Half Day Drum, Sheepshead And Flounder Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Evening flounder gigging adventure in Matagorda Bay watersTarget flounder, black drum, and sheepshead under lightsPrivate 5-hour trip accommodates up to 3 guests
There's something special about fishing Matagorda Bay when the sun starts to drop and the water turns glass-smooth. Captain William knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why this 5-hour evening trip has become a customer favorite among both locals and visiting anglers. Starting at 6:30 PM, you'll have the bay practically to yourself as most day fishermen head back to the dock. This is when the magic happens – when drum start thumping the bottom, sheepshead get aggressive around structure, and flounder begin their evening hunt in the shallows.
This isn't your typical dawn patrol fishing trip. Captain William has designed this evening adventure to take advantage of the prime feeding times when target species are most active. You'll launch from Matagorda Bay and spend your time working the productive flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs that hold fish year-round. The trip accommodates up to 3 anglers comfortably, making it perfect for a small group of friends or family who want personalized attention from the captain. As darkness falls, you'll switch gears and experience the unique art of flounder gigging – using bright lights to spot these flatfish as they lay camouflaged on the bottom. The bay's calm evening waters create ideal conditions for this traditional Texas fishing method that's been passed down through generations of coastal anglers.
Captain William comes prepared with all the gear you'll need for this multi-species adventure. For drum and sheepshead fishing, you'll be using medium to heavy spinning tackle with circle hooks and fresh bait – think cut mullet, shrimp, and blue crab. The captain knows exactly which reefs and structure areas produce the biggest fish, and he'll position the boat to give everyone clear shots at these hard-fighting species. When it comes to flounder gigging, this is where the trip gets really interesting. You'll use specialized gigs (multi-pronged spears) while Captain William maneuvers the boat slowly through shallow areas with powerful lights illuminating the bottom. It takes a good eye and quick reflexes to spot a flounder and make a clean stick, but the captain will coach you through the process. The combination of traditional rod-and-reel fishing followed by the hands-on excitement of gigging makes this a truly unique Matagorda Bay experience.
Black Drum are the heavyweight champions of Matagorda Bay, and evening hours often produce the best action. These bronze-colored bruisers can range from keeper-sized 16-inchers up to massive 40+ pound bulls that will test your tackle and stamina. They love to feed around oyster reefs and shallow flats as the sun goes down, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. What makes drum fishing so addictive is their incredible pulling power – even a mid-sized drum will make screaming runs that remind you why Texas anglers consider them one of our premier inshore species. Fall and winter months tend to produce the largest specimens as they school up in the bay's deeper channels.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as the "convict fish" not just for their black stripes, but for being notoriously difficult to hook. These crafty fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and small crabs off structure, and they're famous for stealing bait without getting hooked. Captain William knows the specific techniques needed to outsmart these wary fish – using small hooks, light leaders, and presenting bait right in their faces around pier pilings, reefs, and other hard structure. When you do connect with a good sheepshead, you'll be rewarded with excellent table fare and bragging rights for fooling one of the bay's smartest residents. Peak sheepshead action typically occurs during cooler months when they move into the bay systems.
Winter Flounder and Southern Flounder provide the perfect targets for the gigging portion of your trip. These master camouflage artists bury themselves in sand and mud with only their eyes exposed, waiting to ambush passing prey. Southern Flounder are the larger of the two species, with trophy fish reaching 8+ pounds and providing excellent eating. Winter Flounder are typically smaller but equally tasty. The art of flounder gigging requires patience and skill – you'll scan the bottom with lights, looking for the telltale outline or eyes of a buried fish, then quickly and accurately spear your target. It's an ancient fishing method that connects you directly with the fish and the environment in a way that regular fishing simply can't match.
Summer Flounder, also known as fluke, add another dimension to your flatfish opportunities. These aggressive predators are more active swimmers than their winter cousins and will often chase bait fish in slightly deeper water. They're excellent fighters on light tackle and grow to impressive sizes in Matagorda Bay's fertile waters. Whether you're targeting them with live bait fishing or spotting them during your gigging adventure, summer flounder provide consistent action and world-class eating.
At $550 for up to 3 anglers, this 5-hour evening adventure offers outstanding value for a private charter experience with one of Matagorda Bay's top-rated captains. You're not just paying for fishing time – you're investing in local knowledge, proven techniques, and access to the bay's most productive spots during prime feeding hours. Captain William's combination of traditional angling and flounder gigging creates a fishing trip that's unlike anything else you'll find along the Texas coast. The evening timing means you'll avoid the heat and crowds while experiencing the bay at its most peaceful and productive. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to try something new or a group wanting to experience authentic Texas coastal fishing, this trip delivers memories that will last long after you've eaten the last fish fillet. Don't wait – evening slots with Captain William book up quickly, especially during the cooler months when the fishing is at its absolute best
Captain William's flounder gigging boat is perfectly equipped for navigating Matagorda Bay's shallow waters where the best fishing action happens. The specialized air motor lets you slip into skinny water spots that regular boats can't reach, giving you access to prime flounder, drum, and sheepshead territory. With GPS navigation keeping you on track in the dark, this setup handles night fishing like a pro. The boat comfortably fishes up to 3 anglers, so there's plenty of room to move around when the gigging gets hot. When the lights hit those crystal-clear shallows and you spot your first flounder lying flat on the bottom, you'll understand why this rig is built specifically for Texas bay fishing. The quiet air motor won't spook fish in shallow spots, and the stable platform gives you the steady footing you need for accurate shots.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, commonly running 10-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+. These gray-black bruisers have crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs, which is exactly where you'll find them - around shell beds, structure, and muddy flats. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. What makes them special is the fight - they use that broad body and weight to bulldoze toward structure. Smaller drum under 15 pounds are fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. Here's what works: get right on the oyster reefs and use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig with enough weight to hold bottom. They'll pick up the bait, move off slowly, then crush it. Don't set the hook until you feel solid weight - they mouth it first like they're testing it.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the bay's most notorious bait thieves, famous for their human-like teeth and those black and white prison stripes. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, but we see some real slabs over 8 pounds around the better structure. They live around anything with barnacles - docks, pilings, reefs, and oil platforms where they scrape off crustaceans all day. Spring months from March through May are peak season when they're spawning and feeding aggressively. Guests love the challenge because these fish will test your patience, nibbling and picking at bait before committing. The reward is some of the sweetest, flakiest meat in the bay. My secret: use small hooks with fresh fiddler crabs or shrimp, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel them pecking, wait for that solid pull before setting the hook hard. Their bony mouths require a strong hookset.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the kings of camouflage in Matagorda Bay. These left-eyed flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, but don't be surprised if you hook into one pushing 25+ inches and several pounds. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish, shrimp, and crabs to swim by. You'll find them in shallow bays, around structure, and near creek mouths where the current brings food. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What guests love is the surprise factor - one second your bait is sitting there, next you've got a strong fish peeling drag. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the bay. Pro tip: when gigging, move slow and watch for those telltale eye bumps or that faint outline in the sand. Fresh shrimp on a Carolina rig works great for hook and line.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are aggressive flatfish that put up a solid fight once hooked. These "left-eyed" fish typically measure 15-20 inches but can reach impressive sizes over 25 inches in good years. Unlike their more sedentary cousins, summer flounder are active hunters that will chase down baitfish in addition to ambushing from the bottom. Look for them around sandy bottoms, channel edges, and structure in 6-20 feet of water. Fall months from September through November offer the best action as they fatten up before their offshore migration. What makes them popular with guests is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. The key to success is movement - they respond well to bucktails bounced along the bottom or live minnows drifted with the current. Keep your bait moving slightly; dead-still presentations often get ignored.
Pseudopleuronectes AmericanusWinter flounder are unique flatfish with both eyes on their right side and that distinctive dark coloring that can shift from black to olive depending on bottom type. Most run 10-12 inches, but we occasionally see some pushing 20+ inches in the bay. They're bottom huggers that love sandy and muddy areas, especially around vegetation where they can camouflage perfectly. Best action happens in cooler months when they move into shallower water to feed on worms, small crabs, and clams. What makes them fun to target is their sneaky bite - they'll nibble and test your bait before committing. The meat is excellent, sweet and flaky when cooked right. Here's the key: use a sensitive rod because they barely tap the bait at first. When you feel that subtle weight, give it a second before setting the hook. They like to mouth it first.
Matagorda