Night Flounder Gigging in Matagorda Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour night flounder gigging adventure in Matagorda baysDeparts 8 PM from harbor accommodating up to 3 guestsTargets flounder while encountering diverse coastal marine species
When the sun starts setting over Matagorda Bay, that's when the real action begins. This 6-hour flounder gigging adventure kicks off at 8 PM and takes you into some of Texas' most productive shallow water flats. We're talking about a completely different kind of fishing here – one that puts you right in the action with a gig in hand, hunting flatfish by spotlight. Limited to just 3 anglers, this top-rated night trip gives everyone plenty of room to work and learn the art of gigging without feeling crowded on the boat.
This isn't your typical cast-and-wait fishing trip. We'll push off from Matagorda Harbor about an hour before sunset, giving us time to get positioned on the flats as darkness settles in. The beauty of flounder gigging is that it's active hunting – you're moving through knee-deep water with high-powered lights, scanning the sandy bottom for those telltale outlines of buried flounder. The Matagorda bay system is perfect for this because of its expansive grass flats and sandy potholes where flounder love to ambush prey. You'll be wading in water that's typically 1-3 feet deep, and trust me, once you spot your first flounder lying motionless on the bottom, your heart rate will jump. The challenge is getting close enough for a clean shot with the gig before they bolt – and these fish can disappear faster than you'd think.
We provide all the specialized equipment you'll need, including multi-pronged gigs, high-intensity LED spotlights, and waders if the water's chilly. The gig itself is basically a long pole with sharp tines at the end – think of it as a fishing spear designed specifically for flatfish. The key technique is all about the stalk and strike. You'll learn to move slowly through the water, sweeping your light back and forth to illuminate the bottom. When you spot a flounder, you need to approach from behind or to the side, never straight on. They have both eyes on top of their head, so they're watching for threats from above. The strike has to be quick and confident – aim just behind the head and drive that gig down with authority. Miss by an inch, and you'll be watching nothing but a puff of sand where your fish used to be. Most first-timers are surprised by how much skill is involved, but that's what makes it so rewarding when you nail your first one.
Southern flounder are the crown jewel of Texas bay systems, and Matagorda Bay produces some real slabs. These flatfish typically run anywhere from 14 inches up to doormat-sized specimens pushing 8-10 pounds. What makes them so exciting to target is their ambush predator behavior – they bury themselves in sand with just their eyes exposed, waiting for mullet, shrimp, or crabs to swim by. Fall and early winter are prime time for flounder gigging because these fish are staging up before their offshore spawning runs, which means they're feeding heavily and easier to find in predictable spots. During our night trips, you'll often find them in 2-4 feet of water along grass lines, near oyster reefs, or in sandy potholes between grass beds. The reason night gigging is so effective is that flounder are more active after dark, moving into shallower water to hunt. Plus, the artificial lights actually seem to stun them temporarily, giving you that crucial extra second to line up your shot. What really gets people hooked on flounder gigging is the visual aspect – you can see exactly what you're targeting, and there's no guesswork involved. Either you stick the fish or you don't, and when you do connect, you're pulling up some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
At $650 for up to three people, this night gigging adventure offers serious value for a world-class fishing experience you won't find everywhere. The intimate group size means personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities for everyone to get hands-on practice with the gig. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to try something new or someone who's never held a fishing rod, flounder gigging levels the playing field in a way that's both challenging and accessible. The Matagorda bay system consistently produces fish, and our local knowledge of the flats, tides, and seasonal patterns puts you in the best position for success. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – fall and winter nights book up fast once word gets out about how good the gigging has been. This is the kind of trip that creates lasting memories and usually turns first-timers into repeat customers who start planning their next night on the flats before they even get back to the dock.
Our 2023 Weldcraft 18-foot aluminum skiff is built for serious flounder fishing in Matagorda's shallow bays and flats. With a reliable 140HP Suzuki pushing us at 35 knots, we'll get you to the prime gigging spots quickly and quietly. The shallow-draft design lets us slip into those skinny waters where flounder love to hide in the sand and grass beds. GPS keeps us on target even in the dark, while the stable aluminum hull gives you a solid platform for spotting and gigging. These boats handle Matagorda's night waters like a dream - plenty of room for three anglers to move around comfortably while scanning the bottom with our lights. Built tough for Texas coast fishing, rain or shine.
Matagorda