Full Day Guided Fishing Trip In Laguna Madre
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and troutAll fishing equipment and gear provided by experienced guidesMaximum 4 guests in beautiful Laguna Madre waters
Picture this: you're casting lines in one of Texas's most productive shallow water systems, where trophy redfish cruise the grass flats and speckled trout stack up in the deeper cuts. That's exactly what you'll get with CL Guide Service's full-day charter on the legendary Laguna Madre. This top-rated fishing experience puts you right in the heart of some of the best inshore action the Gulf Coast has to offer, and trust me – after guiding these waters for years, I can tell you there's nothing quite like watching that drag scream when a bull red takes your bait.
Your day starts early, meeting at the boat launch before the sun paints the sky pink over the flats. We'll be fishing the shallow waters and deeper channels that make Laguna Madre famous among serious anglers. This isn't your typical "let's just see what happens" trip – your captain knows exactly where the fish are holding based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The boat's rigged with all the tackle you'll need, from live bait rigs to artificial lures that fool even the most finicky fish. We're talking about a solid 8-hour day on the water, so you'll have plenty of time to work different spots and techniques. The scenery alone is worth the trip – endless grass flats, spoil islands, and that crystal-clear water that lets you sight-fish when conditions are right. Groups are kept small at just 4 anglers max, which means more personalized attention and better fishing for everyone.
The beauty of fishing Laguna Madre is the variety of techniques that work here. We'll be using everything from popping corks with live shrimp over grass beds to throwing soft plastics along drop-offs and channel edges. Your guide provides all the gear – quality spinning tackle spooled with braided line for better sensitivity and hook-setting power in the shallow water. Depending on what we're targeting, you might be fishing with gulp baits on jig heads, topwater plugs at first light, or live bait under corks when the fish are holding tight to structure. The key here is reading the water and adjusting your presentation. When the redfish are tailing in 18 inches of water, we'll pole the boat into position for sight-casting. When the trout are deep in the channels, we'll anchor up and fish vertically. Your captain handles all the boat positioning and knows exactly which lures work best in each spot, so you can focus on making good casts and fighting fish.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Laguna Madre, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-sized fish around 20-27 inches up to bull reds that'll peel drag and test your patience. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up in massive numbers, but honestly, you can catch quality reds here year-round. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from live shrimp to paddle-tail plastics, and watching one blow up on a topwater plug in shallow water will get your heart pumping every time. What makes redfish so special is their fight – they're powerful, stubborn, and will use every oyster shell and grass bed to try and break you off.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Laguna Madre fishing, and these aren't your average specks. The trout here grow fat and healthy in the nutrient-rich waters, with fish in the 3-5 pound range being pretty common during peak season. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are in that sweet spot, but summer nights and winter warm spells can produce some of the biggest fish of the year. Trout are structure-oriented, so you'll find them around drop-offs, grass edges, and shell beds. They're also one of the best eating fish in the bay, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute bulldogs that'll give you a workout. These bottom-dwellers can range from throwback-sized fish up to monsters pushing 30+ pounds. They're most active in cooler months when they move into the shallows to feed on crabs and shrimp. Black drum fight differently than reds or trout – they're more of a steady, grinding battle that tests your endurance. The bigger fish are catch-and-release, but the smaller ones make excellent table fare with a taste similar to redfish.
Southern flounder are the ambush predators of the flats, lying in wait to hammer unsuspecting baitfish. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and can be tricky to target, but that's what makes them so rewarding to catch. Fall is prime flounder season when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning run. You'll typically find them along channel edges, around structure, or buried in the sand near drop-offs. Flounder fishing requires a different approach – slower presentations with baits worked right along the bottom. When you hook one, they'll make a few strong runs before coming to the boat, and they're hands-down one of the best eating fish you can catch.
Look, I've guided anglers from all over the country, and Laguna Madre consistently delivers the kind of fishing that creates lifelong memories. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience world-class inshore fishing with a guide who knows these waters inside and out. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Texas slams to your logbook or a newcomer who wants to learn from the best, this full-day charter has everything you need. The fish are here, the guide knows where to find them, and all you need to bring is your fishing license and a cooler for your catch. Don't wait until prime season is
Your fishing machine for the day is a 20-foot Everglades boat powered by a reliable 150hp Yamaha outboard - perfectly built for working the shallow flats of Laguna Madre. This shallow-draft vessel lets you get right into those prime redfish and trout spots that bigger boats can't reach. The boat comes equipped with GPS navigation to hit the best fishing zones and a quality fish finder to locate schools and structure below. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines while staying comfortable during your full day on the water. The stable platform gives you solid footing whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working the grass beds for speckled trout.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and they'll test your drag like no other fish out here. These bruisers typically run 10-30 pounds, but we've seen them push 50+ on the flats. They cruise oyster beds and muddy bottoms in 2-8 feet, using those powerful jaws to crush crabs and oysters. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. What guests love is the raw power; these fish will strip line and make long, bulldogging runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating too. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom works best. Here's the trick: when you feel that first thump, don't set the hook immediately. Let them mouth it for a few seconds - they're cautious eaters and will often drop it if you rush them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water flats, and they'll give you a fight you won't forget. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-28 inches, with those signature black spots near their tails. They love cruising super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out - around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid here, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their power and endurance; they'll make long, smoking runs that'll have your reel screaming. They're also excellent eating in the slot size range. These fish are opportunistic feeders and will hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. Local trick: when you spot tailing reds in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're headed, not where they are. Let your bait sit still - they're used to ambushing prey, not chasing it down.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are probably the most consistent biters we target. These sleek fish typically run 14-20 inches with plenty of 2-4 pounders mixed in. They love grass flats in 3-6 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and sandy potholes. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but they bite year-round here. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and shake their heads trying to throw the hook. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with white, flaky meat. Trout are structure-oriented, so look for them around oyster bars, dock lights, and grass edges. They feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. My go-to tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise draws them in from a distance, and that suspended shrimp is irresistible.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are unique flatfish that'll keep you guessing. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud on shallow flats, perfectly camouflaged until prey swims by. Most run 15-18 inches, but you might hook into one pushing 25+ inches. They've got both eyes on their left side and can change color to match the bottom. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're fattening up before moving offshore. What makes them special is the challenge - you're sight fishing for fish that are masters of disguise. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My local tip: look for slight depressions or "puffs" of sand on clean bottom. That's usually a flounder settling in, and a slow-dragged shrimp or finger mullet right past their nose will usually get a bite.
Corpus Christi