Private 8 Hour Fishing Trip In South Padre Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour private inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and troutExpert Captain Jason provides top gear and local knowledgeSmall group capacity of two guests ensures personalized experience
When you want to fish the best waters South Padre Island has to offer without the crowds, Captain Jason's private 8-hour charter is your ticket to an epic day on the water. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – you get a full eight hours to really work the flats, channels, and structure where the big fish live. Whether you're chasing your first redfish or you're a seasoned angler looking to put a monster tarpon on the end of your line, this extended trip gives you the time to do it right. The Laguna Madre and surrounding waters hold some of Texas's most sought-after inshore species, and with Captain Jason's local knowledge, you'll be fishing the spots that consistently produce fish while others are still figuring out the tide.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Jason at the dock, where his fully rigged inshore boat is loaded with premium tackle and ready to roll. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is that you're not watching the clock – you can work different areas as conditions change throughout the day. Morning might find you sight-fishing the shallow flats for tailing redfish, while the afternoon could have you drifting deeper grass beds for trout or working structure for snook. Captain Jason reads the water like a book, adjusting tactics based on tide, wind, and what the fish are telling him. You'll cover serious ground, from the protected waters of the Laguna Madre to the channels and drop-offs where bigger fish patrol. The boat stays stocked with ice-cold water, and there's plenty of room to move around when you're battling a fish. This is a hands-on fishing experience where you'll learn techniques that'll make you a better angler long after the trip ends.
Captain Jason runs top-shelf gear that's perfectly matched to South Padre's inshore fishery. You'll be throwing everything from soft plastics on light jigheads to topwater plugs, depending on what the fish want that day. The boat's equipped with both spinning and baitcasting setups, so whether you're comfortable with a 7-foot medium-action rod or you want to try something new, there's gear that fits your style. Sight-fishing is huge here – polarized sunglasses are a must because you'll be looking for fish in the shallows, watching for wakes, tails, and shadows moving across the flats. When the bite gets tough, Captain Jason switches tactics, maybe pulling out live bait or working deeper structure with heavier jigs. The GPS and fish finder help locate productive areas, but it's his years of experience reading bird activity, bait movement, and subtle changes in water color that really make the difference. You'll learn to read the signs that separate good fishing days from great ones.
Redfish are the bread and butter of South Padre inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters are active year-round. They range from schoolie-sized fish in the 18-22 inch range up to genuine bulls pushing 30+ inches that'll test your drag and your patience. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations, but summer fishing can be phenomenal early and late in the day. What makes reds so addictive is their versatility – they'll eat topwater plugs in skinny water, soft plastics bounced along the bottom, and everything in between. When you hook a big red in shallow water, the fight is explosive and visual.
Sea trout are the finesse fish of the flats, and South Padre's speckled trout fishery is world-class. These spotted beauties average 15-20 inches, but the Laguna Madre produces some genuine gator trout that push 6-7 pounds. They're most active during cooler months, particularly winter when they school up in deeper grass beds and channel edges. Trout have soft mouths, so the fight is more about technique than raw power, but landing a heavy sow trout is something every angler remembers. They're also excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few within the slot.
Snook are the glamour fish that bring anglers back trip after trip. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangroves, channel markers – anywhere they can hide and attack baitfish. They're extremely temperature sensitive, so summer and early fall offer the best opportunities. A good snook will run hard when hooked, often jumping and gill-rattling to throw the hook. The distinctive black lateral line and sloped forehead make them unmistakable, and their explosive strikes on topwater baits create fishing memories that last forever.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish over 30 pounds common in South Padre waters. These bottom-huggers are year-round residents that provide serious pulling power when you connect. They're not flashy fighters like tarpon, but when a big drum decides to run, it's like being hooked to a freight train. They typically feed on crabs and shellfish, so live or cut bait works best. The distinctive drumming sound they make when stressed gives them their name.
Tarpon are the ultimate prize fish – the "silver king" that turns grown anglers into kids again. South Padre's tarpon fishery peaks in late spring and summer when these giant fish move through the area. They can exceed 100 pounds and when hooked, they put on an aerial display that's pure fishing magic. Most tarpon are released after a quick photo, but the fight alone makes them worth targeting. Captain Jason knows the seasonal patterns and the specific areas where tarpon show up, giving you the best shot at hooking into one of these legendary fish.
An 8-hour private charter with Captain Jason isn't just a fishing trip – it's a masterclass in South Padre inshore fishing with enough time to really get into the fish
Your fishing platform for this 8-hour South Padre Island adventure is our 2020 Sabine Skiff - an 18-footer that's built specifically for stalking redfish and trout in shallow waters. This flats boat draws minimal water, letting Captain Jason slip into those productive backwater spots where the big fish hide. The 60HP Mercury gets you moving at a solid 32 knots when you need to cover ground between fishing holes, but runs whisper-quiet when you're working the flats. With room for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space and personalized attention from your guide. The GPS keeps you on the fish, and the shallow draft design means you can reach prime tarpon and snook territory that bigger boats simply can't access. Perfect setup for serious inshore fishing.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+. These dark, powerful fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-20 feet of water. Spring brings the best fishing when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for shellfish, so expect a strong, bulldogging fight rather than flashy jumps. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. These fish are picky eaters, so be patient and let them pick it up before setting the hook. They'll mouth bait for a while before committing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails, typically running 18-32 inches in our shallow waters. They love 1-4 feet deep flats, especially around oyster reefs and grass beds where they can tail with their backs out of water. Year-round fishing with fall and spring being peak times. These fish are perfect for sight-fishing and put up a strong, steady fight without the crazy jumps. The smaller "slot" fish make excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. What guests love most is watching them cruise the shallows and getting that visual strike. My best advice: when you spot a tailing red, cast past them and work your lure back slowly. They're feeding head-down, so don't cast right on top and spook them. Gold spoons and soft plastics work great.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are beautiful spotted fish running 14-24 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. They prefer grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, moving deeper in winter. Fall and spring offer consistent action, with dawn and dusk being prime times. These fish are prized for their delicate, white meat and moderate fight - not as aggressive as redfish but still fun on light tackle. They're also great for beginners since they bite readily. What really gets people excited is sight-fishing them over grass beds where you can watch them take your lure. Pro tip: downsize your tackle in clear water. Use 10-12 pound fluorocarbon leader and work soft plastics or topwater slowly. Trout spook easily, so stay quiet and make long casts.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are sleek, golden fighters with that distinctive black lateral line running down their sides. Most run 1-3 feet long, though the big females can push 4 feet. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water where fresh meets salt. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're spawning. What makes them special is that explosive strike and their aerial show once hooked - they'll jump and thrash like crazy trying to throw your lure. Plus, they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: work your lure slow and steady along structure edges. Snook are ambush predators, so they want an easy meal drifting by rather than something frantically fleeing.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - silver giants that can reach 6-8 feet and 200+ pounds. They roam our deeper channels, passes, and surf in 10-40 feet of water, moving into shallower bays during summer months. May through September offers prime action when they're migrating and spawning. What makes them legendary is their aerial display - these fish can jump 10 feet out of the water repeatedly. They're strictly catch-and-release due to their bony, oily meat, but the fight alone is worth it. Most battles last 30+ minutes even on heavy tackle. Key tip: when a tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This prevents the line from going tight and breaking when they crash back down. Keep steady pressure but let them have their show.
Brownsville