Expert Guided Half Day Redfish and Trout Fishing
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Fourhour inshore charter targeting redfish and speckled troutProfessional captain provides all tackle and fish cleaning servicePrivate boat accommodates up to four guests maximum
Captain JB Gooding's half-day charter puts you right in the heart of some of Texas's most productive inshore waters. This isn't your average tourist fishing trip – you'll be working the shallow flats and back bays where the big reds cruise and the trout stack up thick during feeding times. With departure times at 7 AM and 1 PM, you can pick the slot that works best for your schedule and still have plenty of time to explore Corpus Christi or get back to real life. The morning bite often fires up strong, especially when the water's still cool, while afternoon trips can be dynamite when the wind lays down and the fish move shallow to feed.
You'll spend four solid hours fishing the Upper Laguna Madre and the maze of productive bay systems that make this area a top-rated destination for inshore anglers. Captain JB runs a 2023 23-foot Shoalwater that's built specifically for this kind of fishing – it'll float in skinny water where the fish live, but it's stable enough to handle chop when the wind picks up. The 300HP Mercury gets you to the hot spots fast and runs whisper-quiet when you're stalking fish in shallow water. This is a private charter, so you're not sharing boat space with strangers or fighting over fishing spots. The boat handles up to four anglers comfortably, though it's set up for three as the standard capacity. Every rod, reel, and piece of tackle you need comes included, along with professional fish cleaning at the end of the day so you can take your catch home table-ready.
This is classic shallow-water fishing where technique matters as much as finding fish. You'll be working artificial lures most of the time – soft plastics rigged on jig heads, topwater plugs when conditions are right, and maybe some spoons when the trout are schooled up and feeding aggressively. The key is matching your presentation to what the fish want that day, and Captain JB reads the water better than most. When you're sight-fishing for reds, you'll need to make accurate casts and work your bait with just enough action to trigger a strike without spooking the fish. For speckled trout, it's often about finding the right depth and structure – grass beds, shell reefs, or drop-offs where baitfish concentrate. The boat's equipped with a trolling motor for stealthy approaches, and you'll learn to read the signs that tell you where fish are likely to be holding. Water color, wind direction, tide movement, and bait activity all factor into the game plan each day.
Redfish are the stars of the show here, and Corpus Christi's bay system holds some real bruisers. These copper-colored fighters typically run anywhere from 20 to 35 inches, with the occasional bull red pushing 40-plus inches and 30 pounds. Reds are ambush predators that love to cruise the shallow flats looking for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. They're most active during moving water, and you'll often spot them tailing in knee-deep water or cruising just under the surface with their backs barely showing. What makes them so exciting is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight – they'll make runs that test your drag and try every trick to wrap you around structure.
Speckled trout are the bread-and-butter fish of the Texas coast, and the ones in these waters are known for their size and fight. Most of what you'll catch will be in the 14 to 18-inch range, but keeper trout over 20 inches show up regularly, especially during cooler months. Specks are structure-oriented fish that relate to grass beds, oyster reefs, and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. They're more finicky than redfish and require a softer touch – light drags, sharp hooks, and subtle presentations often make the difference between a good day and a great one. The bigger fish are typically solitary hunters, while smaller trout often school up in large numbers.
Southern flounder add variety to your catch and put up a surprisingly strong fight for a flatfish. These masters of camouflage typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds caught regularly in the bay systems around Corpus Christi. Flounder are opportunistic feeders that bury themselves in sand and mud near structure, waiting to ambush passing prey. They're most active during moving water and low-light conditions, making them perfect targets during the edges of your fishing day. What surprises most anglers is how hard they pull once hooked – they use their flat profile to plane through the water like a kite, making runs that can catch you off guard.
At $600 for up to three anglers, with the option to add a fourth person for $100, this charter delivers world-class fishing without breaking the bank. Captain JB's local knowledge and specialized equipment give you the best shot at connecting with quality fish, and the professional fish cleaning means you'll head home with a cooler full of fillets ready for the table. Remember to grab your Texas fishing license before you arrive – everyone on board needs to be legal, and it's your responsibility to have proper documentation. The combination of proven fishing grounds, top-notch equipment, and experienced guidance makes this a customer favorite for both visiting anglers and locals looking to put some quality fish in the box. Book early, especially during peak seasons, because productive half-day slots fill up fast when the fishing is hot.
This 2023 23' Shoalwater Bay Boat cuts through Corpus Christi's shallow flats like it was built for the job—because it was. The 300HP Mercury gets you to the fish fast, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking redfish in knee-deep water. With room for three anglers, this center console gives everyone space to cast without tangling lines. The GPS and fish finder take the guesswork out of finding productive water in the Upper Laguna Madre's maze of grass flats and oyster reefs. Captain JB knows these bay systems inside out, and this boat's shallow draft opens up skinny water spots that bigger vessels can't touch. Perfect setup for sight-fishing speckled trout and reds.
Sciaenops OcellatusReds in our Upper Laguna Madre typically run 18-28 inches, perfect slot-size fish that put up a serious fight. They cruise super shallow - sometimes with their backs out of the water - around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy flats. Those distinctive black spots near their tails make them easy to spot when sight fishing. Year-round fishing here, but fall and winter are prime when they school up thick. Guests love these copper-colored bruisers because they pull drag and never give up easy. Plus they're excellent table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. Pro tip: when you see that telltale "v" wake in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're heading. Reds spook easy in shallow water, so lead them by at least 10 feet.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout run 14-24 inches most days, though bigger fish around 5 pounds show up regularly in our bay systems. They love grass flats and shallow structure where they ambush shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. These spotted beauties fight smart - they'll make quick runs and try to wrap you in the grass. Fall through spring gives us the most consistent action, especially when water temps drop and they school up in deeper pockets. What guests really appreciate is the solid fight and how good they eat - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. My go-to tip: work your lure slow and steady along grass edges. Trout like to study their meal before committing, so patience pays off big time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy and muddy bottoms, typically running 15-18 inches with some pushing 5 pounds. These flatfish bury themselves in soft bottom near structure, waiting to ambush anything that swims by. Both eyes on one side of their head makes them one of the most unique catches in the bay. Cooler months are prime time before they head offshore for winter. Guests get a kick out of these oddball fighters - they don't run far but they sure know how to use that flat body to leverage against you. They're also some of the best eating fish in the bay. Key tip: drag your bait right along the bottom slowly. Flounder won't chase, so you've got to put it right in front of their nose to trigger that strike.
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