Matagorda Bay Full-Day Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour guided charter targeting redfish, trout, flounder, and black drumThree generations of local fishing expertise in Matagorda Bay systemLive bait and artificial lures accommodate all skill levels
If you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer, Matagorda Bay should be at the top of your list. This massive bay system stretches for miles, packed with grass flats, oyster reefs, and deep channels that hold serious fish year-round. Our 7-hour guided charters give you the full experience – enough time to hit multiple spots, adjust tactics as conditions change, and put together a cooler full of keeper-sized fish. With three generations of local knowledge backing every trip, you're not just getting a boat ride – you're getting access to the kind of insider info that turns good days into great ones.
Your day starts early, meeting at the dock while the bay is still calm and the fish are actively feeding. With only three anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to work and personal attention from your captain. The beauty of Matagorda Bay is its diversity – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds in two feet of water, the next you're bouncing bottom baits along a deep shell reef for drum and trout. The bay changes throughout the day, and so does our approach. Morning might find us working the shallow grass beds where speckled trout ambush baitfish, while the afternoon heat drives us to deeper structure where flounder and black drum hold tight. Every trip is different, but that's what keeps it interesting. Your captain reads the water, wind, and tides to put you on the most productive areas at the right time.
We keep it simple but effective out here. All fishing gear is provided, from medium-action spinning rods perfect for inshore work to a full selection of artificial lures and live bait options. You'll get hands-on experience with soft plastics – those paddle-tail shads and gulp baits that drive trout crazy – as well as traditional cork rigs loaded with live shrimp. Topwater action is huge in Matagorda, especially during the warmer months when reds cruise the shallows. There's nothing quite like watching a big redfish blow up on a She Dog or Super Spook in three feet of clear water. For deeper areas, we'll drop down Carolina rigs with cut bait or fresh dead shrimp, targeting the structure where flounder and drum like to hang. The key is matching your presentation to what the fish want that day, and with a full arsenal of techniques in play, we can adapt to whatever the bay throws at us.
Redfish are the stars of the show in Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers grow fat in the nutrient-rich waters, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized 18-inchers up to bull reds pushing 35 inches and 20+ pounds. Fall and spring are prime time, when big schools of slot-sized reds move through the bay in massive numbers. They're aggressive feeders and put up a serious fight on light tackle. What makes reds so special here is their willingness to eat just about anything – live shrimp, cut mullet, soft plastics, or topwater plugs. When you find them, the action can be non-stop.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay fishing. These beautiful fish with their spotted flanks and sharp teeth are abundant throughout the bay system. The best trout fishing happens over grass beds and shell reefs, especially during the cooler months when they school up in deeper water. A 15-inch speckled trout might not sound huge, but they're scrappy fighters and absolutely delicious on the dinner table. The real trophies – those 20+ inch gator trout – show up in late fall and winter when the water temperature drops. They're structure-oriented fish, so knowing where the reefs and drop-offs are makes all the difference.
Summer flounder are the ambush predators of the bay, lying flat against sandy bottoms waiting for prey to swim overhead. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, but once hooked, they put up a surprisingly strong fight. Most run between 14-18 inches, perfect for the frying pan. The key to consistent flounder fishing is slow presentations along the bottom – bouncing a jig or drifting live bait near structure. They're most active during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around the bay.
Black drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, with mature fish reaching 30+ pounds. These bottom-dwellers cruise the shell reefs and deep channels, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and oysters. Spring brings the big spawning drum into the bay, creating some of the most exciting fishing of the year. When you hook into a 20-pound drum on medium tackle, you know you're in for a battle. They're not the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're strong as bulldozers and surprisingly good eating in the smaller sizes.
Seven hours on Matagorda Bay with a top-rated guide gives you the best shot at experiencing what this legendary fishery has to offer. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to learn new water or a beginner wanting to catch your first redfish, this trip delivers. The combination of diverse fishing opportunities, expert guidance, and the sheer size of the bay system means every trip has the potential to be special. Don't wait – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Book your Matagorda Bay fishing adventure today and see why three generations of Texas anglers have trusted these waters to deliver world-class inshore fishing action.
Our 25-foot Mowdy center console is your ticket to serious fishing action in Matagorda Bay. With a reliable 250HP Suzuki pushing you through the shallows, this boat gets you to the hotspots fast and quiet. The spacious layout gives your group of 3 plenty of room to work the rods without getting tangled up, whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or drifting for specks. Built for Texas coastal conditions, she handles choppy bay water with ease and draws shallow enough to chase fish into the skinny stuff. All your tackle, bait, and gear storage is sorted, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. Perfect setup for a full day of hitting multiple spots and techniques across this massive bay system.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are powerhouse bottom feeders that'll test your tackle and patience. These gray-black fish run 5-30 pounds typically, with some monsters pushing 50+ pounds in deeper waters. You'll find them crushing oysters and crabs around shell beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. Spring spawning season from February through April is prime time when they school up and get aggressive. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make - you can actually hear schools underwater. They're fantastic eating under 15 pounds with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and be patient. When they pick up that bait, they'll mouth it for 10-15 seconds before committing, so resist the urge to set the hook too early.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in our shallow waters, and they never disappoint. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-30 inches with those distinctive black spots near their tails. You'll find them tailing in 6 inches to 4 feet of water around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marshy shorelines. They bite year-round, but fall brings the best action when they school up in big numbers. What guests love most is watching their backs break the surface while feeding - pure visual excitement. They fight hard, make great photos, and smaller ones are excellent eating with firm, sweet meat. The key is staying quiet and making long casts ahead of cruising fish. My favorite setup is a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp on a 1/4 oz jighead. Work it slow and be ready for that classic redfish thump.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These spotted beauties average 14-24 inches and are pure fun on light tackle. You'll find them over grass flats, around shell bars, and in 2-8 feet of water, especially during early morning and evening hours. They bite year-round, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when water temps are in that sweet 65-75 degree range. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're outstanding table fare with delicate, flaky white meat. They school up during cooler months, making for some fast action. My go-to technique is working a soft plastic under a popping cork over grass beds. Keep it simple - a 1/8 oz jighead with a paddle tail shrimp works magic when twitched slowly through their feeding zones.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, changing colors to perfectly match their surroundings. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and pack surprising fight for their size. You'll spot them lying in ambush on sand flats, channel edges, and around structure in 8-20 feet of water. Fall months from September through November are peak season when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What guests love is watching that perfectly camouflaged fish suddenly explode off the bottom when hooked. The meat is outstanding - sweet, white, and flaky. They're tricky to hook since they bite sideways, so here's my tip: when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap, let them run with it for a few seconds before setting the hook. Live mullet or shrimp work best, but don't overlook soft plastics bounced slowly along the bottom.
Matagorda