5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Port Isabel Redfish & Inshore Action
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and speckled troutExpert guides provide access to prime flats fishing locationsEighthour adventure accommodates up to two guests maximum
Picture this: the sun's barely peeking over the horizon at 6:30 AM, and you're already heading out with one of Port Isabel's most trusted guides for a full 8-hour fishing adventure. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking about a serious day on the water, targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most prized inshore species. From shallow flats where redfish cruise to deeper structure where sheepshead hang out, you'll experience the full range of what makes Port Isabel such a legendary fishing destination. Whether you've been chasing fish for decades or you're still figuring out which end of the rod to hold, Captain Austin knows how to put you on fish and make sure you walk away with stories worth telling.
This 8-hour charter is designed for up to 2 anglers, which means you're getting personalized attention and prime positioning all day long. No fighting for space at the rail or waiting your turn to cast. We'll start early to take advantage of those productive morning hours when fish are actively feeding, then adapt our strategy as conditions change throughout the day. Port Isabel's unique geography gives us access to both protected bay waters and nearshore flats, so we can move around based on weather, tides, and where the fish are biting. Captain Austin reads these waters like a book, and he'll adjust the game plan to keep your lines tight. The boat comes equipped with quality tackle and all the gear you need, though you're welcome to bring your own setup if you've got favorites. Don't worry about packing lunch – we'll keep you fueled with snacks and drinks so you can focus on fishing.
Inshore fishing around Port Isabel is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want. We'll be working everything from live bait under popping corks to soft plastics bounced along the bottom, depending on our target species and conditions. When we're hunting redfish in skinny water, it's all about stealth and precision – maybe sight-casting to tailing fish or working the edges of grass flats with topwater plugs. For sheepshead around structure, we'll drop down with fiddler crabs or shrimp and work those pilings like a surgeon. Black drum fishing calls for a different game entirely, often involving cut bait on the bottom near oyster bars. Captain Austin will teach you the nuances of each technique as we go, from proper drag settings to reading your rod tip for those subtle bites. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to really dial in different methods and locations rather than rushing through spots.
"Took my dad and new to be father in law, to break in the ice ! The guide put us on fish and caught our limit in trout really fast ! Both left with smiles on their face and now will be fishing partners for the years to come ! Will definitely be booking with Captain Austin again !" - Dante
Snook are the crown jewel of Port Isabel inshore fishing, and for good reason. These ambush predators love hanging around structure like docks, bridge pilings, and mangrove edges where they can dart out to nail unsuspecting baitfish. What makes snook so special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fighting style – they'll jump, run, and do everything they can to throw your hook. Best fishing for snook typically happens during warmer months, and they're most active during dawn and dusk periods. The slot limit keeps things interesting, as you'll need fish between 28 and 33 inches to take home, but the smaller ones fight just as hard.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they'll test your tackle and your patience in the best possible way. These bottom-dwellers can grow massive around Port Isabel, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon in deeper channels and around oyster reefs. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall tend to produce the most consistent action. What anglers love about black drum is their bulldogging fight – once hooked, they'll use their broad sides and powerful tails to wage a tug-of-war that'll make your arms burn. They're also excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Sheepshead earn their nickname as the "convict fish" thanks to their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart is their human-like teeth and notorious bait-stealing abilities. These structure-oriented fish hang around anything hard on the bottom – pilings, reefs, wrecks – feeding on barnacles, crabs, and anything crunchy. Fall and winter months bring the best sheepshead action around Port Isabel, when they stack up in deeper water near structure. Anglers love the challenge they present; sheepshead have incredible bite detection and will clean your hook without you feeling a thing if you're not paying attention.
Sea trout, specifically speckled trout, are Port Isabel bread-and-butter fish that provide consistent action throughout most of the year. These beautiful fish prefer grass flats, shell bars, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers peak trout fishing, with early morning and late evening producing the most explosive topwater action. What makes speckled trout special is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their respectable fight on light tackle. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters when handled properly.
Redfish are the poster fish for Texas inshore fishing, and Port Isabel waters produce some genuine bulls along with great numbers of slot-sized fish. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges year-round, though fall months often produce the most consistent big fish action. What makes redfish so appealing is their diverse feeding habits – they'll eat everything from topwater plugs to cut b
Hit the waters of Port Isabel aboard our reliable 2020 23-foot Majek center console, perfectly rigged for serious inshore fishing. This well-maintained boat handles beautifully with its 200HP Suzuki outboard, cruising at 30 knots to get you to the hot spots fast. The spacious center console design gives you plenty of room to fight redfish, sheepshead, and speckled trout without getting tangled up with your fishing buddy. Built for the Texas coast, this Majek cuts through chop and slides into shallow flats where the big reds like to feed. With room for 2 anglers, you'll have the deck space to work lures properly and land fish without crowding. The boat's layout makes it easy to move around when that bull red takes off on a long run.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, which is exactly where you'll find them - around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in 2-30 feet of water. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, powerful fight and that distinctive drumming sound they make. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to technique is using fresh crab on a Carolina rig - the key is keeping your bait right on the bottom where they feed. These fish are bottom feeders through and through, so if you're not getting hung up occasionally, you're probably fishing too high in the water column.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature species here in Port Isabel - those copper-bronze sides and distinctive black spots near the tail make them instantly recognizable. They typically run 18-35 inches and absolutely love the shallow flats, oyster reefs, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water. You'll often see their backs breaking the surface as they cruise and feed. Fall and spring offer the best action, but they bite year-round in our waters. What guests love most is their powerful, bulldogging fight and those explosive topwater strikes in skinny water. They're also excellent eating when kept within the slot limit. The key to success is sight fishing the flats with topwater plugs or soft plastics. Here's my local tip: when you spot a redfish tailing or cruising, cast well ahead of where they're going, not where they are. Let them come to your bait rather than spooking them with a close cast.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good tidal movement, usually in 2-10 feet of water. While they bite year-round, fall and spring produce the best action, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. What makes them so popular is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent table fare - tender, flaky white meat that's hard to overcook. They're also great fighters for their size, with explosive strikes on topwater. During winter, they move to deeper channels and form big schools. My favorite approach is working soft plastics or topwater plugs over grass beds early in the morning. Here's the key: speckled trout have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't horse them. A light drag and patient fight will land more fish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters - those black and white stripes make them unmistakable. They typically run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure. These fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs, which is exactly what they're doing around every piling you see. Winter through early spring is prime time when they school up near passes and jetties. What makes them so popular is they're notorious bait thieves with lightning-fast reflexes, so landing one feels like a real accomplishment. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The trick with sheepshead is using small hooks and keeping steady pressure on your bait. The moment you feel that subtle tick or weight change, set the hook hard. They'll pick your bait clean before you know what happened if you hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most exciting inshore targets around Port Isabel, with their golden color and distinctive black lateral line. Most run 1-3 feet, but trophy fish can hit 4+ feet and really test your gear. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in both salt and brackish water, usually in depths under 20 feet. Spring through early fall is prime time, especially around new and full moons when they're most active. What makes them special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make screaming runs toward cover. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure right into the structure where they hide. Don't worry about hanging up - snook rarely venture far from cover, so you've got to put it right in their face to get bit.
5.0 out of 5.0Took my dad and new to be father in law, to break in the ice ! The guide put us on fish and caught our limit in trout really fast ...
Port Isabel