Half Day Advanced Fishing in Arroyo City
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Advanced 4hour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and drumExpert Captain Smiley provides local techniques and proven strategiesAll fishing equipment included, accommodates up to 5 anglers total
Captain Smiley Yanez knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to share that knowledge with experienced anglers looking to up their game. This 4-hour private inshore charter puts you right in the heart of the Lower Laguna Madre's most productive fishing grounds, where redfish patrol the grass flats, speckled trout ambush baitfish along the drop-offs, and black drum cruise the deeper channels. It's not your typical tourist trip – this is serious fishing for anglers who already know their way around a rod and reel but want to learn the local secrets that separate the pros from the weekend warriors.
You'll launch from Arroyo City, one of Texas's best-kept fishing secrets, and head straight into water that consistently produces trophy-class fish. Captain Smiley runs a tight ship with top-quality gear – all rods, reels, and tackle are provided, so you can focus on fishing instead of gear management. The boat comfortably handles 2 anglers (included in the base price), but can accommodate up to 5 total if you want to bring extra friends for $100 each. Don't expect hand-holding here – Captain Smiley assumes you know the basics and jumps straight into advanced techniques that local guides use to consistently boat fish. The pace is fast, the instruction is practical, and the results speak for themselves. Just remember to grab your Texas fishing license before you show up – it's required and strictly enforced in these waters.
This isn't about dropping a line and hoping for the best. Captain Smiley teaches proven methods that work specifically in the Lower Laguna Madre's unique ecosystem. You'll learn to read the water like a local – spotting the subtle color changes that indicate grass beds, identifying the current breaks where trout stack up, and recognizing the nervous water that signals feeding redfish. Bait presentation is everything here, and you'll master techniques like working soft plastics through the grass without fouling, making accurate casts to tailing reds in shallow water, and adjusting your retrieve based on water temperature and clarity. The captain provides premium tackle suited for each target species, from lightweight spinning gear for finicky trout to heavier setups that can handle bull reds in the open bay. You'll also get the inside scoop on seasonal patterns, moon phases, and tide movements that influence fish behavior throughout the year.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Lower Laguna Madre fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers grow big in these nutrient-rich waters. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from slot-size 20-inchers perfect for the dinner table up to bull reds pushing 40+ inches that'll test your drag system. What makes reds so special here is their aggressive feeding behavior – they'll crash topwater lures, inhale soft plastics, and put on spectacular fights in the shallow flats. Watch for their distinctive bronze backs cruising just under the surface or their trademark red tails waving above the water as they root for crabs in the grass.
Speckled sea trout are the technical challenge that keeps advanced anglers coming back. These beautiful spotted fighters are abundant year-round but peak during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels and around structure. Trout in the 15-25 inch range are common, with occasional "gator trout" over 5 pounds that become the fish of a lifetime. They're incredibly finicky about bait presentation and water conditions, making them the perfect species for honing your skills. The satisfaction of consistently catching quality specks separates good anglers from great ones, and Captain Smiley's local knowledge gives you a serious advantage.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute powerhouses that provide some of the strongest fights you'll encounter in shallow water. These bottom-feeders love the oyster reefs and muddy areas around Arroyo City, where they grow fat on crabs, shrimp, and mollusks. Most drum run 5-15 pounds, but the bay produces giants over 30 pounds that can strip line like freight trains. They're excellent table fare when prepared properly, and their consistent presence makes them reliable targets when reds and trout get finicky. The key is learning to detect their subtle bites and setting the hook before they spit the bait.
This top-rated charter fills up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons when word gets out about the quality of fish Captain Smiley puts his clients on. The 4-hour format gives you enough time to work multiple spots and target different species without the fatigue of a full-day trip. You're getting world-class fishing instruction, premium gear, and access to some of Texas's most productive inshore waters – all from a captain who's built his reputation on results, not just talk. Whether you're looking to improve your technique, learn new waters, or simply catch more fish than you thought possible, this advanced charter delivers the goods. The Lower Laguna Madre doesn't give up its secrets easily, but with Captain Smiley's expertise and your existing skills, you'll leave with new knowledge and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fillets.
Captain Smiley's 24ft Shallow Sport center console is built for serious fishing in the Lower Laguna Madre's shallow waters. This 2014 rig runs a reliable 300 Suzuki that'll get you to the fish fast, cruising at 50mph when conditions allow. The boat's shallow draft design lets you work tight to structure where redfish and trout like to hide. With space for up to 2 anglers on this advanced trip, you'll have plenty of room to work your lines without crowding. The center console layout gives you easy access to all sides when fighting fish, and Captain Smiley keeps it stocked with quality rods and tackle for targeting specs, reds, and drum. Perfect setup for anglers ready to step up their inshore game in some of Texas's most productive coastal waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the Lower Laguna Madre, running anywhere from 10-40 pounds with some bulls pushing 60+. These bruisers love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-8 feet of water, using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My local trick? Use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and let it sit still on the bottom near oyster structure. These fish are cautious feeders, so patience pays off. When you feel that slow, heavy pull, don't set the hook too hard - just lift and start reeling steady.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of shallow water fishing here in the Laguna Madre, averaging 20-30 inches with those distinctive black spots and copper-bronze backs. You'll find them tailing in 6 inches to 4 feet of water around grass beds, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines. They're year-round targets, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. What makes reds special is their power - they'll strip drag and make long runs that get your heart pumping. Plus, slot-size fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. These fish aren't picky eaters but can be spooky in skinny water. My go-to technique is a gold spoon worked slowly along grass edges. When you see them tailing or cruising, cast well ahead of their path and work the lure back naturally - they'll usually crush it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Texas coastal fishing, typically running 14-20 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats and drop-offs in 3-15 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Cool fronts in fall and winter really fire them up, but they bite year-round in our warmer waters. Anglers love them for their aggressive strikes and excellent eating - tender, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the table. They're also great on light tackle, making every fight fun. Here's a local secret: when the water's murky after a front, switch to a bright chartreuse soft plastic under a popping cork. Work it slow with gentle pops - trout can't resist that wounded baitfish action.
Arroyo City