Target Redfish and Trout on Texas' Premier Fishing Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing for redfish and trout in Laguna MadreAll equipment provided with expert guidance from experienced captainsAccommodates up to 4 guests with scenic Texas coastal backdrop
Picture this: you're standing on the bow of a boat surrounded by crystal-clear waters, watching massive redfish cruise through the shallows like copper submarines. That's exactly what you'll get on this full-day guided fishing trip in Laguna Madre, one of Texas's most productive inshore fishing destinations. CL Guide Service has been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and they know every grass flat, drop-off, and structure that holds trophy fish. You'll spend the day targeting redfish, sea trout, black drum, and southern flounder while learning from experienced guides who live and breathe these waters. With all tackle and equipment provided, you just need to bring your fishing license and get ready for some serious action.
Your day starts early when you meet your guide at the launch. After a quick safety briefing and gear check, you'll head out into the Laguna Madre system, where shallow bays and grass flats create perfect habitat for inshore species. The beauty of fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working a deeper channel for hefty black drum. Your guide knows these waters like the back of their hand and will adjust tactics throughout the day based on conditions, tides, and fish behavior. The boat stays in the inshore zone, so you won't waste time running far offshore. Instead, you'll maximize your fishing time in productive waters where the action can be non-stop. The scenery alone is worth the trip – endless flats stretching to the horizon, wading birds working the shallows, and that famous Texas sky that seems to go on forever.
This isn't your typical chuck-and-hope fishing trip. Your guide will teach you proven techniques that work specifically in Laguna Madre's unique environment. You'll learn how to work soft plastics along grass edges, how to read water for cruising redfish, and when to switch from artificial lures to live bait. The tackle setup varies depending on target species – lighter spinning gear for trout, beefier rods when big drum are on the menu. Your guide provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle, plus a selection of proven lures that produce in these waters. You'll use everything from topwater plugs during the morning bite to soft plastics and spoons as the day progresses. The guides also carry live bait when conditions call for it, especially when targeting larger black drum or finicky trout. Wade fishing opportunities are available for those who want to get out and stretch their legs, particularly when working the grass flats for reds and trout.
Redfish are the stars of the show in Laguna Madre, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and fight like freight trains when hooked. Fall and winter months are prime time as reds school up in large numbers, creating some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities on the Texas coast. What makes catching them here special is the visual aspect – you'll often see them coming before you cast, watching their backs and tails break the surface as they feed in skinny water. The excitement of watching a big red track down your lure in clear water never gets old.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout, are another customer favorite that call these waters home year-round. The best action typically happens during cooler months when trout congregate around deeper grass beds and shell reefs. These fish are aggressive strikers that will absolutely hammer a well-presented lure, and the bigger gator trout – those over 20 inches – provide both great fights and excellent table fare. Your guide knows exactly where to find them based on water temperature, bait activity, and seasonal patterns that have been proven over years of fishing these waters.
Black drum are the bulldozers of Laguna Madre, with fish ranging from smaller "puppy" drum to giants pushing 30+ pounds. These bottom-dwellers are most active during winter months and provide some of the strongest fights you'll experience inshore. What's really cool about drum fishing here is the technique – your guide will position the boat over known structure and use everything from live crab to cut bait to entice these heavyweights. When a big drum takes off on its first run, you'll understand why experienced anglers specifically target them.
Southern flounder round out the slam opportunities and are especially active during their fall migration. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and ambush feeding, making them a fun challenge to target. The bigger "doormat" flounder that cruise these flats during migration periods are prized catches that test both angling skill and patience. Your guide knows the specific areas where flounder stage during different times of the year, giving you the best shot at adding one to your cooler.
This full-day Laguna Madre fishing trip offers everything serious anglers want – productive waters, experienced guides, quality equipment, and multiple target species that provide action throughout the day. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or someone wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing, CL Guide Service delivers the goods. The four-person capacity means you can bring family or friends for a shared adventure, and with all tackle provided, it's an easy trip to plan. Laguna Madre consistently ranks among the top inshore fishing destinations in Texas, and days like this show you exactly why. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons. Book your spot now and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer.
Your fishing platform for the day is a 20-foot Everglades flats boat powered by a reliable 150hp Yamaha outboard. This shallow-draft vessel is purpose-built for navigating the skinny waters of Laguna Madre, letting you access prime redfish and trout spots that bigger boats can't reach. The boat comes equipped with GPS navigation to mark productive fishing holes and a quality fish finder to locate schools holding in deeper pockets. With space for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to work the flats without getting tangled lines. The open deck layout gives everyone clear casting lanes whether you're sight-fishing tailing reds in knee-deep water or working grass beds for speckled trout. This setup gets you on fish fast and keeps you comfortable during long stretches of working the shallows.
Pogonias CromisBlack drums are the heavyweights of Laguna Madre, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some giants hitting 50+ pounds. These bottom feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring brings the best action during spawning season when they school up in shallow water - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare, while the big bulls are pure adrenaline on the rod. They fight hard and steady, using their bulk to bulldoze toward structure. Fresh crab is hands-down the best bait, but here's my local trick: fish it on the bottom during moving water around oyster reefs. The current brings scent to them, and that's when you'll get those solid thumping bites.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Laguna Madre, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 35+ inches. They love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs show above the surface on the flats. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, especially during moving tides around oyster reefs and grass beds. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights. The smaller ones are outstanding table fare with sweet, firm meat. These fish aren't picky eaters - live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs all work. My best local tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish on calm mornings. Approach quietly and cast past them, then work your bait back into their feeding zone.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks," are Laguna Madre favorites running 14-24 inches with beautiful silver sides covered in black spots. They cruise grass flats and drop-offs, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. These fish are most active during cooler months and low-light periods - early morning and evening produce the best action. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to hit topwater plugs, creating explosive surface strikes that get your heart pumping. The meat is delicate and flaky, perfect for the dinner table if you don't overcook it. Winter months bring schools to deeper channels where they stack up. My favorite local technique is working soft plastics under popping corks around grass edges. The cork adds movement and sound while keeping your bait in the strike zone longer.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud on shallow flats throughout Laguna Madre. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we occasionally see doormat-sized ones pushing 20+ pounds. They're ambush predators that feed on shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving through our bay system. What makes flounder fishing special is watching that subtle bite - they grab bait gently before swimming off. The meat is some of the best you'll eat, with sweet, flaky white fillets. My go-to tip: when you feel that soft pickup, count to three before setting the hook. They need time to turn the bait headfirst, and patience pays off with solid hooksets on these tasty bottom dwellers.
Corpus Christi