Next AvailableMay 24
Book with Joaquin Pena
Drift Water Charters
Identity Verified South Padre Island TX
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Joaquin Pena, Captain at Drift Water Charters
Identity Verified
Drift Water Charters cordially invites you and your loved ones to embark on unforgettable fishing excursions departing from the scenic Port Isabel. Set sail with Captain Joaquin Pena, a lifelong angler, and immerse yourself in the bountiful inshore and nearshore waters of this enchanting part of Texas. Get ready for a thrilling adventure that promises not only a great catch but also loads of fun and cherished memories out on the water!
South Padre Island is a premier fishing destination nestled in the Gulf of Mexico, offering abundant opportunities for anglers. Its pristine waters are home to a diverse range of fish species. With its beautiful coastal scenery and excellent fishing conditions, South Padre Island promises an unforgettable experience for fishing enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Your journey commences on a 24' Shallow Master flats boat, designed to accommodate up to six guests comfortably. Powered by a robust 200 HP SMS engine, equipped with cutting-edge GPS, fishfinder, radio, and radar technology, this vessel ensures seamless navigation. The boat features convenient amenities such as a flybridge, ice-box, and livewell, enhancing your comfort and convenience throughout the trip.
Prepare to encounter an impressive array of fish species during your expedition, including Mangrove Snapper, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Redfish, Snook, and more. With the versatility of both light and heavy tackle, you'll employ various techniques such as trolling, bottom fishing, spinning, jigging, and popping to entice your desired prey. Captain Joaquin warmly welcomes young anglers on board, making it a delightful opportunity for a memorable family outing on the water. Should you wish to keep your prized catches, you are more than welcome to do so.
Rest assured, Captain Joaquin will handle all the essentials to ensure a hassle-free experience. From providing top-quality fishing gear to supplying refreshing snacks and drinks, he has you covered. Furthermore, the captain will take care of the meticulous task of cleaning your catch, allowing you to focus solely on relishing the joy of the fishing adventure.
Come and join Drift Water Charters for an extraordinary fishing experience that will exceed your expectations. Unleash your inner angler, create lifelong memories, and revel in the beauty of South Padre Island's captivating waters. Book your trip now and embark on a truly remarkable fishing expedition!
Upcoming Availability
Expertise & Attributes
fishing
Bass Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing
Drift Fishing
Freshwater Fishing
Good with Families
Good with Kids
Good with Large Groups
Good with New Anglers
I Tie My Own Flies
Live Bait
Master Guide
Nature / Wildlife Views
Saltwater FishingFishing Techniques
What's Included
Good to Knows
Your Guide has some important details about your trip with them.
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Nature / Wildlife Views
This guide offers trips with nature and wildlife views.
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Cancellation Policy
When you book your fishing trip, you will need to first put down a deposit to hold the reservation.
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What's Included
Good to Knows
Your Guide has some important details about your trip with them.
Show More
Nature / Wildlife Views
This guide offers trips with nature and wildlife views.
Show More
Cancellation Policy
When you book your fishing trip, you will need to first put down a deposit to hold the reservation.
Show More
Trips Available with Drift Water Charters
Fishing
Starting At $400
Fishing South Padre Island | 5HRS Inshore Fishing
Fishing Area: South Padre Island
Fishing: Inshore
Fishing Boat:
Shallow Master Flats boat • 24' Shallow Master Flats boat • Max 5 guests (base trip price includes 5 guests)Description: Be productive early in the morning and join this great South Padre Island Fishing charter in search of Redfish, Trout, Snapper, and Flounder! Your gears, bait, lures, snacks, drinks and catch cleaning are all included. Experience the thrill of reeling in these prized catches while basking in the beauty of South Padre Island's coastal waters. Our experienced crew will ensure you have an enjoyable and successful fishing trip, providing expert guidance and sharing their extensive knowledge of the area. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity - book your trip now and create memories!
Fishing
Starting At $750
South Padre Island Fishing | 9HRS Inshore Fishing
Fishing Area: South Padre Island
Fishing: Inshore
Fishing Boat:
Shallow Master Flats boat • 24' Shallow Master Flats boat • Max 5 guests (base trip price includes 5 guests)Description: This inshore fishing trip is perfect for anglers of all levels, from newbies to experts. We'll take you to the best spots in South Padre Island and make sure you have a great time fishing plenty of fish! Experience the best South Padre Island fishing has to offer with Drift Water Charters! Whether you're a novice angler eager to learn or a seasoned pro seeking new challenges, our inshore fishing trip caters to all skill levels. Our experienced guides will navigate you to the prime fishing spots in South Padre Island, ensuring you have ample opportunities to reel in plentiful fish. Book now!
Vehicle
Shallow Master Flats boat
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
5
Boat Length:
24 ft
Manufacturer Name:
Shallow Master Flats boat
Model Year:
2020
Engine Manufacturer Name:
SMS
# of Engines:
1
Horsepower Per Engine:
200
Maximum Cruising Speed:
33
Features: Bait Tank Flybridge Fish Finder GPS Radar
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The 24' Shallow Master Flats boat is a versatile watercraft that was built in 2020. Equipped with a powerful 200HP SMS 240 engine, it boasts a speedy performance, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 33 knots. With a spacious design, this boat comfortably accommodates up to five guests.
Boat
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Shallow Master Flats boat
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
5
Boat Length:
24 ft
Vehicle Details
FAQs about Drift Water Charters
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Reports and Expert Articles
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Redfish, Trout & Snapper Biting Strong in SPI
The bite is heating up along the South Padre Island coast this May, and anglers are seeing consistent action both inshore and offshore. Inshore: Redfish are cruising the flats and showing up in solid numbers. Look for them near grassy areas and shallow sand pockets during the early morning hours. Live shrimp under popping corks and soft plastics have been the go-to setups. Speckled trout are also making a strong appearance along the Laguna Madre, especially during outgoing tides near spoil islands and drop-offs. A few flounder have been caught around deeper channels and sandy bottoms. Nearshore & Offshore: Kingfish have started showing up just off the jetties and are hitting live bait and trolled spoons. Offshore trips are producing solid catches of snapper, with some nice lane and mangrove snapper coming over the rails. A few cobia and mahi-mahi have been spotted around floating debris and weed lines. Weather has been cooperative, making longer runs more accessible this week. General Conditions: Water temps are in the low 70s with good clarity on most days. Light winds in the mornings have made for smooth conditions on the bay, with winds picking up slightly in the afternoon. Pro Tip: Early starts and lighter tackle are helping anglers land more fish. Drift fishing over grass flats has been especially productive.
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South Padre Island Fishing
Children enjoying their South Padre Island fishing adventure! Despite their tender age, these youngsters successfully reeled in some redfish during their inshore fishing excursion at South Padre Island.
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Fishing
May brings an upswing in activity as fishing prospects flourish. Nearshore waters come alive with the enticing bite of Kingfish, Cobia, and Snapper, while the shallows become a playground for the avid angler pursuing Reds and Specks.
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Redfish Season - South Padre Island Fishing Report
Reds are always fun to catch and you can't beat the taste! We reached our limits for today's trip. These guys enjoyed a lot! I still have dates available for you and your family. Book a South Padre Island fishing trip with me.
Ratings & Reviews Summary
May 24, 2025
I recently had the pleasure of joining a friend’s fishing trip with Driftwater Charters, and it was an outstanding experience. Captain Joaquin was nothing short of amazing! His expertise, friendliness, and professionalism made the trip truly enjoyable. I can’t wait to visit South Padre again & book a trip of my own!
May 24, 2025
What an exciting time out on the water, The captain was very knowledgeable and put us on fish right from the start. Definitely glad we didn’t just settle on a charter and was able to find and book 1 of the best in South Padre. Will definitely use again when we return!!!!
May 24, 2025
We had a wonderful trip with the Captain. He was full of information. He told us exactly how to catch the BIG ones and we did. Not enough stars to rate our trip.
May 24, 2025
We first met when we booked a 1/2 day with Captain Joaquin last year October 2023. We had such a great time that we booked another day that same week! We told him that we would see him in a year, we only made it 6 months as we’re here now and just finished our 3rd day in a row out slamming the trout and red fish!! I caught a 32 inch and a 29 inch red fish. Please enjoy the pictures that I added and Thanks again Captain you do anything and everything to get us on FISH!!!! Until next time and CAN’T wait 😁
May 24, 2025
We did a trip on Dec 6 with Joaquin Peña and had an incredible time fishing with him as our captain and guide. He was the ultimate gentleman, and his experience in fishing the bay was obvious. We caught our limit of redfish and took home a speckled trout as well. Joaquin was also a patient and gentle teacher. He worked hard to put us on fish and make sure we caught them while having a good time. My wife and I would highly recommend Captain Joaquin as your captain!!!
May 24, 2025
Best fishing trip I've ever been on! Captain Joaquin is highly experienced, 43 years of being on the water. Every piece of advice he gave us worked. So if you don't listen and don't catch fish it's your own fault lol. He keeps things interesting with his humor, and makes feel like you have been life long friends. I was also impressed with the communication between the other Captains, they constantly work together all day long helping keep everyone on fish. The fish we caught were all shapes and sizes. From keeper trout to some really big redfish, and the black drum were hogs. Mother in law and wife had the fight of their life with those. Thank you Captain for helping make this vacation one of the best! See you on about a year!
