Expert Guided All Day Inshore Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing adventure for up to four guestsAll gear, bait, water and snacks provided onboardModerate drinking permitted with responsible consumption encouraged
Looking for a solid day on the water targeting some of Texas' best inshore species? This full-day trip with Code 3 Guide Services puts you right in the heart of Corpus Christi's most productive fishing grounds. We're talking about eight hours of serious angling time where you'll have the chance to tangle with redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum in waters that consistently produce fish year-round. Your captain knows these flats, grass beds, and structure like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on fish from first light to the final cast of the day.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking about a proper fishing adventure that gives you time to really get into the rhythm of the bite. You'll launch early and work multiple spots throughout the day, adjusting tactics as conditions change and fish move with the tides. The boat stays comfortable with up to four anglers max, so you're not fighting for rail space or dealing with crowded conditions. All your tackle, bait, and terminal gear comes included, plus we keep plenty of cold water and snacks on board to keep you going strong. Feel free to pack your own cooler with whatever you prefer to eat and drink – just keep the alcohol consumption reasonable so everyone stays sharp and safe. The goal is to maximize your time with lines in the water while covering the kind of water that holds quality fish.
Depending on what's biting and where we find them, you'll be working with everything from live bait under popping corks to artificial lures along grass lines and oyster reefs. The captain will have you rigged up with medium-action spinning gear perfect for these inshore species – sensitive enough to feel those subtle trout bites but with enough backbone to turn a bull redfish away from structure. Live shrimp and croaker are go-to baits here, but don't be surprised if we switch to soft plastics, topwater plugs, or spoons when the fish are aggressive. The beauty of Corpus Christi's bay system is the variety – one minute you're drifting over sand holes for flounder, the next you're sight-casting to tailing reds in knee-deep water. Your guide will walk you through each technique and make sure you're confident with the setup before we start fishing serious structure.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators of these bay systems, lying buried in sand and mud waiting for baitfish to cruise by. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes here, with keeper-sized fish running 15-20 inches and the occasional doormat pushing 4-5 pounds. Fall and winter months are prime time for flounder fishing, when they stage up for their offshore spawning runs. What makes them exciting is the challenge – you need to put your bait right in front of their face and wait for that distinctive thump. Once hooked, they put up a surprisingly strong fight for a flatfish, making long runs and using their broad profile to their advantage.
Black Drum are the workhorses of the bay, available year-round and always ready to eat. The smaller "puppy drum" in the 14-20 inch range are perfect table fare, while the bigger fish can exceed 30 inches and provide serious pulling power. These fish love structure – oyster reefs, jetties, and bridge pilings are prime spots. They're not picky eaters, readily taking live or cut bait, and their powerful jaws make for memorable hooksets. Spring and fall see the best numbers, but you can count on black drum to save the day when other species are finicky.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Corpus Christi inshore fishing. These spotted beauties are aggressive predators that hit everything from live shrimp to topwater lures with authority. The best fish come from grass flats and drop-offs, especially during spring and early summer when they're feeding heavily. A quality speck runs 15-20 inches, but the water here produces plenty of "gator trout" over 25 inches that'll test your drag system. They're known for their aerial displays once hooked, and their delicate mouths mean you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them to the boat.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Corpus Christi's shallow flats and back lakes hold some of the state's healthiest populations. These copper-colored fighters are built for power, using their broad tails to make blistering runs when hooked. The slot-sized fish between 20-28 inches provide the best combination of fight and table fare, though the oversized "bull reds" over 28 inches offer pure adrenaline on light tackle. Summer months bring sight-fishing opportunities in ultra-shallow water, while cooler weather pushes them to deeper grass beds and channel edges. Nothing beats watching a red's shoulders roll as it crushes a topwater plug in two feet of water.
This full-day trip gives you the time and water coverage needed to really connect with Corpus Christi's world-class inshore fishing. Whether you're looking to put together a mixed bag for the dinner table or target a specific species, the extended time on the water and your captain's local knowledge stack the odds in your favor. The four-angler limit keeps things comfortable and ensures everyone gets plenty of rod time, while the included gear and refreshments let you focus on what matters – catching fish. Book your spot with Code 3 Guide Services and experience why Corpus Christi continues to be one of the Gulf Coast's top-rated inshore fishing destinations.
Hit the productive waters of Corpus Christi aboard this well-equipped 24-foot Dargel bay boat, built for serious inshore fishing. This spacious vessel comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with room to move around while working the flats and back bays. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking redfish and trout in shallow water, while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish. GPS navigation gets you to the hot spots efficiently, and the VHF radio keeps you connected for safety and fishing reports. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during long days on the water. The multimedia system provides entertainment during travel time between fishing spots. All fishing gear and bait are provided, plus water and snacks to fuel your day. You're welcome to bring additional food and beverages - moderate alcohol consumption is fine. This setup gives you everything needed for a productive day targeting Corpus Christi's excellent inshore species in comfort and style.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from scrappy 5-pounders to massive 30+ pound brutes that'll test your drag system. These gray-black fish love oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you'll actually hear them drumming underwater when conditions are right. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Bigger fish are fun to catch but better released since the meat gets tough. They're tough fighters that use their bulk to bulldoze toward structure. My go-to technique is fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig, but here's the key - use circle hooks and let them eat it. Don't set the hook hard or you'll pull it right out of their bony mouths.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature species here in Corpus Christi waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-28 inches in the shallows, with bigger bulls offshore pushing 40+ inches. You'll spot their distinctive black spots near the tail as they cruise grass flats, oyster reefs, and shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water. They're active year-round but fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding heavily. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and make long runs. The smaller slot fish are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. My favorite approach is sight-casting with gold spoons or soft plastics, but live shrimp under a popping cork works great too. Key tip: when you see a red's back out of water, cast well ahead of where it's heading and work your lure slowly back.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are some of the most reliable fish in our bay system. They typically run 14-20 inches with occasional 3-4 pounders that'll make you grin. You'll find them around grass flats, drop-offs, and shell reefs in 3-8 feet of water. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall when baitfish are moving. What guests love is their willingness to hit artificials - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp all work great. The meat is delicate and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. These fish have soft mouths, so don't horse them in. Here's a local trick: early morning and late evening, work topwater lures over grass beds. When you see that explosive surface strike, count to two before setting the hook - gives them time to really grab it.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey like shrimp and small baitfish. Most run 15-18 inches around here, but we see some beauties pushing 25+ inches in deeper channels. They're scattered across our shallow bays, grass flats, and sandy bottoms year-round, though fall and winter fishing tends to be most productive when they're fattening up. What makes them fun is the surprise factor - you never know when that "dead" bottom will come alive with a solid thump. The meat is excellent, sweet and flaky when prepared right. Pro tip: when drift fishing, let your bait sit still on bottom for a few seconds after feeling that first tap. Flounder like to grab and reposition their prey before swallowing, so patience pays off with better hookups.
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