Full Day Family Fishing in Matagorda Waters
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Fullday family fishing adventure targeting redfish and troutAll equipment provided with professional fish cleaning includedEarly morning start maximizes productive Gulf Coast waters
Captain Kevin Cantu knows how to turn a regular family day into something special on Matagorda's productive flats and back bays. This 10-hour adventure kicks off before sunrise at 5:45 AM, giving you and your crew the best shot at hooking into redfish, trout, black drum, and flounder. Whether you've got seasoned anglers or first-timers in tow, Kevin tailors the trip to keep everyone engaged and learning. All your rods, reels, and tackle come ready to go, plus he'll clean whatever you decide to take home for dinner. Pack some snacks and drinks, settle in for a top-rated day on the water, and get ready to see why Matagorda consistently produces some of the Gulf Coast's best inshore action.
You'll spend your day working Matagorda's shallow flats, grass beds, and oyster reefs where the fish love to feed and hide. Captain Kevin reads these waters like a book, moving between spots based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing that particular day. The boat stays comfortable for up to two guests, so there's plenty of room to cast without tangling lines or bumping elbows. Family-friendly means Kevin takes time to teach proper casting techniques, how to work different baits, and what signs to look for when fish are active. The pace stays relaxed but productive – you're not just sitting around waiting for bites. Between the learning opportunities and steady action, even kids who've never held a rod before usually walk away hooked on fishing. The Gulf Coast scenery doesn't hurt either, with dolphins, pelicans, and other wildlife making regular appearances throughout the day.
Captain Kevin comes loaded with quality spinning gear matched to the target species and conditions you'll face. Light to medium action rods paired with smooth reels make fighting fish fun without wearing out smaller anglers. He stocks a full selection of live bait, soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons depending on what's working best. You'll learn multiple techniques during the trip – maybe starting with live shrimp under popping corks for trout, then switching to paddle tails worked along drop-offs for redfish. When conditions are right, topwater action can be world-class, with fish exploding on the surface just feet from the boat. Kevin explains why certain baits work in specific situations and how to adjust your retrieve based on water temperature, clarity, and structure. The shallow water sight fishing opportunities are customer favorites, letting you actually watch redfish cruise the flats before making your cast. No previous experience required – Kevin's been guiding families long enough to know how to keep everyone catching fish regardless of skill level.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Matagorda fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters range from schoolie-sized fish perfect for kids up to bull reds that'll test your drag and patience. They feed aggressively in the shallow grass flats and around oyster bars, often giving away their location with wakes and tailing behavior. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some surprisingly good days when weather cooperates. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat almost anything – live bait, artificials, even topwater lures when they're fired up. The fight is honest and strong without the crazy jumps that can throw hooks, making them perfect for family fishing.
Speckled trout are the other mainstay, offering fast action and excellent table fare when you find active schools. These fish love structure – oyster reefs, grass bed edges, and drop-offs where baitfish concentrate. They're more finicky than redfish about water temperature and conditions, but when they're on, you can catch them two at a time. Trout fishing teaches patience and technique since they require more subtle presentations and quicker hook sets. The best fishing typically runs from spring through early winter, with summer providing consistent action for families willing to start early and beat the heat.
Black drum don't get the glamour of reds or trout, but they're absolute bruisers that surprise first-time anglers with their power. These bottom-feeders love crabs and shrimp around oyster structures, and once hooked, they use their broad sides and stubborn nature to make every fish feel like a monster. Drum fishing excels during cooler months when big schools move into the shallows to feed. They're not pretty, but the fight is memorable and the larger ones make excellent eating.
Southern flounder round out the mix as the opportunistic predators of the flats. These ambush feeders bury in sand and mud waiting for unsuspecting baitfish, shrimp, or crabs to pass overhead. Finding flounder requires understanding structure and current flow, making them a thinking angler's fish. They're most active during spring and fall migrations, though resident fish provide year-round opportunities. The strike often feels like a gentle tap or weight on your line, followed by a surprisingly spirited fight for such a flat fish. Fresh flounder fillets are hard to beat on the dinner table.
This renowned full-day trip combines everything families want from a Gulf Coast fishing adventure – patient instruction, consistent action, and memories that last long after you head home. Captain Kevin's local knowledge and family-friendly approach create the perfect environment for bonding over bent rods and fish stories. With all gear provided and fish cleaning included, you just need to show up ready for a best trip experience on some of Texas' most productive waters. Matagorda's inshore fishery continues trending upward, and days like this showcase exactly why. Book your spot now and discover why families keep coming back to fish these waters with Captain Kevin season after season.
You'll spend your day fishing from a beautifully restored 22' Majek bay boat, perfectly suited for navigating Matagorda's shallow waters and grass flats. This classic Texas bay boat runs on a dependable 200 HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fishing spots quickly and quietly. The boat comes equipped with GPS and fish finder technology to help locate schools of redfish and trout hiding in the back lakes and along the shorelines. With a spacious deck layout and comfortable seating, there's plenty of room to cast lines and fight fish without getting in each other's way. The onboard livewell keeps your bait lively throughout the long day, while the shallow draft design lets you access those productive skinny water spots where the big reds like to cruise. Whether you're working the oyster reefs or drifting the deeper channels, this Majek handles the varied Matagorda waters with ease, making it ideal for families looking to experience some of the Gulf Coast's best inshore fishing.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from keeper-sized 5 pounders up to bruising 30+ pound bulls that'll test your patience and tackle. These bottom-feeders love hanging around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring brings the best fishing when they school up for spawning runs. Kids get a kick out of their drumming sounds, and the fight from a big drum is something special - long, steady pulls that'll wear you out. For eating, stick with fish under 15 pounds as the bigger ones get tough. My local trick is using fresh blue crab on a fish-finder rig near oyster beds during moving tides - the scent drives them crazy.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Texas coast, easily recognized by their bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls in the 35+ inch range that provide arm-burning fights. These copper-colored fighters love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marshy shorelines. Fall offers prime fishing when they school up, but spring can be lights-out too. Guests love redfish because they eat well, fight hard, and provide great photo opportunities. My go-to setup is a topwater plug early morning over shallow flats - nothing beats watching a big red explode on the surface.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter fish around Matagorda, running 14-24 inches with the occasional gator trout pushing 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties love grass flats, shallow bay areas, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall provide the most consistent action, though summer mornings and evenings can be productive too. Families appreciate trout because they fight hard for their size and are some of the best eating fish in the bay - white, flaky meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They school up during cooler months in deeper water. The key is working soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds, especially during moving water when they're most active.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are unique flatfish that spend their lives camouflaged on sandy and muddy bottoms throughout our bay system. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we occasionally see specimens pushing 20+ pounds. These ambush predators bury themselves in the substrate with just their eyes showing, waiting for shrimp, crabs, or baitfish to pass by. Fall and early winter offer the best action as they move toward deeper channels. Families love targeting flounder because they're accessible for all skill levels and make excellent table fare with their mild, flaky meat. The trick here is using a slow drift with live shrimp or bull minnows on a Carolina rig, keeping your bait right on the bottom where they feed.
Matagorda