Matagorda Bay Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing targeting redfish, trout, and black drumEight-hour guided charter accommodates up to five guestsAll gear, bait, and expert guidance included with trip
Captain Shannon's Charters takes you deep into Matagorda Bay's most productive inshore waters for an 8-hour fishing adventure that consistently delivers results. This isn't just another guided trip – it's your chance to fish with a captain who knows every grass flat, oyster reef, and dropoff where redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and sheepshead love to hang out. Whether you're bringing the family for their first saltwater experience or you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your inshore game, Captain Shannon's local knowledge and quality gear setup will put you on fish all day long.
Your day starts early with Captain Shannon briefing you on the game plan based on current conditions, tides, and what's been biting. Matagorda Bay's shallow waters and diverse structure create perfect habitat for multiple species, so you'll likely hit several different spots throughout the day. The bay's grass flats come alive during moving water, while the shell reefs and deeper pockets hold fish when the flats go quiet. Captain Shannon provides all the tackle you'll need – from live bait rigs for targeting trout over grass to heavier setups for pulling black drum off structure. The boat accommodates up to 5 anglers comfortably, giving everyone room to cast without crowding. You'll cover serious water during these 8 hours, but the captain's strategic approach means you're always fishing where the fish are, not just where they might be.
Inshore fishing in Matagorda Bay requires reading the water and adjusting your approach throughout the day. Captain Shannon runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species. Drift fishing with live shrimp under popping corks is deadly for speckled trout over grass flats, especially when the tide is moving. For redfish, you'll often sight cast to cruising schools in shallow water using soft plastics or live bait. Black drum fishing usually means anchoring near shell reefs or channel edges and dropping fresh crab or shrimp to the bottom. The captain provides quality spinning gear spooled with appropriate line weights, plus a full selection of terminal tackle, weights, and hooks. Live bait is included, but artificial lures like soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons are also part of the arsenal. The boat's electronics help locate structure and baitfish, while the shallow draft design gets you into areas where bigger boats can't follow.
Redfish are the stars of Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-28 inches and put up scrappy battles in shallow water. They school heavily in fall and winter, creating sight-fishing opportunities that get your heart racing when you spot those dark shapes cruising the flats. Redfish feed aggressively on crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish, making them responsive to both live and artificial baits. The slot-size fish you'll target are perfect for the dinner table and strong enough to test your drag system.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing. These spotted beauties range from keeper-size 15-inchers to trophy fish pushing 25 inches or better. They're most active during cooler months and early morning/late afternoon periods during summer. Specks are ambush predators that hold near grass beds and shell, waiting to attack passing baitfish. When you hook into a good trout, they'll jump and shake their heads violently, making every fight memorable. Their delicate mouths require smooth drag settings, adding to the challenge.
Black drum are the heavyweight champions of the bay, with fish commonly weighing 5-15 pounds and occasional monsters topping 20. These bottom-dwellers use their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish, making them perfect targets around oyster reefs and shell bars. Black drum fight with pure power, making long runs and testing your tackle. They're most active during cooler months and provide consistent action when other species get finicky. The smaller "puppy drum" are excellent table fare, while the bigger fish make for great photos before release.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish in the bay, but they're worth the effort. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for picking crabs and barnacles off structure. They're notorious bait thieves, requiring perfect timing and sensitive tackle to hook consistently. Sheepshead average 2-4 pounds but fight much harder than their size suggests. They're most active around structure during cooler months and provide technical fishing that challenges even experienced anglers. When you finally master the sheepshead bite, you'll feel like you've earned a PhD in inshore fishing.
Matagorda Bay consistently ranks as one of Texas's top-rated inshore fishing destinations, and Captain Shannon's local expertise gives you the best shot at filling your cooler. This 8-hour charter covers more water and fishing situations than shorter trips, maximizing your chances of connecting with multiple species. The captain's patient instruction makes this perfect for beginners, while experienced anglers appreciate the access to productive spots they might not find on their own. With quality gear, live bait, and decades of local knowledge included, you're getting world-class inshore fishing at its finest. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Book your charter now and get ready to experience why Matagorda Bay keeps anglers coming back year after year.
This 24-foot center console bay boat cuts through Matagorda's waters with smooth precision, powered by a reliable Yamaha 250HP that gets you to the fish fast. The spacious deck gives all five anglers room to work without tangling lines, while the wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow redfish haunts. Captain Shannon knows exactly where the trout stack up and where black drum cruise the flats. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those long summer days on the bay. GPS navigation means no time wasted searching - you'll be fishing productive water from the moment you arrive at the honey holes.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 90. These grey-black bruisers love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-6 feet of water, using their powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll have your best shot at multiple hookups. They're famous for their drumming sounds and put up a solid fight once hooked. Keep anything under 15 pounds for the table since the bigger ones get tough and fishy. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom - they can't resist it. These fish are patient feeders, so don't rush the hookset when you feel those first gentle taps.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-red color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, perfect for the dinner table with their mild, sweet meat. These bruisers love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing - around grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy areas. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up and get aggressive. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and stubborn fight in shallow water. They'll eat just about anything but really key in on live shrimp and small crabs. My go-to technique is sight fishing with a gold spoon or topwater plug early morning when they're tailing in skinny water. Keep your distance and make long casts - they spook easily in the shallows but the payoff is worth it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay, running 14-20 inches with occasional 4-5 pounders that'll test your drag. These silver beauties with dark spots love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall transitions. What anglers love is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the dinner table. They can be finicky feeders, so varying your retrieve speed is key. My local secret is working a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork during moving tides. Focus on the grass edges where they ambush baitfish, and don't be afraid to downsize your bait when they're being picky.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of the bay with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-4 pounds, but we see some nice 8-10 pounders around the bridge pilings and dock structures. They're notorious bait thieves that'll nibble your hook clean if you're not paying attention. Spring months are best when they gather near structures to spawn. What makes them special is that white, flaky meat - some of the best eating fish in the bay. They stick tight to cover, so you need to get your bait right against the pilings or rocks where they feed on barnacles and small crabs. Fresh fiddler crab is deadly, but here's my local trick: tip a small jig with shrimp and work it right along the structure. The moment you feel weight, set that hook hard - they've got tough mouths.
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