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, drinks for up to guestsBackcountry and shallow water fishing based on conditions
Looking for a fishing adventure that'll have you talking for months? Captain Roel at La Mosca Charters knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some seriously good fish. Laguna Madre's shallow flats and backcountry cuts hold some of the best inshore action on the Texas coast, and this full-day trip gives you the time to really dial in on what's biting. Whether you're chasing tailing redfish in knee-deep water or working structure for flounder, you'll get a true taste of what makes this fishery so special.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking a legitimate full day of fishing that adapts to conditions and what the fish are telling us. Captain Roel reads the water conditions and weather to decide whether you'll spend time working the inshore flats or head deeper into the backcountry maze where the big girls like to hide. The beauty of Laguna Madre is its diversity – you might start the morning sight-casting to redfish cruising the grass beds, then switch gears midday to target flounder around shell pads and drop-offs. And don't be surprised if we run into some sharks cruising the shallows – they're part of what makes these waters so dynamic. Your trip includes everything you need to fish: rods, reels, tackle, bait, plus cold drinks and water to keep you going. Captain Roel will clean and bag whatever legal fish you decide to take home, so you can focus on the fun part. Just grab your fishing license, bring any snacks or adult beverages you want, and show up ready to wet a line.
Laguna Madre fishing is all about reading the conditions and adapting your approach. On calm, clear days, we'll focus on sight-fishing – spotting fish before they spot us and making precise casts with light tackle. This means using spinning gear loaded with braided line for sensitivity and casting distance, typically rigged with soft plastics that mimic the shrimp, crabs, and baitfish that these species feed on. When the wind picks up or the water gets stirred, we'll switch tactics to bottom fishing with live or cut bait around structure. Captain Roel keeps his boat stocked with everything from topwater plugs for early morning action to jigs and soft plastics for working deeper cuts. The shallow nature of these waters – often just 2-4 feet deep – means we'll be using his shallow-draft boat to access spots that bigger vessels can't reach. Poling and trolling motor work keeps us quiet in the skinny water, which is crucial when you're hunting wary fish in clear conditions. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – Captain Roel will walk you through the techniques and help you dial in your presentation.
"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
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators in Laguna Madre, and they're what many anglers consider the best eating fish in these waters. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near shell beds, channel edges, and grass lines, waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. Fall months are prime time for flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning run, often reaching 3-5 pounds with some real doormat-sized fish pushing 6-7 pounds. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the subtle bite – they'll often just hold onto your bait without much fanfare, so you need to stay connected and watch your rod tip. Once hooked, they put up a surprisingly strong fight for a flatfish, and their flaky white meat is absolutely primo on the dinner table.
Black Drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute bulldogs that'll test your drag system. These copper-colored bruisers love to root around oyster reefs and shallow flats, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. In Laguna Madre, black drum range from smaller "puppy drum" around 2-4 pounds up to massive bulls that can exceed 30 pounds. Spring and fall see the most consistent action, though they're catchable year-round. What gets anglers fired up about black drum is their fighting ability – they'll use their broad sides to leverage against you, making long, powerful runs that'll have your arms burning. Plus, the smaller ones make excellent table fare with a firm, mild flesh that's perfect for fish tacos.
Sea Trout, particularly the speckled variety, are the bread and butter of Laguna Madre fishing. These spotted beauties are aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Spring and early summer produce the most consistent trout fishing, with fish ranging from 12-inch "schoolies" up to 4-pound "gator trout" that are true wall-hangers. What makes speckled trout so popular is their willingness to bite and their acrobatic fights – they'll jump, shake their heads, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. The author mentions "drunk speckled trout" in the description, which refers to those early morning and late evening periods when trout get absolutely stupid-aggressive and will hit just about anything you throw at them.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Laguna Madre and the fish that put Texas inshore fishing on the map. These bronze-backed beauties with their distinctive black spots are built for the shallow flats life, using their downturned mouths to vacuum up crabs, shrimp, and small fish from the bottom. Redfish are available year-round, but fall months offer the most exciting
This cutting-edge flats boat is built for serious fishing in Laguna Madre's shallow waters. Capable of hitting 48 knots, she'll get you to the hotspots fast, then use her wireless trolling motor to slip quietly into prime redfish and speckled trout territory. The GPS and fish finder combo helps locate structure and baitfish while you work the backcountry flats. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold during those long South Padre fishing days, and the multimedia system adds some tunes between bites. Perfect for up to 4 anglers who want to chase reds, flounder, and whatever else is cruising these productive shallows.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of Laguna Madre - thick, powerful fish that can surprise you with their size. Most we catch run 5-15 pounds, but don't be shocked if you hook into a 30+ pounder that'll test your gear. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs, so you'll find them around shell beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we target them most. They're known for that distinctive drumming sound they make, especially the big ones. Smaller drum under 15 pounds are great eating with firm white meat, but the big ones get tough. They're strong fighters that use their weight against you. Pro tip: use fresh cut crab or shrimp on a Carolina rig, keep it on the bottom, and when you feel that steady pull, lean into them hard - they've got tough mouths.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Laguna Madre shallow water fishing. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically run 20-28 inches, but we regularly see fish over 30 inches that'll pull drag for days. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are out of the water - around grass flats, oyster reefs, and muddy shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall is magic when big schools move through. What makes reds special is their power and that distinctive tail-walking fight. Plus, slot-size fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters - topwaters, spoons, soft plastics, and live bait all work. Here's the deal: when you spot tailing reds, cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easy in skinny water, so keep noise down and presentations natural.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets in Laguna Madre - beautiful fish with distinct black spots and a mouth full of sharp teeth. They typically run 14-20 inches, though we catch some real slabs over 24 inches that'll make your day. You'll find them over grass flats, around drop-offs, and near structure in 2-6 feet of water. They love to feed early morning and late evening, especially during spring and fall when water temps are ideal. Winter brings the big schools to deeper holes. What makes specks special is they're aggressive strikers and excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They'll hit topwaters, soft plastics, and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. Local secret: when the water's calm, work a topwater slowly over grass beds at dawn. That explosive strike will get your heart pumping every time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are flat, ambush predators that love to bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms around Laguna Madre. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some up to 25+ inches that really put up a fight. They've got both eyes on their left side and can change colors to match the bottom - pretty wild to watch. You'll find them in shallow bays, around oyster reefs, and near drop-offs where they wait for shrimp, crabs, and small fish to swim by. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. What makes them special is they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder like to grab bait sideways first, then turn it to swallow - patience pays off.
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