Full Day Beginner-Friendly Fishing - Corpus Christi
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Beginnerfriendly inshore fishing in calm Baffin Bay watersCaptain Kevin provides gear, bait, and patient instructionSevenhour trip targeting redfish, black drum, and trout
Looking to get your feet wet in the fishing world? Captain Kevin's full-day beginner trip in Corpus Christi is hands down one of the best ways to learn the ropes. We're talking seven solid hours on Baffin Bay's protected waters, where the fish bite regularly and the conditions stay comfortable for newcomers. This isn't some rushed half-day deal where you're just getting started when it's time to head back. You'll have plenty of time to get the hang of casting, feel a few bites, and hopefully land some keeper fish. With only two anglers per trip, Captain Kevin can give you the personal attention that makes all the difference when you're starting out.
Baffin Bay is a dream spot for beginners – the water stays relatively calm, and the fish population is healthy year-round. Captain Kevin knows these flats like the back of his hand, and he'll position you over productive areas where redfish, black drum, sea trout, and southern flounder hang out. The beauty of inshore fishing here is that you're not dealing with rough seas or complicated deep-water techniques. We're sight fishing shallow areas, working grass beds, and targeting structure where fish feel safe to feed. You'll learn to read the water, spot signs of fish activity, and understand why certain spots produce better than others. The boat stays close to shore, so there's no seasickness to worry about, and you can actually see what's happening below the surface in many areas.
Everything you need comes with the trip – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and plenty of water to keep you hydrated. Captain Kevin sets everyone up with medium-action spinning rods that are forgiving for beginners but still give you a good fight when you hook up. We'll be using live bait most of the day, which is the most effective way to target multiple species in these waters. You'll learn how to rig shrimp, work soft plastics, and maybe try your hand at some topwater action if conditions are right. The techniques are straightforward but effective – we're not throwing complicated rigs or using gear that takes years to master. Captain Kevin will show you proper casting form, how to work your bait, and most importantly, how to detect those subtle bites that beginners often miss. By the end of the day, you'll understand the basics of reading your rod tip and feeling fish through your line.
Redfish are the stars of Corpus Christi's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-28 inches in Baffin Bay, with some real bulls pushing 30-plus inches. They're aggressive feeders that hit hard and fight even harder, making them perfect for building confidence in new anglers. Reds are most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything you put in front of them, and they don't spook easily like some other species.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they'll teach you what a real fight feels like. These bottom-hugging heavyweights average 15-25 pounds in our waters, and the bigger ones can go 30-40 pounds. They feed by feel rather than sight, using their barbels to root around in the mud for crabs and shrimp. When a big drum takes your bait, you'll know it – they make long, powerful runs that test your drag and your arm strength. Spring and fall are peak times for trophy drum, but you can catch keeper-sized fish year-round.
Sea trout are the most delicate biters of the bunch, which makes them great teachers for developing your feel and technique. They school up in grass beds and around structure, typically running 14-20 inches with occasional fish pushing 25 inches or better. Trout bite light and fast, so you've got to stay alert and set the hook quickly. They're also excellent table fare, so you'll want to keep a few within the slot limits. Cool weather months often produce the best trout fishing, when they move into deeper holes and feed more aggressively.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise in our bay system. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim within striking distance. They typically run 14-18 inches, with doormat-sized fish occasionally hitting 20-plus inches. Flounder fishing requires patience and bottom contact – you'll learn to feel the difference between a fish pickup and just dragging bottom. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they stage for their offshore spawning runs, but summertime produces steady numbers for those who know where to look.
This trip fills up regularly because word gets around about Captain Kevin's teaching ability and the consistent action in Baffin Bay. Seven hours on the water gives you real value – enough time to learn, make mistakes, get better, and actually catch fish. The small group size means you're not competing for attention or waiting your turn to fish productive water. Whether you've never held a fishing rod or just want to try inshore fishing for the first time, this beginner-friendly adventure sets you up for success. The fish are biting, the weather's cooperating, and Captain Kevin's ready to put you on them. Don't wait until next season to get started – book your spot and see what Corpus Christi's inshore fishing is all about.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped Shallow Sport motorboat, perfectly designed for navigating Corpus Christi's inshore waters. This boat comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day targeting redfish, black drum, and trout in Baffin Bay. The GPS system keeps you on course to the best fishing spots, while the fish finder helps locate where the fish are biting. When you need to move quietly through shallow areas without spooking the fish, the wireless trolling motor does the job perfectly. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh throughout the 7-hour trip. With radar for those foggy mornings and an audio system for entertainment between bites, this boat is built for comfort and fishing success. The intimate 2-guest capacity means you'll have plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and enjoy personalized attention from Captain Kevin as you learn the ropes of inshore fishing.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These dark, stocky fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time, especially during spawning season when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. They're tough fighters that test your drag, and smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare. What guests love is their willingness to eat - they're not as finicky as other species. The key is getting your bait on the bottom where they feed. I always tell folks to use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a fish-finder rig, and don't be afraid to go heavy on the weight to stay down.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and black spots near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches in our area, but we see plenty of slot fish and some big bulls offshore. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster reefs, grass flats, and shoreline structure. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is prime time when they school up. What guests love is their hard fighting ability and willingness to eat almost anything. The smaller slot fish are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not spooky like some species, making them perfect for beginners. Pro tip: when sight fishing, cast well ahead of cruising fish and let your bait sink to the bottom before they arrive.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets, running 14-24 inches with beautiful spotted sides. They love grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and potholes. Spring through fall fishing is excellent, with early morning and evening being peak times. What makes trout special is their aggressive strikes on artificial lures - they'll hit everything from topwater plugs to soft plastics. The meat is tender and flaky, though it's delicate so don't overcook it. These fish are sight feeders, so clear water helps a lot. They school up in winter in deeper channels. My favorite technique is working a paddle tail on a 1/4 ounce jig head over the grass beds. Keep it just above the bottom and vary your retrieve speed until you find what they want that day.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, bottom-dwelling fish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud with both eyes on their left side. Most range 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though they can hit 20+ pounds. You'll find them on sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow bays and estuaries throughout our area. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through on their way offshore. What makes flounder special is their ambush style - they lie motionless until prey passes overhead, then strike fast. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My go-to tip: drift slowly with live shrimp or mullet on a light jig head, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
Corpus Christi, TX