5.0(2 Reviews)Full Day Inshore Fishing Charter, South Padre Island
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day charter targeting redfish and spotted seatrout inshoreSmall group experience with maximum two guests aboardProfessional vessel equipped with safety gear and navigation technology
When you want to really get after it on the flats and backwaters of South Padre Island, there's nothing like dedicating a full day to the hunt. This comprehensive 8-hour charter with Get'm Hook'd Fishing Charters puts you right in the thick of some of Texas' most productive inshore waters. You'll have Captain Arturo at the helm, a local guide who knows every grass bed, oyster bar, and drop-off where the fish stack up. Whether you're hauling your first redfish to the boat or you've been chasing specks for years, this trip gives you the time to really dial in on what's working and adapt as conditions change throughout the day.
This isn't a rushed half-day where you're watching the clock – you've got a solid 8 hours to cover serious ground and hit multiple spots. The boat comes fully rigged with everything you need, from quality rods and reels to a full spread of lures and live bait options. Captain Arturo runs a tight ship with all the safety gear and modern electronics to keep you on fish and comfortable all day. The beauty of a full-day charter is flexibility – if the morning bite is hot on one flat, you can stay put and capitalize. If conditions shift or the fish move, you've got time to relocate and try different techniques. This trip accommodates up to 2 anglers, so you're not fighting for rod space or competing with a crowd for the captain's attention.
South Padre's inshore game is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want. You'll likely start with artificials – soft plastics rigged on jig heads are bread and butter for reds cruising the grass flats. When the specks are schooled up and feeding, topwater plugs can create some heart-stopping surface explosions at first light. As the day progresses, live bait becomes your ace in the hole. Fresh shrimp under a popping cork is deadly for trout, while cut mullet on the bottom will pull in drum and flounder. Captain Arturo excels at reading bird activity – when you see gulls working, there's usually feeding fish underneath. The shallow draft boat lets you work skinny water where bigger vessels can't go, putting you on fish that see less pressure. You'll learn to spot redfish tailing in inches of water and make precision casts without spooking them.
"We booked an 8 hour trip with Captain Arturo Calderas with Get'm Hooked Fishing Charters. It was our first time doing a trip like this because we are from Colorado. My son and I are just used to regular fishing at lakes and ponds. So Visiting South Padre Island and getting this trip marked off our bucket list was an awesome experience and Also it was his birthday gift he requested. Our captain took extra care of my son and put on us on some really good hot spots, we caught a total of 20 fish and my son caught 16 and I caught 4. My son was so excited and that's all that mattered to me. Thanks to our Captain, he was very knowledgeable of the area and made this experience one not to forget. Thank you Get'm hooked/ Arturo Calderas." - Manuel V. "The captain and I had communicated about my style of fishing and how I preferred to fish if possible and Arturo came through. We started out chasing birds and casting for speckled trout and i caught them for 2 hours straight! We switched to live bait to go for a big speck and i nailed it! Right under 20inches for my limit of specks. We switched to red fish and Arturo got me onto a big red fish immediately! I enjoyed myself and will be using Arturo again and i suggest you do to! Friendly, professional and most importantly caught fish!" - James
Redfish are the crown jewel of South Padre's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and will test your drag system when they make their signature bulldogging runs. Reds feed year-round but really turn on during fall when they school up for their spawning runs. You'll find them cruising shallow grass flats, tailing in inches of water, or stacked up around structure. What makes them special is their willingness to eat – they'll crush everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, and their fight is pure muscle from start to finish.
Spotted Seatrout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the perfect complement to redfish and often share the same waters. These sleek predators range from schoolie-sized 14-inchers to trophy sows pushing 20+ inches. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, with early morning and evening producing the best results. Specks are sight feeders that love structure – look for them around grass beds, shell reefs, and drop-offs. They're notorious for their delicate mouths, so keeping steady pressure without horsing them is key to getting them to the net.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute tanks that will humble even experienced anglers. These bottom-dwellers can range from 2-pound "puppy drum" to 20+ pound giants that will make your reel scream. They're most active during cooler months and love hanging around oyster reefs and mud flats where they root for crabs and shrimp. When you hook into a big drum, get ready for a grinding, determined fight that tests your patience and tackle.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators of the flats, lying motionless in sand until prey swims within striking distance. These flatfish average 2-4 pounds but can reach impressive sizes, especially the pre-spawn females in fall. They're masters
Hit the productive inshore waters around South Padre Island aboard our well-equipped 2020 Majek 25-footer. This center console bay boat cuts through the shallows with ease thanks to its reliable 300HP Suzuki outboard, giving you access to prime redfish and spotted seatrout territory. The onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish while GPS keeps you positioned over the best spots. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Texas afternoons on the water. With room for up to 6 anglers, this boat handles everything from sight fishing the grass flats to working deeper channels where black drum and sheepshead hold. The shallow draft design lets you chase tailing reds in skinny water that bigger boats can't reach.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from schoolie 5-pounders up to 40+ pound bulls that'll test your tackle. These bottom feeders cruise oyster beds, mud flats, and shallow bays looking for crabs and shellfish with those powerful crushing jaws. Spring is prime time, especially February through April when they school up for spawning - you can hear them drumming underwater. What makes them special is the variety - smaller ones are great table fare with sweet, flaky meat, while the big ones provide serious fights with long, powerful runs. They're perfect for beginners since they're not too finicky about bait. My secret weapon is fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig. Fish it right on the bottom near oyster reefs, and be patient - when a big drum picks up that crab, let them run with it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our inshore waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically run 20-28 inches here, with slot fish around 5-8 pounds being most common. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is magic when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds special is their power and attitude. They pull like freight trains, making long runs that'll burn your drag. The smaller slot fish are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The big bulls over 28 inches are catch-and-release and provide the fight of a lifetime. My go-to setup: gold spoon or live shrimp under a popping cork. When you see their backs or tails, cast past them and work the bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are one of South Padre's most reliable targets. They typically run 14-20 inches with plenty of 3-5 pounders mixed in. These beautiful fish with their silver sides and black spots love grass flats, oyster reefs, and soft bottoms in 2-12 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime, but they school up in deeper channels during winter cold fronts. What guests love is their willingness to bite and that classic speckled trout fight - they pull steady and jump occasionally. The meat is outstanding - soft, white, and sweet, though it's delicate so don't overcook it. They're great on topwater early morning and late evening. Here's my local trick: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches under it. Work it over grass beds at dawn or dusk - the sound drives them crazy.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are aggressive predators with that distinctive black lateral line and golden color. Around South Padre, most run 18-28 inches, but the big females can hit 35+ inches and really test your drag. They love structure - docks, mangroves, jetties, and bridge pilings in 2-15 feet of water. These fish are temperature sensitive, so warmer months from May through October are your best bet. What guests love about snook is their explosive strikes and strong runs. They'll jump, make long runs, and fight dirty around cover. The meat is fantastic - firm, white, and mild. They're catch-and-release only in Texas waters, which keeps the population healthy. Here's my go-to technique: throw a live shrimp or white jig tight to structure on an incoming tide. Snook ambush from cover, so get your bait right where they're hiding.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are unique flatfish that ambush prey from sandy and muddy bottoms around South Padre's bays and estuaries. These masters of camouflage can actually change color to match their surroundings. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some pushing 25+ inches weighing several pounds. They're bottom dwellers found in shallow water from 2-20 feet, especially near structure like oyster reefs and channel edges. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward passes for spawning. What makes them special is their fight - they pull hard and their unique appearance always surprises first-timers. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My tip: use live mud minnows or shrimp on a Carolina rig, and fish it slow along the bottom. When you feel that thump, give them a second before setting the hook.
5.0 out of 5.0We booked an 8 hour trip with Captain Arturo Calderas with Get'm Hooked Fishing Charters. It was our first time doing a trip like this because we are from Colorado. My son and I are just used to regular fishing at lakes and ponds. So Visiting South Padre Island and getting this trip marked off our bucket list was an awesome experience and Also it was his birthday gift he requested. Our captain took extra care of my son and put on us on some really good hot spots, we caught a total of 20 fish and my son caught 16 and I caught 4. My son was so excited and that's all that mattered to me. Thanks to our Captain, he was very knowledgeable of the area and made this experience one not to forget. Thank you Get'm hooked/ Arturo Calderas.
The captain and I had communicated about my style of fishing and how I preferred to fish if possible and Arturo came through. We started out chasing birds and casting for speckled trout and i caught them for 2 hours straight! We switched to live bait to go for a big speck and i nailed it! Right under 20inches for my limit of specks. We switched to red fish and Arturo got me onto a big red fish immediately! I enjoyed myself and will be using Arturo again and i suggest you do to! Friendly, professional and most importantly caught fish!
South Padre Island