5-Hour South Padre Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderEarly morning departure with Captain Heath returns by noonMaximum four guests using multiple fishing techniques
Captain Heath knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This top-rated 5-hour charter kicks off bright and early between 6:30 and 6:45 a.m., giving you the best shot at hooking into South Padre's premier inshore species. You'll be back at the dock by noon with stories to tell and maybe a cooler full of fish for dinner. With space for up to 4 anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between personalized attention and good company on the water.
Captain Heath runs a tight ship, but the atmosphere is relaxed and focused on putting fish in the boat. You'll launch from the dock in the early morning when the fish are most active and the crowds haven't hit the water yet. The morning bite is legendary around South Padre, and there's something special about watching the sunrise paint the bay while you're already working a school of reds. Don't worry about bringing tackle or bait – the captain has everything dialed in with quality gear that can handle whatever decides to eat your offering. Just make sure you've got your fishing license sorted out and pack some snacks and water. The morning goes by fast when the fish are biting, but you'll want to stay fueled up for five solid hours of action. Expect to cover some water as Captain Heath reads the conditions and follows the bite throughout your trip.
This charter covers all the bases with three proven techniques that consistently produce fish in these waters. Popping corks create that irresistible commotion on the surface that drives trout and reds crazy – there's nothing quite like watching a big red blow up on your bait under a cork. When the bite calls for it, you'll switch to bottom fishing tactics, dropping baits right into the strike zone where drum and flounder like to hang out. Captain Heath also employs drift fishing techniques, letting the natural current present your bait to fish as you cover productive water. The boat carries a full spread of rods rigged and ready, from medium-light spinning setups perfect for trout to heavier tackle that can handle a bull red's initial run. Live bait, cut bait, and artificials all have their place depending on what the fish want that day. Captain Heath reads the water conditions, wind, and tide to determine the best approach. Some days the fish want noise and flash, other days they're finicky and need a subtle presentation.
Redfish are the crown jewel of South Padre inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are what dreams are made of. These fish run anywhere from slot-sized eating fish around 20-28 inches up to massive bull reds that can stretch over 40 inches and weigh 30+ pounds. Reds are year-round residents, but fall months bring some of the best action as schools of big fish move through the area. They're notorious for their powerful runs and stubborn fights in shallow water. What makes them so exciting is their willingness to eat just about anything when they're feeding – live shrimp, cut mullet, spoons, or topwater plugs can all trigger explosive strikes.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they'll test your tackle and your patience in the best way possible. These bottom-huggers average 15-30 pounds around South Padre, with some true giants pushing 40+ pounds lurking in the deeper channels. They're most active during cooler months, from November through March, when they stage for their spawning runs. Black drum are notorious for their bulldogging fights – they don't jump or make flashy runs, but they'll put a serious bend in your rod and make you work for every inch of line. Blue crab is candy to these fish, but they'll also hammer fresh shrimp and cut bait when they're in the mood to feed.
Speckled Trout are the bread and butter of South Padre fishing, and for good reason. These beautiful fish are fun to catch, excellent table fare, and surprisingly scrappy for their size. Most specks run 14-20 inches, but South Padre produces some true wall-hangers over 25 inches that locals call "gator trout." Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. Trout love structure – grass beds, shell reefs, and drop-offs all hold fish. They're also one of the most technique-sensitive fish you'll encounter. Some days they want a slow presentation along the bottom, other days they'll crush a topwater plug at first light.
California Flounder are the sneaky stars of the show, lying in wait along sandy bottoms and channel edges. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and ambush, but once hooked, they put up a surprisingly good fight for a fish that spends its life on the bottom. Most flounder caught around South Padre run 14-18 inches, but the area produces some true doormat flounder over 20 inches that make excellent table fare. Fall is prime time for flounder as they fatten up before their winter migration to deeper water. They're suckers for live mud minnows and finger mullet, but they'll also eat fresh shrimp and strips of cut bait. The key is keeping your bait moving along the bottom where these ambush predators like to hunt.
Captain Heath's 5-hour charter delivers everything you want from a world-class South Padre fishing experience. You get prime fishing hours when the bite is hottest, proven techniques that put fish in the boat, and access to some of the Gulf Coast's best inshore fishing grounds. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to tangle with trophy reds or a family wanting to experience the magic of South Padre fishing, this charter has you covered. The early morning departure means you'll beat the heat and the crowds, plus you'll still have your
Jump aboard Captain Heath's 24' Majek Reaper bay boat and get ready to chase some serious fish in the waters around South Padre! This sweet ride packs a powerful 300 HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the hot spots fast, while the GPS and fishfinder help locate where the Redfish, Black Drum, Speckled Trout, and Flounder are hiding. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, this bay boat handles the shallow inshore waters like a dream. The onboard livewell keeps your catch fresh, and all the navigation gear ensures you're fishing safely and efficiently. Whether you're popping corks, working the bottom, or drift fishing, this boat puts you right where the action is. Captain Heath knows these waters inside and out, so all you need to worry about is bringing your fishing license and some snacks for the 5-hour adventure that kicks off bright and early around 6:30 a.m.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow bay areas where they use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - makes them much easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the solid fight they put up, plus the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They're not the flashiest fish, but they're reliable and fun to catch. My tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and keep it right on the bottom - drum rarely come up to feed, so get your bait down where they live.
Paralichthys CalifornicusSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, laying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms where they blend in perfectly. These flatfish typically run 12-20 inches and can surprise you with their size - some push 5+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, around structure, and near creek mouths where they ambush baitfish swimming overhead. Spring and fall are best when they're moving and feeding actively. While they're not going to bend your rod double, flounder are prized for their sweet, flaky white meat - some of the best eating in the bay. Many guests enjoy the challenge of sight fishing for them in clear, shallow water. My go-to technique: drift with live shrimp or small baitfish on a light jighead, and when you feel that subtle tap, wait a few seconds before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait around.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, averaging 20-35 inches with that distinctive copper color and black spots near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they're fattening up. What makes reds special is their power and stamina - they'll make long runs and give you a real workout. Plus they're fantastic on the table with sweet, firm meat. The explosive topwater strikes are addictive too. Here's the key: when you spot a red, cast well ahead of where it's heading and let your bait settle - they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most popular targets, running 14-24 inches and putting up a scrappy fight for their size. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow waters, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and winter are peak seasons here when they school up in deeper channels. What makes trout fishing special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. They're also some of the best eating fish in the bay with delicate, flaky white meat. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady through the grass beds, and if you see birds working, get over there fast - trout are probably feeding underneath.
Brownsville