Inshore Fishing - Texas Gulf Coast
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, trout, drum, snapper, and flounder inshoreFish open bays and shallow backwaters with experienced guideExplore West Matagorda, Espiritu Santo, and San Antonio Bays
Captain Collin knows the Texas Gulf Coast like the back of his hand, and his 23' Shoalwater Cat is built to take you where the fish are biting. Whether conditions have us running shallow backwater cuts or working open bay structure, you're in for a top-rated inshore experience that'll have you talking about it long after you dock. This isn't your typical charter - we're talking about a guide who reads water and weather patterns to put you on fish when others are struggling. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work without bumping elbows, and Collin's local knowledge means we're always adjusting our game plan based on what's happening right now on the water.
Every trip starts with Collin checking conditions and making the call on where we'll have the best shot at success. Some days that means sliding into skinny water barely deep enough to float the boat, targeting redfish cruising grass flats in West Matagorda Bay. Other days we might be working deeper structure in Espiritu Santo or San Antonio Bays, bouncing soft plastics for trout and drum. The Shoalwater Cat's shallow draft opens up spots that bigger boats can't reach, which is exactly why Collin chose this hull. When the surf's laying down nice, we might even make a run to the beachfront for some different action. You'll spend the day sight-casting, working artificial lures, and learning to read the subtle signs that separate good anglers from great ones. The boat's rigged with quality electronics, but honestly, Collin's eyes and experience are your best fish-finder out here.
We fish light tackle that lets you feel every bump and run, typically spinning gear in the 3000 to 4000 size range spooled with braid. Depending on conditions and what we're targeting, you'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at sunrise to soft plastics worked slow along drop-offs. Collin keeps the boat stocked with proven local favorites - think Bass Assassins, She Dogs, and Corkys that have been putting fish in the boat for years. In the shallows, we're sight-casting to tailing reds and cruising trout, which means staying quiet and making accurate presentations. When we're working structure in deeper bay water, it's more about covering water systematically and staying in touch with your lure as it works through the strike zone. The key is matching your retrieve speed to water temperature and fish activity level, something you'll pick up quick with Collin calling the shots.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most visual and exciting fishing you'll find anywhere. Ranging from schoolie-sized fish around 20 inches up to bull reds pushing 40-plus, they're aggressive feeders that'll crush topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live bait with equal enthusiasm. Fall and winter months see the biggest concentrations as they move through the bays heading to spawn, but you can find quality fish year-round if you know where to look. What makes reds so special is their willingness to feed in super shallow water - we're talking about fish with their backs out of the water, tails waving as they root around for crabs and shrimp.
Sea trout might be the most technical fish we target, requiring finesse and the right presentation to consistently hook up. These speckled beauties love structure - oyster reefs, drop-offs, and grass edges where baitfish get funneled into ambush zones. Spring and fall offer the best trout fishing as water temperatures hit that sweet spot, and a good trout bite can turn into a day you'll never forget. They're not the hardest fighters, but landing a gator trout over 25 inches takes skill and patience. The key is working soft plastics with subtle action, letting the fish tell you what they want on any given day.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the bay system, using their crushing power to inhale crabs and shellfish off the bottom. These fish get big - we're talking about specimens that can push 30-40 pounds and will test your drag system for sure. They're most active during cooler months when they school up in deeper bay areas, and once you hook one, you'll understand why drum fishing has such a dedicated following. They fight deep and heavy, making long powerful runs that'll have your arms burning.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage, laying perfectly still on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim within striking distance. These flatfish are prized for their excellent table fare and their sneaky fighting style - they don't jump or make screaming runs, but they'll bulldogs their way along the bottom with surprising strength. Fall migration produces the best flounder action as fish move toward the Gulf, and working soft plastics slowly along channel edges and drop-offs is the proven technique for connecting with quality fish.
Red snapper might seem like an odd addition to an inshore list, but when conditions allow access to nearshore structure, these fish provide world-class action. Smaller snapper move into bay systems and can be targeted around hard bottom and artificial reefs. They're aggressive biters with excellent food value, and their pink-red coloration makes them one of the most beautiful fish you'll catch in Texas waters. When the bite is on, you can load the boat with keeper-sized snapper that'll make for outstanding dinner table conversation.
Captain Collin's inshore trips fill up quick, especially during prime fishing seasons when the bite is hot and weather's cooperating. His local knowledge of West Matagorda, Espiritu Santo, and San Antonio Bay systems, combined with that shallow-running Shoalwater Cat, puts you in position to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Texas coast has
Collin's 23' Shoalwater Cat is built for the Texas coast's diverse fishing conditions. This shallow-draft catamaran gets you into skinny backwaters where redfish cruise or out to open bay waters for trout and drum action. The boat's equipped with a fish finder to locate structure and schools, GPS navigation for marking productive spots, and VHF radio for safety communication. When visibility drops, the radar keeps you oriented in fog or early morning runs. An onboard multimedia system and ice box round out the setup for comfortable day trips. Whether you're working the grass flats of West Matagorda Bay, probing deeper channels in Espiritu Santo, or hitting San Antonio Bay's shell reefs, this Cat handles it all. When conditions align, surf fishing for snapper and flounder is on the table too. The shallow-running hull design lets Collin access those back-country honey holes that bigger boats can't reach, while still being stable enough for open water when the fish are holding in deeper structure.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of the bay - powerful, dark-colored fish that can get massive, though most we catch run 10-25 pounds. They've got crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs, and they'll make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. Find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and shallow structure throughout the bay system. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. Guests love the strong, steady fight they put up, though stick with smaller ones for the table - under 15 pounds eat much better. Pro tip: use fresh crab on the bottom with enough weight to stay put, and be patient - they're methodical feeders that take their time.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are beautiful fish that start pink when young and turn bright red as adults, usually running 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds around here. We find juveniles in shallow muddy areas, but the bigger ones hang around structure in 30+ feet of water. They're fierce fighters that'll head straight for cover when hooked, so keep steady pressure. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, especially around rocky bottom and artificial reefs. Guests love them for the hard fight and that sweet, mild meat that's perfect on the grill. My tip: use fresh squid or live pinfish on a heavy rig, and don't let them get back to the rocks once you hook up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of shallow water fishing with their copper-bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. They range from schooling rats around 20 inches up to bull reds pushing 40+ inches in our bay systems. Look for them cruising grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges in water so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing with peak action in fall when they school heavily. Guests love watching them cruise the flats and that explosive strike on topwater lures. They're powerful fighters that make long runs. The smaller slot fish are fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. Best tip: cast ahead of cruising fish and work your lure slowly - they spook easily in skinny water, so stay quiet and make accurate casts.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter fish with their silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. Most run 14-20 inches, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish in grass flats and shallow waters. They love structure changes, drop-offs, and areas where bait concentrates. Best action comes during cooler months when they school up, plus early morning and evening bites year-round. Guests appreciate their willingness to hit lures and that delicate, flaky white meat that's outstanding fried or grilled. They're scrappy fighters for their size. My go-to advice: work soft plastics slowly over grass beds in 2-4 feet of water, and don't horse them - their mouths are soft, so keep steady pressure and let your drag work.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, oval-shaped fish with both eyes on their left side - nature's perfect ambush predator. They bury in sand and mud on shallow flats, waiting to grab shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Most run 15-18 inches here, but we catch some pushing 25+ inches. Look for them on sandy and muddy bottoms in the bays, especially around drop-offs and structure changes. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water. Guests enjoy the challenge of finding these masters of camouflage, plus they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. Here's the key: drift slow with live bull minnows or shrimp on light jigheads, and watch for that subtle tap - they don't slam it like other fish.
Port O'Connor, TX