Fishing Charter Corpus Christi | 6hr Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour inshore fishing charter targeting Redfish, Speckled Trout, and FlounderExpert captain guidance aboard wellequipped 25ft Majek bay boatSmall group experience accommodating up to 2 guests maximum
Ready to hit the flats and wade into some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer? Captain Traci Rhodes runs a top-rated charter service right here in Corpus Christi, where the bays are loaded with reds, trout, and plenty of other keeper fish. This isn't your typical crowded party boat situation – you're looking at a personalized 6-hour trip with just 2 anglers max, so you'll get all the attention you need whether you're a weekend warrior or still figuring out which end of the rod to hold. The Coastal Bend has been my fishing playground for years, and I can tell you firsthand that these waters produce some serious fish when you know where to look.
We'll launch early and head out on my 25-foot Majek bay boat – built specifically for these shallow Texas waters and rigged with everything you need for a productive day. The boat drafts shallow enough to get us into those back lake areas where the big reds like to cruise, but it's stable enough to handle the open bay when we're chasing schools of trout. You'll spend most of your time sight casting to visible fish, working shallow flats, and hitting structure around the ICW and spoil islands. The pace stays relaxed but focused – we're here to put fish in the boat, not just burn gas. Corpus Christi Bay, Nueces Bay, and the back lakes of the Laguna Madre system give us plenty of options depending on wind, tides, and what's biting. Captain Traci knows these waters like the back of her hand and adjusts tactics throughout the day based on conditions and what the fish are telling us.
We fish light tackle here – mostly 7-foot medium action rods spooled with 15-20 pound braid and fluorocarbon leaders. The setup lets you feel every bump and gives these fish a fighting chance while still having enough backbone to turn a bull red away from structure. Depending on what we're targeting, we'll throw everything from topwater plugs at first light to soft plastics on jig heads throughout the day. Artificial lures dominate the program – Bass Assassins, Gulp shrimp, spoons, and topwaters like She Dogs and Skitter Walks. Live bait has its place, especially when the fish get finicky, and we'll often tip plastics with fresh shrimp for extra scent. The key techniques include working grass flats with weedless jigs, bouncing bottom structure for drum and sheepshead, and sight casting to tailing reds in skinny water. Wade fishing opportunities come up regularly when we find fish working super shallow – nothing beats the stealth approach when big trout are spooky in clear water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Corpus Christi inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers fight like freight trains in shallow water. You'll find slot-size reds from 18-28 inches year-round, with the best action typically happening during cooler months when they school up in massive groups. Spring and fall bring the most consistent numbers, but summer fishing stays productive if you adjust your timing to early morning and late evening. Bull reds over 30 inches show up regularly, especially around structure and deeper cuts, and watching one of these tanks explode on a topwater plug will get your heart racing every time.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, provide steady action and some of the best eating in the bay. These spotted beauties range from keeper size at 15 inches up to trophy gator trout pushing 8+ pounds. Cold fronts often trigger the best trout fishing as baitfish get pushed around and the specks feed aggressively. Look for the bite to heat up from October through March, with grass beds and shell reefs holding the most fish. A 4-5 pound trout is a legitimate trophy in these waters, and they'll test your drag on light tackle.
Black drum often get overlooked, but they're absolute powerhouses that'll school up in huge numbers during their spring runs. These fish can range from puppy drum around 14 inches to monsters over 40 pounds, and they fight with pure bulldogging power that'll surprise you. The big spawning aggregations typically happen from February through April around deeper structure, and when you find them, you can literally catch fish on every drop. They're not the prettiest fish in the bay, but pound-for-pound, few species fight harder.
Summer flounder, or "doormat" flounders as the big ones are known, provide excellent table fare and a fun change of pace from the typical suspects. These flatfish ambush prey from sandy bottoms and creek mouths, with the best fishing usually happening from spring through early fall. A 3-4 pound flounder is a keeper worth celebrating, and they require a different approach – slow presentations along bottom structure and patience to let them fully take the bait.
Sheepshead round out the target species list with their distinctive black stripes and notorious bait-stealing abilities. These "convict fish" hang around structure like bridge pilings, jetties, and shell reefs where they pick off barnacles and crabs. They're some of the best eating fish in the bay, but they'll test your hook-setting reflexes with their light bites and hard mouths. Winter months typically produce the largest sheepshead as they move shallow to spawn.
Captain Traci Rhodes runs one of the most respected guide services in the Corpus area, and her 6-hour trips give you plenty of time to work different areas and techniques without feeling rushed. The 2-angler limit means you get personalized instruction and plenty of rod time, whether you're looking to improve your skills or just want to catch some fish for the dinner table. These
Get ready to chase redfish and speckled trout aboard our brand new 2024 Majek 25-footer! This center console bay boat cuts through Corpus Christi's shallow waters like butter with its powerful Suzuki 350HP engine. The wireless trolling motor lets us sneak up on those finicky fish without spooking them, while GPS navigation keeps us locked onto the hottest fishing spots. With room for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space to work the grass flats and drop-offs where the big fish hide. Whether you're throwing topwater lures at dawn or working soft plastics around structure, this rig gets you there fast and keeps you comfortable all day. The shallow draft design means we can access those skinny water honey holes that bigger boats can't reach. Perfect for targeting flounder in the back lakes or running out to the jetties when conditions are right.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with monsters pushing 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their signature drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table since the big boys get tough and stringy. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom - they can't resist it, and unlike shrimp, catfish won't steal your bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our flats fishing, ranging from schoolie-sized 18-inchers to bull reds over 40 inches. These copper-colored fighters love super shallow water - sometimes so skinny their backs stick out. You'll find them cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines hunting crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the big bulls and spring offers consistent action with slot-sized fish. What guests love most is watching these fish crush topwater lures in inches of water - it's pure adrenaline. They fight like freight trains and the smaller ones make excellent table fare. My best advice: look for nervous water and tailing fish, then cast your live shrimp or gold spoon well ahead of them and let it sink to the bottom before starting a slow retrieve.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter inshore species, averaging 14-20 inches with those beautiful spots covering their silver sides. They love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Cool weather months are prime time as they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and the way they'll hit topwater lures in skinny water - pure excitement. Plus, their delicate white meat is outstanding table fare, just don't overcook it. My local tip is to work topwater plugs and soft plastics over grass beds early morning, but switch to live shrimp under a popping cork when the sun gets high. They're sight feeders, so clear water always helps your odds.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth that'll make you do a double-take. These 1-8 pound structure huggers live around dock pilings, bridges, and any barnacle-covered surface where they scrape off their favorite meal. Spring months bring the best action when they school up to spawn, making them easier to target. Guests love the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves that'll clean your hook without you feeling a thing. The fight is solid but it's that sweet, mild white meat that keeps people coming back. Here's my local trick: get your fiddler crab or shrimp as tight to the structure as possible, and the second you feel weight on the line, set that hook hard. They've got crushers for teeth and will spit your bait in a heartbeat.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise around here, blending perfectly with sandy and muddy bottoms in 10-40 feet of water. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches but can surprise you with doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds. They're active ambush predators that bury themselves and wait for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November are when they really turn on before their offshore migration. What guests love is that explosive strike when they nail your bait - plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch. The key is using a slow retrieve with live minnows or bucktail jigs bounced right along the bottom, and always give them a few seconds to fully engulf the bait before setting the hook.
Corpus Christi, TX