5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Fishing Trip In Laguna Madre
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing targeting redfish, flounder, and speckled troutIncludes all gear, cleaning service, and accommodates up to 4 guestsBackcountry and shallow water fishing with experienced local guide
Get ready for a full day on some of Texas' best inshore waters with Captain Roel and the La Mosca Charters crew. Laguna Madre's shallow flats and backcountry waters offer world-class fishing for redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and even the occasional shark cruising through the shallows. This top-rated charter includes everything you need for a successful day on the water – all the gear, bait, ice, drinks, and fish cleaning service. Just grab your fishing license, pack some snacks and your favorite beverages, and let's go catch some fish!
Your full day adventure starts early when you meet Captain Roel at the launch. Depending on weather conditions and what's biting, you'll head into Laguna Madre's prime inshore spots or venture into the protected backcountry areas where big redfish love to prowl. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and adjusts the game plan based on tides, wind, and recent fish activity. You'll work the grass flats, shallow oyster reefs, and drop-offs where predator fish ambush their prey. This customer favorite trip accommodates up to 2 guests comfortably, giving you plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The boat comes equipped with top-quality rods, reels, tackle, and a full selection of live and artificial baits. Captain Roel provides soft drinks and water throughout the day, plus he'll clean and bag all your legal catches so you can take home a fresh fish dinner.
Laguna Madre fishing calls for a mix of techniques depending on what species you're targeting and where they're holding. You'll spend time sight fishing the shallow flats, looking for tailing redfish and cruising trout in 2-4 feet of water. Captain Roel sets you up with light spinning tackle perfect for throwing soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp under popping corks. When the fish are spooky or the water's crystal clear, you'll switch to longer leaders and smaller baits to get those finicky bites. For bigger drum and sharks, the captain breaks out heavier gear and fresh cut bait. The boat's equipped with a shallow-water anchor system that keeps you positioned perfectly over productive spots without spooking the fish. You'll learn to read the water, watch for birds working baitfish, and pick up on the subtle signs that separate good fishermen from great ones. Don't worry if you're new to inshore fishing – Captain Roel takes the time to teach proper casting techniques and help you feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact.
"Had an amazing time on this full day fishing trip through the flats with Capt. Roel! He's excellent! We will definitely be back!" - Tommy
Redfish are the crown jewel of Laguna Madre and the reason most anglers book this renowned charter. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-size fish around 20-27 inches up to bull reds pushing 40+ inches that'll test your drag system. Reds feed year-round in these waters, but fall and winter months offer the best action when cooler temperatures push baitfish shallow and the fish feed aggressively before spawning season. What makes redfish so exciting is their willingness to eat topwater baits – there's nothing like watching a big red blow up on a spook or She Dog in two feet of water. They're also notorious for their bulldogging fights, using their broad tails and stubborn nature to test every knot and connection.
Sea Trout, locally called speckled trout, are the bread and butter species that keep rods bent throughout the day. These spotted beauties average 14-20 inches but the big "gator" trout over 25 inches are what dreams are made of. Specks are most active during spring and fall transitions when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 65-75 degrees. They school up over grass beds and shell ridges, making them perfect targets for drift fishing with soft plastics or live shrimp. Trout have a soft mouth, so you'll need to keep steady pressure without horsing them – many trophy fish are lost right at the boat when anglers get too aggressive.
Southern Flounder might not win any beauty contests, but these flat fighters are some of the best eating fish in the bay system. Door-mat flounder over 20 inches are becoming harder to find, making each keeper a real trophy. These ambush predators bury themselves in sandy bottoms near drop-offs and channel edges, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they stage for their offshore spawning migration. You'll target them with live finger mullet, mud minnows, or soft plastic jigs worked slowly along the bottom. The bite feels like you've snagged a wet towel, but once they realize they're hooked, flounder make surprisingly strong runs.
Black Drum round out the target species list and provide some of the strongest fights pound-for-pound. These bottom feeders use their pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters and crabs, making them perfect targets for fresh shrimp and crab baits. Juvenile black drum under 30 inches are excellent table fare, while the big "bull" drum over 40 inches are catch-and-release trophies that can live over 50 years. Spring months bring schools of drum into the shallows for spawning, creating opportunities for multiple hookups. Their croaking sounds can actually be heard underwater and through the boat hull when schools are feeding nearby.
Laguna Madre consistently ranks among Texas' best fishing destinations, and Captain Roel's local knowledge gives
This top-notch flats boat cuts through Laguna Madre's shallow waters at 48 knots, getting you to the redfish and speckled trout fast. Built for up to 4 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need - fish finder to locate the schools, GPS to hit the honey holes, and a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on spooky fish in skinny water. The icebox keeps your drinks cold during those hot South Padre days, while the multimedia system lets you stay connected. Perfect for working the backcountry flats where the big reds cruise and flounder hide in the grass. This boat handles the shallow stuff with ease, so you can fish spots other boats can't reach. All the modern electronics help put you on fish, whether you're sight casting to tailing reds or drifting for trout over grass beds.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from schoolie 5-pounders up to 40+ pound bulls that'll test your gear. They cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths looking for crabs and shellfish to crush with those powerful jaws. Spring spawning season is when they really turn on - you can hear them drumming underwater when they school up. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare, but the big ones are tough eating. These fish will give you a serious fight, peeling drag on long runs. They're bottom feeders, so fresh cut crab is your best bet. Pro tip: when you feel that first thump, don't set the hook right away. Let them chew on it a few seconds - they've got to work that bait into position.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water fishing - bronze-colored beauties with that signature black spot near the tail. In Laguna Madre, we target them in 1-4 feet of water around grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines. They run anywhere from slot-sized 20-28 inchers up to bull reds over 35 inches. Year-round fishing is good, but fall migration brings the best action. What makes redfish special is their power - even a 5-pounder will make screaming runs and test your drag. They're also sight fishing at its finest, watching their backs cruise just under the surface. The meat on slot fish is excellent - mild and sweet. My go-to tip: when you see a red tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where it's moving and let your bait settle to the bottom.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets in Laguna Madre - they're beautiful fish with silver sides covered in black spots. Most run 14-20 inches, but we regularly see 3-5 pounders, and the occasional "gator trout" over 25 inches. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and potholes. Spring through fall are peak times, with early morning and evening being magic hours. What guests love is their aggressive strikes on topwater plugs and soft plastics. The meat is delicate and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for beginners since they bite readily. The trick is matching your lure to the bait size they're feeding on. When the shrimp are small, downsize to a 1/8 oz jig.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch some pushing 25+ inches in Laguna Madre's shallow flats and bay bottoms. Both eyes sit on their left side, and they can change color to match whatever they're lying on. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving through our area. What makes them special is the challenge - you're sight fishing to what looks like a patch of sand until it moves. They're excellent eating too, with sweet white meat. Here's the key: when you spot one, drop your bait right on their nose. They won't chase it far, so accuracy matters more than anything else.
5.0 out of 5.0Had an amazing time on this full day fishing trip through the flats with Capt. Roel! He's excellent! We will definitely be back!
Corpus Christi