Morning Trip For 4 - Corpus Christi Inshore
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
7hour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and speckled troutAll fishing equipment and live bait provided by experienced captainAccommodates up to 4 guests with early morning departure
Captain Allen's morning charter is hands down one of the most popular inshore fishing trips in Corpus Christi, and for good reason. This 7-hour adventure starts before sunrise at 6:30am, giving you the best shot at prime feeding times when redfish and trout are actively hunting in the shallows. The trip is perfect for beginners who want to learn the ropes or casual anglers looking to put some fish in the cooler without breaking the bank. At $1050 for up to four anglers, you're getting serious value for a full day on some of Texas' most productive inshore waters.
You'll be targeting the grass flats, oyster reefs, and back lakes that make Corpus Christi Bay famous among Texas anglers. Captain Allen knows these waters like the back of his hand and adjusts the game plan based on tides, wind, and what's been biting lately. The boat holds up to 5 passengers total, so you can add one more angler for $250 if your group needs the extra space. All your tackle is covered – rods, reels, and a full selection of lures that Captain Allen has dialed in for local conditions. When the weather cooperates, he'll have live bait on board, which can make all the difference when the fish are picky. Just remember to grab your Texas fishing license before you head out, and pack some snacks, drinks, and serious sun protection. The captain's cool with moderate drinking, just leave the glass bottles and hard stuff at home.
This is primarily sight fishing and structure fishing at its finest. You'll be working the edges of grass beds with soft plastics, throwing topwater plugs over shallow reefs at first light, and drifting live shrimp under popping corks when the bite slows down. Captain Allen runs quality spinning gear that's perfect for the 15-25 pound fish you'll typically encounter, though don't be surprised if something bigger shows up. The boat is rigged for wade fishing too, so when conditions are right, you might find yourself stepping out into knee-deep water to work a productive flat more thoroughly. Techniques vary with the seasons – spring means throwing She Dogs and Spooks for aggressive trout, while fall calls for slower presentations with gulp baits and live croaker when the redfish are schooled up thick.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Corpus Christi inshore fishing, and Captain Allen consistently puts his clients on quality fish in the 18-28 inch range. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow flats and oyster reefs around the bay system, especially during moving tides. They hit hard, fight dirty, and make great table fare when you keep a few within the slot limit. Speckled trout are the other main target, with good numbers of 15-20 inch fish and occasional gator trout pushing 25+ inches. They're most active in cooler months and around dawn and dusk, making this morning trip perfectly timed for consistent action.
Black drum provide steady action when other species are finicky, often running in large schools during their spring spawning runs. These bottom feeders can get hefty – 30-40 pounders aren't uncommon – and they'll test your drag system for sure. Southern flounder are seasonal favorites that ambush prey from sandy bottoms and grass edges, typically measuring 16-20 inches with occasional doormat-sized fish over 24 inches. They're masters of camouflage and notorious for subtle bites, so keeping tight lines is crucial. Sheepshead round out the mix as structure-loving fighters with serious attitude, usually found around bridge pilings and rock jetties where they use their powerful jaws to crush barnacles and crabs.
Captain Allen's morning trips book up fast, especially during peak season from March through November when the fishing is most consistent. The early start time means cooler temperatures, calmer winds, and fish that are actively feeding after the night. This is a top-rated charter that delivers on both fish counts and teaching moments, whether you're trying to get your kids hooked on fishing or looking to learn Corpus Christi's inshore waters yourself. The 7-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunities to hit multiple spots and adapt to changing conditions throughout the day. With all gear provided and a captain who genuinely wants you to succeed, all you need to bring is enthusiasm and a cooler for your catch.
Step aboard Captain Allen's brand new 2025 Majek center console for your morning inshore fishing adventure around Corpus Christi. This 23-foot fishing machine packs a serious 250HP Suzuki engine that'll get your crew of four to the fish fast, hitting speeds up to 45 knots when you need to chase the bite. Built for serious anglers, she's loaded with everything you need - a high-tech fish finder to locate schools of redfish and speckled trout, GPS navigation to hit those honey holes, and radar for those foggy Gulf mornings. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working the shallows for black drum and flounder, while the onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh. With plenty of deck space for casting and fighting fish, this center console handles Corpus Christi's inshore waters like a dream, whether you're working the flats or drifting the channels.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow bays where they use powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time during spawning season when they school up and become much easier to target. You'll know you're hooked up - they make that distinctive drumming sound and fight like freight trains. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. When you feel them picking at your bait, resist the urge to set the hook immediately - let them really take it before you strike.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our most popular inshore target and for good reason - they're aggressive, great fighters, and beautiful fish with that signature black spot near their tail. Most run 20-35 inches in our shallow bays and flats, often in water so skinny their backs show above the surface. They love oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy shorelines where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is prime when they school up in massive groups. They hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp and put up a serious fight with long runs. The meat on smaller fish is excellent - mild and sweet. Here's my go-to method: work gold spoons or soft plastics slowly along drop-offs near structure. When they're tailing in shallow water, approach quietly and cast beyond them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread and butter inshore species, running 14-24 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent eating quality - tender, white meat that's hard to beat. During winter, they school up in deeper channels, making for some fast action. My favorite technique is working soft plastics under a popping cork over grass beds. The key is keeping your bait moving with subtle twitches - trout are aggressive but they want to see some action before they commit to the strike.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the smartest fish in our waters. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though you can find them up to 20 pounds around deep structure. They live around any hard cover - docks, pilings, reefs, and jetties - feeding on barnacles, crabs, and oysters with their human-like teeth. Winter and early spring are peak season when they gather to spawn. They're notorious bait thieves and excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. The trick is getting your bait tight to structure with a small hook and fresh shrimp or fiddler crab. When you feel that subtle nibble, don't hesitate - set the hook hard because their bony mouths are tough to penetrate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, changing color to match their surroundings. Most run 15-18 inches, but you can find them up to 30+ inches in our deeper bays and channels. They're ambush predators with both eyes on one side, waiting for shrimp, crabs, and small fish to swim by. Fall and winter are prime time when they move toward passes and deeper water to spawn. What makes them special is the challenge - they're sneaky biters and excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick is drift fishing with live shrimp on a light jig head, bouncing it slowly along muddy bottoms near structure. When you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook.
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