Half Day Morning Redfish & Trout Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour morning charter targeting redfish and speckled troutCaptain Smiley Yanez guides Lower Laguna Madre inshore watersAll tackle provided, accommodates up to 5 anglers total
Captain Smiley Yanez knows these Lower Laguna Madre waters like the back of his hand, and this top-rated 4-hour morning charter puts you right where the action happens. Starting from Arroyo City, you'll be targeting redfish, speckled trout, and black drum in some of South Texas's most productive shallow waters. This isn't your typical crowded party boat deal – it's a private charter built for serious anglers who want to maximize their time on the water. All your tackle's included, so just grab your Texas fishing license and get ready to work some of the best inshore fishing the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Your morning starts early when you meet Captain Smiley at the launch in Arroyo City. The boat's rigged and ready with quality rods, reels, and all the tackle you'll need for targeting these three species. You'll be fishing the flats, grass beds, and structure around the Lower Laguna Madre – the same waters that connect to Port Mansfield and stretch toward South Padre Island. The trip's designed for two anglers, but Captain Smiley can take up to five total if your group wants to split the cost. Each extra angler runs just $100, making it a customer favorite for small groups looking to get away from the crowds. The 4-hour window gives you solid fishing time without eating up your whole day, and morning trips often produce the best bite as these fish are most active in cooler water temps.
Captain Smiley's got the boat dialed in with medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that's perfect for these inshore species. You'll be working live bait – usually shrimp or small baitfish – along with soft plastics and topwater plugs depending on conditions. The Lower Laguna Madre is shallow water fishing at its finest, with most spots running 2-6 feet deep. You'll be sight-casting to tailing redfish, working grass beds for trout, and dropping baits near structure for black drum. The captain reads the water and adjusts techniques based on tides, wind, and what the fish are doing that day. Wade fishing might be an option if conditions are right and you want to get out and work the flats on foot. This world-class fishery demands local knowledge, and that's exactly what you're getting with Captain Smiley's experience in these waters.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Lower Laguna Madre fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters run 20-35 inches in these waters and put up a battle that'll test your drag system. Peak season runs from spring through fall, but they're catchable year-round in South Texas. You'll find them tailing in shallow water during moving tides, cruising grass flats, and ambushing bait near drop-offs. What makes reds so special is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight – they'll make multiple runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat.
Speckled trout are the technical challenge that keeps anglers coming back. These spotted beauties average 15-25 inches but can push 30+ inches in the Lower Laguna Madre's nutrient-rich waters. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though summer early morning trips can be phenomenal before the sun gets high. Specks are structure-oriented and love grass beds, drop-offs, and areas where bait congregates. They've got a soft mouth, so you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them. The fight's more finesse than power, but a big trout will make some impressive jumps and head-shaking runs.
Black drum are the heavyweights of this trio, with fish regularly exceeding 40 pounds in these waters. They're bottom feeders that love crab, shrimp, and cut bait worked slow near structure. Fall through early spring tends to be prime time for the bigger drum, though slot-sized fish (14-30 inches) are around most of the year. What makes drum fishing exciting is the anticipation – you might sit for a while, then suddenly your rod doubles over with a fish that feels like you've hooked a submarine. They use their size and strength for long, powerful runs that'll test your patience and your tackle.
This renowned half-day charter offers serious value for anglers who want quality fishing without the full-day commitment. Captain Smiley's local expertise and access to productive Lower Laguna Madre waters make this a best trip choice for both visiting anglers and locals looking to up their game. The private charter format means you're not competing with other groups for fishing spots or dealing with crowded conditions. Morning trips consistently produce fish, and the 4-hour timeframe lets you experience multiple techniques and locations. With tackle included and the option to bring additional anglers for just $100 each, this charter delivers both convenience and results. Book your spot now and get ready to work some of the most productive inshore waters on the Texas coast.
Hit the productive waters of Lower Laguna Madre aboard this sleek 24ft Shallow Sport center console, powered by a reliable 300 Suzuki that'll get you to the best fishing spots fast. Captain Smiley knows these South Texas flats like the back of his hand, and this 2014 boat's shallow draft design lets you chase redfish, speckled trout, and black drum in skinny water where the big fish hide. With a top speed of 50mph, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time running between spots. The spacious center console layout gives you plenty of room to fight fish and move around comfortably while targeting those trophy reds near Port Mansfield and South Padre Island. Built tough for these Texas coastal waters, this boat handles the chop with ease so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat during your 4-hour morning adventure.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our Lower Laguna flats, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 50+. These dark, powerful fish love cruising oyster beds and muddy bottoms where they crush crabs and shellfish with those plate-crushing jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're serious fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to technique is fresh blue crab on the bottom near shell beds. Pro tip: when you see muddy water swirls on calm flats, that's usually drum tailing and feeding - get your bait in there quick and quiet.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature fish of our South Texas flats, averaging 20-30 inches with those distinctive black spots near the tail. They love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy flats. Fall and winter months are fantastic when they school up and feed aggressively. What gets anglers hooked is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights in skinny water. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. These copper-colored fighters will eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs and spoons. The key here is sight fishing - polarized glasses are essential. Pro tip: when you spot tailing reds, cast well ahead of them and work your bait slowly into their path. They spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our Laguna Madre waters, typically running 14-24 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. These silver beauties with black spots love grass flats and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods - dawn and dusk fishing can be outstanding. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the bay. The meat is tender and flaky with a mild, sweet flavor. Early mornings over grass beds with topwater plugs or soft plastics work great. Local tip: when the water's murky after a front, switch to darker lures with rattles - trout hunt by sound and vibration in poor visibility.
Arroyo City