'll have you questioning whether your tackle can handle them. These fish are built for power, and they'll use every bit of it trying to get back to deep water.
South Padre Island's bay fishing delivers consistent action in a setting that's hard to beat. This 3-hour trip gives you a solid taste of what makes this fishery so special, whether you're looking to put dinner on the table or just bend some rods with good company. The guides at Anglers Choice know how to find fish and make sure everyone on board has a great time, regardless of skill level. With all gear provided and a captain who lives and breathes these waters, you're set up for success from the moment you step on board. Don't wait – the fish are biting, and the best days on the water are the ones you actually book.
Hit the productive flats around South Padre Island aboard this well-equipped motorboat, perfect for targeting redfish, trout, and flounder in the shallow bay waters. The 22-foot center console comes rigged with a reliable fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, plus GPS navigation to get you to those honey holes quickly. VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and fishing reports. With space for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without crowding. The shallow draft design lets you access skinny water spots where bigger boats can't reach. All tackle, bait, and fishing licenses are included, so just bring sunscreen and get ready to work the grass flats and oyster reefs where the fish feed.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our bay system and part of the same family as redfish. These bruisers typically range from 5-30 pounds, but we see monsters up to 50+ pounds during peak season. They've got powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, which is exactly where you'll find them - around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and shallow structure. Spring is prime time, especially March through May when they school up for spawning. That's when you can hear them "drumming" underwater - it's pretty amazing. Guests love the brute strength these fish show once hooked. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: use fresh cut crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near oyster beds. The key is being patient and letting them fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our bay fishing - copper-colored beauties with that signature black spot near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches and fight like they're twice that size. These fish love super shallow water, often in just 1-4 feet around grass beds, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines. You'll sometimes see their backs out of the water as they tail-feed. Fall and spring are peak seasons when they're most active, but we catch them year-round. What makes them special is their power - they'll peel drag and make long runs that get everyone's heart pumping. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. The smaller "slot" fish are perfect for the table. Here's my favorite technique: sight-cast with gold spoons or topwater plugs in the shallows. When you see one tailing, cast well ahead and work your lure slowly past their nose. Be ready - the strike is explosive.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are probably our most popular inshore target. These beautiful fish have distinctive black spots covering their silvery sides and typically run 14-24 inches, weighing 1-5 pounds. You'll find them cruising grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, but winter can be great when they school up in deeper channels. Guests love their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make runs that'll test your drag. The meat is top-notch too - flaky, white, and mild flavored. Just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Pro tip: work topwater plugs early morning over grass beds, making plenty of noise. When they're feeding on top, the action can be non-stop.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are one of the coolest fish we target in our bay waters. These flat, oval-shaped fish have both eyes on their left side and can change color to match the bottom - pretty wild to watch. They typically run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. You'll find them buried in sand and mud on shallow flats, waiting to ambush prey like shrimp and small fish. Fall and winter months are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge of spotting their outline in the sand and the solid fight they put up. The meat is excellent - firm, white, and mild. Here's a local trick: look for subtle depressions or "beds" in the sand where they've been lying, and work your bait slowly right along the bottom nearby.
South Padre Island, TX