Half Day Family Fishing Trip - South Padre Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 5hour inshore fishing trip for familiesTarget Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder speciesClean boats with gear and instruction included
Looking to get the kids hooked on fishing while creating some lasting memories? This 5-hour private charter in South Padre Island's Lower Laguna Madre is exactly what you need. Our local captains know these waters like the back of their hand, and they've got a real knack for putting families on fish while keeping everyone comfortable and engaged. Whether you're dealing with first-timers who've never held a rod or teenagers who think they know it all, we'll tailor the whole experience to match your crew's skill level. The calm, protected waters here make it perfect for younger anglers, and trust me, there's nothing quite like watching a kid's face light up when they feel that first tug on their line.
The Lower Laguna Madre is one of South Texas's best-kept secrets for family fishing. These shallow, grass-filled flats stay relatively calm even when the Gulf gets choppy, which means no seasick kids and plenty of opportunities to sight-fish for reds cruising the shallows. Our boats are set up specifically for comfort and safety - clean decks, plenty of seating, and all the gear you'll need without the clutter. We'll start the day by going over basic casting techniques and safety, then head to spots where the fish are actually biting. No wasted time running all over the bay. Your captain will adjust the game plan based on conditions, tides, and what your group wants to target. Some days we're sight-casting to tailing redfish in knee-deep water, other days we're working deeper grass beds for trout and flounder. The best part? We keep it simple and fun, so everyone from grandpa to the youngest angler feels included.
We fish light tackle here - typically spinning reels with 15-20 pound braid that's forgiving for beginners but still gives you a real fight when you hook into a good red or trout. Most of the fishing happens with soft plastics rigged on jig heads, which are perfect for working the grass flats without getting hung up constantly. Your captain will show the basics of working a paddle tail or how to twitch a topwater plug when the fish are feeding up shallow. We also run live bait when conditions call for it - nothing beats a frisky shrimp under a popping cork for triggering strikes from finicky trout. The water here averages 2-4 feet deep, so you can actually watch your bait working and see fish approaching, which adds a whole visual element that keeps kids engaged. Our rods are sized appropriately for different ages and experience levels, and we've got plenty of backup gear in case someone decides to test their casting skills on the boat's electronics.
Redfish are the stars of the show in the Lower Laguna Madre, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches here, with plenty of oversized fish that'll test your drag system. Reds feed year-round in these waters, but fall and winter months are prime time when they school up in huge numbers. What makes them perfect for families is their aggressive nature - they'll eat just about anything you throw at them, from soft plastics to topwater plugs. Plus, they fight hard without jumping all over the place, so younger anglers can actually land them without losing the fish mid-fight. The sight-fishing opportunities are incredible too, especially on calm mornings when you can spot their tails and backs in the shallows.
Speckled trout are the other bread-and-butter species here, and they're fantastic for teaching proper technique. These silvery gamefish are more finicky than reds, which makes them perfect for showing kids the importance of patience and presentation. They average 14-18 inches in the Laguna, with occasional 4-5 pound "gator trout" that'll make anyone's day. Spring through fall are peak seasons, and they love hanging around grass beds and drop-offs where baitfish congregate. Trout respond well to light presentations and subtle movements, so they're great for developing actual fishing skills rather than just chunking bait and hoping.
Black drum round out the slam potential, and these bottom-feeders are perfect for keeping the action steady when reds and trout get picky. They range from puppy drum around 12-16 inches up to massive 30+ pound bulls that'll give the adults something to remember. Drum are suckers for fresh shrimp and crab, and they fight with a steady, bulldogging pull that's different from the quick runs of reds and trout. They're most active during cooler months, and finding a school of feeding drum can turn a slow day into a fish-catching marathon.
This top-rated family charter books up fast, especially during school breaks and holiday weekends when everyone's looking for quality time together. The combination of calm water, consistent fishing, and patient instruction makes it a customer favorite for good reason. Your kids will gain confidence, learn real fishing skills, and hopefully catch their first redfish or trout. Meanwhile, you'll get to relax and enjoy some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer. With only 3 guests max, you're getting personalized attention and plenty of room to spread out. Don't wait until the last minute - the best fishing days fill up weeks in advance, and you don't want to miss out on creating these memories with your crew.
Your family fishing adventure starts aboard a meticulously refurbished 24-foot Shallow Sport bay boat, perfectly suited for navigating the productive waters of Lower Laguna Madre. This reliable vessel packs serious power with its 250 HP Yamaha engine, getting you to the best redfish and speckled trout spots quickly and smoothly. The spacious deck comfortably accommodates up to three anglers, with plenty of room for kids to move around safely while parents help with their first catches. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your fresh fish fresh, while the wireless trolling motor lets your captain position the boat quietly over schools of sea trout and flounder without spooking them. GPS navigation ensures you'll hit all the prime fishing spots along the shoreline structure where these species love to hide. Built for inshore bay fishing, this boat draws shallow enough to access those back-country areas where the big reds cruise, yet handles open water with confidence when chasing schools of trout.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with monsters reaching 90+ pounds. These powerful fish love oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-8 feet of water, using their crusher jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you'll hear their drumming sounds underwater during peak season. Kids love the steady, bulldogging fight they put up. Keep fish under 15 pounds for the table since bigger ones get tough and fishy. Pro tip: Use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and let it sit still on bottom structure. They're picky eaters but once hooked, they'll give you a memorable battle that tests your drag system.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our flats, ranging from schoolie 18-inchers to bruiser 40+ pound bulls. Look for their copper backs and distinctive black spots as they cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they're feeding hard before winter. Families go crazy for their powerful runs and that classic red color - plus they're delicious with mild, sweet meat. These fish will eat almost anything when they're hungry, from topwater plugs to live shrimp. Here's my secret: sight-cast to tailing fish with a gold spoon, but lead them by 3-4 feet and let it sink before starting your retrieve. Spook them once and they're gone for good.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter fish here, running 14-24 inches and weighing 1-5 pounds. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats and drop-offs in 3-12 feet, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Dawn and dusk are magic hours, especially during cooler months when they school up tight. Families love them because they're aggressive biters and fantastic table fare with white, flaky meat that's hard to mess up in the kitchen. They'll hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. My go-to trick: work a soft plastic on a 1/4 oz jig head slow and steady along grass edges. When you feel that telltale headshake, don't horse them - their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook if you get too aggressive.
South Padre Island