5.0(3 Reviews)Premium Half-Day Redfish and Trout Charter Experience
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 5hour morning charter targets redfish and speckled trout.All equipment and expert instruction provided by Captain Doug.Small group experience for up to 2 guests maximum.
If you're looking to get on some serious fish without burning a whole day, Captain Doug's half-day charter on the Laguna Madre is your ticket. This isn't some cookie-cutter operation – you're getting a passionate guide who knows these flats like the back of his hand and genuinely loves putting his clients on fish. The 5-hour morning trip kicks off at sunrise when the bite is hot and the conditions are prime. Whether you've been fishing these waters for years or you're just getting your feet wet, Doug tailors the experience to your skill level while keeping everyone engaged and learning something new.
You'll launch before dawn and head straight to productive spots on the Laguna Madre, where Doug has been putting clients on redfish and speckled trout for years. This isn't a rushed trip – with just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. The morning bite is usually the most consistent, and Doug knows exactly where to position the boat based on tides, weather, and recent fish activity. Expect to work shallow flats, drop-offs, and structure where these species like to hang out. The laid-back vibe means you can focus on fishing without feeling rushed, but don't mistake relaxed for unproductive – Doug's track record speaks for itself when it comes to finding fish.
Everything's provided – rods, reels, tackle, and bait – so you can travel light and focus on fishing. Doug runs quality gear that's matched to the target species and conditions. You'll likely be working with medium-action spinning rods perfect for the finesse required on these flats. Depending on conditions and fish activity, expect to use live bait like shrimp and finger mullet, plus artificials like soft plastics and topwater plugs when the action calls for it. Doug's not just handing you a rod – he's teaching you how to read the water, spot fish, and adjust your technique based on what's happening. The shallow water sight-fishing opportunities here are top-notch, so be ready to make accurate casts to specific targets.
"Would give 10 stars if I could. He is very passionate, patient, and attentive to what is going on. The best part is his fish-side manner like (bedside manner :))). He is very pleasant to be around. Highly recommend." - Becky
"Great trip Doug got us on the fish quick, almost limited out on trout and caught a 33" 13.6 lb red fish it was quite a fight. Would recommend capt. Doug" - David
"Tremendous trip with my family for my birthday. Captain Doug put us on the fish and was extremely patient with us as we are novice fishermen! Would recommend and can't wait to go again!" - Scott Gathright
Redfish are the bread and butter of Corpus Christi inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-30 inches in these waters, with the occasional bull red pushing into the upper slot or beyond. They're most active during moving tides and love working shallow flats and grass beds where they can ambush prey. What makes reds so exciting is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight – they'll use every bit of structure and current to try to break you off. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but Doug knows where to find them year-round.
Speckled trout are the other main target, and these beauties are pure finesse fishing at its best. Most fish run 14-20 inches with the occasional gator trout pushing 25 inches or better. They're incredibly structure-oriented, holding around grass beds, drop-offs, and shell reefs where they can pick off baitfish. Specks are notorious for their soft bite – you need to stay alert and set the hook quickly. Their acrobatic jumps and line-peeling runs make every fish a memorable fight. Early morning and late afternoon are prime time, especially when working topwater baits.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute brutes that will test your drag system. These bottom-huggers can range from schoolie-sized fish to 30-pound plus giants that will have you wondering what you hooked into. They're often found around structure and in deeper holes, using their powerful bodies to try to bury themselves in the bottom. The fight is more about endurance than speed, but landing a big drum is always satisfying.
Southern flounder are the chameleons of the flats, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting for an easy meal. Most run 14-18 inches, but the occasional doormat can push 20-plus inches and provide a surprisingly good fight. They're ambush predators that rely on perfect camouflage, so you'll often hook them when you least expect it. Fall months are prime time for flounder as they stage near passes before heading offshore to spawn. Their unique body shape and fighting style – lots of head shaking and bottom hugging – makes them a fun change of pace from the typical inshore suspects.
This charter hits the sweet spot for anglers who want quality fishing without the full-day commitment. Doug's patient teaching style makes it perfect for families or anyone looking to improve their skills, while his fish-finding ability keeps experienced anglers coming back. The Laguna Madre consistently produces, and with only two spots available, you're guaranteed personal attention and plenty of opportunities to get on fish. Morning trips book fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait around if you're serious about getting out there. Whether you're targeting your first redfish or looking to add another quality trip to your season, this charter delivers the goods.
Captain Doug's Shoalwater Cat 23 is built for serious inshore fishing on the Laguna Madre. This shallow-draft catamaran gets you into those productive redfish and trout spots other boats can't reach. The stable platform makes casting easier and fighting fish more comfortable, whether you're working the grass flats or structure fishing around the bay. Equipped with GPS to mark your hot spots, VHF radio for safety, and a quality fish finder to locate schools and bottom structure. The boat's design handles Corpus Christi's shallow waters perfectly while providing a smooth, dry ride. With space for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work your lines without crowding. Captain Doug keeps all the gear maintained and ready, so you can focus on putting redfish and specks in the cooler during those prime morning hours when the bite is hottest.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our bays - these bruisers can push 30+ pounds and will test your drag system. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, which is exactly where you'll find them around Corpus Christi's oyster reefs and shell beds. Spring is magic time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - a sound they make that actually helps us locate schools. Smaller drum under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with firm, white meat, while the big ones are better released. They fight dirty, using their size and the bottom structure to their advantage. Here's the key: use fresh crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. When you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back into the oysters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are what put Texas on the fishing map - these copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots are pure adrenaline on the flats. Most fish we see run 20-28 inches, but bull reds over 30 inches are common in deeper water. They love super shallow areas around Corpus Christi - grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines where you'll sometimes see their backs out of the water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall is phenomenal when they school up. What makes reds special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight that'll test your gear. Plus, slot-sized fish are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The sight fishing is addictive - watching a red cruise the shallows and crush your topwater plug never gets old. Pro tip: when you spot a tailing red in skinny water, cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easy but once hooked, hang on tight.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our Laguna Madre fishing - beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots that typically run 14-20 inches. They love grass flats, drop-offs, and areas with good current flow where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Early morning and late evening are prime times, especially during spring and fall when water temps are in the sweet spot. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic eating with delicate, flaky white meat. They're also great fighters for their size, often jumping and making long runs. The key to consistent trout fishing is working the grass edges where the water drops from 2 feet to 4 feet. Use a popping cork with live shrimp or throw soft plastics on a 1/4 oz jig head. Keep it moving - trout are aggressive and like action.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud with both eyes on one side of their head, waiting to ambush prey. Around Corpus Christi, most run 15-18 inches and about 5 pounds, though we see some pushing 25+ inches. They love shallow bays, grass flats, and muddy bottoms where they can camouflage perfectly. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward passes and deeper water. What makes them special is that unique sideways fight and how they change color to match the bottom. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the bay - sweet, mild, and perfect for the table. My tip: when you feel that tap-tap bite, wait a second before setting the hook. They grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around.
5.0 out of 5.0Would give 10 stars if I could. He is very passionate, patient, and attentive to what is going on. The best part is his fish-side ...
Great trip Doug got us on the fish quick, almost limited out on trout and caught a 33” 13.6 lb red fish it was quite a fight. Woul...
Tremendous trip with my family for my birthday. Captain Doug put us on the fish and was extremely patient with us as we are novic...
Corpus Christi, TX