Half Day Boat & Bait Trip (PM) - Copano Bay
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Sixhour afternoon fishing trip targeting redfish and speckled troutFully equipped 20' Shoalwater boat with bait and tackle includedFish cleaning service provided with free cancellation policy
Looking for a solid afternoon of fishing without the early morning rush? Captain Mario's got you covered with this 6-hour afternoon trip that kicks off at 1:00 PM sharp. This isn't your typical charter – you'll be fishing Copano Bay's productive waters aboard a reliable 20' Shoalwater bay boat that knows these flats like the back of your hand. At $550 for up to 2 anglers, this top-rated trip comes fully loaded with everything you need: live bait, quality rods and reels, tackle box full of proven lures, and most importantly, a captain who's been working these waters long enough to know where the fish are hiding. Plus, Mario handles all the messy work at the end – fish cleaning and filleting are included, so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.
Copano Bay is one of those special places where the fishing stays consistent throughout the afternoon, making it perfect for this PM departure. You'll be working a mix of inshore structure, productive reefs, and shallow flats depending on what the fish are telling us that day. The 20' Shoalwater is built for these conditions – shallow draft means we can get into those skinny water spots where the big reds like to cruise, but stable enough to work the deeper reef structure when the trout are stacked up. Captain Mario reads these waters like a map, adjusting the game plan based on tides, wind, and what's been producing lately. The afternoon bite here is legendary – as the sun starts dropping and the water cools, these fish get active. You'll spend your time moving between spots, working different techniques, and adapting to what the bay gives you that day.
This trip is all about light tackle fishing and strategic trolling – two methods that absolutely shine in Copano Bay's diverse fishery. The light tackle setup lets you feel every bump, every nibble, and when a good red or trout hits, you'll know it immediately. Mario keeps the boat stocked with proven lures that work in these waters: soft plastics for working the grass flats, topwater plugs for those explosive surface strikes, and spoons that flash just right in the afternoon sun. The trolling game here is about covering water efficiently while keeping baits in the strike zone. When we're working structure or reef areas, controlled trolling helps locate active schools, then we can switch to casting once we've found them. Live bait is always on board – nothing beats a well-presented live shrimp or mullet when these fish are being picky. The captain provides all terminal tackle, so you don't need to worry about having the right hooks, weights, or leaders for these conditions.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Copano Bay, and these copper-colored bulldogs are exactly why anglers keep coming back. These fish average 20-28 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot-sized fish and the occasional over-slot bull that'll test your drag system. Reds here are year-round residents, but they really turn on during the afternoon hours when they move up onto the flats to feed. What makes catching them special is their fighting style – they'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight you every inch of the way back to the boat. Fall and spring are prime time, but even summer afternoons produce when you know where to look.
Sea Trout, or specks as the locals call them, are the finesse fish of this trip. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches in Copano Bay, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 25 inches that'll make your day. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around drop-offs, grass beds, and shell reefs where baitfish congregate. What's exciting about targeting specks is their willingness to hit topwater lures – there's nothing quite like watching a good trout blow up on a surface plug in shallow water. They're most active during cooler months, but afternoon trips in warmer weather can still produce when you work the deeper edges and use live bait.
Southern Flounder round out the slam potential on this trip, and they're one of the most underrated fighters in these waters. These flatfish ambush predators typically range from 15-22 inches, with the occasional doormat that'll surprise you with its size. They're masters of camouflage, burying in sandy bottoms near structure transitions where they can pick off passing baitfish. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the technique – slow presentations, feeling for that subtle tap, and the hook-set timing that comes with experience. They're most active during their fall migration, but residents are available throughout most of the year in Copano Bay's deeper pockets.
This afternoon trip offers the best of Copano Bay fishing without the pre-dawn wake-up call, making it perfect for anyone who wants world-class fishing on a more relaxed schedule. With everything provided – from live bait to fish cleaning – and a captain who knows exactly where to find red fish, trout, and flounder, you're looking at 6 hours of productive fishing in some of Texas's most consistent waters. The 1:00 PM start time means you'll be fishing through the prime afternoon bite and into the evening hours when these fish really come alive. At $550 for up to 2 anglers, this customer favorite trip delivers serious value with the peace of mind that comes from free cancellation up to 3 days before your date. Don't sleep on this one – afternoon slots book up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot.
Hit the flats of Copano Bay aboard this nimble 20' Shoalwater bay boat, built for serious inshore fishing. The 140HP Suzuki gets you to the fish fast, while the wireless trolling motor keeps you positioned quietly over productive water without spooking your targets. GPS and fishfinder help locate structure and baitfish where reds and trout like to hang out. The live bait well keeps your shrimp and mullet lively, and there's plenty of deck space to work a fish without getting tangled up. This shallow-draft bay boat was designed to slip into skinny water where bigger boats can't go, putting you right where the action is. Perfect for working grass flats, spoil islands, and those back-country spots that hold fish when the main bay gets crowded.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are absolute workhorses in these waters. These copper-colored fish with the signature black eyespots near their tails range from slot-size fish around 28 inches up to true bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love shallow flats, oyster reefs, and grass beds where they can ambush prey. What makes reds special is their power - they'll strip drag and give you a real workout. They're not picky eaters either, hitting everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. The meat is firm with a mild, slightly sweet flavor that's great on the grill. In Copano Bay, focus on the shallows during moving tides. Here's a local trick: if you spot tailing reds, cast well ahead of them and let your bait sit still - they spook easily but can't resist a motionless offering.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of Copano Bay's most popular targets, and for good reason. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and fight well on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow areas, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. They feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish, making them pretty aggressive biters. The meat is excellent - white, flaky, and mild-tasting, though it's delicate so don't overcook it. During our afternoon trips, look for them around structure and drop-offs. Pro tip: when working artificial lures, slow down your retrieve speed. Trout often follow baits before striking, and patience pays off with these fish.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise in Copano Bay. These flat, oval-shaped fish with both eyes on their left side blend perfectly into sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but you can land doormat-sized fish over 20 inches if you're lucky. They're found in shallow bays, around structure, and near drop-offs where they bury themselves and wait for baitfish to swim by. What guests love about flounder fishing is the surprise factor - you never know when that gentle tap is actually a nice fish. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find. During our afternoon trips, we drift over likely bottom and bounce baits slowly. Key tip: use a light jighead with live bait and barely hop it along the bottom - flounder hate fast-moving presentations.
Corpus Christi