Full Day Matagorda Bay Redfish and Trout Wading Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full 8hour wading trip targets redfish and speckled troutAccommodates up to 3 guests with professional guide and tackleEarly 6:30 AM start in productive Matagorda Bay waters
When you want to feel the thrill of shallow water fishing at its finest, there's nothing quite like an 8-hour wade fishing adventure in Matagorda Bay. This isn't your typical boat trip where you're casting from a deck – we're talking about getting right in there with the fish, feeling every tug and pull as you work the grass flats and sandy potholes where redfish and speckled trout love to hang out. Starting at 6:30 AM when the water's still cool and the fish are active, you'll spend a full day learning why Matagorda Bay has earned its reputation as one of Texas's top-rated inshore fishing destinations.
This full day wade fishing trip puts you right where the action happens in Matagorda Bay's most productive shallow waters. You'll be fishing knee to waist-deep water, moving quietly through the grass beds and sandy areas where redfish cruise and speckled trout ambush their prey. The $1,000 rate covers up to three anglers, with room for a fourth guest at an additional $50. Your guide provides all the standard tackle, fresh ice for your catch, and professional photos to capture those trophy moments. The $50 bait charge ensures you've got the freshest live bait or the most effective artificials for the conditions. Families are welcome on this adventure – just make sure the kids have USCG-certified life jackets. You'll need to bring your own wading boots, and don't forget that Texas fishing license. Pack some water and non-spray sunscreen because you'll be out there soaking up the coastal experience all day long.
Wade fishing in Matagorda Bay is all about reading the water and moving with purpose. You'll learn to spot the subtle signs that give away fish locations – nervous water from feeding activity, bird work overhead, and those telltale wakes cutting through the shallows. The technique involves slow, deliberate movement through the water while making precise casts to structure like grass edges, shell pads, and drop-offs. Your guide will show you how to work topwater plugs during the early morning bite, then transition to soft plastics and live bait as the sun climbs higher. The beauty of wading is the stealth factor – you can get much closer to spooky fish than you ever could with a boat, and when you hook up, you're fighting that fish on equal terms with nothing but your rod, reel, and two feet planted in the sand.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay wade fishing, and these spotted beauties know how to put on a show. These fish love the grass flats and sandy pockets throughout the bay system, typically running 15 to 20 inches with the occasional trophy pushing 25 inches or better. Spring and fall offer the best action when water temperatures are in that sweet spot between 65 and 75 degrees. Specks are ambush predators that love to hang around structure, and when you hook one, expect aggressive head shakes and aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping. They're also fantastic table fare, making them a customer favorite for anglers who want to bring home a fresh dinner.
Redfish are the power players of these shallow waters, and Matagorda Bay consistently produces some of the best red drum fishing on the entire Texas coast. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 20 to 30 inches, with plenty of slot-size fish that are perfect for keeping, plus those bruiser bull reds that'll test your drag system. Reds are year-round residents, but they really turn on during the warmer months when they move into the shallowest water to feed on crabs and baitfish. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat just about anything – topwater plugs, spoons, soft plastics, and live bait all produce. When you see that bronze back and distinctive black spot cutting through knee-deep water, you know you're in for a battle.
Southern flounder add an exciting wildcard element to your Matagorda Bay adventure. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottoms near grass edges and ambushing unsuspecting prey. They typically run 14 to 18 inches, with some doormat-sized specimens exceeding 20 inches. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning runs, becoming more aggressive and easier to target. What makes catching flounder so rewarding is the challenge – you have to really work to locate them, and when you do connect, they fight with surprising strength for a flatfish. Plus, they're absolutely delicious, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Matagorda Guide Service's full day wading trip offers something you can't get anywhere else – a chance to experience world-class inshore fishing the way it was meant to be experienced, with your boots in the water and fish all around you. This 8-hour adventure gives you time to really dial in on the bite, learn the water, and put some serious fish in the box. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to up your wade fishing game or a family wanting to create lasting memories on the water, this trip delivers the goods. The comprehensive package, expert guidance, and access to Matagorda Bay's most productive waters make this a best trip choice for anyone serious about Texas inshore fishing. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hottest.
Hit the flats in style aboard Capt. Antonio's 25' Majek center console—the ultimate redfish hunting machine. This spacious boat gets you and up to 3 buddies to the prime wading spots where the big reds and specks hang out. With a stable platform and plenty of room to move around, you'll have everything you need for a serious day of sight fishing. Antonio's got you covered with top-notch rods and reels, so you can focus on what matters—putting fish in the boat. The shallow draft design lets us access those skinny water honey holes other boats can't reach, giving you first crack at untouched redfish territory. Perfect setup for wade fishing Matagorda's legendary flats.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the backbone of our Matagorda Bay fishery. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ pounds. Look for that signature black spot near the tail - it's how they fool predators into attacking the wrong end. They cruise our shallow flats year-round, often in water so skinny their backs show above the surface. What guests love most is the aggressive strike and bulldogging fight once hooked. They're also excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. Local secret: watch for nervous water and tailing fish on calm mornings. Cast ahead of where they're heading, not where they've been.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are what we call our local spotted sea trout here in Matagorda Bay. These silvery beauties typically run 14-24 inches and love our grass flats and shallow structure. They're not actually true trout but part of the drum family. What makes them special is their delicate white meat - some of the best eating fish in the bay when prepared right. They feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish, making them perfect targets for our wade fishing trips. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up in the shallows. My go-to tip: work your lure slow and steady near grass beds at first light. These fish spook easy in skinny water, so stealth pays off.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators lurking in our sandy and muddy bottoms around Matagorda Bay. These flatfish typically measure 15-18 inches but can reach over 30 inches. Both eyes sit on their left side, and they're masters of camouflage, changing color to match the bottom. They bury themselves in sand waiting for shrimp, crabs, and small fish to pass overhead. Fall is prime time as they fatten up before heading offshore for winter. Guests love the challenge of spotting them and the sweet, firm meat that rivals any fish we catch. Best trick: drag your bait slowly along the bottom and feel for that subtle tap - they don't slam baits like other species.
Matagorda