5.0(5 Reviews)Morning Fishing South Padre Island TX
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Top Rated
Early morning flats fishing in Port Isabel watersAll fishing gear provided by Captain Gary's serviceAccommodates 26 guests for family and group trips
There's nothing quite like getting on the water before the sun climbs too high, when the fish are still active and the Texas coast is at its most peaceful. Captain Gary with Angler's Choice Guide Service knows these waters around Port Isabel and South Padre Island like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This isn't your typical tourist trap charter – Gary's been working these flats and back bays for years, building a reputation as one of the most reliable guides in the area. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet in saltwater fishing, this morning trip delivers the kind of action that keeps folks coming back season after season.
Your day kicks off early, which is exactly when you want to be fishing these Texas waters. Captain Gary provides all the tackle and gear you'll need, though you're welcome to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. The boat accommodates up to six anglers, but the trip is designed for two guests to ensure everyone gets plenty of personalized attention and prime fishing spots. Gary's local knowledge really shines as he navigates between the productive areas around Port Isabel and South Padre Island, adjusting the game plan based on tides, weather, and where the fish are biting that particular morning. This isn't a cookie-cutter experience – every trip adapts to current conditions, which is exactly what separates the top-rated guides from the rest. The charter runs year-round, giving you flexibility to plan around your schedule rather than being locked into a narrow season.
Fishing the flats and backwaters around South Padre Island requires a different approach than deep-sea fishing, and Gary's got it dialed in. You'll be working with lighter tackle that's perfectly suited for the species in these waters – think spinning reels with smooth drags and rods that have enough backbone to handle a hefty redfish but won't tire you out fighting smaller trout. The techniques vary throughout the morning depending on what's working: sometimes you'll be casting soft plastics around structure, other times working topwater lures over grass flats when the fish are feeding aggressively. Gary reads the water constantly, watching for signs of baitfish, bird activity, and subtle changes in water color that indicate fish movement. He's not just putting you over fish – he's teaching you to recognize the signs yourself, sharing decades of experience about how these coastal waters work. The flats around Port Isabel offer incredible variety, from shallow grass beds where reds cruise looking for crabs to deeper channels where trout stack up during temperature changes.
"We had a great trip with Captain Gary. He is knowledgeable and personable. He put us on the fish early. We limited out on Specs. Then Captain Gary took us to Black Drum and Red Fish spots. With our extra time we had great fun dolphin watching." - Gary
"Can't brag enough about our experience with Capt Farmer. We had a great morning fishing for Reds, Black Drum and Speckled Trout. We were catching fish when others around us were not. When the fishing slowed down he moved on to a different area to find the fish. Very relaxing and enjoyable conversation." - Lane
"We have fished w Captain Gary for several years. Always a fun and enjoyable experience." - April
Southern Flounder are the ultimate flats predators, and the waters around Port Isabel hold some real quality fish. These ambush hunters bury themselves in sandy bottoms near drop-offs and structure, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim within striking distance. What makes flounder so rewarding to catch is their aggressive strike – when they decide to eat, they commit fully. Fall months typically produce the best flounder action as they move toward deeper water for spawning, but Gary knows the year-round spots where resident fish hang out. Their flat, diamond-shaped bodies make them incredibly strong fighters once hooked, and they're considered some of the finest eating fish in Texas waters.
Snook fishing around South Padre Island offers anglers a taste of tropical-style action without leaving Texas. These silver-sided gamefish love structure and ambush points, often positioning themselves near bridges, docks, and mangrove shorelines. Snook are notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, frequently jumping and making strong runs toward cover. They're temperature sensitive, which makes them more active during warmer months, but Captain Gary knows the deeper holes and warmer pockets where they hunker down during cooler periods. The distinctive black lateral line running down their silver flanks makes them unmistakable, and their gill-rattling jumps create memories that last long after the trip ends.
Black Drum represent the heavyweight division of these flats, with mature fish often exceeding 30 pounds and providing arm-burning fights. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow flats in small schools, using their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters, crabs, and other shellfish. What's fascinating about black drum is their drumming ability – they produce audible sounds by vibrating muscles against their swim bladders, especially during spawning season. Spring months bring the biggest concentrations around South Padre Island, but Captain Gary locates them throughout the year by reading bottom structure and understanding their feeding patterns. Their raw power and stamina make every hookup feel like you've tied into something much larger than you bargained for.
Sea Trout, locally called "specks" for their distinctive spotted flanks, are the bread and butter species that keep action consistent throughout the morning. These beautiful gamefish respond well to both live and artificial baits, making them perfect for anglers still learning saltwater techniques. Speckled trout school up in grass flats, around oyster reefs, and near drop-offs where tidal currents concentrate baitfish. Their soft mouths require a bit of finesse when fighting them, teaching anglers
Captain Gary's flats boat is perfectly rigged for chasing redfish and speckled trout in the shallow waters around Port Isabel and South Padre Island. This nimble motorboat gets you into those skinny water spots where the big fish feed, equipped with a reliable fish finder to mark schools and structure below. The onboard GPS keeps you on productive water while the VHF radio ensures safe communication with other anglers and marine traffic. Built for early morning runs when the fish are most active, this boat handles the Texas coastal flats with ease. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in knee-deep water or working deeper grass beds for specks, you'll have everything needed for a successful day on the water. The shallow draft design lets Captain Gary position you perfectly for those money shots at cruising fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and they put up a serious fight. These bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws that crush oysters and crabs all day long. Look for them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and channel edges in 5-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time, especially March and April when they school up to spawn - that's when you can catch multiple fish over 20 pounds. They make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear and feel through the boat. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones get tough. What guests love most is the raw power - these fish will bend your rod and test your drag. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a fish-finder rig. Cut the crab in half and use both pieces - the scent trail drives them crazy.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, and it's easy to see why. These copper-colored fighters average 18-30 inches and are built like footballs with serious pulling power. They cruise super shallow flats, sometimes with their backs out of the water, feeding around oyster bars and grass beds. Fall and spring are prime seasons when they're most active and aggressive. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat just about anything and their bulldogging fights that'll test your tackle. Plus, slot fish make excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat. You can sight-fish them in skinny water or blind cast to likely spots. The iconic black spot near their tail isn't just for looks - it confuses predators. My best advice: use topwater plugs early morning over shallow flats. Work them slow and steady. When you see that bronze back roll behind your lure, resist setting the hook until you feel the weight.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are probably the most consistent fish in our waters. They average 14-18 inches with plenty of 2-4 pounders mixed in. You'll find them over grass flats, around drop-offs, and near bait schools in 3-12 feet of water. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall provide the best action when water temps are in the 70s. People love them because they're aggressive biters, decent fighters, and absolutely delicious - soft, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They school up, so where you catch one, there's usually more. Dawn and dusk are magic hours, especially on moving tides. Here's my secret: use a 1/4 oz jighead with a plastic shrimp under a popping cork. Work it slow with gentle twitches. The cork creates noise and movement that specks can't resist, plus it keeps your bait in the strike zone.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after gamefish in our waters, and for good reason. These sleek predators have that distinctive black lateral line and can grow up to 4 feet, though most we catch run 18-30 inches. They're ambush hunters that love hanging around mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings in 2-10 feet of water. Summer months are fantastic when they're actively feeding, especially around dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their explosive strike and strong runs - they'll jump and fight like crazy. The meat is excellent too, white and flaky with a mild flavor. They're temperature sensitive, so warmer months bring the best action. Here's a local trick: cast live shrimp or small pinfish tight to structure and let it drift naturally. When a snook hits, don't horse them - their mouths are paper-thin and they'll throw the hook if you're too aggressive.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms where they blend in perfectly. These oddball fish have both eyes on their left side and can change color to match their surroundings. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we catch some pushing 20+ pounds. They hang out in shallow bays, around jetties, and near creek mouths in 3-15 feet of water. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're moving toward passes to spawn. People love targeting them because they're fantastic eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They fight harder than you'd expect too. Pro tip: use live bull minnows on a sliding sinker rig and let it sit on the bottom. When you feel that tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - they like to grab bait sideways first.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a great trip with Captain Gary. He is knowledgeable and personable. He put us on the fish early. We limited out on Specs. ...
Thank you, Gary!
Can't brag enough about our experience with Capt Farmer. We had a great morning fishing for Reds, Black Drum and Speckled Trout. W...
Thank you, Lane!
Great guide. Very helpful and friendly!!
We have fished w Captain Gary for several years. Always a fun and enjoyable experience.
Was a great day on the water, we enjoyed fishing. Caught quite a few fish, although they were not keepers it is always fun to fish...
South Padre Island, TX