Weekend Inshore Charter: Rio Hondo Texas Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour private charter targeting redfish, flounder, and spotted seatroutProfessional guides provide all fishing gear and local expertiseSmall group capacity ensures personalized attention for all skill levels
When you're looking for a solid weekend fishing trip that won't break the bank but still delivers on fish counts, this 6-hour private charter with Dos Gringos Fishing Charters hits the sweet spot. We're talking about some of the most productive inshore waters in South Texas, where Rio Hondo meets the flats around South Padre Island. This isn't your typical crowded party boat scene – it's just you and up to two buddies with experienced local captains who've been working these waters for years. The focus here is simple: put you on redfish, flounder, and spotted seatrout using whatever techniques are working best for the conditions. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to get your line wet or someone who fishes every chance they get, these captains adjust their approach based on your skill level and what the fish are doing that day.
This charter runs six hours, which gives you plenty of time to work different spots without feeling rushed. The captains know these bays and flats like the back of their hand, and they're constantly reading conditions – wind direction, tide movement, water clarity – to put you where the fish are holding. You'll start early to beat the weekend boat traffic and take advantage of those prime morning bite windows. The boat is rigged with quality gear, and they provide everything you need including tackle and bait, though you're welcome to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. These aren't just boat drivers either – they're actively coaching you on technique, helping you read the water, and making sure you understand why certain presentations work better in different situations. The atmosphere is laid-back but focused, perfect for anglers who want to learn while they're putting fish in the boat.
The beauty of inshore fishing around Rio Hondo is the variety of techniques that produce results depending on conditions and target species. When we're working the grass flats for redfish, you'll be throwing soft plastics on jig heads or working topwater plugs over shallow structure. The captains excel at sight fishing when conditions allow, positioning the boat so you can cast to tailing reds or fish cruising the flats. For flounder, we're talking about bouncing gulp baits or live shrimp along drop-offs and channel edges where these ambush predators set up. Spotted seatrout require a different approach entirely – often suspending over grass beds or relating to structure in slightly deeper water. The tackle is medium-light spinning gear that's perfect for the size fish you'll encounter, with enough backbone to handle a bull red but sensitive enough to feel those subtle flounder bites. Bait selection varies with the season and what's available, but expect to fish both artificial lures and live or fresh dead bait depending on what's producing the best results.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are available year-round in the Rio Hondo area, though they tend to be more aggressive during cooler months when they're feeding heavily. You'll find them in water ranging from knee-deep flats to deeper bay structure, often in schools that can provide multiple hookups. What makes reds so popular isn't just their willingness to bite – they're legitimate fighters that will test your drag and give you that satisfying battle inshore anglers crave. Fish typically range from slot-sized keepers around 20-28 inches up to oversized bulls that can stretch the tape past 35 inches.
Southern flounder represent some of the best eating you'll find in these waters, and they're surprisingly fun to catch once you get the hang of their feeding behavior. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush passing prey. Fall months are prime time for flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning runs, often reaching impressive sizes. The bite is subtle – more of a tap than a strike – but once you connect, these fish have surprising power for their flat profile. Summer flounder add another dimension to the mix, typically found in slightly different areas and showing different seasonal patterns than their southern cousins.
Spotted seatrout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the most technical fish you'll target on this trip. They're extremely sensitive to water temperature, barometric pressure, and seasonal baitfish movements. Spring and fall offer the best opportunities for numbers, while summer produces fewer but typically larger fish. What makes specks special is their willingness to hit artificial lures, making them perfect for anglers who prefer throwing plugs and soft plastics over soaking bait. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Black drum round out the species mix, particularly during cooler months when they move into shallow bays to feed on shellfish and crustaceans. These bruisers can reach impressive sizes and provide a different kind of fight – more bulldogging power than the runs you'll get from reds or trout. They're often caught while targeting other species, adding an element of surprise to your day on the water.
The combination of productive waters, experienced guides, and flexible approach keeps this charter booked solid during peak seasons. What sets Dos Gringos apart isn't just their fish-finding ability – it's their commitment to making sure you understand what's happening throughout the day. You're not just along for the ride; you're learning techniques and reading water that will make you a better angler long after the trip ends. The private charter format means the day revolves around your group's preferences and skill level, whether that means spending extra time on technique or moving quickly between spots to maximize fish counts. The six-hour duration hits the sweet spot for weekend trips – long enough to really get into fish without burning your entire Saturday or Sunday. Plus, the gear is well-maintained and appropriate for the fishery, so you don't have to worry about equipment failures ruining your day.
Our 2010 24-foot Dargel Bay Boat is built for serious inshore fishing along the Texas coast. This shallow-draft vessel cuts through the flats around Rio Hondo and South Padre Island with ease, getting you to those productive redfish holes and flounder haunts that bigger boats can't reach. The reliable engine keeps you moving between fishing spots, while the onboard icebox ensures your catch stays fresh and your drinks stay cold during those hot Texas afternoons on the water. GPS navigation helps pinpoint those sweet spots where speckled trout like to hang out. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without crowding each other. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or drifting for flounder, this boat handles the shallow bays and back lakes like it was made for them.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our flats - powerful, gray-black fish that can really test your drag. They typically run 5-30 pounds here, with some bruisers pushing 50+. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and mollusks with those strong pharyngeal teeth. Spring is magic time when they school up for spawning - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. They're incredible fighters that make long, stubborn runs in shallow water. Smaller ones eat great, but anything over 15 pounds is better released as the meat gets tough. Best technique is keeping your bait right on the bottom with fresh blue crab or cut mullet. When you hook one, resist the urge to horse them - let that fish tire itself out or it'll snap your line on the nearest oyster shell.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water fishing - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, but we regularly see bull reds over 40 inches on the flats. They love super shallow water, often with their backs out, cruising oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy shorelines looking for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishery here, but fall is prime time when they school up and feed aggressively. They're powerful fighters that make screaming runs and are great eating in slot size. These fish will eat almost anything - topwaters, soft plastics, live bait, you name it. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. Watch for nervous water, tailing fish, or that telltale wake. When you see one, lead them by 10 feet and work your bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing - beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots with two prominent canine teeth. They typically run 14-24 inches here, with occasional "gator trout" pushing 5+ pounds. You'll find them over grass flats, around drop-offs, and near structure in 2-8 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. Summer evenings and early mornings can be magic with topwater action. They're fantastic table fare with delicate, flaky white meat - just don't overcook them. These fish are aggressive feeders that hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics. Local trick: during cold fronts, find them in deeper pockets and fish super slow with a 1/8 oz jighead and soft plastic. They get lethargic but will still eat if you put it right in their face.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - flat, oval-shaped fish that bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. They're ambush predators that can change color to match the bottom, making them fun to sight-fish in shallow water. Most run 15-18 inches around here, but we catch plenty that push 5+ pounds. You'll find them year-round in our bays and flats, especially around structure and drop-offs where they wait for shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavy before spawning. They make excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder like to grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the larger cousins of our Southern Flounder, with that same flat profile but more pronounced spots and better size potential. These chameleons of the flats typically run 15-20 inches but can push well over 26 inches in deeper water. They're ambush feeders that bury in sand waiting for baitfish, using incredible camouflage to blend with the bottom. While not as common as Southern Flounder in our Texas waters, when we find them it's usually around structure transitions and deeper channels. Fall months offer the best action when they're actively feeding before their offshore migration. They're outstanding table fare with firm, sweet meat. The trick with these fish is using larger baits - they have bigger mouths than Southern Flounder and aren't shy about eating a 6-inch mullet. Fish slow and keep that bait moving just off the bottom.
Rio Hondo, TX