Full Day Fishing Trip in Corpus Christi
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full 8hour private inshore fishing trip with Captain RyanTarget speckled trout, redfish, and black drum in productive watersAll fishing equipment and tackle included aboard 23' Haynie boat
When you're serious about fishing the Texas coast, you need a full day to really dial in on the best action. Captain Ryan's 8-hour private inshore trip puts you right in the heart of some of the most productive waters along the Gulf Coast. You'll be targeting trophy speckled trout, bull redfish, hefty black drum, and seasonal flounder across the legendary flats of Laguna Madre and the structure-packed waters of Baffin Bay. This isn't a rushed half-day deal – you've got time to work the tides, adjust your strategy, and put some serious fish in the box. Just bring your Texas fishing license, some snacks, and drinks, and Captain Ryan handles the rest.
You'll be fishing from a 23-foot Haynie bay boat that's built specifically for the shallow water game we play down here. These boats are the gold standard for Texas inshore fishing – they'll float in a heavy dew and still handle the chop when the wind picks up. Captain Ryan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with 8 hours to work with, he can adapt to whatever Mother Nature throws at you. Morning might start working the grass flats for trout, then shift to deeper structure for drum when the sun gets high, or maybe hit the shoreline breaks for reds when the tide starts moving. The beauty of a full day is flexibility – if one spot isn't producing, you've got time to find the fish. All your rods, reels, and tackle are provided, so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish on the line. The boat maxes out at two anglers, which means plenty of room to cast and no fighting over the prime spots.
Captain Ryan runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what the fish are telling him. You'll likely throw soft plastics on jig heads around grass beds and drop-offs, work topwater plugs during prime feeding times, and maybe drift some live bait when the fish are being picky. The Laguna Madre system offers miles of pristine grass flats where trout and reds love to ambush baitfish, while Baffin Bay's deeper structure holds bigger fish that have seen fewer lures. Don't be surprised if you're wade fishing some of the prime flats – getting out of the boat and stalking fish in knee-deep water is often the ticket to landing that fish of a lifetime. Captain Ryan reads the water constantly, looking for bait movement, birds working, and subtle changes in water color that signal where the predators are setting up. The boat's shallow draft lets you access spots that bigger vessels can't reach, giving you first crack at unfished water. Wind direction, tide movement, and time of day all factor into the game plan, and with 8 hours to work, you can hit multiple spots and techniques.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and these waters consistently produce some of the best trout fishing on the coast. These fish love structure – shell beds, grass lines, and drop-offs where they can ambush mullet and shrimp. Spring and fall offer the best action when water temperatures are in that sweet spot, but summer mornings and winter warm spells can be lights-out good. A solid keeper trout runs 15-17 inches, but don't be shocked when you hook into a 20+ inch "gator" that'll test your drag. They hit hard and make sizzling runs, especially in shallow water where they can't dive deep.
Redfish are the bullies of the flats, and Corpus Christi's waters hold some true giants. These copper-colored fighters love cruising shallow flats looking for crabs and shrimp, and when you spot their backs and tails pushing water in 18 inches, your heart starts racing. Reds fight dirty – they'll make long, powerful runs and try to wrap you around every piece of structure they can find. The slot-size fish (20-28 inches) are perfect table fare, but the real excitement comes from those 30+ inch bulls that can peel line like you wouldn't believe. Peak season runs from late summer through early winter when they school up for their spawning runs.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore game, and these waters hold some true monsters. These fish cruise deeper shell beds and structure, often in schools, and when you find them, you can fill your limit quick. They're not the prettiest fish in the bay, but what they lack in looks they make up for in pulling power. A quality drum runs 5-15 pounds, but 20+ pounders show up regularly. They're excellent table fare when prepared right, with firm white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or grilling. Best action typically comes during cooler months when they move into the shallows to feed.
Summer flounder add variety to your box during the warmer months when they move into the bays to feed. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, laying buried in sand near drop-offs and ambush points. They hit with a distinctive thump and don't give up easy – flounder will hug the bottom and use their flat profile to their advantage. A keeper flounder (15+ inches) provides some of the best eating in the bay, with sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're not always easy to find, but when Captain Ryan locates a good flounder hole, you can often pick up several in short order.
This full-day trip gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Corpus Christi's inshore fishing has to offer. You're not rushing to cram everything into a few hours – you've got time to learn, adjust, and really get dialed in on the bite. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target trophy fish or someone wanting to experience world-class Texas fishing, Captain Ryan's
Get ready to fish the legendary flats and bays of Corpus Christi aboard this purpose-built 23' Haynie bay boat. With a powerful 300HP Mercury engine and shallow draft design, you'll reach those prime inshore spots where the big speckled trout and redfish hide. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking fish in skinny water, while the fish finder helps locate structure and schools. GPS navigation ensures you can hit multiple productive areas during your 8-hour adventure. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh as you work the flats of Laguna Madre and the structure-rich waters of Baffin Bay. This boat delivers the perfect combination of speed to cover water and stealth to get close to wary fish in the shallows.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of our local waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs, so you'll find them around shell beds and muddy flats in 1-4 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their famous drumming sounds underwater. They fight hard and dirty, using their bulk to test your drag. Keep smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table; bigger fish get tough and stringy. My go-to trick is using fresh crab on a circle hook right on the bottom. Let them run with it before setting the hook - they're notorious for dropping baits when pressured too early. These fish live 50+ years and know every trick in the book.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Texas legends with their copper-bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. Most inshore fish run 20-35 inches and fight like they're twice that size, using their broad tails for powerful runs in shallow water. You'll spot them tailing on flats, cruising oyster reefs, and hanging around grass beds in 1-4 feet. They're year-round residents but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes them special is their attitude - they eat almost anything and fight dirty, using structure to break you off. The smaller "slot" fish are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. My local secret is watching for nervous baitfish and following the birds - reds often push shrimp and mullet to the surface. Use gold spoons or topwaters in skinny water, and always approach them quietly from upwind.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. They're aggressive predators that cruise grass flats, drop-offs, and shell bars in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall are your best bets, especially during cooler months when they school up tight. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They're scrappy fighters that'll make several runs and jump if you're lucky. The key here is working the grass edges during moving tides - that's when they're actively feeding. Use topwaters early morning or late evening, then switch to soft plastics as the sun gets higher. Keep your bait just above the grass to avoid snags.
Paralichthys DentatusSouthern flounder are masters of disguise, laying flat on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side of their head. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some nice 3-5 pounders that'll surprise you with their fight. They're ambush predators that bury in sand near drop-offs, channel edges, and around structure. Fall and early winter are peak times when they're fattening up before moving offshore. What makes them special is they're like underwater chameleons, changing colors to match the bottom perfectly. The meat is pure white and flaky - some of the best eating fish we catch. Fish slow with live mullet or mud minnows on the bottom, and watch for subtle taps rather than hard strikes. Keep your bait moving just enough to look alive, and always give them time to turn the bait headfirst before setting the hook.
Corpus Christi, TX