Private 8-Hour Tournament Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Eighthour tournamentfocused fishing trip targeting redfish in Matagorda watersExpert guidance from experienced local captain with proven tournament strategiesPrivate charter accommodates two guests on specialized flats fishing adventure
When you're gearing up for tournament season along the Texas coast, having the right guide can make all the difference between weighing in a winning bag or heading home empty-handed. Here in Matagorda, we've got the local knowledge and tournament experience to put you on fish when it counts. This isn't just another guided trip – it's tournament prep and strategy rolled into eight solid hours on some of the most productive flats and back lakes on the upper Texas coast. Whether you're a tournament rookie looking to learn the ropes or a seasoned competitor wanting to dial in your approach for local waters, we'll work together to give you every advantage possible come tournament day.
This eight-hour charter is built around tournament fishing tactics and mindset. We'll be running a tight ship, focusing on the kind of efficient, productive fishing that wins competitions. Expect to cover water strategically, hitting multiple spots based on conditions, tides, and what the fish are doing that day. We start early – tournament style – and make the most of every hour. You'll learn how to read water like a local, understand seasonal patterns that drive fish behavior, and pick up techniques that work specifically in these Matagorda systems. The boat's rigged for serious fishing with quality electronics, and we'll have you throwing the right baits in the right places. This isn't a leisurely sightseeing trip; it's focused fishing designed to sharpen your skills and boost your confidence for competition day.
Tournament fishing requires a different approach than recreational angling, and we'll cover all the essentials during your trip. We'll work on efficient bait presentation, quick decision-making when fish aren't cooperating, and how to maximize your time in each spot. You'll learn to fish with a clock in mind – something that separates tournament winners from everyone else. We'll practice culling techniques, proper fish handling for tournaments, and strategic thinking about when to stay versus when to make moves. The tackle we use reflects tournament standards: quality gear that performs under pressure. Depending on conditions, we might work anything from topwater early morning action to mid-day structure fishing, and you'll see how to adapt your strategy as conditions change throughout the day.
Redfish are the backbone of tournament fishing around Matagorda, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20 to 30 inches in our waters, with plenty of slot fish and some real bulls mixed in. They're most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon. Reds love structure – oyster reefs, grass lines, and shallow flats where they can ambush baitfish. What makes them perfect for tournaments is their willingness to eat and their fighting ability. A good red will test your drag and your nerves, and they're consistent enough that skilled anglers can usually find them when it matters.
Sea Trout add the numbers game to your tournament strategy. These silvery spotted fighters are abundant in Matagorda's grass flats and can really help fill out a tournament bag. They typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with some gator trout pushing well over two feet. Spring and fall are prime times, but we catch them year-round by adjusting depth and presentation. Trout are structure-oriented but less predictable than reds, which makes them both frustrating and rewarding for tournament anglers. They'll hit soft plastics, topwater, and live bait with equal enthusiasm when conditions are right.
Black Drum are the wild cards that can make or break a tournament day. These bottom-dwelling bruisers can range from puppy drum around 14 inches up to true giants over 30 pounds. They're most active in cooler months and love deeper holes, channel edges, and around structure. What tournament anglers love about black drum is their size potential – one good drum can anchor a winning bag. They're not always cooperative, but when they're feeding, you can load up quickly. We target them with cut bait around structure, and once you hook one, you'll understand why they're called "drum" – they'll make your rod sing.
Southern Flounder round out the tournament species mix as the tactical challenge. These flatfish are masters of disguise, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. They're most active during cooler months and around structure transitions – drop-offs, channel edges, and areas where sand meets grass. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique, but they're excellent tournament fish because of their size and meat quality. A good flounder runs 16 to 24 inches, and the big ones can really add weight to your tournament bag. They hit both live bait and artificials, but presentation is everything with these fish.
Tournament success comes down to preparation, local knowledge, and time on the water with someone who knows these systems inside and out. This eight-hour trip gives you the concentrated experience and strategic thinking you need to compete with confidence. We've spent years learning these waters, understanding the seasonal patterns, and developing the techniques that produce fish when the pressure's on. Whether you're preparing for your first tournament or looking to up your game for the next level of competition, this focused approach will give you tools you can use for years to come. The Texas coast tournament scene is competitive, but with the right preparation and local insight, you can hold your own against anybody. Book your tournament prep trip and let's get you ready to weigh in some winners.
Your tournament fishing adventure starts aboard a reliable motorboat built for serious angling in Matagorda's coastal waters. This fishing-focused vessel comes equipped with GPS navigation to help you locate those prime redfish spots that can make the difference between placing and winning. The boat handles the shallow flats and back bays where trophy fish love to hide, giving you access to waters that bigger boats simply can't reach. With space for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work your lines and land those tournament-winning catches. The setup is designed for competitive fishing - no frills, just solid performance when you need to get on the fish fast. Perfect for working the Texas coast where every cast counts toward your tournament success.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from schoolie 5-pounders to monsters pushing 50+ pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring spawning season is when they really turn on, schooling up in shallow water and making those famous drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic table fare, while the big bulls give you an arm-burning fight that'll test your drag. They're not picky eaters - fresh crab, cut mullet, or even crushed oysters work great. Here's the key: keep your bait on the bottom and be patient. When a big drum picks up your bait, let him run with it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target, cruising shallow flats in just 1-4 feet of water where you can actually see their copper backs and that signature black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, but we get plenty of oversized bulls that'll peel drag and test your skills. They love oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy shorelines where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. What guests love most is watching them eat topwater baits in skinny water - it's pure adrenaline when a 30-inch red crushes a spook. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. My favorite setup is a gold spoon or soft plastic paddle tail worked slowly along drop-offs where the flat meets deeper water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are bread-and-butter fish around Matagorda, running anywhere from 14-24 inches with occasional 5+ pounders that'll make your day. These spotted beauties love grass flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during dawn and dusk, especially in spring and fall when water temps are in the sweet spot. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the bay. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the grill. Early morning topwater action is hard to beat when they're busting bait on the surface. Pro tip: when the bite gets tough, downsize your lure and slow your retrieve. A 1/8 oz jig with a soft plastic on light tackle often saves the day.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey like shrimp and small baitfish. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, but we've seen some push 20+ pounds in deeper waters. They're both eyes on the left side of their head, which always gets a laugh from first-timers. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our shallow bays and estuaries heading offshore. What makes them special is the fight - they pull sideways like a dinner plate, plus they're some of the best eating fish around. My go-to trick is using live bull minnows on a 1/4 oz jig head and working it slow along channel edges where the bottom changes from sand to mud.
Matagorda