5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Boat & Bait Trip (AM) - Copano Bay
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour guided fishing trip targeting redfish and speckled troutFully equipped 20' Shoalwater boat with live bait includedFish cleaning service provided after successful catches
Mario's Fishing Mission serves up one of the most productive inshore fishing experiences along the Texas coast with this top-rated morning adventure. Starting at 7:00 AM, you'll spend six solid hours working the legendary waters of Copano Bay, where redfish cruise the flats and speckled trout stack up in the deeper cuts. This boat and bait package comes fully loaded with everything you need - live bait, quality tackle, rods, reels, and Mario's local knowledge that only comes from years of reading these waters. At $550 for up to 2 anglers, you're getting a world-class inshore experience that includes fish cleaning and filleting, so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat.
You'll be fishing from a fully rigged 20-foot Shoalwater bay boat - the perfect platform for navigating Copano Bay's shallow flats and deeper channels. This isn't some cramped rental boat; it's a purpose-built inshore machine designed to get you where the fish are living. The morning departure gives you the prime feeding window when these waters come alive. Copano Bay connects to the larger Aransas Bay system, creating a massive estuary where saltwater mingles with fresh runoff, making it a magnet for gamefish year-round. You'll be working three distinct zones during your trip: the shallow grass flats where reds tail and cruise, the deeper reef structures that hold trout, and the sandy holes where flounder ambush baitfish. The bay's protected nature means comfortable fishing even when the Gulf gets rough, and the water clarity here often lets you sight-fish to cruising redfish - something that never gets old, no matter how many times you've done it.
Mario runs a light tackle operation focused on both artificial lures and live bait presentations. You'll be throwing everything from soft plastics rigged weedless for the grass flats to topwater plugs when the fish are busting shrimp on the surface. The trolling component lets you cover water efficiently while dragging baits through productive areas - perfect for locating schools of trout or finding that next redfish honey hole. Live bait fishing here means working with whatever's running: live shrimp under popping corks, finger mullet on Carolina rigs, or croakers bounced along the bottom for big trout. The beauty of this setup is versatility - you can switch between techniques based on conditions, tides, and what the fish want that particular morning. All rods are spooled with appropriate line weights for inshore work, typically 15-20 pound test that can handle the occasional oversized red or bull trout without breaking your heart. Mario provides backup tackle too, because snags happen and fish sometimes win the battle.
"Mario was absolutely terrific! He was knowledgeable, professional, and very helpful. Great conversation as well." - LOUIS
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Copano Bay fishing, with fish ranging from 14-inch schoolies up to 6-pound gator trout that make your drag sing. These spotted beauties love structure - oyster reefs, grass edges, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall produce the most consistent action, though summer early morning trips often yield fantastic results before the water heats up. Trout have soft mouths, so the fight is more about finesse than power, but when you hook into a 4-pounder, you'll understand why anglers get obsessed with these fish. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill or fryer.
Redfish are the stars of the show in Copano Bay, with slot-sized fish between 20-28 inches providing some of the most exciting fishing on the Texas coast. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats in small schools, often with their backs out of the water as they root for crabs and shrimp. Reds fight like freight trains, making long runs and using their broad sides to bend your rod double. They're catchable year-round in this system, though fall brings the biggest concentrations as they stage for their offshore spawning runs. The shallow water sight-fishing opportunities here are legendary - watching a red inhale your bait in two feet of clear water is fishing at its finest.
Southern Flounder add variety to your day and excellent eating to your cooler. These masters of camouflage lie buried in sand near channel edges, ambushing anything that swims by. Copano Bay's sandy bottom and numerous points create perfect flounder habitat, especially where deeper water meets shallow flats. Fall is prime time for doormat flounder as they fatten up before heading to deeper water for winter. They're not flashy fighters, but that thump-thump-thump on your rod tip followed by steady pressure means you've got a quality fish on. Flounder are among the best eating fish in the bay, with delicate white fillets that are hard to beat.
This customer favorite morning trip fills up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot and the weather cooperates. With free cancellation up to three days out, you can book with confidence knowing Mario understands that fishing plans sometimes change with conditions or life. The turn-key nature of this experience - boat, bait, tackle, and cleaning service included - makes it perfect for visiting anglers or locals who want to fish without the hassle of rigging up. Six hours on the water gives you plenty of time to work different areas, adjust to changing conditions, and put together a quality day of fishing. Don't wait on this one; prime morning slots during the best fishing months book weeks in advance.
Hit the shallow waters of Copano Bay aboard this nimble 20' Shoalwater bay boat, built specifically for inshore fishing success. The 140HP Suzuki engine gets you to the productive flats quickly, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working the shallows for redfish and speckled trout. Onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish, plus the GPS ensures you can return to hot spots. The live bait well keeps your shrimp and mullet fresh all morning. With room for up to 3 anglers, this setup is perfect for light tackle fishing in the bay's grass beds and oyster reefs where the fish love to feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here in Copano Bay. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches with that telltale black spot near the tail - nature's way of confusing predators. They love super shallow water, sometimes so skinny their backs show above the surface. You'll spot them tailing around oyster bars, grass beds, and muddy flats. Fall and spring are prime time when they're most active feeding. What guests love is their raw power - even a 5-pounder will make your drag scream. The meat's mild and sweet, perfect for the table. Pro tip: when sight-fishing, cast well ahead of cruising reds and let your bait settle to the bottom before they arrive.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of Copano Bay's most popular targets, and for good reason. These silver beauties with their distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow water, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. They're ambush feeders that love shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. What makes them special is the delicate, flaky white meat - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Here's a local trick: when the water's murky after a front, switch to bright pink or chartreuse soft plastics. The extra flash gets their attention when visibility drops.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise in Copano Bay's sandy and muddy bottoms. These flat fish typically run 15-18 inches and are pure ambush predators - they bury themselves in the substrate and wait for prey to swim overhead. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that unique "flatfish" look. Fall migration offers the best action as they move toward deeper water for winter. Guests enjoy the challenge of targeting bottom-dwellers and the excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They hit live shrimp, mullet, and bull minnows. My go-to technique: use a light jighead and bounce it slowly along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, give them a second to fully commit before setting the hook.
5.0 out of 5.0Mario was absolutely terrific! He was knowledgeable, professional, and very helpful. Great conversation as well.
LOUIS MENDEZ, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Corpus Christi