Extended Inshore Adventure with Captain Lee
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday private charter targets redfish, trout, and snook inshoreNinehour trips accommodate four guests with flexible pacingAll equipment, bait, and refreshments included with experienced captain
Captain Lee's 9-hour full day inshore charter is what serious anglers dream about – extended time on the water with a captain who knows how to find fish and adapt to whatever Mother Nature throws your way. Starting at 6:30 AM, you'll have the entire Lower Laguna Madre as your playground, with the flexibility to chase whatever's biting best. This private charter accommodates up to two guests, so you won't be fighting for rod time or dealing with strangers who don't know proper fishing etiquette. When you book a full day with Captain Lee, you're not just getting a fishing trip – you're getting a masterclass in inshore tactics with someone who lives and breathes these waters.
The beauty of a full day charter lies in the flexibility to really work the water. Captain Lee starts early to take advantage of prime feeding windows, but with nine hours ahead, there's no rush. If the bite slows in one area, you'll move to another. If the tide changes and opens up new opportunities, you'll be there. The Lower Laguna Madre offers incredible diversity – from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in knee-deep water to deeper channels where snook ambush baitfish. You'll work everything from topwater plugs at dawn to live shrimp under popping corks as the day progresses. The relaxed pace means Captain Lee can take time to explain techniques, help you read the water, and ensure you're getting the most out of every cast. All your gear is provided – rods, reels, tackle, soft plastics, topwater lures, and both live and cut bait – plus ice and bottled water to keep you comfortable throughout the day.
Captain Lee's approach combines traditional techniques with modern inshore strategies that consistently produce fish. Early morning often means working topwater lures over grass beds where redfish and trout stage before moving to deeper water. As the sun climbs, you'll switch to soft plastics rigged on jig heads, working them along drop-offs and channel edges where bigger fish hold. Live shrimp under popping corks is deadly when fish are finicky, especially around structure like old shell beds or oyster reefs. The key is reading conditions – water temperature, tide movement, wind direction, and bait activity all factor into where fish will be and how they'll respond. With a full day, you can cover water methodically, hitting multiple spots and returning to productive areas when conditions align. Captain Lee's intimate knowledge of seasonal patterns means he's always one step ahead, positioning you where fish want to be rather than where they were yesterday.
Redfish are the backbone of South Padre Island inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bulldogs never disappoint. They're most active during moving tides, often found cruising shallow flats in schools or tailing in inches of water. Reds hit hard and fight harder, making long runs that test your drag and your patience. The best action typically happens early morning and late afternoon, though a full day charter gives you multiple opportunities to connect with these fantastic fish.
Speckled trout are the thinking angler's fish, requiring finesse and presentation to fool consistently. These spotted beauties relate to structure and grass beds, often suspending just off the bottom waiting to ambush prey. Spring and fall offer the best trout fishing, with cooler water temperatures bringing larger fish into shallower areas. When you hook a good trout, they'll jump and shake their heads violently, so keeping steady pressure is crucial.
Snook are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and South Padre's population has been steadily rebuilding after past cold snaps. These ambush predators love structure – docks, pilings, mangrove shorelines, and channel edges where they can dart out to grab unsuspecting baitfish. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to throw hooks, making every hookup a heart-pounding experience. Summer months offer the best snook action when water temperatures climb into their comfort zone.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're incredible fighters that will test your tackle and your endurance. These bottom-dwellers use their powerful tails and broad bodies to wage war in the shallows, often making multiple strong runs before coming to the boat. They're most active during warmer months and can be found around oyster reefs and mud flats where they root for crabs and shellfish.
King mackerel add an offshore element to your inshore adventure when they move into deeper parts of the Laguna Madre during their seasonal migrations. These speed demons hit trolled baits with authority and make blistering runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. When kings are around, usually in spring and fall, they provide non-stop action that balances perfectly with the more methodical inshore fishing.
A full day charter with Captain Lee isn't just another fishing trip – it's an investment in becoming a better angler while experiencing some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer. The extended time on the water, private boat setting, and Captain Lee's commitment to putting you on fish creates the perfect recipe for an outstanding day. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, target specific species, or simply enjoy a relaxed day of fishing without rushing, this charter delivers on every level. The Lower Laguna Madre's diverse ecosystem and Captain Lee's expertise combine to offer world-class fishing opportunities that keep anglers coming back season after season. Don't let this top-rated charter slip away – book your spot and get ready to experience why South Padre Island inshore fishing has such a devoted following among serious anglers.
Captain Lee's 21' Shallow Sport is purpose-built for stalking redfish and speckled trout in the skinny waters of Laguna Madre. This flats boat draws minimal water and runs whisper-quiet thanks to its 200HP Yamaha SHO, letting you slip into those backcountry pockets where the big fish hide. The open deck gives you plenty of casting room whether you're working topwater plugs at dawn or sight-fishing with soft plastics in the afternoon shallows. Onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish, while the GPS keeps you on productive spots trip after trip. The livewell keeps your catch fresh, and there's an icebox for drinks and snacks during those long summer days on the water. With room for up to four anglers, this boat handles everything from solo missions to family outings targeting snook, flounder, and drum around the grass flats and oyster bars.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - powerful fish that can really test your tackle. Most run 5-15 pounds, but we hook into 30+ pounders regularly. They cruise oyster beds, muddy bottoms, and shallow grass flats, often in just 2-4 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. You'll hear them drumming underwater, which is pretty cool. They fight hard with that deep, steady pull that'll wear you out. The smaller ones make great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My tip: use fresh cut crab on a Carolina rig and keep it right on the bottom. When you feel that steady thump-thump, don't set the hook right away - let them take it and start moving off first.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll make your reel scream. Around here, we catch them from 10-40 pounds, though bigger ones cruise the deeper waters. They patrol structure in 40-100 feet, especially around jetties and nearshore reefs. Summer and fall are best when baitfish are thick. What guests love about kings is that explosive first run - nothing quite like it. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. The trick is using a stinger rig with two hooks on wire leader. Kings typically hit the tail section of live bait first, so that back hook is crucial. When trolling, vary your speeds and watch for birds working - that's where you'll find the action.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the star of our inshore game - those copper-colored beauties with the black spots near their tail. They average 20-30 inches and love super shallow water, sometimes with their backs showing. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and mud bottoms in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times. What gets anglers fired up is sight fishing to tailing reds and that powerful fight they put up. They're also excellent table fare when kept in slot. Here's my go-to method: cast a gold spoon or topwater plug ahead of cruising fish and work it slowly. Keep your approach quiet - they spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread and butter fish - consistent, fun to catch, and great eating. Most run 14-20 inches with those distinctive black spots. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and channels. Cooler months are fantastic when they school up in deeper pockets. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite and that soft mouth that requires finesse. The meat is delicate and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. Work it slow with gentle pops, especially early morning and evening. When you feel that tap-tap-tap, resist the urge to jerk - just lift the rod steady and keep pressure on.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most exciting inshore targets we chase here in the Lower Laguna Madre. These sleek fish typically run 18-28 inches with that signature black lateral line and golden color. You'll find them around structure - docks, mangroves, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. They love warmer months from May through September when they're most active. What makes snook special is their aggressive strike and strong fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. The meat is excellent, firm and white. Here's a local trick: when working a topwater lure around structure, let it sit motionless for a few seconds after each twitch. That pause often triggers the strike when they're being finicky.
South Padre Island