Full Day Guided Fishing Trip in Matagorda
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Full day flats fishing targeting redfish and troutEarly 5:45 AM start maximizes time on productive watersAll tackle included plus complimentary fish cleaning service
When you're looking to put some serious fish in the boat, Captain Kevin Cantu knows exactly where to take you in Matagorda's legendary inshore waters. This full-day adventure starts early at 5:45 a.m., giving you maximum time to work the flats, channels, and grass beds where the big reds and trout like to hang out. Whether you're chasing tournament-worthy fish or just want to load up the cooler, this top-rated charter delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season. All your gear is covered, and if you want to take fish home, Captain Kevin will clean them right there at the dock.
You'll be fishing with one of Matagorda's most experienced guides who knows these waters like the back of his hand. Captain Kevin adjusts his game plan based on what's biting and where the fish are holding throughout the season. In spring, you might find yourself working shallow grass flats for aggressive reds coming off their winter haunts. Summer trips often focus on deeper structure and drop-offs where trout stack up to beat the heat. Fall brings some of the best action of the year as baitfish push through the area and predators follow. The boat holds just two anglers, so you get personalized attention and plenty of room to fight fish without bumping into other lines. This setup makes it perfect for father-son trips, couples, or fishing buddies who want quality time on the water without dealing with crowds.
Captain Kevin provides all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need for a successful day. He runs quality spinning gear that can handle everything from finicky trout on light tackle to bruiser bull reds that want to drag you into the next county. Depending on conditions and target species, you'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at sunrise to soft plastics worked slow along the bottom. Live bait is often part of the program, especially when the fish are being picky about artificials. The captain carries a selection of proven local favorites like Bass Assassins, She Dogs, and Corkys that have been putting fish in the boat for years. You'll learn to read the water, understand how tides affect fish movement, and pick up techniques that will make you a better angler long after this trip ends.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from schoolie-sized fish perfect for the dinner table to oversized bulls that will test your drag and your patience. Reds feed aggressively in shallow water, often with their backs out of the water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but summer mornings can produce explosive topwater bites that you'll remember for years. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight once hooked.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the technical challenge that keeps serious anglers coming back. These fish can be finicky, requiring precise presentations and the right combination of bait, depth, and structure. Prime trout fishing happens during cooler months when fish move into deeper holes and channel edges. A good trout weighs three to five pounds, but the occasional "gator" trout over six pounds will make your day. They hit hard and jump like crazy, making them a favorite target for anglers who like their fish with attitude.
Southern flounder are the ambush predators of the bay system, lying buried in sand and mud waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and can be challenging to locate, but Captain Kevin knows the sandy pockets and channel edges where they like to set up. Flounder fishing is best during their fall migration when fish move toward the Gulf to spawn. A keeper flounder provides some of the best eating in the bay, with firm white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they make up for looks with pure pulling power. These bottom feeders can grow huge in Matagorda's nutrient-rich waters, with fish over twenty pounds not uncommon. They're often caught while targeting other species, providing a welcome surprise when your rod suddenly doubles over. Younger drum, called puppy drum, are excellent table fare, while the big ones are better released to keep the population strong. Black drum feed primarily on crabs and oysters, so you'll often find them around structure and oyster reefs.
This world-class fishing experience gives you everything you need for a memorable day on Matagorda Bay. With Captain Kevin's local knowledge, quality equipment, and commitment to putting you on fish, you're set up for success from the moment you step on the boat. The early start maximizes your fishing time, and the complimentary fish cleaning means you can head home with a cooler full of fresh fillets. Just remember to bring your fishing license, some snacks and drinks for the day, and get ready for some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer. Book now and see why anglers from across the state make the trip to fish these productive waters with Fowl Hooked Outfitters.
You'll spend your day fishing from a fully restored 22' Majek bay boat that's perfectly rigged for Matagorda's inshore waters. This classic bay boat runs on a dependable 200 HP Yamaha outboard that gets you to the fishing grounds quickly and quietly. The boat's equipped with GPS navigation and a fish finder to help locate those productive spots where redfish and trout like to hang out. There's also a livewell on board to keep your catch fresh if you decide to take some fish home. The shallow draft design lets Captain Kevin work the flats and back lakes where the big fish feed. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The boat's layout makes it easy to move around and access different fishing spots throughout the day. Whether you're targeting reds in skinny water or working deeper channels for trout, this Majek is built to handle whatever Matagorda Bay throws at you.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+. They love crushing oysters and crabs with those powerful jaws around shell beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 3-15 feet. Spring is your best bet when they school up for spawning - you can actually hear them drumming underwater. These fish are bulldogs that'll test your drag, making them a blast for all skill levels. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with firm white meat. The key is getting your bait on bottom near structure. I always tell folks to use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a fish-finder rig. Don't set the hook too quick - let them run with it a bit first. The bigger ones will surprise you with how hard they pull.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in Matagorda's shallow waters. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-28 inches, with that signature black spot near the tail making them easy to identify. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges year-round, though fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their power - they'll strip drag and make long runs that get your heart pumping. The smaller "slot" fish are fantastic eating too. The real thrill is watching them cruise the flats with their backs out of water. My best advice: use topwater plugs or gold spoons in skinny water, and don't be afraid to make noise. Cast ahead of cruising fish and work it back slowly. They're curious and aggressive feeders.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, averaging 14-20 inches with those beautiful black spots covering their silvery sides. They hang around grass flats, shell reefs, and drop-offs in 3-12 feet of water, moving deeper when it gets cold. Spring through fall are your money months, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding on shrimp and baitfish. What people love about trout is they're aggressive strikers and great eating - that white, flaky meat is hard to beat. They're also perfect for families since they bite consistently. My go-to technique is working soft plastics like paddle tails under a popping cork over grass beds. The sound draws them in, and that suspended presentation is deadly. Just remember to handle them gently since their mouths tear easily.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud with just their eyes showing. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches here in Matagorda's shallow bays, though we see some pushing 25+ inches. They love muddy bottoms around structure - oyster reefs, drop-offs, and channel edges in 2-8 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime time when they're staging for their offshore spawn. What makes them special is that amazing camouflage ability and the way they ambush prey. The meat is fantastic - white, flaky, and mild. My best tip: drift slowly with live shrimp or bull minnows on a Carolina rig, letting your bait hit bottom and staying patient. When you feel that subtle tap, give them a second to turn the bait before setting the hook.
Matagorda