Full Day Advanced Fishing Trip in Matagorda
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
10hour advanced fishing trip targeting redfish and troutProfessional guidance on techniques and seasonal fish patternsAll gear included with complimentary fish cleaning service
When Captain Kevin Cantu fires up the engine at 5:45 AM, you know you're in for something special. This isn't your typical guided fishing trip – it's a 10-hour deep dive into Matagorda's best inshore waters, designed specifically for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to push their skills to the next level. With just two spots available, you'll get personalized attention and access to techniques that separate weekend warriors from serious fishermen. The flats here hold some of Texas's most sought-after species, and Kevin's approach to reading water and fish behavior will change how you think about inshore fishing.
This pro-level experience starts before dawn and runs deep into the afternoon, giving you maximum time to work prime feeding windows and adapt to changing conditions. Captain Kevin tailors every aspect of the trip based on what the fish are doing – whether that means working shallow grass flats for tailing redfish, drifting deeper channels for spotted sea trout, or targeting structure for black drum and southern flounder. The beauty of Matagorda's system is its diversity. You've got expansive shallow areas that heat up fast and hold bait, deeper cuts that funnel fish during tide changes, and plenty of structure that attracts everything from schooling trout to oversized drum. Kevin reads these waters like a playbook, adjusting techniques and locations throughout the day based on wind, tide, and fish behavior. All your gear is handled – rods, reels, tackle, and bait – plus he'll clean whatever you keep at the end of the day. Pack your own food and drinks since this is a marathon session, and come ready to learn some advanced approaches to flats fishing that you won't pick up on shorter trips.
Kevin's approach centers on reading fish behavior and matching your presentation to what's happening below the surface. You'll work with everything from topwater plugs during early morning feeding frenzies to soft plastics when fish get finicky in the heat of the day. The shallow nature of these flats means stealth and precision matter – proper boat positioning, quiet approaches, and understanding how fish use structure and current breaks. Depending on conditions, you might be sight-fishing to individual redfish cruising the shallows, working schools of trout over grass beds, or bottom-bouncing for drum around shell reefs. Kevin focuses on teaching you to read the water itself – how to spot bait activity, recognize feeding birds, and identify the subtle signs that separate productive water from empty flats. The 10-hour format gives you time to practice different techniques as conditions change throughout the day, from early morning bite windows to late afternoon patterns when fish behavior shifts completely.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Matagorda's flats, and these copper-colored fighters put on a show like few other inshore species. They cruise the shallows year-round but really turn on during fall months when they school up for their spawning runs. What makes reds special here is how aggressive they get in shallow water – you'll see their backs breaking the surface as they root around for crabs and shrimp in knee-deep grass beds. A good Matagorda red runs 20-28 inches and fights with that bulldogging power that'll test your drag system. They're smart fish too, especially the bigger ones, so Kevin's approach to presentations and boat positioning makes all the difference between watching fish and actually hooking up.
Spotted sea trout might not have the raw power of redfish, but they're technical fish that reward skilled anglers. Matagorda's trout population includes some real wall-hangers, especially during cooler months when they stack up in deeper grass beds and channel edges. These fish are all about timing and presentation – they'll crush a topwater at dawn, then switch to subtle soft plastics as the sun climbs. Spring and fall offer the best shot at trophy trout over 25 inches, but the system holds good numbers of keeper-sized fish most of the year. What's exciting about trout fishing here is how explosive their strikes can be, especially when you find them schooled up and competing for food.
Black drum are the bulldozers of the flats, and Matagorda's population includes some serious heavyweights that'll give your arms a workout. These fish love structure – oyster reefs, channel edges, anywhere they can root around for crabs and shellfish. They're not flashy fighters like redfish, but they've got that steady, relentless pull that just wears you down. The bigger drum, some pushing 30-plus pounds, are most active during cooler months and often feed in areas where you wouldn't expect to find them. Kevin knows how to read drum behavior and position the boat so you can work the right structure without spooking these typically cautious fish.
Southern flounder add a completely different element to the mix – they're ambush predators that lie buried in sand and mud, waiting for bait fish to swim within striking distance. Matagorda's flounder fishing peaks in fall when these flatfish move toward the gulf for their spawning migration. They're not the strongest fighters, but they're excellent table fare and require a completely different approach than the other species you'll target. Finding productive flounder water means understanding bottom composition, current flow, and how these fish position themselves to intercept prey. When you connect with a good flounder – anything over 16 inches – you'll appreciate both the challenge of finding them and the quality of the dinner they provide.
This advanced fishing experience delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – extended time on productive water with a captain who understands both fish behavior and advanced techniques. The 10-hour format gives you room to adapt to conditions, work different areas, and really dial in your approach to reading flats and targeting multiple species. With Captain Kevin's knowledge of seasonal patterns and his focus on results-driven fishing, you'll come away with both fish in the cooler and insights
You'll be fishing aboard a fully restored 22' Majek bay boat, powered by a reliable 200 HP Yamaha engine that gets you to the fish fast and quiet. This shallow-water specialist is built for Matagorda's flats, drawing minimal water to access those tight spots where redfish and trout like to hang out. The boat comes equipped with GPS navigation and a fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, plus a livewell to keep your catch fresh. Captain Kevin has this rig dialed in for serious fishing – it's comfortable for up to 4 anglers but we keep it to 2 guests for this advanced trip, giving you plenty of room to work lures and fight fish. The stable platform handles choppy bay conditions while staying nimble enough to pole into skinny water when the bite calls for it.
Matagorda