Half Day Guided Fishing Trip In Port Isabel, TX
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting redfish and sheepshead speciesProfessional guide service on 23foot Majek center console boatSmall group experience with maximum two guest capacity
Looking for some serious action on the water? Captain Austin's got you covered with this top-rated 4-hour fishing adventure in Port Isabel, Texas. We'll be working the productive waters of Laguna Madre aboard a custom 23-foot Majek center console that's built for these shallow flats and back bays. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter operation – you're getting personal attention with just 2 anglers max, which means more fish in the boat and more time with the rod in your hands. Whether you've been throwing lines for decades or you're still figuring out which end of the rod to hold, we'll put you on fish and make sure you have a blast doing it.
Port Isabel sits right at the heart of some of Texas's most productive inshore fishing grounds, and we know exactly where the fish are holding. The Laguna Madre system is a maze of grass flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs that hold redfish, trout, and plenty of other species year-round. Captain Austin has been working these waters for years, reading the tides, wind, and structure to put you on the best bite of the day. The Majek is perfect for this kind of fishing – shallow draft means we can get into those back country spots where the big fish hang out, but stable enough to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at us. You'll spend your 4 hours actually fishing, not running around looking for spots. We stay mobile, hitting multiple areas based on conditions and what's biting best.
We fish smart down here, adapting our approach based on conditions and what species we're targeting. Some days that means working topwater plugs over grass flats at first light, watching redfish blow up on the surface. Other times we're bouncing soft plastics along oyster bars or drifting live shrimp under popping corks in deeper pockets. All tackle and bait are included – we keep quality spinning gear rigged and ready, plus a selection of artificial lures and fresh bait to match the bite. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety: you might hook into a bull redfish on a gold spoon one cast, then pick up a nice trout on a soft plastic the next. Captain Austin will put you on fish, but he'll also teach you the techniques so you can come back and catch them on your own. We're not just here to bend your rod – we want you to become a better angler.
Redfish are the kings of these flats, and Port Isabel serves up some of the best red fishing in Texas. These copper-colored fighters average 20-28 inches in the slot, with plenty of oversized bulls mixed in for pure adrenaline. Reds feed aggressively in shallow water, especially around oyster reefs and grass lines. Fall and spring are prime time, but we catch quality fish year-round. What makes them special? They fight dirty – using their broad sides to pull drag and making long runs toward structure. Plus, they're not picky eaters, hitting everything from topwater plugs to live bait.
Sea Trout might be the most consistent biters in the Laguna Madre system. These spotted beauties average 15-20 inches, with trophy trout over 25 inches always a possibility. They love soft plastics worked slowly over grass beds, and they're notorious for that subtle tap-tap bite that hooks a lot of anglers off guard. Best fishing is typically early morning and late afternoon, especially during cooler months. Trout are perfect table fare and put up a respectable fight on light tackle.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the bay – not the prettiest fish, but they'll test your tackle and your patience. These bottom huggers can range from 2-pound puppies to 30-pound slabs that'll make your arms ache. They're suckers for fresh shrimp fished near structure, and once hooked, they use every ounce of their weight to stay pinned to the bottom. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge every angler needs to experience. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth and a knack for stealing bait without getting hooked. They hang around structure – docks, pilings, jetties – where they pick off crabs and barnacles. The bite is lightning fast, and the hookset has to be quicker. But land one of these 3-5 pound fighters and you've earned serious bragging rights. They're also fantastic eating.
Snook represent the exotic side of Texas inshore fishing. These tropical transplants aren't as common as reds or trout, but when you hook one, it's game on. They're ambush predators that love structure and moving water, especially around the jetties and channel mouths. Snook have that classic gamefish look with their distinctive black lateral line, and they fight with powerful runs and acrobatic jumps. Summer is prime time when water temps climb.
Captain Austin runs a world-class operation that consistently puts anglers on fish while showing them the best of what Port Isabel has to offer. With only 2 spots available per trip, you're getting personalized attention that the big cattle boats just can't match. This customer favorite fills up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to secure your dates. Whether you're looking to cross some species off your bucket list, put some fresh fish in the cooler, or just spend a morning doing what you love, this half-day adventure delivers. The combination of productive waters, quality equipment, and experienced guidance makes this the best trip for both locals and visitors wanting to experience renowned Texas inshore fishing. Give Captain Austin a call and let's get you on the water – the fish are biting and your spot is waiting.
Captain Austin's 23-foot Majek center console is your ticket to prime fishing waters around Port Isabel. This 2020 boat cuts through Laguna Madre with a reliable 200HP Suzuki that'll get you to the hot spots fast, cruising at 30 knots when the fish are biting elsewhere. The center console design gives you room to move around while fighting redfish and sheepshead, with plenty of space for two anglers to work the waters without bumping elbows. Built tough for Texas coastal conditions, this Majek handles shallow flats and deeper channels equally well, letting you chase whatever's running that day. Whether you're casting sight fishing or working structure, you'll have a stable platform that won't spook the fish when it counts.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the bay - powerful fish that typically weigh 5-30 pounds but can grow massive, up to 90 pounds. They hang around oyster bars, muddy flats, and shallow structure where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is that steady, heavy pull - these fish don't jump much but they'll wear you out with pure strength. The meat on smaller ones under 15 pounds is sweet and flaky, but the big ones get tough. They're famous for making drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater during spawning season. Best advice I give is to use fresh crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom - drum are serious bottom feeders and won't chase anything up in the water column.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature species here in the Laguna Madre - copper-colored beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail. Most range from 20-35 inches, but we regularly see bulls pushing 40+ inches in deeper water. They love super shallow flats, sometimes with their backs out of water, cruising around oyster reefs and grass beds hunting for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall months are outstanding when they school up. What makes reds so popular is that powerful run when hooked - they'll strip drag and make multiple runs before giving up. Plus they're excellent table fare when kept at legal size. The sight fishing is what really gets people hooked - watching a big red cruise the shallows and explode on your lure. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing, cast well ahead and work your bait slowly into their path. They spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread and butter fish here - beautiful spotted fish that usually run 14-24 inches and make for consistent action. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at first light and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring are peak seasons when they're most aggressive. What makes trout special is they'll hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for any angler's skill level. The soft white meat is delicate and delicious, but don't overcook it or it gets mushy. These fish are sight feeders, so look for them cruising the flats making small wakes. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels. My go-to technique is working a soft plastic shrimp imitation slowly along the grass edges. Keep it subtle - trout have soft mouths, so a gentle hookset is all you need.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes. Most run 1-8 pounds and about 14-20 inches, but we catch 20-pounders around the right structure. These fish are all about cover - bridge pilings, docks, and barnacle-covered structures where they pick off crabs and shellfish with their human-like teeth. Spring months from February through April are best when they're spawning around passes and jetties. Guests love the challenge because sheepshead are notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble your hook clean if you're not paying attention. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the gulf with sweet, white meat. Here's the trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, keep your bait tight to the structure, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. They've got strong mouths, so don't hesitate.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are sleek, golden-colored fish that typically run 1-2 feet long around here, though we've seen some monsters pushing 4 feet. They love hanging around structure - mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they can ambush prey. These fish are temperature-sensitive, so warmer months from May through September give you the best shot when they're actively feeding and spawning. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they hit your lure, plus they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They're also unique because larger ones are usually female - they actually change sex as they mature. My best tip for landing snook? Get your bait right up against the structure where they hide. Don't be shy about casting close to those mangroves - that's where the big ones are waiting.
Port Isabel