5.0(4 Reviews)Half Day Morning Fishing Trip In Corpus Christi
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday morning inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and troutProfessional guide service with educational experience for all skill levelsChildren under 12 fish free with maximum 4 guest capacity
Looking to get a taste of what South Texas fishing is all about? This half-day morning trip with CL Guide Service puts you right in the heart of some of the best inshore action on the Texas coast. Captain Gabe Escobar knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why Corpus Christi consistently ranks as one of the top fishing destinations in the country. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, this trip is designed to get you hooked up with redfish, trout, and whatever else is biting in the productive flats and back bays around Corpus Christi Bay.
Your morning starts early when the fish are most active and the water is calm. Captain Gabe runs a clean, well-equipped boat that comfortably handles up to four anglers, making this perfect for families, couples, or a small group of friends. The beauty of a half-day trip is you get prime fishing time without committing your entire day - perfect for those wanting to sample South Texas fishing or families with younger kids. Speaking of kids, anyone under 12 fishes free, which makes this one of the most family-friendly charters you'll find on the coast. The trip focuses on the shallow bays and grass flats where redfish cruise and speckled trout hold, giving you a real taste of Texas inshore fishing at its finest. You'll be fishing in water that ranges from knee-deep to about six feet, perfect for sight fishing when conditions are right and always productive for working lures along drop-offs and structure.
Captain Gabe provides all the gear you need, from rods and reels spooled with the right line weight to a full selection of lures that produce in these waters. You'll primarily be using medium-action spinning tackle loaded with soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons - the holy trinity of Texas inshore fishing. The techniques vary based on conditions and what the fish are doing. Early morning often means topwater action with She Dogs and Super Spooks creating explosive strikes from hungry trout and redfish. As the sun climbs, you'll switch to soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations worked along grass beds and oyster shell. Captain Gabe is excellent at teaching proper technique, whether that's the subtle twitch needed for topwater or the steady retrieve that keeps soft plastics in the strike zone. The shallow water fishing here means you'll often see the fish before you cast to them, especially the copper-colored backs of redfish tailing in inches of water.
"Captain Gabe Escobar provided our group with a fantastic day on the water, proving that a great Corpus Christi fishing charter is about the entire experience. While we caught several fish throughout the day, Gabe's commitment to our success was clear when he provided extra time to ensure we landed a keeper. Beyond the angling, we enjoyed the natural beauty of the Laguna Madre and even had the chance to see local dolphins. Gabe is exceptionally patient with first-time saltwater anglers and is particularly skilled at engaging with children. Whether you are planning a trip with friends or bringing the grandchildren along, his attentive and dedicated service makes him a premier choice for South Texas fishing. We are already looking forward to our next outing with him." - Dan
"If you are searching for a straightforward and highly productive day on the water, look no further than CL Guide Service. We had a fantastic time on our trip, and it is clear that Captain Gabe focuses on what matters most: finding the fish and providing a professional experience. This is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a focused Corpus Christi fishing charter led by a guide who truly knows the local bays. We highly recommend his services for anyone looking to get out on the Texas coast for a rewarding outing" - Samuel
"Having fished a wide variety of waters—from the rugged coasts of Alaska to the high-altitude lakes of Colorado—I can confidently say that Captain Gabe Escobar is an indispensable resource for anyone navigating the South Texas coast. He possesses a rare ability to tailor the experience for every skill level, ensuring that both first-time ocean anglers and seasoned veterans have a rewarding and successful day. During our trip, we landed several local species, including spotted trout and ladyfish. What truly set CL Guide Service apart was Gabe's proactive communication; he reached out days in advance to warn us of an incoming storm and helped us adjust our schedule. This professional foresight saved our trip and ensured we had the best possible conditions for our Corpus Christi fishing charter." - Colin
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Corpus Christi Bay holds some beautiful bulls. These copper-colored fighters range from slot-sized fish around 20-28 inches up to oversized bulls that can stretch past 40 inches and weigh 30-plus pounds. Redfish are year-round residents here, but fall and winter often provide the most consistent action as they school up in deeper water. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight - they'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, ambushing bait around oyster reefs, and tailing in skinny water where their backs show above the surface.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Texas bay fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive black spots are most active in cooler months, with some of the best action happening from October through March. Trout are structure-oriented, holding around grass beds, drop-offs, and shell reefs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. A good speck runs
Hit the shallow waters of Corpus Christi Bay aboard our 20' Everglades, a flats boat built specifically for targeting redfish and trout in South Texas waters. Powered by a reliable 150hp Yamaha outboard, this shallow-draft vessel gets you into those prime fishing spots where the big ones hide. The boat comes equipped with GPS navigation to keep us on the productive waters and a fish finder to locate schools and structure below. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast and fight fish without tangling lines. The open layout gives everyone easy access to the action, whether you're working topwater lures along grass beds or bouncing soft plastics near oyster reefs. This setup is perfect for families - kids under 12 fish free, making it an ideal way to introduce young anglers to the incredible fishing Corpus Christi Bay has to offer.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50-plus. These fish love oyster reefs, muddy flats, and shallow bay areas where they use those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. They're tough fighters that'll test your drag, and smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm white meat. The bigger bulls are great for photos but better released. My go-to technique is bottom fishing with fresh crab - blue crab or peeler crab works best. Keep your bait right on the bottom and use enough weight to stay put. When they hit, give them a second before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, typically running 20-35 inches with that distinctive black spot and copper-bronze coloring. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and shorelines in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything and their bulldogging fight in shallow water. They're also excellent table fare when kept within slot limits. These fish are sight-fishing favorites - you can actually spot them cruising and cast ahead of them. My best advice is to use topwater plugs early in the morning for explosive strikes, then switch to soft plastics or live shrimp as the sun gets higher. Keep your casts quiet and lead them by a few feet.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our morning trips, running 14-24 inches on average with plenty of fight in shallow water. They love grass flats, drop-offs near channels, and areas with good current flow in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall are peak seasons, with early morning and late evening being magic hours. What guests love most is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that explosive strike on the surface. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch, with tender, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. During cooler months, they school up in deeper holes and creek mouths. Pro tip: work your lures slow and erratic. A soft plastic on a light jighead bounced just off the bottom is deadly, but don't overlook topwater plugs at dawn - the action can be fast and furious.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with just their eyes showing, waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 15-18 inches but can push over 30 inches. You'll find them in shallow bays, around grass beds, and near structure throughout our area. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through on their spawning run. What makes them special is that unique flat profile and how they change colors to match the bottom. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The key trick here is to fish slow along the bottom - they won't chase much, so put your bait right in front of them. Live shrimp or small mullet work best, and don't set the hook too quick when you feel that tap.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Gabe Escobar provided our group with a fantastic day on the water, proving that a great Corpus Christi fishing charter is ...
If you are searching for a straightforward and highly productive day on the water, look no further than CL Guide Service. We had a...
Our time with CL Guide Service was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Captain Gabe provided clear, professional instruct...
Having fished a wide variety of waters—from the rugged coasts of Alaska to the high-altitude lakes of Colorado—I can confidently s...
Corpus Christi