Full Day Bay Fishing in Corpus Christi
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore bay fishing charter in Corpus Christi watersTarget Black Drum, Redfish, Flounder, Sheepshead, and Speckled TroutPrivate guided trip accommodates up to two anglers daily
Looking for a solid day of fishing in some of Texas's best inshore waters? This 6-hour private charter with JW's Guide Service puts you right where the fish are feeding in Corpus Christi's productive bay system. Starting at 6:30 AM when the bite is hot, you'll have the boat to yourself and up to one other angler, which means more personalized attention and better fishing opportunities. At $700 for two people, this isn't just a fishing trip – it's your chance to work prime structure and grass flats with a guide who knows exactly where to find feeding redfish, speckled trout, and flounder.
You'll meet your captain before dawn when the bays are glass-calm and the fish are actively feeding. Corpus Christi's back bay system offers some of the most consistent inshore fishing on the Texas coast, and this 6-hour window gives you plenty of time to work different spots as conditions change throughout the day. Your guide will read the tides, wind, and bait activity to put you on fish – whether that means drifting live shrimp over oyster reefs for black drum or working soft plastics through the grass for hungry trout. The boat stays comfortable with just two anglers, so you won't be fighting for space or waiting your turn to fish the best spots. This setup works great for couples, father-son trips, or anyone who wants quality fishing without the crowd.
Corpus Christi bay fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want that day. Your guide will have you covered with medium-action spinning gear perfect for inshore species, plus a selection of live bait and proven artificials. Expect to work everything from live shrimp under popping corks near structure to paddle tail soft plastics along drop-offs and grass lines. When the trout are schooled up, you might be casting topwater plugs at first light or working suspending baits through the water column. For redfish, it's often about sight-casting to tailing fish in skinny water or working cut bait around oyster bars. The beauty of a full day trip is adapting to conditions – if the morning bite slows down, you'll move to different structure or switch techniques to keep the action going.
Southern Flounder are the kings of ambush predators in Corpus Christi's bay system. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near drop-offs and channel edges, waiting for unsuspecting bait to swim by. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they fatten up before their offshore spawn, with keeper-sized fish running 16 to 20 inches. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the subtle bite – they don't slam your bait like a redfish. Instead, you'll feel that telltale tap-tap-tap as they mouth the offering. Your guide will teach you to wait for that second pull before setting the hook. Summer Flounder follow similar patterns but tend to be more active in slightly deeper water during the warmer months.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the bay system, and Corpus Christi produces some genuine bulls. These fish love structure – bridge pilings, oyster reefs, and rocky bottoms where they root around for crabs and shellfish. The smaller "puppy drum" in the 14 to 20-inch range fight surprisingly hard for their size, while the big breeder fish over 30 inches will test your drag and your patience. Fresh cut shrimp or blue crab on a Carolina rig works best, and you'll need to keep your bait on the bottom where these fish feed. Black drum bite year-round, but spring and fall produce the most consistent action when they're feeding heavily.
Sea Trout, locally called "specks," are probably the most popular inshore species in Texas for good reason. These spotted beauties are aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and artificials with authority. Corpus Christi's grass flats and shell bars hold good numbers of keeper trout, with fish running anywhere from 15 to 25 inches. The best speck fishing happens around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding in shallow water. They're also one of the most fun fish to catch on light tackle – that first jump when you set the hook never gets old. Winter months can produce some of the biggest trout of the year as they move into deeper holes and channels.
Redfish are the poster fish for Texas inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bulldogs never disappoint. Corpus Christi's reds range from schooling rats in the 20-inch range up to hefty bulls pushing 35 inches or more. What makes redfish special is their aggressive nature and willingness to eat almost anything you throw at them. They'll crush live shrimp, slam soft plastics, and even hit topwater plugs when they're feeding shallow. Spring and fall bring the best red fishing as they move into the shallows to feed, often in water so skinny you can see their backs. The fight is pure power – no jumping, just bulldogging runs that'll make your reel sing.
Six hours on Corpus Christi's bay system with a knowledgeable guide gives you the best shot at multiple species and plenty of action. The early start time puts you on the water when fish are most active, and the private setup means the day revolves around your fishing goals. Whether you're after keeper trout for the dinner table, a personal best redfish, or just want to bend some rods with good friends, this charter delivers the goods. At $700 for two anglers, with the option to add more people at $125 each, it's a solid value for a full day of guided fishing. Don't wait on this one – the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hot.
Hit the productive waters of Corpus Christi Bay aboard our expertly restored 2011 Majek Bay Boat. This 22-foot center console packs serious fishing power with its 225HP Yamaha engine, getting you to prime redfish and speckled trout spots fast at 45 knots. The 2023 restoration brings modern reliability while keeping that classic bay boat performance anglers love. With a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to shallow flats, advanced GPS navigation to mark productive structure, and a quality fish finder to locate schools, you'll have every advantage targeting black drum, flounder, and sheepshead in Corpus Christi's rich inshore waters. The spacious center console design gives you room to work fish and move around safely during the action-packed 6-hour trips that start before dawn.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our bays, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around structure where they crush crabs and shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What guests love is the raw power these fish pack and their willingness to eat when conditions are right. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. When they pick it up, give them time to swallow before setting the hook - they're not going anywhere fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing here in Corpus Christi. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically run 20-35 inches and are famous for their powerful runs and stubborn fights. They love super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and grass beds - often in water so shallow their backs are exposed. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is exceptional when they school up. What guests love most is sight-fishing these bruisers in skinny water and watching them explode on topwater lures. They're also great eating in the slot size range. The secret is being quiet and watching for their tails or wakes in the shallows. Gold spoons and topwater plugs are deadly, but live shrimp under a popping cork never fails when they're finicky.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our Corpus Christi bay fishing. These beautiful silver fish with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and are known for their willingness to bite and strong initial runs. You'll find them over grass flats, around drop-offs, and near oyster reefs in 2-8 feet of water. Early morning and late evening are prime times, especially during spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and the way they fight - plus they're outstanding table fare with tender, flaky white meat. The key here is matching your lure to what they're feeding on. Soft plastics under a popping cork work great, but don't overlook topwater plugs at dawn and dusk when they're feeding on the surface.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 15-18 inches but can reach over 30 inches. You'll find them in shallow bays, around oyster reefs, and near structure where they blend perfectly with the bottom. Fall and winter are prime time when they're most active. What makes them special is their incredible camouflage ability and the challenge of spotting them before they spot you. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick is using live mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig and working it slow along the bottom - patience pays off with these sneaky ambush predators.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are aggressive flatfish that put up a solid fight once hooked. These "left-eyed" fish typically measure 15-20 inches but can reach 26 pounds. They're active hunters compared to other flounders, often chasing down baitfish rather than just waiting in ambush. You'll find them on sandy bottoms in deeper bay areas and near channel edges. September through November is when they're most cooperative, feeding heavily before their offshore migration. Guests appreciate their fighting ability and excellent eating quality - firm, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Unlike our southern flounder, these guys are more aggressive and will chase moving baits. Try drifting live minnows or jigging soft plastics near the bottom, and don't be afraid to work your bait with some action.
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