South Padre Island Winter Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour inshore fishing charter accommodates up to three guestsWinter season trips available November through March timeframeProfessional guides provide equipment and expertise for all skill levels
When the crowds thin out and temperatures drop, South Padre Island transforms into one of Texas's best-kept fishing secrets. Captain Andrew's 3-hour winter charters run from November through March, giving you prime access to some seriously productive inshore waters. With just three spots on board, you'll get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. These winter months bring cooler air but red-hot fishing action, with species like redfish, black drum, and southern flounder moving into predictable patterns that experienced anglers dream about.
Your morning starts at the marina where Captain Andrew's fully-equipped boat waits ready to roll. These winter trips focus on the protected bays and flats around South Padre, where the fish stack up during cooler months. You'll be working shallow waters, grass beds, and structure that holds baitfish - exactly where the predators want to be. The smaller group size means everyone gets hands-on coaching, whether you're learning to work a soft plastic or perfecting your drift technique. Don't worry about the winter weather - these inshore spots stay fishable even when the Gulf gets rough, and the fish are often more aggressive in the cooler water temperatures.
Winter inshore fishing around South Padre is all about slowing down and being precise. Captain Andrew runs a combination of live bait and artificial lures, depending on what the fish are telling us. You'll likely spend time working live shrimp under popping corks in deeper pockets, then switch to soft plastics when we find fish holding tight to structure. The boat comes loaded with quality tackle - spinning reels spooled with braid, medium-action rods that handle everything from trout to drum, and a tackle box full of proven producers. During winter, the key is staying quiet and making accurate casts to specific spots rather than covering tons of water. Fish are concentrated and predictable, but they're also more easily spooked in the clear, cool water.
Southern flounder are the stars of winter fishing around South Padre Island. These flatfish move into the bays during their fall migration and stick around through March, often stacking up in deeper channels and around structure. They're ambush predators that lay flat on sandy bottoms, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. What makes them so exciting is the way they hit - one second your bait is drifting along, the next you feel that telltale thump and your rod tip loads up. Flounder averaging 2-4 pounds are common, with doormat-sized fish over 6 pounds always a possibility during these winter months.
Black drum patrol these waters year-round, but winter brings some of the most consistent action. These copper-colored fighters love working oyster reefs and shell beds, using their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. You'll hear them before you see them - that distinctive drumming sound gives away their location. They're strong fighters that make multiple runs, and fish in the 5-15 pound range keep your drag singing. The bigger bulls, some topping 30 pounds, show up around deeper structure and provide arm-burning fights that'll have you questioning your tackle choices.
Sheepshead are the winter specialists that many anglers overlook. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for picking barnacles and small crabs off structure. They're notorious bait stealers - you'll swear you had a bite, only to reel up bare hooks. But when you hook one, their bulldogging fight and excellent table quality make them worth the effort. Look for them around any kind of hard structure, especially during the cooler months when they school up in good numbers.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are South Padre staples that bite consistently through winter. They suspend over grass beds and soft bottoms, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Winter trout are often the prettiest fish of the year - their spots more defined, their colors more vivid. They hit soft plastics with authority and make jumping, head-shaking runs that test your drag settings. Fish in the 2-4 pound range are typical, but winter can produce some real slabs pushing 6-7 pounds.
Redfish might be the most popular target species, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol shallow flats, oyster reefs, and grass beds throughout winter. Bull reds over 27 inches are pure power - they'll strip line and test every knot on your rig. Slot-sized fish between 20-28 inches are perfect for the dinner table and provide explosive strikes that get everyone's attention. Winter reds often school up in good numbers, so when you find them, you can usually catch several before they move on.
Winter fishing around South Padre Island offers some of the year's most consistent action, with fewer boats on the water and fish that are concentrated and aggressive. Captain Andrew's 3-hour trips are perfectly timed to hit the morning bite when these species are most active. The smaller group size ensures everyone gets individual attention and plenty of chances at multiple species. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add to your winter count or someone wanting to experience world-class Texas inshore fishing, these winter charters deliver the goods. Book your spot now and discover why locals consider winter the best-kept secret in South Padre fishing.
Our nimble motorboat is built for serious inshore fishing around South Padre Island's prime fishing grounds. This fast, maneuverable vessel gets you to the hottest redfish spots quickly, then lets you sneak into shallow grass flats where the big ones hide. The onboard fish finder helps locate your targets while GPS navigation ensures we hit all the productive waters along the Texas Gulf Coast. Keep your catch fresh in the built-in icebox, along with cold drinks for the crew. Perfect for up to 3 anglers, this boat handles both seasoned fishermen and newcomers with ease. During winter months from November through March, you'll discover why South Padre offers some of Texas's finest fishing opportunities. The shallow bays and flats come alive with redfish, speckled trout, and other coastal favorites when the crowds thin out and fish get more active.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our winter fishing, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These fish get their name from the drumming sounds they make - you can actually hear them underwater during spawning season. They're bottom feeders that love oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in brackish waters. February through March is peak season here as they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What guests love most is the powerful fight these fish put up, plus the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab or crushed mussels on the bottom - they have powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish. The key is getting your bait right on the bottom where they feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish of Texas shallow water fishing, easily identified by their copper-red backs and that distinctive black eyespot near the tail. They typically run 28-33 inches when mature, but we catch plenty of slot fish perfect for the table. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around grass flats, oyster reefs, and structure. Winter months are prime as they concentrate in warmer areas. What guests love is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. The meat is mild, sweet, and firm - perfect for the grill. They eat almost anything, but here's my local tip: work topwater plugs like Skitter Walks over shallow flats early morning. When you see that distinctive wake pushing toward your lure, get ready for some serious action.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or "Speckled Trout" as we call them locally, are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with that classic torpedo shape. They're grass flat specialists, loving shallow waters especially at night when they move up to feed. Winter is actually great since they school up in deeper channels and rivers around here. What makes them special is their delicate, mild-flavored white meat that's softer than most inshore fish - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. They're solid fighters on light tackle and hit artificial lures aggressively. My go-to technique: work plastic tail jigs, spoons, or topwater plugs over grass flats at first light or dusk. Try trolling at idle speed if you can't locate them - they often suspend at different depths.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth - perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders do show up. They're structure lovers, hanging tight around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered pilings. Spring months are best when they spawn in big groups. Guests get a kick out of seeing those crazy teeth, and they're notorious bait thieves that'll test your reflexes. The white meat is sweet and delicious, making them excellent table fare. Here's my trick: get your bait as close to structure as possible - they rarely venture far from cover. Use fiddler crabs or shrimp, keep it on bottom, and when you feel them nibbling, set the hook hard. They've got powerful mouths.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush prey. You'll typically catch them ranging 15-18 inches, though some reach over 30 inches. They love shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries with sandy or muddy bottoms. Winter months are prime time as adults move offshore and concentrate. What makes them special? Both eyes sit on their left side, and they can change color to match the bottom perfectly. Guests love the challenge since they're sneaky bait thieves with a decent fight. The meat is excellent - white, flaky, and mild. My tip: use still fishing or drift fishing techniques with bull minnows, mullet, or shrimp. Keep your bait on the bottom and be ready to set the hook quick when you feel that subtle tap.
South Padre Island