South Padre Island Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and snookCaptain Lee provides all equipment, bait, and refreshmentsBeginnerfriendly trip accommodates up to 4 guests
Captain Lee's morning half-day charter kicks off at 6:30 AM sharp, giving you five solid hours to work the productive inshore waters around South Padre Island. This top-rated fishing experience targets some of Texas' most sought-after gamefish in the shallow flats, grass beds, and structure-rich areas that make this coastline famous among serious anglers. Perfect for up to 2 guests, you'll have Captain Lee's full attention as he puts you on fish while sharing decades of local knowledge about reading water, working lures, and landing quality catches.
Your morning starts with an early launch into the calm inshore waters where Captain Lee has been putting clients on fish for years. The beauty of this half-day format is the focused intensity - no wasted time, just productive fishing in prime feeding windows when fish are most active. You'll work a variety of productive spots including shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water, deeper pockets that hold trout, and structure where snook and drum like to ambush prey. The relaxed pacing means plenty of time to learn proper techniques, whether you're working topwater plugs at first light or switching to soft plastics as the sun climbs higher. Captain Lee reads the conditions and adjusts tactics throughout the trip, keeping you in the action while explaining why certain spots produce and others don't.
Captain Lee provides everything you need including quality rods and reels matched to the target species, a full selection of soft plastics, topwater lures, and both live and cut bait depending on what the fish are hitting. You'll learn to work different presentations - from walking topwater plugs over grass beds to bouncing soft plastics along drop-offs. The tackle is light enough to feel every strike but strong enough to handle bigger fish when they show up. Techniques vary with conditions, but expect to use everything from slow-rolling paddle tails in deeper water to sight-fishing redfish in inches-deep flats. Captain Lee's hands-on approach means you'll pick up local tricks like reading bird activity, spotting nervous water, and timing your casts to moving fish.
Redfish are the bread and butter of South Padre Island inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters cruise the shallow flats year-round, often in schools that create heart-stopping action when you find them. Spring and fall offer the best numbers, but summer brings bigger fish, and winter fishing can be world-class when conditions align. Reds hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, and their powerful runs in shallow water create some of the most exciting fights you'll experience.
Sea Trout, particularly the speckled variety, are abundant in the grass beds and provide consistent action throughout the year. These beautiful fish are structure-oriented and respond well to soft plastics worked slowly along drop-offs. Spring spawning aggregations can produce incredible numbers, while summer finds them scattered but willing to hit topwater early and late. Trout are excellent table fare and perfect for anglers learning to read subtle strikes.
Snook are the wildcards that make every cast exciting around South Padre Island's warmer months. These ambush predators lurk around structure and hit with explosive strikes that test your reflexes and drag settings. Summer brings the best snook action when they move into shallow water to feed, particularly around dawn and dusk. Landing a quality snook on light tackle is a customer favorite experience that keeps anglers coming back.
Black Drum often surprise first-time visitors with their size and fighting ability. These bottom-oriented fish can reach impressive proportions and provide arm-burning battles once hooked. They're most active during cooler months and respond well to cut bait fished near structure. Finding a school of drum means multiple hookups and plenty of action for the entire boat.
King Mackerel occasionally make appearances during the charter, particularly when baitfish push close to shore. These speed demons provide completely different action from the other target species - screaming runs and aerial displays that add variety to any fishing day. When kings are around, Captain Lee adjusts tactics to take advantage, often resulting in the trip highlight for many guests.
This world-class inshore fishing experience combines Captain Lee's local expertise with South Padre Island's renowned fishery to deliver consistent action in a manageable timeframe. The early start maximizes productive fishing hours while the intimate boat capacity ensures personalized attention throughout the trip. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn proper techniques or an experienced angler wanting to explore new waters, this charter delivers the goods. All gear, bait, ice, and water are included, so just bring your fishing license, sun protection, and appetite for some of the best inshore action on the Texas coast. Morning trips book quickly, especially during peak seasons, so secure your spot early for this trending charter experience.
Captain Lee's 21' Shallow Sport flats boat is perfectly rigged for South Padre's inshore waters. This shallow-draft vessel cuts through Laguna Madre's skinny water with ease, powered by a reliable 200HP Yamaha SHO that gets you to the fish fast and quiet. The open deck layout gives two anglers plenty of room to work lures and handle fish without getting tangled up. Built-in livewell keeps your bait frisky, while the fish finder helps locate structure where redfish and trout like to hang out. GPS navigation ensures efficient runs between spots, and the radar comes in handy during those foggy mornings. The icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows or drifting grass beds for specks, this boat handles the bay's changing conditions with confidence.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldozers of the flats - these dark, heavy-bodied fish typically weigh 10-25 pounds but can push 40 or more. They cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow channels using those chin whiskers to root out crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target in groups. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, powerful fight - no jumping, just pure pulling power that'll test your arms. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with firm, white meat. My go-to trick is using fresh cut crab on a circle hook fished right on the bottom near oyster bars. Keep your drag loose and let them run when they first take the bait.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll give you an arm workout - these sleek predators typically run 10-30 pounds and hit baits like freight trains. We find them in 40-150 feet of water along drop-offs and around structure, especially when baitfish are thick. Summer through early fall is peak season when they move closer to shore following the schools. What makes kings so popular is that blistering first run - they'll peel line like nothing else and keep fighting hard to the boat. The meat is rich and oily, great smoked or grilled. Pro tip: always use a wire leader because those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. When trolling, vary your speeds - sometimes they want it fast, sometimes slow.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our flats - these copper-colored bruisers with the signature black spot near their tail typically run 20-35 inches. They cruise super shallow water, often with their backs out, around oyster bars, grass beds, and mangrove shorelines. We catch them year-round, but fall and winter offer the most consistent action when they school up. What makes reds so special is watching them hunt in skinny water and that powerful fight once hooked - they'll make long runs and never give up. Smaller ones are table fare gold with sweet, firm meat. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts - spook one red and you'll spook the whole school. Sight fishing is the ultimate rush here.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread and butter inshore fish - these spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and are perfect for beginners and kids. They hang around grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, especially where there's moving water. Spring and fall give us the most consistent action, though summer mornings and evenings can be excellent. Trout are popular because they hit a variety of lures, fight well for their size, and taste outstanding - soft, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They can be picky eaters, so varying your retrieve speed is key. My local secret: work soft plastics slowly over grass beds just after sunrise, and don't set the hook too hard - their mouths are soft and tear easily.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most exciting targets - these silver-sided fighters with the distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches around here. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, docks, and structure in both salt and brackish water. They're ambush predators that love to hide in the shadows and explode on baits. Spring through fall gives us the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What makes snook special is their hard strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run straight for cover when hooked. The meat is excellent too, white and flaky. Here's a local tip: cast your lure or live bait right up against the mangroves where they're waiting, and be ready for that instant strike.
South Padre Island