Full Day South Padre Island Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing targeting redfish, trout, and flounderEquipment, bait, and tackle provided by experienced Captain ChrisSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests maximum
Captain Chris knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish in the productive shallows of the Lower Laguna Madre. This full-day charter takes you beyond the crowded shoreline spots where most anglers get stuck, heading into the back bays and grass flats where the big reds cruise and specks stack up. You'll have everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, and bait – so just bring yourself, some snacks, and get ready for a solid day of fishing on South Padre Island's top-rated inshore waters.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. With a full day on the water, Captain Chris has time to work multiple spots and adjust tactics based on what the fish are doing. You'll start early when the bite is hot, covering shallow grass beds where redfish tail in knee-deep water and deeper potholes where flounder ambush baitfish. The Lower Laguna Madre is famous for its gin-clear water and abundant structure – spoil islands, oyster reefs, and miles of seagrass that hold everything from slot reds to gator trout. Since this is a 2-person max trip, you get personalized attention and plenty of casting opportunities without crowding the boat. Pack your cooler with drinks and whatever food keeps you going, plus don't forget the sunscreen and a good hat – the Texas sun doesn't mess around out here.
Captain Chris runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what's biting. You'll likely throw soft plastics on jig heads around structure, work topwater plugs over shallow grass when the water's calm, and drift live shrimp under popping corks in the deeper holes. The Lower Laguna Madre is perfect for sight fishing when conditions are right – nothing beats watching a 28-inch red crush your lure in two feet of crystal-clear water. The boat is rigged with quality tackle that can handle everything from finicky trout on light spinning gear to bruiser drum that want to head for Mexico. If you're new to inshore fishing, the captain will get you dialed in on the basics. Experienced anglers can work their favorite techniques or learn some local tricks that produce in these unique South Texas waters.
Snook are the crown jewel of South Padre Island fishing, and these aggressive predators put on a show when hooked. They love ambushing bait around structure and make blistering runs when they feel the steel. Fall and spring offer the best snook action, though you can find them year-round in the deeper channels. They're finicky eaters that require precise presentations, but when you connect with a 20-plus inch snook, you'll understand why anglers travel from across the country to target them here.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs that will test your drag system. The Lower Laguna Madre holds some monster drum, with fish over 40 pounds cruising the shallows during their spring spawn. They're primarily bottom feeders that love fresh shrimp and cut bait, and once hooked, they use their broad sides to fight in the current. Spotting a school of big drum tailing in shallow water is one of the coolest sights in inshore fishing.
Summer flounder are the table fare champions, and South Padre's grass flats are loaded with quality fish. These ambush predators bury in the sand waiting for baitfish to swim by, then strike with lightning speed. They're tricky to hook since they often grab bait from the side, requiring patience to let them turn the bait before setting the hook. A cooler full of 16-18 inch flounder makes for outstanding eating, and the fishing stays consistent throughout the warmer months.
Sea trout, or specks as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Lower Laguna Madre fishing. These spotted beauties school up in grass beds and around structure, providing steady action when other species are finicky. They hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. During winter, the trout fishing is world-class, with schools of quality fish stacking up in the deeper holes and channel edges.
Redfish are the most popular target for good reason – they're aggressive, beautiful, and fight like fish twice their size. The shallow flats around South Padre hold incredible numbers of reds, from schooling rat reds to bull reds pushing 40 inches. They eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs, and watching a red blow up on a surface lure in skinny water never gets old. The redfish bite stays strong year-round, making them a reliable target no matter when you visit.
Captain Chris runs a clean operation with quality gear and local knowledge that puts fish in the boat. This full-day charter gives you the best shot at experiencing everything the Lower Laguna Madre has to offer, from sight fishing over grass flats to working structure for trophy-class fish. With only 2 spots available, you won't be fighting for rod space or dealing with crowded conditions. The captain provides everything you need to fish – you just bring the enthusiasm and appetite for a great day on the water. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so book your dates early to secure your spot on this customer-favorite South Padre Island fishing charter.
Captain Chris's motorboat cuts through the Lower Laguna Madre's rich waters, putting you right where the fish are biting. This compact vessel handles the inshore shallows perfectly, getting you to those productive spots where Redfish cruise the grass flats and Speckled Trout ambush bait. With room for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space and personal attention from your captain. The boat comes rigged with everything you need - rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait - so you can focus on landing that trophy Flounder or feisty Snook. She's built for all-day comfort on South Padre's protected waters, letting you fish from sunrise to sunset without worrying about rough seas. Pack your cooler with snacks and drinks, slather on the sunscreen, and get ready to work some serious fishing spots that only locals know about.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90+. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds and muddy flats in 1-15 feet of water throughout the bay system. Spring spawning season (February-March) is prime time when they school up and get aggressive. What guests love is the serious pull these fish deliver - they're bulldogs that test your tackle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with sweet, flaky meat, while the big ones are better released. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spawning, which is pretty cool. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom near shell. They crush shellfish naturally, so crab is like candy to them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, typically running 20-35 inches with that signature black spot and copper-bronze coloring. These bruisers cruise grass flats, oyster reefs, and shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing here is solid, but spring and fall are exceptional when they're feeding heavily. What makes them special is that bulldogging fight and excellent eating quality with mild, firm meat. Plus, watching them cruise the shallows and getting them to eat topwater plugs is pure adrenaline. They're curious fish that often travel in small schools. Pro tip: look for nervous baitfish or "V" wakes in shallow water - that's usually reds pushing shrimp around. Cast ahead of the wake, not right on top of them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our bay fishing, running 14-24 inches with beautiful spotted sides. These grass flat specialists love shallow water from 2-8 feet, especially around shell bars and drop-offs where baitfish gather. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're most active, but we catch them year-round. Guests love their willingness to bite artificials and that delicate, sweet meat that flakes perfectly. They're also great fighters for their size with some acrobatic jumps. During winter, they school up in deeper channels, making for hot action. My favorite trick: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds at dawn or dusk. The cork draws them in with noise while the shrimp sealed the deal - deadly combo that rarely fails.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are prized fighters that typically run 1-2 feet, though they can hit 4+ feet in rare cases. These golden, sleek predators love structure - mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in the Lower Laguna Madre. They're temperature sensitive, so spring through fall gives you the best action when water stays warm. What makes them special is that powerful run when hooked and their excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They're also protandric hermaphrodites, meaning they change from male to female as they age - pretty wild biology. Here's a local trick: cast your live shrimp or soft plastic right to the edge of structure, not in the open water. Snook ambush from cover, so put your bait where they're hiding and be ready for that explosive strike.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise that can change color to match the bottom - earning them the nickname "chameleons of the sea." Most run 15-20 inches, but doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds are out there. Look for them on sandy bottoms near structure in 10-60 feet, especially around drop-offs and channel edges. Fall months from September through November are money time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge of finding them and that sweet, mild meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury in sand with just their eyes showing. Here's the key: drift live minnows or strips near the bottom and watch your rod tip - flounder bites feel like picking up a wet towel, so set the hook on any strange weight.
South Padre Island, TX