Day Fishing Trip - Matagorda, TX
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Fullday fishing adventure in Matagorda Bay watersAll equipment provided including rods, reels, and luresSmall group experience with maximum three guests
Matagorda Bay isn't just another fishing spot – it's where serious anglers come to test their skills against some of Texas's most prized inshore species. When you step aboard with Kosik's Guide Service for a full day on these productive waters, you're setting yourself up for the kind of fishing that keeps you talking for months. The bay's unique mix of shallow grass flats, deeper channels, and oyster reefs creates the perfect storm for consistent action, and our local knowledge puts you right where the fish are feeding.
Your day starts early – that's when the fish are most active and before the afternoon winds kick up. We'll have all your gear ready to go: quality rods and reels perfectly spooled for bay fishing, a tackle box stocked with proven lures that work in these waters, and plenty of ice to keep your catch fresh. The only thing you need to bring is your own cooler to haul home your limit of fish. We keep our groups small at just three anglers max, which means more personalized attention and better fishing for everyone. No crowded boat, no fighting for spots – just focused fishing with a captain who knows every productive structure in the bay. The boat's equipped with everything from a shallow water anchor to keep us positioned perfectly over the fish, to a quality fish finder that helps us locate schools and structure.
Matagorda Bay fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We'll be working everything from topwater plugs over the grass flats at first light to soft plastics bounced along the bottom near oyster reefs when the sun gets high. The key here is understanding how these fish use the structure – redfish love to cruise the shallow flats looking for crabs and shrimp, while sea trout typically hang around deeper pockets and drop-offs where baitfish collect. We use a mix of artificial lures and live bait depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. Some days they want a noisy topwater that creates a commotion, other times a subtle presentation with a weightless soft plastic is the ticket. The beauty of fishing with a local guide is we adjust our tactics based on tide, wind, water clarity, and seasonal patterns that only come from spending hundreds of days on these waters.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties typically run 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional "gator trout" pushing 25 inches or better. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, when they school up in deeper holes and around structure. What makes sea trout so exciting to catch is their aggressive strike and the way they jump when hooked – plus they're absolutely delicious on the table. They have excellent eyesight, so lure selection and presentation matter. A well-placed cast with a gold spoon or paddle-tail soft plastic can trigger explosive strikes that'll get your heart racing.
Redfish are the other crown jewel of our local waters, and they're what most anglers dream about when they think Texas coast fishing. These copper-colored bruisers average 20 to 28 inches in the slot, but we regularly see fish pushing 35 inches that have to go back in the water. Redfish are year-round residents here, though they're most aggressive in spring and fall when water temperatures are ideal. What sets redfish apart is their power – when a big red takes off on its first run, it'll test your drag and your nerves. They're also incredibly smart fish that can be spooky in shallow water, making sight-fishing for them one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in saltwater angling. The way they cruise the flats with their backs out of the water, tails waving as they root for crabs, is a sight that never gets old.
Matagorda Bay consistently produces some of the best inshore fishing on the Texas coast, and there's no better way to experience it than with a guide who lives and breathes these waters. Every trip is different – that's what keeps us coming back day after day. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to dial in your technique or someone who just wants to catch fish and have a great time on the water, this day trip delivers the goods. The combination of productive fishing grounds, quality equipment, and local expertise gives you the best shot at filling your cooler with fresh fish. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the bite is hot and word gets out.
Hit the productive waters of Matagorda Bay aboard our well-equipped motorboat, perfect for serious anglers ready to target the area's abundant fish populations. This reliable fishing vessel comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water - an ice box to keep your catch fresh, GPS navigation to find the hottest fishing spots, and a quality fish finder to locate schools beneath the surface. Built for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of room to cast lines and work the waters without getting tangled up. We've got all the essential gear covered including rods, reels, lures, and ice, so you can focus on what matters most - putting fish in the boat. The shallow draft design handles Matagorda's bay waters beautifully, getting you to those productive back-water spots where the reds and trout like to hang out. Just bring your own cooler to haul home the day's bounty of fresh Gulf Coast fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Matagorda Bay fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically range from 20-35 inches and are absolute bulldogs once hooked. You'll find them in super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy bottoms. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding in the shallows. What sets them apart is their powerful runs and stubborn fight that'll test your drag system. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. My go-to trick is sight-fishing with gold spoons or soft plastics, but stay quiet - these fish spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most reliable catches here in Matagorda Bay. These silvery beauties with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Winter months are prime time as they school up in deeper channels. What makes them special is their excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key to consistent success is working soft plastics or topwater plugs slowly over the grass beds. When you see them tailing in shallow water, that's your shot for a memorable hookup.
Austin