Full Day Port Isabel Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore charter targets redfish, sheepshead, and speckled troutBeginnerfriendly instruction with gear and expert guidance providedEighthour trip explores calm waters and flats near Port Isabel
Ready to spend a full day on some of the best inshore waters Texas has to offer? Captain Austin's 8-hour fishing charter out of Port Isabel is perfect for anyone wanting to get serious about catching fish without the pressure. Starting bright and early at 6:30 AM, you'll have plenty of time to work the flats and backwaters where redfish, sheepshead, and speckled trout love to hang out. This isn't some rushed half-day deal – we're talking about a proper fishing trip where you can really dial in your technique and put some quality fish in the boat. Port Isabel sits right at the sweet spot where the Laguna Madre meets the Gulf, giving us access to diverse structure and plenty of hungry fish year-round.
Captain Austin knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got a knack for breaking down fishing basics in a way that actually makes sense. You'll start the morning learning proper casting techniques – none of that fancy tournament stuff, just solid fundamentals that'll help you put your bait where the fish are. The beauty of Port Isabel's inshore fishing is the variety of structure we can hit in a single trip. We'll work shallow grass flats where redfish cruise looking for crabs, deeper channels where black drum stack up, and around dock pilings where sheepshead pick at barnacles. The boat stays in protected waters, so even if it's a little breezy out in the Gulf, we'll find calm spots to fish comfortably. Captain Austin provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait – you just need to bring your Texas fishing license and be ready to learn.
We'll be fishing with medium-action spinning rods paired with smooth reels that won't give beginners any trouble. Most of the day you'll be using live shrimp under popping corks – a deadly combo in these waters that lets you cover water while keeping your bait in the strike zone. When we're targeting redfish in skinny water, we might switch to soft plastics on jig heads, which is perfect for learning how to feel the bottom and work a lure naturally. For sheepshead around structure, we'll drop down with small hooks and pieces of shrimp or fiddler crabs. Captain Austin will show you how to read your rod tip, set the hook properly, and fight fish without putting too much pressure on light tackle. The techniques you'll learn aren't just beginner tricks – they're the same methods local guides use to put fish in the boat day after day.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Port Isabel inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and fight like they're twice that size. They're most active during moving tides and love to cruise the grass flats in 2-4 feet of water. What makes reds so special is how they eat – when they want your bait, they really want it, making solid runs that'll test your drag and get your heart pumping. Fall and winter are prime time for slot-sized reds, though you can catch them year-round.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute tanks when it comes to fighting power. These bottom-feeders can range from smaller 2-3 pounders up to monster 20+ pound bulls that'll make you question your tackle choices. They hang around deeper structure and love fresh dead shrimp. The smaller ones are excellent table fare, while the big bulls are catch-and-release trophies that'll give you a workout. They're most cooperative during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels.
Sheepshead are the ultimate test of your finesse fishing skills. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth and a habit of stealing bait right off your hook. They average 12-16 inches around Port Isabel and are hands-down some of the best eating fish in the bay. You'll find them around any kind of structure – dock pilings, rock piles, jetties – where they pick barnacles and small crabs. Landing a nice sheepshead feels like a real achievement because they require patience and a quick hook set.
Snook are the wildcards of Port Isabel fishing. These greenish-silver fish with the distinctive black lateral line are more common during warmer months and put on spectacular jumping shows when hooked. They average 18-24 inches and have a habit of ambushing bait near structure before making blistering runs toward cover. Snook fishing requires quick reflexes and the ability to turn a fish's head before it reaches the nearest piling or mangrove root.
Speckled trout round out the slam and are probably the most cooperative fish you'll encounter. These silvery beauties with distinctive black spots are perfect for beginners because they bite consistently and don't require super precise presentations. They school up over grass beds and drop-offs, especially during early morning and late afternoon. A nice 15-18 inch trout makes excellent table fare and provides steady action when other species are being finicky.
This top-rated full day charter gives you the time and instruction needed to really get comfortable with inshore fishing. Captain Austin's patient teaching style and intimate knowledge of Port Isabel waters make this trip perfect for anyone wanting to build real fishing skills while actually catching fish. With only 2 spots available, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of opportunities to practice different techniques. The early start time puts you on the water during prime feeding hours, and 8 hours gives you enough time to hit multiple spots and adapt to changing conditions. Don't worry about bringing gear or figuring out what baits to use – just grab your fishing license and get ready for a day of solid fishing education. Book now and see why Port Isabel consistently produces some of the best inshore fishing on the Texas coast.
Hit the productive waters around Port Isabel aboard our reliable 2020 Majek center console. This 23-footer handles the shallow flats and inshore waters like a dream, powered by a smooth 200HP Suzuki that'll cruise at 30 knots when you need to cover ground between fishing spots. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without tangling lines. With space for your small group, you'll have Captain Austin's full attention as he shows you the ropes targeting redfish, sheepshead, and trout in these famous South Texas waters. The boat's shallow draft gets you into those backcountry areas where the big reds like to cruise, while the stable platform makes it perfect for beginners learning to cast and handle fish. Clean, well-maintained, and equipped with everything you need for a successful day on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of our flats - thick, powerful fish that'll test your gear. Most run 5-15 pounds, but we see 30+ pounders that'll make you sweat. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws, perfect for crunching oysters and crabs on muddy flats and oyster beds in 2-10 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. What guests love is that steady, bulldogging fight - no flashy jumps, just pure power. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the key: fresh crab bait on the bottom and patience. They'll mouth the bait before committing, so wait for that solid weight before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing with that copper-bronze color and signature black spot near the tail. Most slot-sized fish run 18-27 inches, but we see bull reds over 30 inches that'll really test your drag. They cruise super shallow flats, often in just 1-4 feet of water around grass beds and oyster bars. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring are peak times. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike and bulldog fight - pure power from start to finish. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The trick is staying quiet and watching for wakes or tails in skinny water. When you see one, cast ahead of where it's going and work that bait naturally.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our grass flats fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and love shallow seagrass beds where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods - early morning and evening are prime time. What guests enjoy is their willingness to hit artificial lures and that satisfying head-shaking fight. The meat is tender and flaky, though you don't want to overcook it. They school up in deeper channels during winter, making them easier targets. My go-to technique is working soft plastics or topwater plugs over the grass flats just after sunrise. The key is keeping your lure moving - trout are aggressive feeders when they're on the bite.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those distinctive black stripes, and they're notorious bait thieves. Most run 1-3 pounds around docks, pilings, and any barnacle-covered structure where they scrape off their favorite meals. Winter through early spring is prime time when they're staging for their spawning runs. What makes them fun is the challenge - they've got human-like teeth and will steal your bait if you're not paying attention. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, white meat. They'll hover at any depth around structure, so work your bait up and down the pilings. Pro tip: keep that bait pinned tight to the hook and set it hard the moment you feel weight - they're experts at cleaning hooks.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most exciting fish to target in our waters. These sleek, golden-bodied fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 1-3 feet long, though you might hook into a real trophy. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and any structure where they can ambush prey like a bass would. Best fishing is during warmer months when water temps stay above 60°F. What makes them special is that powerful strike and drag-screaming run - plus they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. They're also pretty unique since larger ones are actually females that changed sex as they matured. My tip: cast right to the structure edge and be ready - when they hit, they hit hard and head straight back to cover.
Port Isabel