5 Hour Wade Fishing Adventure in Matagorda Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Wade fishing for redfish, trout, flounder in Matagorda BayThreegeneration family guide expertise with Captain Ashton leadingSmall group charter accommodating up to three guests maximum
Matagorda Bay is hands down one of Texas's premier wade fishing destinations, and Captain Ashton knows these waters like the back of his hand. This isn't your typical boat fishing trip – we're talking about stepping right into the shallows where the fish actually live and feed. You'll be wading through knee-deep grass flats and sandy bottoms, casting to redfish tailing in skinny water and trout busting bait along the drop-offs. With three generations of Texas fishing knowledge backing every trip, Captain Ashton reads these waters better than most folks read a newspaper. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target trophy reds or a family wanting to introduce the kids to some world-class fishing, this 5-hour wade fishing charter delivers the goods every single time.
Your day starts early when Captain Ashton picks you up at the boat ramp, and after a quick boat ride to the prime wading spots, the real fun begins. Matagorda Bay's shallow flats are perfect for wade fishing because you can actually see the fish you're targeting – redfish cruising the grass beds, trout slashing through baitfish, and flounder lying flat against sandy bottoms. The beauty of wade fishing here is the variety. One minute you're sight-casting to a school of reds in two feet of water, the next you're working a drop-off for keeper trout. Captain Ashton keeps groups small at just three anglers, so you get personalized attention and plenty of room to cast without tangling lines. The water temperature stays comfortable most of the year, and the sandy bottom makes for easy walking. You'll cover different spots throughout the day based on tides, wind, and where the fish are showing up.
Captain Ashton sets you up with quality spinning tackle perfect for wade fishing – usually 7-foot medium action rods paired with 3000-series reels spooled with 15-20 pound braided line. The beauty of Matagorda Bay fishing is versatility. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic for trout and redfish, especially around grass edges and shell reefs. Artificial lures shine here too – soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations rigged on jig heads are customer favorites for working the flats. Topwater plugs create explosive strikes during early morning and late afternoon when fish are actively feeding. You'll learn to read the water, looking for bird activity, baitfish schools, and structure changes that hold fish. Captain Ashton teaches proper wading techniques, showing you how to move quietly through the water and position yourself for the best casting angles. All tackle, bait, and lures are included, though seasoned anglers are welcome to bring their favorite setups.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay wade fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters love the shallow grass flats where you can sight-cast to individual fish. Reds here typically run 18-28 inches, with plenty of slot fish and the occasional bull red that'll test your drag system. They're aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and artificials hard, making long runs that'll get your heart pumping. Best fishing happens during moving water, especially incoming tides that push baitfish onto the flats. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat in super shallow water – sometimes their backs are literally out of the water as they tail and root around for crabs and shrimp.
Sea Trout are the technical challenge that keeps anglers coming back to Matagorda Bay. These silvery speedsters school up around grass beds, shell reefs, and drop-offs where they ambush unsuspecting baitfish. Keeper trout here run 15-20 inches on average, with trophy fish over 25 inches caught regularly during cooler months. They're finicky eaters that require stealth and proper presentation – spook a school and they'll shut down fast. Live shrimp under corks work great, but artificial lures like soft plastics and topwaters really shine when trout are actively feeding. Early morning and late afternoon produce the best action, especially when you find birds working over baitfish schools.
Summer Flounder add an element of surprise to every wade fishing trip in Matagorda Bay. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying perfectly still on sandy bottoms until an easy meal swims by. Flounder here range from keeper-sized fish around 15 inches up to doormat-sized specimens pushing 5-6 pounds. They're ambush predators that prefer structure transitions – where grass meets sand, around shell bars, and near channel edges. Live bait works well, but slow-moving soft plastics dragged along the bottom are deadly effective. The strike is subtle – more like picking up a wet towel than the aggressive hit of a redfish – so paying attention to your rod tip is crucial.
Black Drum bring the muscle to Matagorda Bay fishing trips, especially during spring months when big schools move into the shallows to spawn. These powerful fish can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 30 pounds caught regularly in the bay system. Younger drum, called "puppy drum," school up in shallow water and provide great action for families and beginning anglers. They're bottom feeders with excellent senses of smell and taste, making live or fresh dead shrimp the top bait choice. Black drum fight differently than reds – they use their broad sides and powerful tails to make bulldogging runs that'll test your tackle and technique. Look for them around oyster reefs, mud flats, and areas with good current flow.
Captain Ashton's 5-hour Matagorda Bay wade fishing trips book up fast, especially during prime fishing months from March through November. This top-rated charter combines three generations of local fishing knowledge with
Our 25-foot Mowdy center console is your gateway to Matagorda Bay's productive waters. Powered by a reliable 250HP Suzuki outboard, this fishing machine cuts through the bay smoothly while getting you to prime wade fishing spots quickly. The spacious center console design gives you and up to 5 other anglers plenty of room to move around, store gear, and prepare for those shallow water adventures targeting redfish, trout, and flounder. Built specifically for inshore work, the boat's draft lets Captain Ashton access skinny waters where the fish hide, then serves as your comfortable home base between wading sessions. With ample storage for tackle, bait, and your catch, plus easy entry and exit for getting in and out of the water, this Mowdy handles everything Matagorda Bay throws at it while keeping your group comfortable during the full 5-hour charter.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with jaw-dropping force. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, plus smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a circle hook right on the bottom near oyster structure - the heavier scent stays put and attracts them from a distance. These fish are smart, so patience pays off when targeting them in our shallow bay system.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-red backs and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. These bruisers love water so shallow their backs show above the surface, cruising oyster reefs and grass flats hunting for crabs and shrimp. They typically run 20-35 inches in our bay system and fight like freight trains with powerful runs that'll test your tackle. Year-round fishing is solid, but spring and fall offer peak action when they're most active in the shallows. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their excellent table fare quality. The local trick that works best is sight-casting gold spoons or topwater plugs ahead of cruising fish - when you see that red back cutting through the shallows, it's game on.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay fishing. These silvery beauties with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and love our grass flats in 2-4 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods, making early morning and evening prime time. What guests love about trout is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're outstanding table fare with delicate, white meat. During winter they school up in deeper channels, making them easier to locate in good numbers. My favorite local tip is working topwater plugs over grass beds right at dawn - when they blow up on a surface lure in shallow water, it's pure magic. The key is making long casts and working the bait slowly back toward you.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise in our bay system, lying flat on sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side of their head. These ambush predators typically run 15-20 inches and can change color to match their surroundings perfectly. They love shallow flats with soft sand where they bury themselves to wait for prey. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at hooking one when they're most active. What makes them special is their sideways bite and strong fight for a flatfish, plus they're hands-down some of the best eating you'll find. The key trick is using live minnows or finger mullet hooked through the lips, then dragging it slowly across the bottom. Once you feel that distinctive thump, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Matagorda