Morning Inshore Fishing with Captain Allen
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and speckled troutCaptain Allen provides all equipment with live bait when availableSevenhour morning trip accommodates up to five guests total
There's something special about hitting the water at first light in Corpus Christi, and Captain Allen knows exactly where the fish are biting. This early morning charter kicks off at 6:30am when the water's calm and the fish are hungry. You'll spend up to 7 hours targeting some of the best inshore species the Texas coast has to offer - redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder, and sheepshead. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, Captain Allen's got you covered with all the gear and local knowledge you need for a successful day on the water.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat situation - with just 1-2 anglers max, you're getting personalized attention and prime fishing spots all to yourself. Captain Allen provides top-rated equipment including rods, reels, lures, and all the boat gear you'll need. When conditions are right, he'll hook you up with live bait that really gets the fish excited. The trip runs 5-7 hours depending on how the fish are cooperating and weather conditions, so you'll have plenty of time to dial in your technique and put some serious fish in the cooler. At $700 for two people, you're getting world-class guide service in some of the most productive inshore waters on the Gulf Coast.
Captain Allen specializes in light tackle inshore fishing that's perfect for the shallow flats and grass beds around Corpus Christi Bay. You'll be working with medium-light spinning gear that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle trout bites while still having enough backbone for bigger redfish and drum. The boat stays in skinny water where these fish love to feed, often in just 2-4 feet of depth. Depending on conditions, you might be throwing soft plastics on jig heads, working topwater plugs during the early bite, or drifting live shrimp under popping corks. Captain Allen reads the water and adjusts tactics based on tides, wind, and what the fish are telling him - that's the difference between a good day and a great day.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Corpus Christi waters are loaded with them year-round. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and fight like freight trains in the shallow water. They're most active during moving tides and love to cruise the grass flats looking for crabs and shrimp. What makes reds so exciting is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging runs that'll test your drag system. Fall and spring offer the best action, but Captain Allen knows where to find them even during the tougher summer months.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Corpus Christi fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive black spots are incredibly fun on light tackle and make excellent table fare. They're most active in cooler water temperatures, making early morning trips like this one perfect timing. Specks are structure-oriented fish that hang around shell beds, grass lines, and drop-offs. They can be finicky feeders, which is why Captain Allen's local knowledge becomes invaluable in putting you on productive water.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute powerhouses that'll give you an arm workout you won't forget. These bottom-feeders can range from schoolie-sized fish perfect for dinner to massive bulls pushing 30+ pounds. They're most active during cooler months and love to root around oyster reefs and muddy bottoms looking for crabs and worms. The fight is all about endurance - they don't jump like other species, but they'll pull steady and hard toward structure.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage and one of the most rewarding fish to target in shallow water. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, ambushing prey that swims overhead. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they fatten up before their offshore spawning run. They're excellent eating and provide a different kind of fishing challenge since you're often sight-fishing for them in clear, shallow water. When you see that telltale outline on the bottom, the anticipation builds until you make that perfect cast.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped tricksters of the inshore world, known for their incredible ability to steal bait without getting hooked. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, making them one of the more challenging species to hook consistently. They're most active around structure like piers, jetties, and oyster reefs during cooler months. Landing a quality sheepshead requires patience and quick reflexes, but they're considered some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Captain Allen's morning trips are a customer favorite for good reason - you get personalized service, productive fishing, and the chance to target multiple species in one outing. The early start time means you'll beat the afternoon winds and have the prime feeding periods all to yourself. Remember to bring your valid Texas fishing license, sun protection, snacks, and drinks. Alcohol in moderation is fine, just no glass bottles or hard liquor on board. With all gear included and live bait provided when conditions allow, all you need to do is show up ready to fish. This trending charter fills up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to secure your dates for what could be your best fishing trip of the year.
Hit the waters of Corpus Christi aboard this brand-new 2025 Majek center console that's ready to chase reds and specks in the shallows. This 23-footer packs a serious 250HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fish fast, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working the flats. Captain Allen knows these inshore waters like the back of his hand, and with GPS, radar, and fish finder on board, you'll spend more time with your line wet than searching for spots. The icebox keeps your drinks cold during those early morning starts, and there's plenty of room to move around when the bite gets hot. Perfect setup for targeting redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and whatever else is biting in the bay system.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldozers of the bay - these powerful fish can weigh anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds, with occasional giants hitting 50+ pounds. They cruise muddy flats, oyster reefs, and shallow structure using their strong jaws to crush crabs, oysters, and shrimp. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target in 2-6 feet of water. What guests love is their raw power - even smaller ones will test your drag and make long runs. The meat on fish under 15 pounds is excellent, with a firm texture and mild flavor. Bigger ones are better released as the meat gets tough. Here's the key: use fresh crab or cut shrimp on the bottom with just enough weight to hold. When you feel that steady pull, don't jerk - Black Drum pick up bait and swim off, so let them load up the rod before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target with their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These fish range from schoolie 18-inchers to bruiser 30+ pound bulls, and they're built for shallow water living. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster reefs, and marshes in water so shallow their backs break the surface. They're year-round residents but really turn on during fall when big schools form up. What gets people hooked is watching them cruise the shallows and make those explosive strikes on topwater plugs. The fight is pure power - they'll make long runs and use their broad sides to pull hard. Plus, smaller reds make excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially on incoming tides. My favorite approach: look for "tailing" reds with their tails sticking up while feeding, then cast a gold spoon or live shrimp just ahead of them and hang on.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties love grass flats, drop-offs, and structure in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they make great table fare with their tender, flaky white meat. The fight is scrappy but not overpowering - perfect for all skill levels. They school up in winter in deeper holes, making for fast action when you find them. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're feeding heavily on shrimp and baitfish. Here's my go-to technique: work a soft plastic or live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The key is a subtle presentation - trout have soft mouths, so don't horse them or you'll pull the hook right out.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the pickpockets of the bay with their human-like teeth and black-and-white striped "convict" appearance. Most run 2-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but 15-pounders show up around heavy structure. You'll find them glued to dock pilings, jetties, and any barnacle-covered structure in 5-20 feet of water year-round, with spring being prime time. What makes them exciting is they're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and steal your bait before you know it. But hook one and they fight hard, using structure to try breaking you off. The payoff is worth it since they're some of the best eating fish around - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. My secret: use a small hook with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel that subtle pecking, set the hook immediately and pull them away from the pilings fast.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms and change color to match their surroundings. You'll typically catch them around 15-18 inches and 3-5 pounds, though bigger ones hit 20+ pounds. They hang out in shallow bays, around structure, and near drop-offs where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water to spawn. What makes them fun is they hit hard and fight sideways, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the bay - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. My tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp on a Carolina rig, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, wait a second before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
Corpus Christi