Half Day Fishing Trip in Corpus Christi
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private inshore fishing targeting redfish and trout with Captain DavidHalf-day trip includes all tackle, bait and modern electronicsAccommodates up to 4 guests on 24-foot Mamba boat
Captain David's inshore fishing adventures put you right in the heart of some of Texas' best fishing waters. This half-day trip runs 4-5 hours and covers the productive bays and flats around Corpus Christi, where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout stack up near structure. You'll fish from a top-rated 24' Mamba powered by a Mercury 400, complete with modern electronics and a wireless trolling motor that lets us move quietly through skinny water without spooking fish. Perfect for couples or solo anglers looking to get on fish without committing to a full day, this trip delivers consistent action using light tackle techniques that make every hookup feel like a battle.
We'll launch early and head straight to where the fish are biting. Captain David knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on productive spots based on tides, weather, and what's been producing lately. The boat's shallow draft lets us access prime flats and back lakes that bigger boats can't reach, giving us first crack at undisturbed fish. You'll use light spinning tackle with live bait and artificials, depending on what the fish want that day. The wireless trolling motor keeps us positioned perfectly while you work your bait through the strike zone. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, so you just need to bring yourself and a valid Texas fishing license. The trip accommodates up to 2 anglers in the base rate, with room for up to 4 total if you want to bring extra friends or family.
We fish primarily with spinning gear spooled with 15-20 pound braid, perfect for feeling every bump and setting hooks in these fish. Depending on conditions, we'll work live shrimp under popping corks near grass beds, bounce soft plastics along drop-offs, or sight-cast to tailing redfish in inches of water. The flats around Corpus Christi offer world-class sight fishing opportunities, especially during morning and evening periods when reds push into the shallows to feed. Captain David will coach you through proper casting techniques and help you read the water to spot fish before they see you. The boat's modern electronics help us locate structure and baitfish, while the trolling motor allows for precise boat positioning that's crucial for success in shallow water. We carry a variety of baits and lures to match whatever the fish prefer that day, from topwater plugs for explosive surface strikes to bottom rigs for targeting black drum and sheepshead around structure.
Redfish are the stars of these waters, with slot-size fish ranging from 20-28 inches providing incredible fights on light tackle. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow flats and marsh edges, especially during moving tides when they push in to feed on crabs and shrimp. Spring and fall offer the best action, though summer mornings can produce excellent sight fishing opportunities. What makes reds special is their aggressive nature and willingness to eat both live bait and artificials, plus they fight harder than their size suggests, often making long runs and testing your drag system.
Speckled trout, or "specks," are another customer favorite that school up around grass beds and oyster reefs throughout the bay system. These beautiful fish typically run 15-20 inches with occasional catches pushing 25 inches or better. They're most active during cooler months but can be caught year-round by adjusting techniques and targeting deeper water during summer heat. Specks have soft mouths, so light drag settings and steady pressure are key to landing them consistently. Their delicate bite requires attention to detail, making every hookup satisfying.
Black drum offer a different kind of excitement, with larger specimens providing bulldogging fights that test both angler and tackle. These bottom-dwellers love structure like oyster beds and channel edges, where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Fall brings the best black drum fishing as cooler water temperatures increase their feeding activity. They're renowned for their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style that keeps you guessing until they're in the net.
Summer flounder, or "fluke," provide excellent table fare and tricky fishing that rewards patience and technique. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near channel edges and ambush passing baitfish. They require a subtle approach with bounced baits or slow-retrieved soft plastics. Landing a quality flounder always feels like an accomplishment due to their selective feeding habits and the finesse required to hook them consistently.
Sheepshead round out the mix with their notorious bait-stealing abilities and excellent eating quality. These convict-striped fish hang around structure and require quick reflexes to hook before they strip your bait clean. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action as they move into shallower water to spawn. Their human-like teeth and crafty nature make them a challenging but rewarding target that keeps experienced anglers coming back for more.
This half-day trip delivers everything you want from a Corpus Christi fishing experience without eating up your entire day. Captain David's local knowledge, quality equipment, and patient instruction create the perfect environment for both beginners and seasoned anglers to succeed. The boat's capabilities open up fishing opportunities that shore-bound anglers can only dream about, while the included gear ensures you're properly equipped for whatever we encounter. Whether you're looking to check redfish off your bucket list, learn inshore techniques, or just enjoy a few hours on the water with great company, this trip delivers consistent results in some of Texas' most productive waters. Book your spot now and get ready to experience why Corpus Christi is considered one of the top inshore fishing destinations on the Gulf Coast.
The 24' Mamba cuts through Corpus Christi's shallow bays like a knife, powered by a Mercury 400 that'll push you to 65 mph when you need to cover water fast. This boat was designed for exactly what you'll be doing – chasing redfish and trout across the flats and through the back bays where the big ones hide. Captain David keeps this rig dialed in for serious fishing. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them, while the fish finder shows you exactly what's underneath. GPS keeps you on the productive spots, and the livewell keeps your bait frisky all day long. With space for up to 4 anglers but sailing with just 2 on this trip, you'll have plenty of elbow room to work your casts and fight fish properly. The icebox handles your drinks and lunch, so you can stay focused on what matters – putting fish in the boat. This Mamba runs shallow and smooth, getting you into those skinny water honey holes where the big trout and bull reds like to feed.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our bays, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These grey-black bruisers love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. They're notorious for their drumming sounds underwater, which actually helps locate schools. What makes them special is the pure strength - even a 15-pounder will test your drag. The meat on smaller fish is excellent table fare, but anything over 15 pounds gets tough. Pro tip: use fresh crab for bait and keep it right on the bottom - they won't chase it far, and that natural scent drives them crazy around structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Corpus flats - copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 18-28 inches in the shallows, though the big bulls offshore can hit 40+ inches. They love water so shallow their backs show, cruising grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines year-round. What makes them special is the visual fishing - you'll actually see them tailing and cruising in clear water. They fight like freight trains and are great eating up to about 27 inches. The explosive topwater strikes are what hooks most anglers - nothing beats watching a red blow up on a spook or popper. My secret weapon is gold spoons worked slowly over grass beds. Keep the boat in deeper water and make long casts to avoid spooking them in the skinny stuff.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout (speckled trout) are bread-and-butter fish in our Corpus bays, running 14-24 inches with beautiful silver sides covered in black spots. They love grass flats and shallow water, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though they bite year-round here. What guests love is how willing they are to hit artificial lures - topwater plugs at dawn create explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. They're also excellent table fare with delicate, flaky white meat. The key is not overcooking since the meat is softer than redfish. My go-to technique is working soft plastics over grass flats on quarter-ounce jigheads, keeping it just off the bottom where they're cruising and feeding.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring spawning season when they school up. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and pick at your offering trying to steal it clean off the hook. The challenge is feeling that subtle bite and setting the hook before they get away with your shrimp or crab. They're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat that's worth the effort to clean. My trick: get your bait tight against the pilings and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Use small hooks with fresh fiddler crab - it stays on better than shrimp when they're picking at it.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder aren't common in our Corpus waters - they're mainly an East Coast species found from North Carolina to Massachusetts. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side of their head. They typically run 15-20 inches and are ambush predators that blend perfectly with the seafloor. Fall months from September to November offer the best chances when they're most active. What's cool about targeting them is watching that perfectly camouflaged fish suddenly appear when you work your bait along the bottom. They're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. The key technique is using live minnows or sea worms on a circle hook, keeping your bait moving slowly along the bottom since they won't chase far from their hiding spots.
Corpus Christi