5.0(2 Reviews)Matagorda Bay Fishing Charters
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Morning inshore trips target speckled trout, redfish, and flounderSmall group capacity accommodates up to three guests maximumFamilyfriendly fishing adventure in productive Matagorda Bay waters
When you're talking about serious inshore action on the Texas coast, Matagorda Bay is where anglers come to get their lines wet with some of the most consistent fishing in the state. Our morning charters with Lucky 7 Guide Service put you right in the sweet spots where speckled trout, redfish, and flounder are feeding heavy. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – we're talking about getting after it early when the fish are most active, targeting structure and grass beds where the big ones hang out. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler looking to fill the cooler, these waters deliver the kind of action that keeps people coming back season after season.
Your morning starts before the sun gets too high, which is exactly when you want to be on Matagorda Bay. The water temperature is still cool, baitfish are moving, and the predator fish are actively feeding in the shallows. Our guides know these flats like the back of their hand – every oyster reef, every grass bed, every drop-off where fish stack up. You'll be working water that ranges from two to six feet deep, perfect for sight fishing when conditions are right. The bay system here is massive, so there's always a protected area to fish no matter which way the wind is blowing. We keep our groups small at just three anglers max, which means everyone gets plenty of attention and coaching. No fighting for space at the rail or waiting your turn – just quality fishing time with guides who live and breathe these waters.
We fish primarily with light tackle spinning gear loaded with braided line, perfect for feeling those subtle trout bites and having the backbone to turn a bull redfish away from structure. Depending on conditions, we'll work everything from topwater plugs early in the morning to soft plastics rigged on jig heads when fish are holding deeper. The guides provide all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need, but if you've got a favorite setup, feel free to bring it along. We typically start with live shrimp under popping corks around structure, then switch to artificials as we work grass flats and shorelines. When the bite is on topwater, there's nothing quite like watching a big trout or redfish blow up on a surface plug in shallow water. The guides will teach you how to work each lure properly – the cadence on soft plastics, the right retrieve speed for different conditions, and how to read the water for the most productive areas.
"Great Trip!! We found Captain Perez to be a good host and a Great Guide" - Delaune. "Reyes was amazing. From the time we got on the boat to the time we walked away with the bags of fish for our freezer. He was extremely attentive the entire time of the trip. He even dove across the boat and over an ice-chest to save a flounder that we dropped when trying to take a picture. He was polite and prepared. He had all equipment in working order for any thing we needed. I was the only one in the boat that didn't have a fishing pole, and he made sure I was totally taken care of and didn't make me feel I was a burden. I really appreciated that! Thank you Reyes for an amazing trip." - Delaune
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and shell reefs throughout the bay system, especially during the cooler months when they school up in deeper pockets. Speckled trout here commonly run 15 to 20 inches, with plenty of keepers in the 2 to 4-pound range. The best action typically happens from October through March when water temperatures drop and the fish are feeding aggressively. They're suckers for live shrimp under a popping cork, but when they're really active, you can catch them on everything from topwater baits at dawn to soft plastic tails bounced along the bottom. What makes trout fishing so addictive is their fighting style – they'll make several strong runs and often jump completely out of the water, especially the bigger ones.
Redfish are the other major draw to Matagorda Bay, and these copper-colored bulldogs will test your drag system. Reds here range from slot-sized fish around 20 to 28 inches up to big bulls that can stretch past 35 inches and weigh 20-plus pounds. The slot fish are perfect for the dinner table, while the big bulls are pure adrenaline – watching one of these bruisers blow up on a topwater bait in two feet of water will get your heart racing. Redfish feed year-round in the bay, but fall and winter provide some of the most consistent action as they move into the shallows to feed on crabs and shrimp. They're not picky eaters, but they can be spooky in shallow water, so accurate casting and quiet approaches often make the difference between success and watching fish swim away.
Southern flounder add another dimension to your Matagorda Bay experience, and they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in Texas waters. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottoms near structure where they ambush unsuspecting baitfish and shrimp. Flounder fishing peaks during their fall migration when fish move from the bays toward deeper Gulf waters, typically from September through November. During this time, you'll find keeper-sized fish ranging from 15 inches up to doormat-sized flatties pushing 5 to 7 pounds. They require a different approach than trout and reds – slow presentations with soft plastics or live bait dragged along the bottom near drop-offs, channel edges, and around pier pilings. The bite is often subtle, just a slight tick on the line, but once
Our 24-foot Transport motorboat cuts through Matagorda Bay's waters with a powerful 250HP Suzuki engine, getting you to the best fishing spots fast. Built in 2020, this modern platform comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to cast and fight fish. The wireless trolling motor lets us slip quietly into shallow areas where redfish and speckled trout feed without spooking them. Our fish finder pinpoints schools of fish and structure below, while GPS navigation ensures we hit productive spots every time. The boat features a multimedia system for entertainment between bites, VHF radio for safety, and wheelchair accessibility so everyone can enjoy Texas inshore fishing. Whether you're targeting flounder in the grass beds or chasing black drum around the jetties, this reliable boat handles Matagorda's varying conditions with ease. Perfect for families and friends ready to experience some of Texas's best inshore fishing action.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing here in Matagorda Bay. These copper-colored fighters with their signature black spots near the tail typically range from 20-35 inches, with some bull reds pushing 40+ inches and serious weight. They cruise super shallow water - often just 1-4 feet deep around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines. Spring through fall offers the best action, though they bite year-round. What guests love most is watching them cruise the shallows with their backs out of the water, then the explosive strike when they hit. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag. The meat is sweet and mild, perfect for the dinner table. My local tip: cast ahead of cruising fish and let your bait settle naturally - they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets here in Matagorda Bay. These silvery beauties with their distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and average 1-5 pounds, though we occasionally see bigger ones. They love shallow grass flats and structure, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them special is their willingness to hit artificial lures - soft plastics, topwaters, and spoons all work well. The fight is solid but not overpowering, making them perfect for all skill levels. Plus, they're excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat. Pro tip: work your lure slowly along grass edges during moving water - that's when they're most aggressive.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise in our bay system. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch plenty up to 25+ inches weighing several pounds. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting for prey to swim overhead. You'll find them along channel edges, drop-offs, and around structure in 3-15 feet of water. Fall migration offers the best fishing as they move toward deeper water for winter. What makes them fun is the challenge - they're not always easy to locate, but once you find them, they usually bite well. The meat is outstanding - firm, white, and sweet. Here's my go-to method: drift with live shrimp or small mullet on a light jig head, keeping it just off the bottom and moving slowly.
5.0 out of 5.0Great Trip!! We found Captain Perez to be a good host and a Great Guide
Reyes was amazing. From the time we got on the boat to the time we walked away with the bags of fish for our freezer. He was ext...
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