Captain Bill's Weekend Redfish and Trout Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour charter targeting redfish, black drum, and speckled troutAll tackle, bait, and equipment provided with Captain BillPrivate Lower Laguna Madre trip accommodates three guests maximum
Captain Bill's weekend fishing charter puts you right in the heart of Port Mansfield's legendary inshore waters, where the Lower Laguna Madre serves up some of Texas's best redfish, black drum, and speckled trout action. This 6-hour morning trip starts at 7 AM sharp and runs $600 for up to three anglers – making it perfect for a small crew looking to hit the flats without the crowds. You'll be fishing private waters that Captain Bill knows like the back of his hand, with all the gear, tackle, and bait provided. Just grab your Texas saltwater license, pack some snacks and drinks, and get ready for a solid day of sight casting and bottom fishing in some of the most productive shallow water along the coast.
The Lower Laguna Madre is a angler's playground, and Captain Bill knows exactly where the fish are holding based on tides, wind, and season. You'll start the morning running to his preferred spots – could be working the grass flats for tailing reds, drifting the deeper holes for black drum, or sight casting to cruising trout along the drop-offs. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility – if the fish aren't cooperating in one area, you're moving to the next productive zone without wasting time. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from light tackle spinning rigs perfect for trout to heavier setups when you hook into a bull red. Captain Bill reads the water conditions each morning and adjusts the game plan accordingly, whether that means throwing topwater plugs at first light or switching to live shrimp when the bite gets finicky.
Captain Bill runs a versatile operation that adapts to what's working on any given day. You'll likely start with artificial lures – soft plastics rigged on jig heads are money for trout and reds, while spoons and topwater plugs come out when fish are actively feeding. The tackle box is stocked with everything from 1/8-ounce jigs for shallow water work to heavier rigs for probing the deeper cuts where big black drum hang out. When conditions call for it, live bait takes over – fresh shrimp and finger mullet are go-to options that produce consistent results. The rods are matched perfectly to the technique, with medium-light spinning setups for finesse fishing and stouter gear when targeting bigger fish. Captain Bill's a hands-on guide who'll adjust your drag, tie on new lures, and coach you through the fight when you hook up. The boat's rigged with a good fish box and plenty of ice, so your catch stays fresh from hook to cooler.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Port Mansfield inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are what keep anglers coming back. You'll find them year-round in the Lower Laguna Madre, but they really light up during the cooler months when they school up in the deeper grass beds. Slot-sized reds between 20-28 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls put up fights that'll test your tackle and technique. These fish are aggressive feeders that'll crush both artificials and live bait, and watching one blow up on a topwater plug in shallow water is pure adrenaline. Black drum are the heavyweights of the lagoon system, with fish regularly pushing 30-40 pounds lurking in the deeper holes and around structure. They're bottom feeders that prefer fresh shrimp and crab, and once hooked, they use their broad sides and powerful tails to make long, bulldogging runs. Spring and fall are prime time for big drum, when they move into the shallows to spawn and feed. Speckled trout round out the slam and are arguably the best eating fish in these waters. They're structure-oriented and love to hang around grass lines, shell beds, and drop-offs where they can ambush baitfish. Trout are finicky feeders that respond well to subtle presentations – a slowly worked soft plastic or live shrimp under a popping cork is hard to beat. The best trout fishing happens during the spring and fall months when water temperatures are optimal, but you can find quality fish year-round if you know where to look.
Captain Bill's weekend charters book up fast, especially during peak fishing months when the bite is hot and the weather's cooperating. This 6-hour trip gives you plenty of time to work different areas and target multiple species without feeling rushed, and the early start means you'll be fishing the prime morning bite when fish are most active. At $600 for up to three anglers, you're getting a top-rated guide service that includes everything except your license and personal items. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure you're committed to your dates before booking. The Lower Laguna Madre is fishing as good as it ever has, and Captain Bill's local knowledge and proven techniques give you the best shot at a successful day on the water. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler, catch your personal best, or just enjoy a quality day of inshore fishing, this Port Mansfield charter delivers the goods. Don't wait too long to secure your spot – the best fishing days and prime weekend slots go quickly, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the fishing trip of the season.
Your fishing platform for this Port Mansfield adventure is a sharp 2019 Majek bay boat that knows these Lower Laguna Madre waters like the back of your hand. This 18-foot center console rides on a reliable 115HP Suzuki engine, cruising comfortably at speeds that'll get you to the productive redfish and speckled trout spots without burning daylight. The boat's design gives everyone clear casting room whether you're working artificial lures around structure or drifting live bait over grass flats. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and provides plenty of space for your catch, while the GPS system helps Captain Bill navigate to those honey holes where black drum and trout like to hang out. Built tough for inshore work, this Majek handles the shallow flats and deeper channels around Port Mansfield with ease, giving you a stable fishing platform that won't spook fish in skinny water.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our Lower Laguna Madre waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 50+ pounds. These grey-black fish with crushing jaws love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they hunt crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're serious fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and let it sit right on the bottom near oyster bars. Patience pays off with these guys since they're methodical feeders.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing here in Port Mansfield. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails average 20-28 inches and pack serious power. You'll find them cruising super shallow flats, sometimes with their backs out of the water, around grass beds and oyster reefs. They're year-round targets but really fire up during fall when they school up in big numbers. What gets anglers hooked is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll peel drag and make long runs. Plus, slot-sized reds are fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. Local secret: look for nervous water over the flats on calm mornings and throw a gold spoon right in front of their path.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Port Mansfield fishing, running 14-20 inches on average with some reaching 5+ pounds. These silver beauties with dark spots love grass flats and drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water throughout the Laguna Madre. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes on artificials and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're scrappy fighters that'll jump and make good runs. Pro tip: work a soft plastic shrimp slowly along the grass edges during moving tides. Keep your drag light since their mouths are soft - many anglers lose fish by horsing them in too hard.
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