Tournament Style Fishing in Corpus Christi Bay
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Fullday tournamentstyle charter targeting trophy redfish and speckled trout.Professional 23' Shoalwater boat accommodates up to four guests comfortably.All gear, tackle, and fish cleaning included in flat rate.
When you're serious about putting tournament-quality redfish and speckled trout in the boat, this full-day charter delivers the goods. We're talking eight hours of focused fishing across some of Texas' most productive waters – the Corpus Christi Bay system and legendary Baffin Bay. This isn't your typical leisure cruise; it's built for anglers who want to fish like the pros do, using proven tournament tactics that consistently produce results. Captain JBG knows these flats like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish using the same strategies that win money in major tournaments throughout the Upper Laguna Madre.
Your day starts early at 7:00 AM sharp – tournament fishing waits for no one, and the best bite windows don't care if you're still nursing your morning coffee. We'll be running a top-rated 2023 23' Shoalwater, which is purpose-built for the shallow water game these species love. This boat gets us into skinny water where the big trout stack up and redfish cruise the grass lines, but she's also stable enough for comfortable casting all day long. The $1000 flat rate covers everything you need – world-class tackle, all the gear, and we'll even clean your fish at the end of the day. You just need to bring your valid Texas fishing license and be ready to fish hard. Whether you're new to flats fishing or you've been chasing tails for decades, Captain JBG tailors the approach to match your skill level while keeping everyone in the game.
This charter revolves around specialized wading and flats techniques that separate the weekend warriors from the serious stick. We're not anchoring up and soaking bait – this is active, sight-based fishing that keeps you engaged from first light to last cast. The Shoalwater lets us pole into water so shallow you can see individual shells on the bottom, then we'll ease out and wade the prime zones where these fish feed. Tournament tactics mean reading water conditions, wind direction, and tide movement to stay on the most productive areas throughout the day. We run premium spinning gear matched with the right lures for conditions – everything from topwater plugs during the early bite to soft plastics when fish get finicky later in the day. The Captain provides all tackle, but if you've got favorite rods or lucky lures, bring them along. Wading requires basic fitness since we'll cover ground to find active fish, but the payoff is getting shots at fish that boat-bound anglers never see.
Sea Trout in the Corpus Christi Bay system are the bread and butter of tournament fishing, and for good reason. These speckled beauties average 14-18 inches but the real trophies push 24+ inches and fight like fish twice their size. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though summer morning bites can be world-class if you're on the water early enough. What makes trout fishing so addictive is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures – there's nothing quite like watching a big speck blow up on a She Dog at first light. They school up over grass beds and shell reefs, making them perfect targets for tournament-style fishing where you need to put multiple quality fish in the box quickly.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas flats fishing, and Baffin Bay produces some true giants that'll test your drag and your patience. These copper-colored bulldogs range from slot-sized fish around 20-25 inches up to bull reds that can stretch past 35 inches and weigh north of 20 pounds. Peak season runs from late summer through early winter, but you'll find quality reds year-round in these waters. What sets redfish apart is their willingness to eat in skinny water where you can sight-cast to individual fish – watching a red track down your lure in two feet of crystal-clear water never gets old. They're also incredibly strong fighters that'll make multiple runs and test every knot you tied that morning.
Southern Flounder add an element of surprise to any day on these flats, lurking in sandy potholes and ambush points where other species cruise by. These flatfish typically run 12-16 inches but the occasional doormat stretches past 20 inches and provides serious bragging rights. Fall migration timing makes September through November the customer favorite months for flounder, when they're feeding heavily before heading to deeper water. What's exciting about catching flounder is the challenge – they're masters of camouflage and require precise presentations to spook them off the bottom. Once hooked, they fight with surprising power for a flatfish, making strong runs and using their broad profile to leverage against your line.
This tournament-style charter represents the best way to fish the renowned Corpus Christi Bay system like a pro. Eight hours of focused fishing with a captain who knows these waters intimately, premium gear that's tournament-tested, and techniques that consistently put quality fish in the boat. The combination of sight fishing, wading opportunities, and access to both Corpus Christi Bay and Baffin Bay gives you the best shot at multiple species and memorable catches. With space for up to four anglers, it's perfect for serious fishing buddies or anyone looking to step up their flats game. Don't wait – prime dates book up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot and the weather's right.
The 2023 23' Shoalwater Bay boat is your ticket to serious fishing in the shallow waters of Corpus Christi and Baffin Bay. Built specifically for flats fishing, this center console cuts through skinny water like a dream while the 300HP Mercury gets you to the fish fast. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip up on redfish without spooking them, while the GPS and fish finder help locate those trophy specks hiding in the grass beds. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of deck space for casting and fighting fish. The shallow draft design means you can reach those back-country spots where the big reds feed, making it the perfect platform for tournament-style fishing in the Upper Laguna Madre system.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow flats, and spotting their copper backs tailing in knee-deep water never gets old. These bruisers average 18-28 inches inshore, but we regularly see slot fish up to 28 inches that'll test your drag. Look for them on grass flats, oyster reefs, and shoreline structure in 1-4 feet of water. They're year-round residents, but fall brings the best action when they school up for their spawning runs. What sets them apart? Pure power - a good red will make multiple screaming runs and use that broad tail like a paddle. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. The black spot near their tail makes them easy to ID. My secret: when you see them tailing, cast well past them and work your bait back slowly - they spook easy but once hooked, they fight like freight trains.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are what we call them down here, and they're the bread and butter of our bay fishing. These spotted beauties run 14-24 inches typically, with keepers at 15 inches and a few trophy fish pushing 5+ pounds. You'll find them cruising grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around structure like shell reefs and drop-offs. They love soft plastics, topwater plugs early morning, and live shrimp under popping corks. Fall and spring are prime time when water temps hit that 70-75 degree sweet spot. What makes them special? They fight hard for their size, taste amazing on the table with that flaky white meat, and they're willing biters when you find them. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady - specks will follow for a while before committing, so don't rush the retrieve.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the ghosts of our bay bottoms, and landing one always feels like solving a puzzle. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, with doormat-sized specimens hitting 25+ inches and 5+ pounds. They ambush prey from sandy and muddy bottoms near channel edges, drop-offs, and around structure in 3-15 feet of water. Fall migration from October through December is prime time as they move toward deeper water to spawn. What makes them fun to target? They're pure stealth predators that test your bottom-fishing skills, plus they're phenomenal eating with sweet, white meat that flakes perfectly. The fight isn't flashy, but feeling that heavy head shake on the bottom gets your heart racing. Key tip: use a slow drift with live finger mullet or bull minnows on a light jig head - let it bump bottom and give it time to work.
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