Half Day Fishing Port Mansfield & South Padre
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting King Mackerel and SnookExpert Captain Manny guides intimate 2guest tripsPort Mansfield and South Padre Island coastal waters
Captain Manny Perez runs one of the most respected fishing charters along the Texas coast, and when you book with Coastal Concepts, you're getting a guide who's spent years learning every productive drop-off, grass flat, and structure around Port Mansfield and South Padre Island. This half-day trip keeps things intimate with just two anglers max, so you'll get personalized attention and won't be fighting for rod time or the best spots on the boat. Manny's passion for these waters shows in his fish-finding abilities, and whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting your feet wet in saltwater fishing, he'll put you on fish and teach you something new along the way.
Your morning starts early when Manny picks you up at the launch, coffee in hand and tackle already rigged for the day's conditions. The beauty of fishing these Texas flats is the diversity – one cast you might be working a grass bed for redfish, the next you're drifting structure for black drum or running offshore structure for kings and Spanish mackerel. Manny reads the water like a book, adjusting tactics based on wind, tide, and what the fish are telling him. You'll spend four solid hours learning the nuances of inshore fishing while actually catching fish, not just hearing about it. The boat stays comfortable with plenty of shade, and Manny keeps the cooler stocked with ice water. This isn't a cattle boat experience – it's quality time on productive water with a captain who genuinely loves putting his clients on fish.
Manny runs a versatile setup that can handle everything from sight-casting shallow flats to working deeper structure where the bigger fish hang. You'll use both live bait and artificials depending on what's working – live shrimp under popping corks for trout and reds, cut bait on the bottom for black drum, and fast-moving spoons or small jigs when the mackerel are running. The captain provides all tackle, but if you've got a favorite rod you want to bring, he's more than happy to let you use it. Techniques change with the conditions – some days you'll be sight-fishing cruising reds in knee-deep water, other days you'll be working channel edges and drop-offs where the snook like to ambush baitfish. Manny's strength is reading the situation and adjusting on the fly, plus he's great at explaining why certain presentations work better than others.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the group, typically running 15-30 pounds and putting up fights that'll test your drag and your arms. These fish move through the area following bait schools, with peak action usually from late spring through early fall. When kings are biting, you'll know it – they hit hard and make blistering runs that can peel 100 yards of line in seconds. What makes them special here is the structure around Port Mansfield holds them longer than other areas, giving you multiple shots at these prized gamefish.
Spanish Mackerel might be smaller than their king cousins, but they're just as aggressive and twice as numerous when conditions are right. These 2-4 pound fish travel in schools and compete for your bait, making for fast action that's perfect for newer anglers or anyone who loves constant bites. They're excellent table fare when kept fresh, and their willingness to hit small jigs and spoons makes them a favorite target when you want to stay busy.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters rarely disappoint. Running anywhere from slot-size 18-inchers up to bull reds pushing 40 pounds, they're available year-round and known for their powerful runs and stubborn fights. Sight-casting to tailing reds in shallow water is one of the most addictive experiences in fishing, and Manny knows all the best flats where they feed.
Black Drum often get overlooked, but these heavyweight brawlers can provide some of the best fights of your trip. Averaging 5-15 pounds with occasional giants over 30, they use their size and power to test your tackle. They're bottom feeders that love structure and are available pretty much year-round, making them reliable targets when other species are finicky.
Snook are the wild card in these waters – not always present but absolutely worth targeting when conditions align. These ambush predators love structure and moving water, hitting baits with explosive strikes before trying to cut you off in the nearest piling or rocks. They're primarily a warm-weather fish, with the best action typically from late spring through early fall, and catching one always feels like a bonus.
Captain Manny's half-day trips book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather's cooperating. You're not just buying four hours on the water – you're getting access to years of local knowledge, quality gear, and a guide who takes pride in putting his clients on fish. The two-person limit means you'll get the kind of personalized attention that's rare in the charter world, and Manny's enthusiasm for these waters is contagious. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, introduce someone to saltwater fishing, or just get away from the dock and onto some productive water, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait until the last minute – the best dates fill up weeks in advance, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the highlight of your Texas coast fishing adventure.
Captain Manny's 2022 Majek center console is built for serious fishing in the Texas coastal waters around Port Mansfield and South Padre Island. This 25-foot bay boat cuts through the shallows with its powerful 300HP Mercury engine, getting you to the hotspots where King Mackerel, Redfish, and Snook are waiting. The boat's fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS keeps you on course to the most productive waters. With an onboard icebox, your catch stays fresh and your drinks stay cold during those long battles with Black Drum and Spanish Mackerel. The center console design gives everyone plenty of casting room and easy access to the fish box. At 45 knots max speed, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time running between spots. Perfect for up to 2 anglers who want to experience the rich inshore fishery that makes this stretch of the Texas coast legendary.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90. You'll recognize them by that dark, almost black color and those powerful crushing jaws built for shellfish. These bottom-dwellers love oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow bay areas where they can root around for crabs and mollusks. Spring spawning season from February through April is prime time when they school up and are easier to target. What's neat is they actually make drumming sounds you can sometimes hear underwater. Guests enjoy the steady, powerful fight and that unique fishing experience. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating - anything bigger gets tough. My go-to technique is fresh crab on a circle hook fished right on the bottom near oyster bars. Listen for that drumming sound during spawning season and look for muddy water where they're stirring up the bottom feeding.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are the speed demons out here, typically hitting 20-40 pounds with some pushing over 90. These silver bullets have razor-sharp teeth and an appetite to match, feeding on anything from blue runners to squid. We usually find them in 40-150 feet of water, often around structure or temperature breaks where baitfish concentrate. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're moving through our area following the bait. What makes kings special is that blistering first run - they'll strip line off your reel faster than almost any fish in the Gulf. The meat's good eating on smaller fish, though it's got higher oil content. My setup uses two hooks on a wire leader: one in the bait's nose, one trailing behind, because kings love to attack from the rear. When trolling, vary your speeds and watch for birds working - that usually means bait, and where there's bait, there's kings nearby ready to ambush.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands-down one of the most popular targets around here, and for good reason. Most run 20-35 inches with that copper-bronze back fading to white belly and distinctive black spots near the tail. These shallow-water fighters love oyster reefs, grass flats, and bay systems in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love is watching them cruise the flats and that hard, bulldogging fight once hooked. The smaller "slot" fish are perfect eating with sweet, flaky white meat. They're not picky eaters either - live shrimp, cut bait, or topwater plugs all work. Here's my tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during moving tides. When you spot them, approach quietly and cast past them, then work your bait back into their path. Get too close and they'll spook every time.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of those fish that'll really test your skills. They average 1-2 feet but can push over 4 feet, with that classic sloped head, big mouth, and bold black lateral line. These ambush predators love hanging around mangroves, creek mouths, and any structure in brackish water where fresh meets salt. The cool thing about snook is they change from male to female as they mature - most big ones are females. Best fishing happens May through September during their spawn when they gather near passes and inlets. What guests love is that explosive strike and bulldog fight - they'll run straight for cover. The meat's top-notch too, white and flaky. Here's the trick: fish the moving water during tide changes and focus on structure. Use live shrimp or pilchards, but make sure your drag's set right because they'll head straight for the nearest mangrove root or piling the second they feel the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, schooling fish that typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh around 8-11 pounds. You'll spot them by their silver sides with yellowish spots and that distinctive streamlined body. These speedsters love to hunt near the surface in large schools, feeding on smaller baitfish like sardines and anchovies. Around here, we find them in 10-40 feet of water near jetties, piers, and around structure. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps warm up. What makes them popular is that lightning-fast strike and solid fight - they'll test your drag for sure. The meat's excellent too - mild flavor that grills up perfect. My tip: when you see birds diving, get there fast. Use small spoons or live shrimp and keep moving until you find the school. Once you hook up, work that area hard because where there's one, there's usually a bunch more.
South Padre Island