Half-day Trips-Corpus Christi, Texas
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing trips in Corpus Christi watersTarget redfish, flounder, and trout with provided equipmentSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that won't break the bank but still delivers the goods? Fins & Pins Coastal Guide Service has you covered on the waters around Corpus Christi. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter operation – these guys know exactly where the fish are holding and how to put you on them. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to bend some rods or bringing a buddy who's never caught anything bigger than a bluegill, this trip is designed to get you into fish without eating up your whole day. The best part? They handle all the gear, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
This half-day adventure keeps things simple but effective. You'll be fishing the productive inshore waters around Corpus Christi, where the grass flats, oyster reefs, and shallow bays create perfect habitat for redfish, flounder, and trout. The guide knows these waters like the back of his hand – every drop-off, every grass bed, every spot where fish like to ambush baitfish. With just two anglers max, you're getting personalized attention that bigger boats can't match. The smaller group size means more casting opportunities, better instruction if you need it, and a laid-back atmosphere where you can actually enjoy the experience instead of fighting for rod space. Pack your own snacks and drinks, because there's nothing better than cracking open a cold one after landing a slot red.
Forget about lugging tackle boxes and worrying whether you brought the right lures. Fins & Pins comes loaded with everything you need – quality rods and reels spooled with fresh line, a tackle selection that matches current conditions, and all the terminal gear to keep you fishing instead of re-rigging. The approach here is sight fishing and structure fishing combined. You'll work the shallow flats where you can actually see redfish tailing and cruising, plus hit the deeper structure where black drum and flounder like to hang out. Depending on conditions, expect to throw everything from soft plastics on jig heads to topwater plugs that'll get your heart racing when a big red explodes on it. The guide reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the trip – if the fish want it slow and low, that's what you'll do. If they're aggressive and hitting topwater, get ready for some of the most exciting fishing you'll experience on the Texas coast.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Corpus Christi inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers fight like they're twice their size and they're year-round residents in these waters. You'll find them cruising the shallow grass flats, especially during morning and evening periods when they're actively feeding. A slot-size red (20-28 inches) will give you a workout on medium tackle, stripping line and making multiple runs before you get it to the boat. What makes reds so special here is you can sight-cast to them in skinny water – there's nothing like watching a 26-inch redfish turn on your lure and crush it in two feet of water. Fall and spring are prime time, but summer mornings can be absolutely lights-out if you're willing to get up early.
Southern flounder are the sneaky assassins of the Texas coast. These flatfish might not look like much, but they're pure eating and surprisingly fun to catch once you get the hang of it. Flounder are ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting for baitfish to swim by. You'll typically find them around channel edges, near oyster reefs, and in deeper pockets of the flats. The key is working your lure slow and right on the bottom – flounder won't chase a fast-moving bait very far. When they hit, it feels like you snagged the bottom until suddenly your "snag" starts swimming away. Best fishing for flounder happens during their fall migration when they're fattened up and heading to deeper water. A nice "doormat" flounder in the 18-20 inch range makes for some of the best table fare you'll find.
Black drum don't get the respect they deserve, but they're one of the most underrated fighters in these waters. These bottom-huggers have serious pulling power and they know how to use structure to their advantage. You'll target them around oyster reefs, bridge pilings, and rocky areas where they root around for crabs and oysters. Black drum have excellent hearing, so they're suckers for rattling baits and jigs that make noise as they bounce along the bottom. The smaller ones (under 30 inches) are excellent eating, while the bigger bulls are just pure fun to tangle with. They're not flashy fighters like redfish, but they'll test your drag and your patience with their bulldogging, head-shaking style. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when cooler water temps get them more active.
Half-day trips are perfect for testing the waters with a new guide service or squeezing in some fishing around other vacation plans. Fins & Pins Coastal Guide Service delivers exactly what they promise – a no-nonsense fishing experience that puts you on fish without the fluff. The small boat, personal attention, and local knowledge combine to give you the kind of trip that leaves you planning your next one before you even get back to the dock. Corpus Christi's inshore waters are some of the most consistent in Texas, and having a guide who knows how to read conditions and adjust tactics makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped bay boat designed for navigating Corpus Christi's productive inshore waters. This motorboat comes rigged with GPS navigation to hit the best fishing spots and a fish finder to locate schools of redfish, trout, and flounder lurking in the shallows. Perfect for two anglers, the boat's shallow draft lets you access those hard-to-reach backwater areas where the big ones hide. With all the fishing gear provided, just bring your cooler with snacks and drinks, and get ready to work the flats and grass beds along the Texas coast. The boat's setup gives you plenty of casting room while staying stable in the bay's choppy conditions.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some real bruisers pushing 50+. These gray-black fish have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs around our reef systems. You'll find them in brackish areas, oyster beds, and shallow flats where the bottom is soft. Spring during spawning season is your best bet when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds. What guests love about drum fishing is the raw power - they fight like freight trains and will test your tackle. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones get tough. Fresh blue crab is my secret weapon for drum. Keep it right on the bottom and be patient - they're slow feeders but worth the wait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our Corpus Christi flats fishing. These copper-colored beauties run 20-35 inches on average and love cruising our shallow bays in 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot that signature black eyespot near their tail as they cruise oyster reefs and grass flats. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding in the shallows. What makes reds special is their powerful fight - they'll make long runs and test your drag. Plus they're excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. The key trick here is staying quiet and making long casts ahead of cruising fish. They spook easily in skinny water, so patience pays off. Topwater plugs at dawn create explosive strikes you won't forget.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of camouflage on our Gulf Coast waters. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we see some pushing 5+ pounds. They bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms of our bays and estuaries, waiting to ambush prey. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them perfectly adapted for bottom living. Fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their winter offshore migration. What's fun about targeting flounder is the surprise factor - you never know when that "snag" will suddenly come alive. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick is using live finger mullet on a Carolina rig and working it slowly along drop-offs and channel edges where they like to stage.
Corpus Christi, TX