Half Day Afternoon Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fishing targeting redfish and sea troutQuality gear, bait, snacks, and fish cleaning included23' Majek Illusion accommodates up to four guests comfortablyGet ready for some serious action on the flats with Captain Elliott Rodriguez, one of South Padre Island's most trusted guides. This 5-hour afternoon trip puts you right in the heart of the Laguna Madre's most productive waters, where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout stack up in the grass beds. You'll be fishing from a sleek 23' Majek Illusion that's built for these shallow waters and gets you to the fish fast. Captain Elliott knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the gear, bait, and local knowledge to put you on fish. Don't forget your Texas Saltwater Fishing License – you'll need it before we push off from 201 W Polaris Dr.
This isn't your typical party boat experience. You're looking at a top-rated inshore adventure that maxes out at just two guests, so you get plenty of personal attention and room to work. Captain Elliott runs a tight ship with quality tackle already rigged and ready, plus he handles all the bait so you can focus on fishing. The afternoon bite can be absolutely killer here, especially when the wind lays down and the water clears up. You'll be working the grass flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs where these fish love to hang out. The Majek's shallow draft means we can get into spots where bigger boats can't reach, and that's often where the magic happens. Plus, Captain Elliott takes care of cleaning your catch at the end of the day – just bring a cooler with ice if you want to take fish home.
We're talking about real inshore fishing here – sight casting, working the structure, and reading the water like a book. The Laguna Madre is a world-class fishery that's loaded with grass beds, spoil islands, and shell reefs that hold fish year-round. You'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at first light to soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom. Captain Elliott switches up techniques based on what the fish are doing – maybe we're popping corks over grass beds for trout, or pitching jigs tight to structure for reds. The 23' Majek is rigged with a Minn Kota trolling motor for quiet approaches, and there's plenty of deck space for backcasting when you spot a tailing red. Live bait works great when the fish are finicky, but don't be surprised if artificials steal the show on the right day.
Redfish are the bread and butter around South Padre Island, and these copper-colored bulldogs will test your drag system for sure. They cruise the shallow flats in schools, especially during the warmer months, and a good red will run 20-30 inches with plenty of fight left in the tank. What makes them so special is how they eat – you'll see them tailing in skinny water, or watch them blow up on a topwater bait like a depth charge went off. Fall and spring are prime time, but honestly, you can catch quality reds here almost any time of year. Speckled trout are another customer favorite, and the Laguna Madre grows some seriously chunky fish. These spotted beauties love to suspend over grass beds and around structure, and they're absolutely delicious on the table. Look for them to be most active during the cooler months, but summer can produce some monster trout if you know where to look. Snook are the wildcard species that gets everyone excited – they're not as common as reds and trout, but when you hook into one, you'll know it immediately. These fish have serious attitude and will jump, run, and generally raise hell until you get them to the boat. Southern flounder round out the slam opportunities here, and they're perfect for folks who like their fish mild and flaky. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and will absolutely crush a well-presented jig bounced along the bottom.
Captain Elliott's afternoon trips book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather cooperates. You're getting five solid hours on some of the best inshore waters in Texas, with all the gear, bait, and expertise included. The $100 deposit locks in your date, and remember that holiday and memorial weekend pricing runs a bit higher due to demand. This is the kind of fishing trip that reminds you why you love being on the water – quality fish, beautiful scenery, and a captain who actually cares about putting you on fish instead of just burning gas. Whether you're looking to bend some rods with friends or introduce someone new to the sport, this half-day adventure delivers the goods every time. Give Captain Elliott a call and get your name on the calendar before someone else beats you to it.
This 23-foot Majek Illusion flats boat is your ticket to South Padre's best inshore fishing spots. Built specifically for shallow water navigation, it cuts through the Laguna Madre with ease thanks to its Suzuki 200hp engine. The stable platform gives you plenty of casting room while targeting redfish, sea trout, and snook in the grass flats and back bays. With space for up to four anglers, this boat gets you to productive waters fast and keeps you comfortable during those epic afternoon bites. The shallow draft design lets Captain Elliott slide into skinny water where the big reds like to cruise, giving you shots at fish other boats can't reach.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and signature black spots near the tail. Most fish we catch run 20-28 inches, perfect slot-size reds that fight like freight trains. They cruise shallow flats in 1-4 feet, often with backs out of water, feeding around oyster reefs and grass beds. Year-round fishing here is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes redfish special is their power - they'll make blistering runs that test your equipment and skill. They're also excellent eating in the slot, with mild, firm meat. The visual aspect gets guests hooked - watching a red's wake as it cruises the shallows is pure excitement. Pro tip: when you spot a tailing red, cast well ahead of where it's moving and let your bait settle. They spook easily in skinny water, so subtle presentations win.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter fish here in the Laguna Madre, running 14-20 inches with occasional 4-5 pound "gator trout" that'll make your day. They cruise grass flats and sandy potholes in 2-6 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and late evening being prime times. Guests love them because they're aggressive biters, put up a decent scrap, and make outstanding table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They school up, so where you catch one, there's usually more. The trick is matching your lure to what they're eating. During shrimp runs, use a pink or chartreuse soft plastic under a popping cork. Work it slow with subtle twitches - trout have soft mouths, so don't horse them or you'll pull the hook.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate sight-fishing target in our waters, with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloration. Most run 18-28 inches, but the big females can push 30+ and really test your drag. They love structure - docks, mangroves, and bridge pilings where they ambush baitfish. Best action happens during warmer months, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What guests love about snook is the aggressive strike and strong fight, plus they're fantastic eating with firm white meat. They're temperature sensitive though, so cold fronts can shut them down quick. Here's the key: work your lure parallel to structure, not away from it. Snook are lazy - they won't chase a bait that's moving away from cover. A slow-rolled soft plastic or topwater plug along a dock line will get their attention every time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms throughout the Laguna Madre. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches but can surprise you with 20+ pounders. They're distinguished by scattered spots rather than the rings you see on other flounders. Look for them in 2-8 feet of water near drop-offs and channel edges, especially during cooler months from October through March when they're most active. What makes them special is the challenge - they're ambush predators that require patience and the right presentation. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp or mullet on a Carolina rig, and watch your rod tip carefully. Their bite is subtle, often feeling like you're just dragging bottom until they start moving off.
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