5.0(4 Reviews)Half Day Inshore Fishing Trip - Corpus Christi, TX
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and black drumCaptain Ben provides expert guidance for all skill levelsSmall group experience with maximum two guests per trip
Captain Ben knows the shallow waters around Corpus Christi like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 4-hour inshore adventure targets the bay systems and near-shore structure where redfish, black drum, sheepshead, and speckled trout love to hang out. You'll fish the productive grass flats, shell reefs, and drop-offs that make this stretch of the Texas coast a magnet for trophy-class fish. Whether you're looking to bend some rods or just want to get away from the dock for a few hours, Captain Ben's got the local knowledge to make it happen. The trip accommodates up to 2 anglers, so you'll get plenty of personal attention and coaching if you need it.
Your morning starts at the boat launch where Captain Ben will have everything rigged and ready to go. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in knee-deep water, the next you're bouncing bottom rigs along shell beds hoping for a hefty black drum. The boat stays in protected waters, so even if it's breezy offshore, you'll still have fishable conditions. Captain Ben runs a clean, well-maintained vessel equipped with quality tackle, live bait wells, and all the gear you need. He's not the type to just anchor up and hope for the best – expect to move around and work different spots until you find where the fish are feeding. The pace is relaxed but purposeful, giving you time to enjoy the scenery while staying focused on putting fish in the box.
Inshore fishing around Corpus Christi means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Captain Ben keeps a variety of techniques in his playbook – from throwing topwater plugs at first light to slow-rolling soft plastics through deeper channels. You might find yourself pitching live shrimp under popping corks near structure, or working artificial lures along grass lines where predator fish ambush baitfish. The tackle is medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle everything from schoolie trout to bull redfish. Live bait is often the go-to approach, especially when targeting black drum and sheepshead around structure, but don't be surprised if Captain Ben suggests switching to artificials when the fish are actively feeding. He'll teach you how to read the water, spot bird activity, and recognize the subtle signs that indicate fish are nearby.
"Ben did a fantastic job. I would recommend him to family and friends alike." - Paul. "Had a great morning of fishing with Brent. No disappointments!" - Candace. "Trip was great. The fish weren't biting, but the guide didn't give up and got us on some." - Jason.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing, though inshore encounters are typically with smaller schoolies in deeper bay areas during summer months. These feisty fighters have bright red coloration and razor-sharp teeth, making them both beautiful and dangerous to handle. They're structure-oriented fish that love to hang around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom areas. When hooked, red snapper make strong initial runs and fight all the way to the boat, making them a favorite among anglers who appreciate both the battle and the excellent table fare they provide.
Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush passing prey. These flatfish are most active during cooler months from fall through early spring, when they migrate toward passes and deeper water. What makes flounder exciting is the way they hit – often a subtle tap followed by steady pressure as they try to bury back into the bottom. They're excellent eating fish with sweet, flaky white meat, and landing a "doormat" flounder over 20 inches is something every inshore angler dreams about.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the bay system, using their powerful bodies and crushing jaws to dig crabs and shellfish out of the bottom. These fish can range from schoolie-sized 2-pounders to massive 40-pound brutes that will test your tackle and patience. They're year-round residents but are most active during spring when they gather in large schools for spawning. The fight is characterized by heavy, powerful runs and stubborn resistance – they don't jump or make flashy moves, but they'll wear you out with their sheer strength and determination.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the fishing world, known for stealing bait with surgical precision thanks to their human-like teeth and incredible sense of touch. These black-and-white striped fish live around structure like piers, jetties, and reefs where they feed on barnacles, crabs, and other crustaceans. They're most active during cooler months and require finesse fishing with small hooks and fresh bait. The reward for mastering sheepshead fishing is some of the best-tasting fish in the bay, with firm, sweet meat that rivals any restaurant fish.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout, are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, providing consistent action throughout most of the year. These spotted predators are most active during dawn and dusk, often feeding aggressively in shallow grass flats and around bait schools. Spring and fall offer the best trophy opportunities when larger "gator trout" move into the shallows. They're willing biters on both live and artificial baits, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels, and their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps provide exciting action on light tackle.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore gamefish, combining brute strength with impressive size and beautiful copper-bronze coloration marked by distinctive black spots near the tail. These drum family members are year-round residents that can be caught in water
Captain Ben's motorboat is perfectly rigged for prowling Corpus Christi's productive inshore waters. This fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need to target redfish, black drum, and sheepshead - a GPS system to hit the honey holes, plus a fish finder that'll show you exactly what's swimming below. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip into shallow flats without spooking fish, while the onboard multimedia system keeps things entertaining between bites. Built for two anglers, this boat gives you plenty of room to work your lines and land those hard-fighting reds. Whether you're casting to structure or drifting the grass beds, this setup puts you in prime position for a solid day of Texas coast fishing.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweight champions of Corpus Christi's shallow waters. These bruisers average 5-15 pounds but can reach 30+ pounds, making them a serious test for any angler. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, which is exactly where you'll find them - around oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow structure. Spring is prime time, especially February through April when they school up to spawn and you can hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What makes drum fishing special is their bulldogging fight and the fact that smaller fish under 15 pounds are excellent eating with firm, white meat. They're also great for kids since they bite well and don't require perfect technique. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab or shrimp on a Carolina rig, fish the bottom around oyster bars, and be patient - drum take their time inspecting baits before committing.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing, and around Corpus Christi we find them on deeper structure in 30-100 feet of water. These beautiful red fish average 2-5 pounds but can reach 20+ pounds. They're bottom dwellers that love oil rigs, reefs, and hard structure where they ambush prey. Best fishing is spring through fall when water temps stay in that 60-75 degree sweet spot. What makes snapper special is their incredible fight - they'll dive straight for cover when hooked, testing your drag and skills. Plus, they're absolutely fantastic eating with mild, flaky white meat. My local tip: use fresh squid or cigar minnows, keep your bait tight to the bottom, and set the hook hard when you feel that telltale snapper thump. They're smart fish that will steal your bait if you're not ready.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate shallow water gamefish around Corpus Christi, and they're what put our area on the fishing map. These copper-bronze beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails average 20-28 inches and make incredibly strong runs when hooked. You'll find them cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and shorelines in water so shallow their backs sometimes show above the surface. They feed year-round but fall and spring offer peak action when they school up. What guests love most is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water - it's as close to hunting as fishing gets. Plus they fight like freight trains and make great table fare when kept within slot limits. Their willingness to eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs makes them perfect for any angler. My secret: look for nervous water and mullet schools on shallow flats during incoming tides. Cast past the fish and work your bait back slowly - reds are spooky in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are one of Corpus Christi's most popular inshore targets. These sleek silver fish with distinctive black spots average 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though trophy trout over 25 inches lurk in our grass flats. They love shallow seagrass beds, drop-offs, and areas where baitfish concentrate. Spring and fall provide the best action, while summer finds them in deeper, cooler water. What makes trout fishing special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures at dawn and dusk - few things beat the explosion when a big speck hits your plug. They're also excellent table fare with tender, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Trout are great for all skill levels since they bite various baits and lures. Pro tip: work your topwater lures slowly over grass beds in 2-4 feet of water during low light conditions. When they miss your lure, resist the urge to immediately recast - often they'll come back for a second try.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Corpus Christi with their distinctive black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the craftiest fish around. These 2-8 pound fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles off pier pilings, bridge supports, and any hard structure. They're notorious bait thieves that will clean your hook without you feeling a thing. Winter and spring are best when they move to deeper structure and jetties to spawn. What guests love is the challenge - sheepshead require finesse and quick reflexes to hook, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. Their unique appearance and feeding behavior make every catch memorable. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and the second you feel weight or movement, set that hook hard. They'll test your patience but reward your persistence.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are one of the most unique fish we target - they're flat as a pancake with both eyes on one side of their head. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to strike at passing baitfish. Most flounder we catch run 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds show up regularly. They love shallow bays, creek mouths, and muddy flats where they can camouflage perfectly. Fall and winter are prime time when they move toward deeper channels to spawn. What guests love about flounder is their sneaky bite and excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat fried up. They're also great for beginners since they don't fight as hard as other species. Pro tip: use live mud minnows or shrimp, fish slow along the bottom, and when you feel that subtle weight, give it a second before setting the hook.
5.0 out of 5.0Ben did a fantastic job. I would recommend him to family and friends alike.
Had a great morning of fishing with Brent. No disappointments!
Trip was great. The fish weren't biting, but the guide didn't give up and got us on some.
Corpus Christi