Half Day Guided Fishing Trip in Matagorda
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targets redfish and speckled trout yearroundCaptain provides all tackle and includes fish cleaning serviceSmall group experience accommodates up to two anglers maximum
Captain Kevin Cantu knows these Matagorda waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard with Fowl Hooked Outfitters, you're getting years of local knowledge packed into one action-packed half day. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter where you drift around hoping for luck—Kevin reads the water, tracks the tides, and adjusts tactics on the fly to put you on fish. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to break away from the grind or planning family fishing trips in Matagorda TX, this trip delivers the goods without the all-day commitment.
Your morning starts with Kevin checking conditions and deciding where the fish are most likely to be feeding. Some days that means working the reef edges where Speckled Trout are holding in deeper water, other days you'll find yourself poling through ankle-deep flats with Redfish cruising just under the surface. The beauty of fishing Matagorda Bay is the variety—you're not locked into one approach. Kevin supplies all the tackle, so you don't need to worry about rigging up or whether you've got the right lures. Just bring your Texas fishing license, some snacks and drinks, and get ready to learn a thing or two about reading water. The boat holds up to two anglers, which means plenty of room to cast and personalized attention from your guide. When you hook up, Kevin's right there coaching you through the fight and making sure you land that fish cleanly.
Kevin switches up his approach based on what Mother Nature's serving up that day. When the tide's moving and baitfish are schooled up along the reef structure, you'll drift and cast to likely spots where Trout stack up to ambush their next meal. On calmer days with good visibility, it's all about sight-fishing the flats—watching for that telltale redfish tail or the nervous water that gives away a feeding drum. The tackle stays light enough to feel every bump and tick, but with enough backbone to turn a big red away from structure. Live bait, artificials, topwater plugs—Kevin's got the right presentation dialed in for the conditions. You'll pick up techniques that'll serve you well on future trips, whether you're fishing these same waters or trying your luck somewhere new. The cleaning and bagging service means you're not stuck dealing with the mess afterward—just focus on the fishing and let Kevin handle the details.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Matagorda Bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats year-round, with fall bringing some of the most consistent action as they feed heavily before winter. A slot red (28-33 inches) puts up a memorable fight with those powerful runs that'll test your drag and your nerves. What makes them special here is the sight-fishing opportunities—there's nothing quite like watching a big red slowly cruise into casting range, making that perfect presentation, and watching the fish absolutely crush your lure. They're smart, too, so you've got to be on your game with line management and hook sets.
Speckled Trout bring a different kind of excitement to the mix. These guys are structure-oriented and love hanging around oyster reefs, drop-offs, and grass beds where baitfish congregate. Spring and fall see the best trout action in Matagorda, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to gator trout pushing 25 inches or better. They've got a soft mouth, so you need to play them carefully, but their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps make every hookup a thrill. Kevin knows exactly where to find them based on tide, temperature, and bait movement.
Black Drum don't always get the respect they deserve, but these bottom-dwellers are absolute bulldogs once you hook one. They range from smaller puppy drum perfect for kids to catch, all the way up to monster bulls that can weigh 30 pounds or more. The bigger fish are catch-and-release, but they'll give you an arm-burning fight that'll have you questioning your drag setting. They're year-round residents in Matagorda Bay, and Kevin knows how to target them when the bite gets tough for other species.
Southern Flounder add another dimension to your trip, especially during their fall migration when they're moving through the bay system toward deeper water. These flatfish are ambush predators that lie in wait on sandy bottoms, and they hit with a distinctive thump that's different from any other fish. They're excellent table fare, and catching them requires a different technique—slower presentations and patience pay off. Kevin's got the spots dialed in where flounder hold, and he'll teach you how to work your bait to trigger strikes from these tasty bottom-dwellers.
This half-day Matagorda fishing charter gives you everything you need for a top-rated fishing experience without eating up your entire day. Captain Kevin's local expertise, quality tackle, and fish-cleaning service mean you can focus on what matters—putting fish in the boat and making memories on the water. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing, looking for a quick getaway, or want to sample what Matagorda Bay has to offer before booking a longer trip, this is your ticket to some of the best inshore fishing on the Texas coast. Spring and fall bring peak action, but Kevin's putting clients on fish year-round by adapting to conditions and fish behavior. Don't wait around hoping for the perfect day—book with Fowl Hooked Outfitters and let Kevin show you why anglers keep coming back to these productive waters.
Your fishing adventure takes place aboard a fully restored 22' Majek bay boat that's perfectly suited for Matagorda's shallow waters and flats fishing. This classic Texas bay boat runs on a dependable 200 HP Yamaha outboard that'll get you to the fish quickly and quietly. Captain Kevin has this rig dialed in with GPS navigation and a quality fish finder to locate those productive spots where the Redfish cruise and Speckled Trout stack up. The boat's got a working livewell to keep your catch fresh and enough deck space for up to 4 anglers to work comfortably, whether you're sight-casting to tailing Reds in skinny water or drifting structure for Trout. Built tough for Texas coastal fishing, this Majek handles everything from protected bay waters to near-shore reefs, giving you access to prime fishing grounds year-round.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, averaging 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+. These powerful fish cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time, especially during their spawn when they school up and become much easier to target. After that, they scatter and get tougher to find. What guests love is the serious fight - these fish will test your drag and make long runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Bigger fish get tough and are best released. My go-to trick: use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom around oyster structure. The bite feels like you snagged a log until it starts moving.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing here in Matagorda. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches with that distinctive black spot near their tail. They cruise ankle-deep flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges, often with their backs out of the water. Spring and fall offer the best sight-fishing when you can actually see them cruising and cast right to them. What makes reds special is their aggressive nature and bulldogging fight - they'll make powerful runs and test your drag. The meat is firm with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. My local trick: watch for "nervous water" and mullet jumping - that usually means reds are feeding below. Cast soft plastics or topwater lures ahead of their path and work it slowly past them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our Matagorda bay system, running 14-24 inches with beautiful spotted sides. These fish love grass flats, shell beds, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall bring the best action, but we catch them year-round. What makes specks special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that explosive surface strike at dawn. The meat is delicate and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. During cold fronts, they move to deeper water and school up tight. My local tip: work soft plastics under a popping cork over grass beds during moving tides. The key is matching your lure size to the bait they're feeding on - smaller lures often outfish bigger ones.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, camouflaged masters are some of the most unique fish you'll target here in Matagorda. Southern Flounder typically run 15-18 inches, with both eyes on their left side and the ability to change color to match the bottom. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting for shrimp, crabs, and baitfish to pass overhead. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our bays heading to spawn offshore. What makes them special is the challenge - you're sight-fishing for a fish that's nearly invisible. The meat is excellent, mild and flaky. Here's the key: look for nervous baitfish or slight depressions in the sand. Cast your soft plastic or live shrimp just past the spot and work it slowly across the bottom.
Matagorda