5 Hour Matagorda Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and speckled troutExpert captain with three generations of local Matagorda Bay knowledgeSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests maximum
When you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer, Matagorda Bay delivers in spades. This massive bay system stretches for miles, offering everything from shallow grass flats perfect for sight fishing to deeper channels where the big boys hang out. What makes this spot special isn't just the fish count – it's the variety. One cast you're working a topwater plug for trout over a grass bed, the next you're bouncing bottom baits for drum in a deep hole. Our 5-hour charter gives you enough time to really work the water and adapt to what the fish are telling us that day.
Your day starts with meeting your captain, who comes from three generations of Texas fishing guides – the kind of local knowledge you just can't buy. We'll head out to prime inshore spots based on current conditions, tides, and what's been biting recently. The beauty of Matagorda is its diversity of structure and habitat. We might start the morning working shallow flats for reds tailing in skinny water, then move to deeper grass beds where trout school up, and finish strong targeting flounder around structure drops. The bay system changes throughout the day, and fish move with the tides, so we stay mobile and keep adjusting our game plan. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, we tailor the trip to your skill level and interests.
We fish both live bait and artificials depending on conditions and what you prefer. Live shrimp under popping corks is deadly effective for trout and reds, especially around grass lines and drop-offs. When fish are actively feeding, nothing beats the action of a well-placed topwater plug – watching a big red blow up on a She Dog in two feet of water never gets old. For targeting flounder, we'll work soft plastics along bottom contours and around shell reefs. Carolina rigs with live croaker or cut bait are our go-to for black drum, especially around structure. The key here is reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want that day. Wind direction, tide movement, water temperature, and even barometric pressure all factor into our approach. Your captain will coach you through different techniques and help you understand why we're fishing certain areas at specific times.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay inshore fishing. These copper-colored fighters average 20-28 inches and put up one heck of a battle, especially in shallow water where they can use their broad tails to really dig. Reds are year-round residents, but fall and early winter are prime time when they school up in big numbers. What makes them so exciting to target is their aggressive nature – they'll hit topwater baits, soft plastics, live shrimp, and cut bait with equal enthusiasm. The sight fishing opportunities are world-class too, with fish tailing and cruising in less than two feet of water on calm days.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the other main target species and arguably the best eating fish in the bay. These beautiful spotted fish typically run 14-20 inches, with occasional larger specimens pushing 24-26 inches. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though they bite year-round if you know where to look. Trout are structure-oriented, holding around grass beds, oyster reefs, and drop-offs. They're also more finicky than reds, which makes landing a good trout feel like a real achievement. The key is matching your bait size to what they're feeding on and working areas with good current flow.
Flounder might be the most underrated fish in the bay system. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and can be challenging to locate, but they're worth the effort. Summer flounder in Matagorda commonly reach 16-20 inches and are fantastic table fare. They typically hold near bottom around shell beds, channel edges, and anywhere baitfish congregate. The technique for targeting them is different – slower presentations, working baits along the bottom, and being ready for that subtle bite. When you hook into a doormat flounder, they fight like a submarine, using their flat profile to create maximum resistance.
Black drum are the heavyweight champions of the bay, with fish regularly exceeding 30 inches and 15+ pounds. These bruisers are bottom feeders with crushing power – when a big drum picks up your bait and starts moving, you know you're in for a battle. They're most active during cooler months and are often found around deeper structures, channel bends, and areas with strong current. While they might not be the prettiest fish, they're incredibly fun to fight on appropriate tackle and make for great photos before release.
Matagorda Bay consistently produces some of the best inshore fishing action on the Texas coast, and our 5-hour trips give you the perfect window to experience it all. With three generations of guiding experience backing every trip, local knowledge that can't be matched, and a bay system that offers something different every time out, this charter delivers the kind of fishing memories that keep anglers coming back year after year. Whether you choose a morning or afternoon departure, you'll have plenty of time to work multiple spots, try different techniques, and hopefully boat some quality fish. The bay is calling – let's get you out there and put some bends in your rod.
Our 25-foot Mowdy center console is your ticket to Matagorda Bay's best fishing spots. Powered by a reliable 250HP Suzuki engine, this boat cuts through the shallow waters with ease, getting you to where the redfish and speckled trout are biting. The spacious layout comfortably fits your group of 3, with plenty of room to cast lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. Built specifically for inshore work, she's shallow-draft design lets us access those productive back lakes and grass flats that bigger boats can't reach. Whether we're drift fishing the deeper channels for trout or poling the shallows stalking tailing reds, this rig handles it all. The center console setup gives everyone 360-degree fishing access, and there's ample storage for tackle, bait, and your catch. Captain's been running these waters for years in similar boats, so you know you're in good hands for navigating the bay's ever-changing conditions and finding the fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some bruiser fish pushing 50+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, so you'll find them around oyster reefs and muddy flats where the food is. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we target them most. These fish are known for their stubborn, bulldogging fights that'll test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and keep it right on the bottom - they won't come up for it. Circle hooks work best since they take their time with the bait.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing here in Matagorda Bay. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-35 inches and put up some of the best battles you'll find in shallow water. Look for them tailing in 1-4 feet over grass flats and around oyster reefs - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall are peak times when they're most aggressive. What makes reds special is that classic black spot near their tail and their willingness to eat just about anything. Great table fare too, especially the slot-sized fish. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in super shallow water, cast well ahead of where they're headed and let your bait sit still - they'll find it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. These spotted beauties love our grass flats and shallow waters, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They're year-round fish here, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action. What anglers love about specks is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - plus they're fantastic table fare with delicate, flaky white meat. They can be finicky though, so soft presentations work best. Here's a local trick: work your lures slow and steady over grass beds, and don't set the hook too hard - their mouths are soft and you'll pull the hook right out.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, lying flat and changing colors to match their surroundings. These ambush predators typically run 15-20 inches and can weigh up to 5 pounds, with the females growing larger. You'll find them on sandy flats and around structure in 5-15 feet of water. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're most active. What makes them fun is that explosive strike when they come off the bottom - plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch. Their unique sideways bite means you need to give them time to turn the bait. My go-to tip: hook your minnows through the lips and drag slowly along the bottom with enough weight to stay down.
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