Half Day Afternoon Fishing Trip in South Padre Island
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Afternoon flats fishing targeting redfish, trout, and snookFivehour trip accommodates families and beginner anglersAll tackle, bait, and fish cleaning included onboard
Looking for a laid-back fishing experience that doesn't require getting up at dawn? Captain Phil Hill's afternoon fishing trip on South Padre Island is exactly what you need. Starting at 1:00 PM, this five-hour adventure takes you into the crystal-clear shallows of Laguna Madre, where the fishing stays hot even as the day winds down. You'll be targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most prized inshore species—Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Snook—all while enjoying the protected waters that make this area famous among serious anglers and weekend warriors alike.
This isn't your typical party boat fishing trip. You'll be aboard an 18-foot Shallow Sport flats boat, designed specifically for navigating the skinny waters where big fish love to hide. With room for just two guests, you get personalized attention from Captain Phil and plenty of elbow room to cast without tangling lines. The afternoon departure means you skip the early morning rush and can ease into your day, making it perfect for families with kids or anyone who prefers a more relaxed pace. The Laguna Madre's protected bay system provides calm conditions year-round, so you won't be fighting rough seas or seasickness. Instead, you'll be sight fishing in shallow, clear water where you can actually see the fish you're after. Captain Phil provides all the bait, tackle, and even cleans your catch at the end of the day. All you need is a valid Texas fishing license, some snacks, and your favorite drinks to stay hydrated under the South Texas sun.
Flats fishing is a whole different game from deep water angling, and that's what makes it so addictive. In these shallow waters, stealth is everything. You'll be using light tackle and making precise casts to specific targets—maybe a school of reds tailing in two feet of water or specks holding near a grass bed. Captain Phil will position the boat using a quiet trolling motor, keeping noise to a minimum so you don't spook the fish. The techniques vary depending on what's biting: you might be throwing topwater plugs early in the trip when fish are actively feeding, switching to soft plastics as the afternoon progresses, or working live shrimp under a popping cork near structure. The beauty of flats fishing is the visual aspect—you're not just casting blind and hoping. You're hunting specific fish, watching their behavior, and adjusting your approach based on what you see. Captain Phil will teach you how to read the water, spot fish movement, and present your bait naturally. It's fishing that requires skill and patience, but the payoff when you hook up is worth every cast.
Redfish are the bread and butter of South Padre Island flats fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can grow up to 40 inches and fight like they're twice that size. Fall and spring offer the best action, when schools of reds cruise the shallows looking for crabs and baitfish. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat almost anything you throw at them, from topwater lures to cut bait. When a red hits your lure, you'll know it immediately—they make a distinctive thump that sends shock waves up your line. The fight is pure bulldogging power, with these fish using their broad shoulders to pull drag and test your patience.
Speckled Trout are the finesse fish of the flats, requiring a bit more skill to consistently catch. These spotted beauties prefer grass beds and drop-offs, where they ambush small baitfish and shrimp. Summer evenings and winter mornings are prime time for specks, though you can catch them year-round in South Padre's mild climate. A good speck will go 20 to 25 inches, with trophy fish pushing 28 inches or more. They're not the strongest fighters, but they make up for it with their willingness to jump and their excellent table fare. Captain Phil knows the specific grass beds and structure where specks like to hold, giving you the best shot at landing a cooler full.
Snook are the wild card species that can turn a good day into a legendary one. These subtropical gamefish are at the northern edge of their range here, making them somewhat unpredictable but incredibly rewarding when you connect. Snook prefer warmer months and can be found around any type of structure—docks, mangroves, or channel edges. They're ambush predators with huge mouths and an attitude to match. A snook's strike is explosive, often coming with a jump that'll get your heart racing. The challenge with snook is their razor-sharp gill plates, which can cut your line if you're not careful. When you land one, you've earned bragging rights that'll last for years. These fish are highly regulated, so Captain Phil will make sure you understand the slot limits and seasons before you start fishing.
Captain Phil Hill's afternoon fishing trips book up fast, especially during peak season when snowbirds and vacationers discover what locals have known for years—the fishing on South Padre Island is world-class. This half-day format gives you plenty of time to get your fishing fix without taking up your entire day. You can sleep in, grab lunch, and still be back in time for dinner with fresh fish to show off. The intimate boat size means you're getting a custom fishing experience, not just another seat on a crowded charter. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target specific species or a beginner who wants to learn proper flats fishing techniques, Captain Phil tailors each trip to his guests' skill level and interests. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what many consider the best inshore fishing on the Texas coast. Book your afternoon adventure today and find out why anglers keep coming back to these productive waters year after year.
This 18' Shallow Sport flats boat is your ticket to productive afternoon fishing in the Laguna Madre's skinny waters around South Padre Island. Built specifically for flats fishing, this reliable rig draws just inches of water thanks to its 140 HP Suzuki outboard, letting you slip into those backwater spots where redfish and speckled trout love to hang out. The boat comfortably handles up to three anglers and comes fully loaded with everything you need - an icebox to keep your drinks cold during those warm Texas afternoons, GPS and fish finder to locate the best structures and drop-offs, plus a wireless trolling motor for silent approaches when the fish are spooky. The onboard multimedia system keeps things entertaining during longer runs between fishing spots. Recently refurbished and running smooth, this shallow-draft boat opens up miles of prime inshore waters that bigger boats simply can't reach.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our South Padre flats fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots typically range from 20-28 inches, though we regularly see slot-busters over 30. They love cruising the shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs showing above the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes reds so popular is their powerful, drag-screaming runs and willingness to eat just about anything. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The real thrill is sight-fishing - watching them cruise the flats and making precise casts. Local tip: look for nervous water or muddy spots where they're rooting around for crabs. A well-placed soft plastic shrimp worked slowly near these disturbances usually seals the deal.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a staple of our afternoon trips and perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Most fish we catch run 14-18 inches, with some keeper-sized 20+ inchers mixed in. They cruise the grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Cooler months from October through March are prime time when they school up in deeper pockets. What guests love about specks is their willingness to bite and their delicate, flaky meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. They'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp equally well. Pro tip: when you find one trout, slow down and work that area thoroughly. They travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually a dozen more nearby. Look for slicks on the surface - that's them feeding below.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized catches here in the Laguna Madre. These golden beauties with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-24 inches, though we occasionally hook into 30+ inch trophies. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and grass flats in 2-6 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps stay above 70°F. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll make multiple runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: work your lure slowly along the mangrove edges during moving tides. Snook are ambush predators that sit in the shadows waiting to attack, so patience pays off big time.
South Padre Island