South Padre Island Fishing | 5 Hour Charter
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Target 8+ species including Redfish, Snook, and Speckled TroutSmall group flats fishing with maximum 2 guestsFull 5hour charter with experienced Crystal Flats guides
Looking for a solid day on the water targeting some of South Padre's best inshore species? This 5-hour charter with Crystal Flats Guide Service puts you right in the heart of the action. We're talking about prime flats fishing where you'll have legitimate shots at redfish, black drum, snook, and more. With just 2 anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. Pack your Texas fishing license, some cold drinks, and get ready to bend some rods on what many consider the best flats fishing the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Your morning starts early – that's when these fish are most active and the flats are prime. We'll be working the shallow waters around South Padre Island where the grass beds hold baitfish and the structure creates perfect ambush points. The beauty of flats fishing here is the variety – one cast you might hook into a bull redfish, the next could be a feisty jack crevalle that'll test your drag system. The water clarity varies with tides and weather, but our guides know exactly where to position the boat for the best opportunities. Don't worry about bringing tackle – we've got everything rigged and ready, from live bait setups to artificial lures that produce consistently in these waters. Just remember that Texas saltwater stamp on your license and bring polarized sunglasses – you'll want to see these fish before they see you.
We're primarily sight fishing and working structure on these flats trips. The guides will have you rigged with medium to medium-heavy spinning setups loaded with 15-20 lb braid and fluorocarbon leaders. Live shrimp under popping corks is deadly here, especially around grass beds where speckled trout and redfish feed. When the fish are aggressive, we'll switch to soft plastics and topwater plugs – nothing beats watching a red crush a surface lure in 2 feet of water. The boat stays positioned just right, using the trolling motor to drift along productive edges without spooking fish. Your guide will coach you on casting angles and retrieve speeds that work best for each species. The key is staying quiet and being ready when you see that telltale wake or flash of copper moving through the shallows.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the flats, and South Padre's population is healthy and hungry. These fish average 5-15 pounds but can push much bigger, especially during their spring spawning runs. They're bottom feeders with a serious attitude – once hooked, they'll dig deep and test your tackle. Best technique is dead shrimp or small crabs fished near shell beds and drop-offs. The fight is all power and endurance, making them a favorite among anglers who appreciate a good tug-of-war.
Snook are the crown jewel of South Padre flats fishing, though they're more finicky than most species here. These fish love structure – docks, mangroves, and grass line edges where they can ambush prey. They hit hard but jump even harder, often throwing the hook with their gill-rattling acrobatics. Live shrimp or pilchards work great, but they'll also smash a well-presented soft plastic. Snook are temperature sensitive, so timing and location matter more with these fish than most others you'll target.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Texas flats fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are aggressive, plentiful, and fight like they're twice their size. They cruise the shallows looking for crabs and shrimp, often with their backs out of the water in just inches of depth. The visual fishing opportunities are world-class – watching a red slowly approach your bait before absolutely destroying it never gets old. They average 20-28 inches here, perfect slot fish that are great on the table too.
Sheepshead might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're definitely some of the tastiest. These convict-striped thieves are notorious bait stealers with human-like teeth designed for crushing crustaceans. Find them around any hard structure – piers, rocks, or shell beds. The trick is using small hooks and feeling for that subtle tap-tap bite. Once you figure out their timing, sheepshead fishing becomes addictive. They're year-round residents here, making them a reliable target when other species are finicky.
Gag Grouper are less common on the flats but show up around deeper structure and rock piles near the channels. These fish are pure muscle and will head straight for cover once hooked. They require heavier tackle and quick reflexes to turn them before they reach their rocky hideouts. When you connect with a good gag, it's game on – they're one of the strongest pound-for-pound fighters you'll encounter in these waters, plus they're excellent table fare for the cooler.
This isn't just another fishing trip – it's 5 hours of top-rated flats fishing with guides who live and breathe these waters. The 2-angler limit means you're getting a personalized experience, not fighting for rod space with a crowd. South Padre's flats fishing is renowned for good reason, and this charter puts you in position to experience it properly. Whether you're after your first redfish on fly or looking to add snook to your species list, these guides know where to find them. Book soon – the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hot and the weather cooperates.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a top-notch Shallow Stalker Pro 240 flats boat, perfectly designed for prowling the shallow waters around South Padre Island. This state-of-the-art vessel is built specifically for flats fishing, letting you get into those skinny waters where the big reds and speckled trout love to hang out. The boat comes equipped with GPS navigation to hit all the prime spots and a fish finder to locate schools of black drum, jack crevalle, and snapper. With room for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows. The shallow draft design means you can sneak into backwater areas and grass flats that bigger boats can't reach, giving you access to some seriously productive fishing grounds where snook and sheepshead cruise the shallows.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of our inshore waters, commonly running 10-30 pounds with giants over 50 pounds lurking on deeper structure. You'll find them crushing crabs and oysters around shell beds, bridge pilings, and muddy flats in 3-20 feet. Spring spawning season from February through April is prime time when they school up and get aggressive. What makes them fun is the stubborn, grinding fight - they use their weight and power instead of speed. The drumming sound they make underwater is wild to experience. Smaller fish under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones are better released. Fresh crab is your best bet for bait - blue crab or peeler crab fished right on bottom. Keep your bait pinned tight to structure where they feed.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid fighters that hang around offshore structure like reefs and wrecks in 60-120 feet. Most run 15-25 pounds, but we've pulled 40-pounders from the deeper spots. They're ambush predators with powerful jaws - once hooked, they'll bolt straight for cover trying to cut your line on rocks. Spring through fall gives you the best shots when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is the challenge - you need heavy tackle and quick reflexes to turn them before they reach shelter. The meat's excellent if you keep smaller ones under 20 pounds. Pro tip: lock your drag tight from the start and keep steady pressure. Give them an inch and they'll find a hole to hide in.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter sight fishing targets, cruising shallow flats and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water. Most run 20-30 inches with that signature black spot near the tail and bronze coloring. You'll spot their backs and tails breaking the surface as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. What guests love is watching them eat - explosive topwater strikes and strong, bulldogging fights in skinny water. They're excellent table fare when kept under the slot. The trick is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. Live shrimp under a popping cork works great, but nothing beats the thrill of sight casting with topwater plugs on calm mornings.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the pickpockets of our waters - those human-like teeth make them expert bait thieves around any structure with barnacles. They run 2-8 pounds typically, hanging tight to docks, bridge pilings, and jetties in 5-30 feet. Winter through early spring is peak season when they spawn and school up heavily. What makes them challenging and fun is their finicky bite - they'll nibble and steal bait all day if you're not ready. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, white meat. Their black and silver stripes earn them the "convict fish" nickname. Key tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, and set the hook hard the second you feel weight. They're notorious for cleaning your hook without getting hooked.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are primo targets that love our mangroves, bridges, and creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. They average 18-28 inches but trophy fish over 30 inches show up regularly. Best action happens around structure changes - docks, oyster bars, any place baitfish congregate. They're temperature sensitive, so warmer months from May through October are prime time. What guests love is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make blistering runs. The golden sides and black lateral line make them easy to spot in clear water. They're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. My go-to trick is working live shrimp or mullet right along the mangrove edges during moving water - that's when they feed aggressively.
South Padre Island