Matagorda Bay Wading Fishing Trip | 7-Hour Guided Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour wade fishing charter in Matagorda Bay shallow watersTarget redfish, speckled trout, flounder using live bait and luresThreegeneration family fishing guides provide expert local knowledge
When you're looking for the real deal in Texas inshore fishing, Matagorda Bay delivers like nowhere else. This top-rated wade fishing experience puts you right in the heart of some of the most productive shallow water flats on the Gulf Coast. You'll spend a full 7 hours working these waters with a captain who knows every grass bed, oyster reef, and channel that holds fish. This isn't just another fishing trip—it's your chance to learn from three generations of Texas fishing know-how while targeting some of the best gamefish the coast has to offer. Whether you're throwing artificials or working live bait, these waters will test your skills and reward your patience.
Your day starts early as we head out into the Matagorda Bay system, one of the most renowned fishing destinations along the Texas coast. This customer favorite spot offers miles of prime wading water where you'll be walking knee-deep through grass flats and working structure that consistently holds Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Black Drum. The beauty of wade fishing here is the intimate connection you get with the environment—feeling the bottom change under your feet, watching for nervous water, and making precise casts to fish you can actually see. Your captain will position you based on wind, tide, and current conditions, moving throughout the day to keep you on active fish. With a maximum of 3 anglers, you'll get plenty of personalized attention and coaching on reading the water, adjusting your retrieve, and understanding how these fish behave in different situations.
Wade fishing in Matagorda Bay is all about stealth, precision, and adapting to what the fish want on any given day. You'll be working both live bait and artificial lures, switching between techniques as conditions change. The shallow flats here are perfect for sight fishing, where you'll spot tailing redfish or watch trout blow up on baitfish in just two feet of water. Your guide will show you how to approach these fish without spooking them, making long casts and working lures through the strike zone. We'll cover soft plastics rigged on jig heads for working grass beds, topwater plugs for early morning action, and live shrimp under popping corks when the bite gets tough. The key is staying mobile and quiet—something that's only possible when you're wading instead of running a boat through these skinny waters. You'll learn to read the subtle signs that separate good fishermen from great ones: how water color affects lure choice, why certain grass beds hold more fish, and when to switch from artificial to live bait.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay wade fishing, and these copper-colored fighters will test every bit of your tackle and technique. These fish range from slot-sized 20-inchers up to bull reds pushing 35 pounds, and they're active year-round in these waters. Spring through fall offers the best action, when reds move into the shallows to feed on crabs and shrimp. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights in shallow water—there's nowhere for them to hide, so it's just you against raw fish power. They're notorious for their explosive topwater strikes early in the morning, making them a world-class target for anglers who love visual fishing.
Speckled Trout, or "specks," are the most technical fish you'll target on these flats, requiring finesse and the right presentation to consistently catch quality fish. The best trout fishing happens during cooler months when these fish school up in deeper grass beds and along channel edges. What sets Matagorda Bay apart is the size of fish it produces—trout over 25 inches are common, with true trophy fish over 28 inches caught regularly. These fish are incredibly structure-oriented, holding tight to oyster reefs and grass lines where they ambush baitfish. The challenge is getting your lure to them without hanging up, making accurate casts essential. When you hook a big trout in shallow water, they'll jump and make screaming runs that'll have your drag singing.
Summer Flounder add a different dimension to your wade fishing experience, requiring you to slow down and work the bottom methodically. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud near channel drops and structure changes. The trending technique for targeting them is bouncing soft plastics along the bottom while feeling for that distinctive "thump" of a flounder strike. What makes them exciting is their surprising fight for a bottom fish—they'll make strong runs and use their flat profile to leverage against the current. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, when they move into the shallows to feed on small fish and crabs.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the flats, offering serious pulling power that'll test your drag system and endurance. These fish can range from puppy drum under 10 pounds to massive bulls exceeding 40 pounds, all feeding in the same shallow areas around oyster reefs and grass beds. What makes them special is their methodical feeding style—they're not aggressive strikers, but once hooked, they use their broad shoulders and stubborn nature to wear you down. The best action typically happens during warmer months when they're actively feeding in the shallows. You'll often hear them before you see them, as they create distinctive sounds while crushing oysters and crabs on the bottom.
This 7-hour Matagorda Bay wade fishing adventure offers everything serious anglers want: productive waters, expert guidance, and the chance to target multiple species using techniques that actually work. Your captain's three generations of local knowledge combined with current fishing conditions means you'll spend your time fishing instead of searching. The intimate group size ensures you get the attention you need to improve your skills while experiencing some of the best inshore fishing Texas has
Jump aboard our reliable 25-foot Mowdy center console, powered by a strong 250HP Suzuki that'll get you to Matagorda Bay's best fishing spots quickly and smoothly. This well-designed boat handles shallow waters like a dream, making it perfect for those wade fishing adventures where you'll be stepping out into the flats to chase redfish and speckled trout. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to move around, store your tackle, and work the waters comfortably. The center console layout gives everyone easy access to the action while keeping gear organized. Whether you're casting artificials or working live bait, this boat puts you right where the fish are feeding in Matagorda's productive shallows.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, running anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds with some real giants hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they cruise around crushing crabs and shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're tough fighters that'll test your drag, and smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm white meat. My tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near oyster shell. When you feel that steady pull and hear the drag singing, you'll know you've hooked into one of our bay's most challenging fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Matagorda Bay - copper-colored beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail. These fish love super shallow water, sometimes with their backs sticking out, cruising oyster reefs and grass flats looking for crabs and shrimp. They run 18-28 inches on average but can push 40+ pounds. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring are peak times. What guests love most is watching these fish explode on topwater lures in skinny water - it's pure adrenaline. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The key is staying quiet and making long casts since they spook easily in shallow water. Work topwater plugs slowly over shell beds at first light, and when you see that wake coming at your lure, hold on tight.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Texas bay fishing, typically running 14-24 inches with those beautiful spots along their silver sides. These fish love grass flats and shallow waters around 2-6 feet deep, especially near drop-offs and shell beds. They bite year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when water temps are in the 70s. Trout are scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so they'll test your hook-setting skills. The meat is delicate and flaky - perfect for the dinner table if you don't overcook it. My go-to method is working a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds early morning or late evening. Keep your drag loose since their mouths tear easily, and always use a landing net to avoid losing fish at the boat.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms in 3-8 feet of water around Matagorda Bay. They typically run 15-20 inches and are ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're most active and feeding heavily before winter. What makes them special is their unique sideways bite and the challenge of feeling that subtle pickup. The meat is top-notch - firm, white, and flaky when cooked right. Here's a local trick: hook your live shrimp or small croaker through the lips and drag it slowly across sandy flats. When you feel that distinctive tap-tap, give it a few seconds before setting the hook since they bite sideways.
Matagorda