Half Day Morning Fishing Trip In Matagorda Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day morning trip targeting Red Drum and Black DrumFishing across Matagorda Bay, rivers, and surf locationsFresh catch cleaned and bagged at trip completion
When the sun starts breaking over Matagorda Bay, that's when the magic happens. This half-day morning trip puts you right in the sweet spot when redfish and drum are most active, giving you the best shot at landing some serious fish. We'll hit different spots across the bay system - from the protected back lakes to the surf line - depending on where the bite is happening that day. With room for up to four anglers, you get plenty of elbow room to work your lines without bumping into each other. Best part? I handle all the messy work at the end, cleaning and bagging your catch so you walk away with fresh fillets ready for the dinner table.
Matagorda Bay isn't your typical cookie-cutter fishing spot. We've got everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in two feet of water to deeper cuts where the big black drum hang out. The morning bite here is legendary - fish that have been feeding all night are still active, and you'll often see reds tailing in the shallows or drum rolling on the surface. I'll adjust our game plan based on conditions, tides, and where I've been seeing fish. Some days we'll work the river mouths where baitfish stack up, other days we'll hit the surf for bigger fish moving through. The beauty of this system is its variety - if one spot isn't producing, we've got plenty of backup options within a short boat ride.
We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish want that day. For drum fishing, I like to use fresh cut crab or shrimp on circle hooks - these fish have incredible noses and can smell a good crab bait from way off. When we're targeting reds in shallow water, we'll throw soft plastics on jig heads or work topwater plugs early in the morning. The gear is medium-heavy spinning tackle that can handle anything from a schoolie red to a bull drum pushing 30 pounds. I provide all the rods, reels, bait, and tackle - you just need to bring your fishing license and be ready to have some fun. The techniques aren't complicated, but there are little tricks to fishing these waters effectively, and I'll walk you through everything as we go.
Black drum are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These fish grow huge here - we regularly see fish in the 20 to 40-pound range, with some monsters pushing 50 pounds or more. They're bottom feeders that love crab, so we'll anchor up over shell reefs and oyster bars where they like to hang out. The fight on a big black drum is something else - they don't jump like a tarpon, but they'll pull drag and test your patience with their bulldogging runs. Spring and fall are prime time, but we catch them year-round.
Redfish are the other star of the show, and Matagorda Bay has some of the best red fishing on the Texas coast. These copper-colored beauties love the shallow grass flats and oyster reefs throughout the bay system. Slot-sized reds (20-28 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls we catch and release put up fights you won't forget. Reds are sight-fishing opportunities when conditions are right - there's nothing like watching a big red crush a topwater plug in two feet of clear water.
Summer flounder add some variety to the mix, especially during the warmer months. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottoms near drop-offs and channel edges. They're ambush predators that hit fast and fight dirty, using their flat profile to create maximum resistance. Flounder make excellent table fare - their white, flaky meat is a local favorite.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped troublemakers of the bay, known for their light bite and incredible ability to steal bait. These fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing shellfish, and they hang around any structure they can find. Catching sheepshead requires finesse and quick reflexes, but they're worth the effort - pound for pound, they're some of the best eating fish in the bay.
Sea trout round out our target species list, particularly the bigger gator trout that prowl the deeper grass beds and shell pads. These spotted beauties are aggressive predators that love shrimp and small baitfish. They're fun on light tackle and make great table fare, plus they're one of the more cooperative species when you're trying to get kids or beginners hooked up.
Matagorda Bay fishing doesn't get much better than what we're offering on this half-day morning trip. You're getting prime fishing time when the bite is best, experienced local knowledge of where to find fish, and all the gear and expertise you need for success. Whether you're looking to put some fresh fish in the cooler, introduce someone new to saltwater fishing, or just get away from the daily grind for a few hours, this trip delivers. The four-angler limit means you won't feel crowded, and the morning schedule gets you back to shore with plenty of day left for other activities. Don't wait around hoping the fish will still be biting next month - book your spot now and let's go catch some fish while they're cooperating.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love oyster beds and muddy flats where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up in shallow water - you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that'll test your tackle, but stick to smaller ones under 15 pounds for the dinner table since bigger fish get tough and stringy. Best bait is fresh crab since it stays on the hook better than other options and catfish won't steal it. Fish the bottom near structure and be ready for a serious battle.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Matagorda Bay's signature species - copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 20-35 inches in our waters, preferring super shallow flats where you'll sometimes see their backs above water. They're year-round residents but spring and fall offer the best action when they're most active. What makes them special is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldog fights in shallow water. The meat is mild and sweet, perfect for the grill. They'll eat almost anything but topwater plugs in 1-3 feet of water create heart-stopping strikes. My go-to trick: look for nervous baitfish or muddy water where they're rooting around - that's where you'll find feeding reds.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of Matagorda's most popular targets, averaging 1-5 pounds with a beautiful spotted silver body. These grass flat specialists love shallow waters around structure, especially at night when they're most active. They're year-round residents but winter months see them schooling in deeper channels. Anglers love their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent fight-to-size ratio. The meat is delicate and flaky - perfect table fare when not overcooked. They respond well to artificial lures like plastic tails and topwater plugs. Pro tip: work the grass flats slowly with a soft plastic shrimp, and if the bite's slow, try trolling at idle speed along the grass edges to locate schools.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Matagorda Bay with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth. These 1-8 pound fighters hang around any structure - docks, pilings, and barnacle-covered surfaces where they feed. Spring is peak season when they spawn around structures, making them easier to target. Guests get a kick out of their unique appearance and they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. They're notorious bait thieves though - they'll nibble and steal your bait before you know it. My tip: use fresh crab, keep it firmly on the hook, and when you feel that telltale nibbling, set the hook hard and fast.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms while waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 15-20 inches but can reach impressive sizes up to 26 pounds. You'll find them on sandy flats and drop-offs where they bury themselves with just their eyes showing. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're most active and feeding heavily. Guests love the challenge of finding these "invisible" fish and their excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Use live minnows or sea worms on circle hooks, and here's the key - hook smaller baitfish through the eye, larger ones through the lips for the most natural presentation.
Matagorda