Big Group Fishing Adventure in Matagorda Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting redfish and speckled troutFive boats accommodate large groups up to 15 guestsExpert guide team provides customized Matagorda Bay experience
Got a crew of 15 that wants to hit the water together? Most charter operations will tell you to split up or find somewhere else, but not us. Captain Joe and his handpicked team of trusted guides make it happen with a coordinated 5-boat fleet that keeps your whole group fishing the same productive waters. Whether you're planning a corporate retreat, family reunion, or just want to get all your fishing buddies on the water at once, this setup lets everyone stay connected while having room to spread out and fish properly. We're talking about a custom-tailored experience where Joe coordinates with his network of top-rated local guides to put your entire group on fish in Matagorda Bay's most productive spots.
This isn't your typical charter where you're stuck following someone else's plan. Joe works directly with you before the trip to figure out what your group wants to accomplish, then builds the day around those goals. Want to focus on sight-casting reds in the shallows? We'll position the boats in the back lakes where the copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats. More interested in working the deeper shell reefs for trout? We'll anchor up on the productive structures where the specks stack up. The beauty of having five boats working together is flexibility - if one guide finds a hot bite, he can call the others over to get everyone in on the action. Joe's been fishing these waters for years and knows exactly which captains to bring along for different conditions and target species. Each boat typically holds 3 anglers, giving everyone plenty of elbow room to fish effectively without getting tangled up in each other's lines.
Matagorda Bay offers some of the most diverse inshore fishing along the Texas coast, and we fish it all depending on conditions and what's biting. In the shallow back lakes, we're wade fishing and sight-casting to tailing reds with topwater plugs and soft plastics. When the trout are holding on shell reefs in 4-8 feet of water, we'll anchor up and work live shrimp under popping corks or drag soft plastics along the bottom structure. The guides provide all the tackle you need - from lightweight spinning gear perfect for trout fishing to heavier setups that can handle big bull reds. Live bait, artificials, whatever's working best that day. During cooler months, we might focus more on deeper channels where the fish winter up, while summer trips often mean early morning topwater action followed by deeper structure fishing as the day heats up. Joe coordinates the fleet using marine radios so all boats stay in communication - when someone finds the bite, everyone knows about it quickly.
Redfish are the stars of Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-28 inches here, with plenty of slot fish that make excellent table fare and enough oversized bulls to test your drag system. Reds feed year-round in these waters, but fall months from September through November offer some of the most consistent action as schools push into the shallows to feed aggressively before winter. What makes them so exciting is their willingness to eat topwater lures - nothing beats watching a 6-pound red blow up on a She Dog in two feet of water.
Speckled trout, or specks as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay fishing. These spotted beauties typically run 14-18 inches, with trophy fish over 5 pounds caught regularly during winter months. Specks are structure-oriented, holding around shell reefs, channel edges, and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. They're particularly active during dawn and dusk, making them perfect targets for half-day trips. What anglers love about trout fishing here is the consistency - when you find them, you usually find several, and they're excellent eating.
Southern flounder provide some of the most rewarding fishing in the bay system. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they stage for their offshore spawning migration, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to doormat-sized specimens over 5 pounds. They're challenging to target specifically, but when you hook into a good flounder, you know it - they fight differently than any other fish, using their flat profile to plane against the current.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're serious fighters that test both tackle and technique. These bottom-dwellers can range from small puppy drum perfect for kids to catch up to massive 30+ pound bulls that will smoke your drag. They're most active during cooler months and are often found around the same shell reefs that hold trout. What makes drum fishing exciting is you never know what size you're dealing with until you get them to the boat.
Sheepshead are the pickiest eaters in the bay, but also among the best table fare you'll find. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. They require finesse fishing with light tackle and small baits, making them a favorite target for experienced anglers who enjoy the challenge. Winter months offer the best sheepshead action when they school up around deeper structures.
This world-class big group fishing experience books up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is red-hot. Joe's reputation for putting large groups on fish while keeping everyone safe and having fun has made this one of the most sought-after charter options on the Texas coast. The coordination required to manage five boats and 15 anglers takes serious planning, so we recommend booking well in advance. Whether your group is full of experienced anglers or complete beginners, Joe and his team of customer-favorite guides will tailor the trip to everyone's skill level and interests. Don't let the size of your group keep you off
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, and they'll test your tackle. These bruisers typically range from 5-30 pounds, but we've seen monsters pushing 50+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs around structure. You'll find them on muddy flats, oyster reefs, and around any hard bottom in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when the action gets hot. What guests love is the raw power these fish bring. They make that signature drumming sound you can actually feel through the boat. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating, but the big ones are better released. Here's my go-to trick: use fresh cut crab on a carolina rig and let it sit right on the bottom. When they pick it up, give them time to swallow before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Matagorda Bay and what most folks come here to catch. These copper-colored beauties with the signature black spot near their tail typically run 18-30 inches, though we catch plenty of bigger bulls offshore. They love super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out of the water - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring are peak times when they're most aggressive. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. They're also excellent eating in the slot size range. The sight fishing is what really gets guests excited - watching a big red cruise the shallows and nail your lure is pure adrenaline. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where they're heading and let your bait sit still. They spook easily, so patience wins.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay fishing. These silvery beauties with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though we get some real trophies over 8 pounds. They love grass flats, drop-offs, and shell reefs in 2-8 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall are prime, but they school up deep during winter months. What guests love is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their acrobatic fights - they'll jump and shake like crazy. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with delicate, flaky meat that's hard to beat. The bite can be subtle, so stay alert. My favorite technique is working a soft plastic under a popping cork over grass beds. Keep it moving just fast enough to make the cork pop every few seconds - that sound drives them crazy and brings strikes.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Matagorda Bay with their distinctive black and white stripes. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but those human-like teeth make them unforgettable. They live around any structure - docks, pilings, reefs, anywhere barnacles and crabs hang out. These guys are active year-round but really fire up in spring around spawning time. What makes them special is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with incredibly light bites. Guests get hooked on the technical aspect of catching them, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, flaky white meat. The key is getting your bait tight to structure and feeling for that subtle weight rather than a hard strike. I tell folks to set the hook the moment you feel anything different - these fish will clean your hook in seconds if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are one of the coolest fish you'll encounter in Matagorda Bay. These flat, camouflaged predators typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They're masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. What makes them unique is having both eyes on their left side - it's pretty wild to see. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they move through our bay system. Guests love them because they fight hard for their size and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them take it and swim off a bit first - flounder are notorious bait stealers, but patience pays off with these guys.
Matagorda