Full Day South Padre Island Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish, trout, and black drumCaptain Marc guides guests to prime South Padre Island fishing spotsAccommodates up to four guests with all skill levels welcome
When you're serious about putting fish in the cooler, Captain Marc's 8-hour fishing trip delivers the goods. We're talking about a full day targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most prized catches - redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and summer flounder in the productive waters around South Padre Island. This isn't your typical half-day rush job where you're barely getting your lines wet before heading back to the dock. Eight hours gives us real time to work the flats, hit multiple spots, and adapt our game plan based on what the fish are doing that day.
Captain Marc knows these waters like the back of his hand, and that local knowledge makes all the difference when you're chasing finicky inshore species. We'll start early to beat the boat traffic and take advantage of prime feeding times. The Laguna Madre and surrounding bay systems offer everything from shallow grass flats perfect for sight fishing redfish to deeper cuts where big trout like to ambush baitfish. Weather and tide conditions dictate our exact game plan, but rest assured we're going where the fish are biting, not just the pretty spots that look good on Instagram. The boat's equipped with everything you need - rods, reels, tackle, and bait - so you can focus on what matters most: setting hooks and fighting fish.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. We'll work with live shrimp under popping corks when the trout are finicky, switch to soft plastics on jig heads for working structure, and break out the topwater plugs when conditions are right for explosive surface strikes. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is we can cover serious ground - from the shallow sand and grass flats where redfish cruise looking for crabs, to the deeper channel edges where black drum stack up. Captain Marc runs a clean, well-maintained boat with quality gear that can handle everything from feisty 14-inch trout to bull reds that'll test your drag system. We'll adjust our tactics throughout the day based on tide movement, wind direction, and what the fish are telling us.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the bay system, and South Padre's waters hold some real tanks. These fish love structure - oyster reefs, bridge pilings, and channel drops where they root around for crabs and shellfish. They're not the prettiest fish in the bay, but when a 15-pound drum grabs your bait and heads for the bottom, you'll understand why anglers respect them. Spring and fall are prime time, when cooler water temperatures bring them into shallower areas where they're more accessible to light tackle anglers.
Summer flounder, or fluke as they're called up north, are the chameleons of the flat fish world. These ambush predators bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. They're fantastic table fare and put up a surprising fight for a flatfish. The key is working your bait slow along the bottom - they want an easy meal, not a workout. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall when water temperatures are optimal.
Sea trout, specifically speckled trout, are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted pattern are aggressive predators that'll hit everything from live shrimp to artificial lures. They school up around grass beds, oyster reefs, and drop-offs, making them relatively predictable once you understand their patterns. A good speckled trout bite can make your entire day, especially when you're into fish in the 2-4 pound range that bend your rod and strip drag.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are aggressive, fight like hell, and grow to impressive sizes in our waters. Whether we're sight fishing shallow flats where you can see their backs out of water or working deeper structure where the bigger fish hang out, reds provide consistent action. They're not particularly picky eaters, but they're smart enough to keep you honest. The slot-sized fish (20-28 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls provide pure adrenaline.
An 8-hour fishing trip with Captain Marc gives you the best shot at experiencing everything South Padre Island's inshore fishery has to offer. The base cost covers two anglers, with room for up to four total guests at $100 per additional person. That's a solid value for a full day with an experienced local captain who's committed to putting you on fish. These longer trips consistently outproduce shorter options because we're not watching the clock - we're focused on finding active fish and keeping you busy. Book your spot now and get ready for a day of serious fishing in some of Texas's most productive inshore waters.
Captain Marc's 2020 Shallow Master flats boat is your ticket to productive fishing in South Padre's prime inshore waters. This 24-foot vessel cuts through the shallows with ease thanks to its 200HP Yamaha engine, cruising at 33 knots to get you to the hottest redfish and speckled trout spots fast. Built specifically for shallow water fishing, she'll slip into those tight backwater areas where the big black drum like to hide. The boat comes equipped with GPS navigation and fish finder to locate schools, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and beverages cold during the 8-hour adventure. With space for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to work the flats without bumping elbows. Perfect for targeting those South Padre favorites in water so shallow other boats can't reach.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+. These bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they cruise around crushing crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. You'll hear them coming - they actually make drumming sounds that you can pick up on the boat. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What makes them special is the raw power - they'll test your drag and give you a proper workout. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with flaky white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab on a circle hook and keep it right on the bottom - they won't chase anything more than a few inches off the mud.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. These fish typically run 20-35 inches in our waters and love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow mud bottoms in just 1-4 feet of water. They're year-round residents here, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when water temperatures are ideal. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fight - they'll make long runs and use their broad shoulders to stay deep. Plus, they're outstanding on the table with mild, sweet meat. The trick is sight fishing - look for their backs or tails breaking the surface as they feed. A gold spoon or topwater plug worked quietly through their feeding zone will usually trigger an explosive strike you won't forget.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in distinct black spots and a reputation for being excellent table fare. They typically range 14-24 inches and love grass flats and shallow bays where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Dawn and dusk are prime feeding times, especially during cooler months when they're more active. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats watching one blow up on a surface plug in shallow water. They're also fantastic eating with tender, flaky meat that doesn't need much seasoning. The key is finding them over grass beds in 2-6 feet of water. Try working a soft plastic shrimp or jerkbait slowly through the grass - they'll often follow it several times before committing, so be patient and keep working the same area.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, changing colors to match their surroundings perfectly. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and are ambush predators that lie in wait for baitfish to swim overhead. They love sandy areas near structure and drop-offs where current brings food their way. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them fun is the sneaky bite - you'll think you're snagged until they start pulling drag. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch, with sweet white meat that's hard to beat. My go-to technique is bouncing live minnows or sea worms right along the bottom with just enough weight to stay down but still feel the subtle bite.
South Padre Island