Matagorda Bay Wading Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day 7-hour wade fishing adventure in Matagorda BayTarget redfish, speckled trout, flounder using live baitThree generations of local Texas fishing guide expertise
You want to get up close and personal with Texas inshore fishing? Our 7-hour Matagorda Bay wading trip puts you right in the action. No sitting on a boat deck waiting for fish to come to you – we're talking about getting your feet wet and working the flats where the fish live. The Matagorda Bay system is a classic Texas fishery that's been producing trophy reds and specks for generations. Our family has been guiding these waters for three generations, and we know exactly where to find the fish when conditions change. This isn't your typical half-day charter – with seven full hours on the water, you'll have time to dial in your technique, explore multiple spots, and really understand what makes this bay system so special.
Wade fishing in Matagorda Bay means stepping into knee-deep water over grass beds, shell reefs, and sandy potholes where gamefish hunt for bait. We'll position you in productive areas based on tide, wind, and where we've been seeing fish activity. The water clarity here is typically good enough to sight-fish, especially early morning when the surface is glass-calm. You'll be walking slowly through the shallows, making targeted casts to structure or working likely-looking water systematically. The bay averages 3-4 feet deep in most areas we fish, but we focus on the 18-inch to 3-foot zones where reds and trout do most of their feeding. Expect to cover some ground – we might hit 3-4 different areas depending on what's working best that day. The beauty of wade fishing is you can get into spots that boats can't reach, putting you on fish that don't see much pressure.
We run both live bait and artificial setups depending on conditions and what you prefer. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly when fish are finicky, especially around dawn and dusk. For artificials, soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations work great bounced along the bottom or swimming through the grass. Topwater action can be explosive during low-light periods – nothing beats watching a big red blow up on a spook or She Dog at first light. We typically fish medium-light spinning gear with 15-20 pound braid and fluorocarbon leaders. Wading boots or old sneakers are essential – the bottom varies from soft mud to shell, and you want good footing. We'll teach you how to read the water, identify productive structure, and present baits naturally in the current. With seven hours to work with, there's plenty of time to master different techniques and figure out what the fish want on any given day.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay wading trips. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow flats and put up an amazing fight in skinny water. Slot-sized reds between 20-28 inches are common, with bigger bull reds showing up regularly, especially in fall and winter. They'll eat just about anything – live shrimp, soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs all produce. Speckled trout are the other main target, and Matagorda Bay grows some beautiful specks. Two to four-pound fish are typical, with trophy trout over 25 inches a real possibility, particularly in winter months. These fish are more finicky than reds but incredibly rewarding to catch on light tackle. Flounder provide steady action year-round, especially around structure changes and drop-offs. Black drum round out the mixed bag – these bottom feeders can surprise you with their size and power. The variety keeps things interesting, and you never know what might grab your bait next.
Redfish are what dreams are made of in Texas shallow water. These fish cruise the flats in small schools or as singles, often with their backs out of water in super shallow areas. They're most active during moving tides and low-light periods. Spring and fall offer the best action, but reds bite year-round in Matagorda Bay. What makes them special is their attitude – they'll eat aggressively and fight like fish twice their size in shallow water. A 25-inch red in two feet of water will test your drag and your nerves.
Speckled trout are the technical challenge of the bay system. These beautiful fish are more particular about presentation and conditions than reds, making them a favorite among serious anglers. Winter months produce the biggest specks as they move to deeper grass beds and shell reefs. They're most active during temperature changes and around dawn and dusk. The satisfaction of fooling a smart speck with the right lure presentation is what keeps anglers coming back. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within regulations.
Summer flounder are the opportunists of the bay – they lie in ambush near structure changes, channel edges, and anywhere current brings baitfish. These flatfish can surprise you with explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. They're most active during spring and summer months when baitfish are abundant. Flounder fishing teaches patience and precision since they often require a slow, methodical approach. When you connect with a keeper-sized flounder, you've earned it.
Black drum are the heavyweight champions of Matagorda Bay. These bottom-dwellers can range from pan-sized fish perfect for dinner to massive bulls that will challenge your tackle. They're most active during cooler months and around structure like shell reefs and channel drops. What makes drum fishing exciting is you never know what size fish might pick up your bait. A 30-pound black drum in shallow water will humble any angler and create memories that last a lifetime.
This top-rated Matagorda Bay fishing charter gives you seven full hours to experience Texas inshore fishing at its finest. With three generations of local knowledge backing every trip
Our 25-foot Mowdy center console cuts through Matagorda Bay's waters with ease, powered by a reliable 250HP Suzuki that gets you to the prime fishing spots quickly. This boat handles both deeper bay runs and shallow wade fishing areas perfectly. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to spread out while working the flats for redfish and speckled trout. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the water when it's time to step out and wade the grass beds. Built tough for Texas coastal conditions, this Mowdy delivers a smooth ride whether you're running to distant flats or working close to shore. The shallow draft lets your captain tuck into those productive back lakes where the big reds like to cruise.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bulls pushing 90. These gray-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're famous for that bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. For eating, stick with fish under 15 pounds since the big ones get tough. Here's the key: use fresh crab on a circle hook and fish it dead on bottom. When you feel that slow, heavy pull, let them run before setting the hook - they're not going anywhere fast but they'll wear you out.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in Matagorda's shallow waters, typically 20-30 inches with that copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. They cruise oyster reefs, grass flats, and mud bottoms in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike and bulldogging fight. The meat is excellent too - sweet and firm. These fish will eat almost anything, from live shrimp to big topwater plugs. My local trick: look for nervous water and baitfish activity, then throw a gold spoon just past the school and work it back slowly. They can't resist that flash.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Texas bay fishing, averaging 14-24 inches with those beautiful black spots covering their silver sides. They love grass flats and drop-offs in 2-4 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What anglers love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - plus they're fantastic eating with that mild, flaky white meat. They're also great fighters, making long runs and jumping when hooked. The trick is fishing soft plastics under a popping cork around grass beds. Work it slow with gentle twitches. When the cork goes under, don't horse them - their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook easily.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottom areas, typically running 15-20 inches with some reaching impressive sizes. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to ambush passing baitfish. Fall through early winter is when they really turn on as water temps drop. What makes them special is that chameleon ability - they actually change colors to match the bottom. The meat is excellent, sweet and flaky when cooked right. They're tricky to hook since they bite sideways, so patience pays off. My go-to technique is drifting live finger mullet or shrimp on a circle hook, keeping it moving just off bottom. When you feel that tap-tap-tap, count to three before setting - they need time to turn that bait around.
Matagorda