Matagorda Bay Redfish and Trout Drift Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour drift fishing charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderAll equipment provided with professional guide Captain Antonio includedEarly morning departure accommodates anglers of all experience levels
Captain Antonio's 6-hour drift fishing charter puts you right in the sweet spots of Matagorda Bay, where redfish cruise the flats and speckled trout stack up around structure. Starting at 6:30 AM, this trip gives you the full morning and afternoon bite, targeting three of the coast's most popular species. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, this charter adapts to your skill level while keeping you on fish throughout the day.
This isn't your typical anchor-and-wait fishing trip. Captain Antonio runs a drift operation, covering more water and staying mobile to find active fish. You'll move across Matagorda Bay's diverse structures - shell reefs, grass beds, and drop-offs where predators ambush baitfish. The bay's shallow waters and varied bottom make it perfect for targeting multiple species in one outing. Your $800 investment covers up to three anglers, with room for a fourth at $50 extra. Add another $50 for fresh bait, and you're set for a full day of action. All rods and reels come with the trip, though wade fishing requires your own gear setup. Captain Antonio handles the ice for your catch and snaps photos of your best fish, so you can focus on fishing instead of logistics. Don't forget your Texas fishing license - it's required and not included. Pack non-spray sunscreen and plenty of water, especially during summer months when the Texas sun gets serious.
Drift fishing lets you cover serious ground while presenting baits naturally with the current. Captain Antonio positions the boat upwind or up-current from productive areas, then lets the boat drift over structure while you work lures or live bait through the strike zone. This technique excels in Matagorda Bay because it mimics how baitfish move naturally, triggering strikes from ambush predators. You'll use medium-action rods paired with spinning reels, perfect for the bay's typical fish sizes and fighting conditions. Soft plastics rigged on jig heads are go-to lures here - they sink at the right rate and bounce off structure without hanging up constantly. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic when trout are finicky, while cut mullet drifted near the bottom pulls in redfish and flounder. The captain reads wind, tide, and structure to keep you in productive water. When one drift produces fish, you'll motor back upwind and repeat the pattern until the bite moves.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay, running from 14 inches up to chunky 5-pound specimens that locals call "gator trout." These fish love grass beds and shell reefs, especially during cooler months when they school up tight. Spring and fall offer the most consistent trout action, though summer produces some of the biggest fish if you can handle the heat. Trout hit fast and fight with surprising strength for their size, making multiple head-shaking jumps that test your drag settings. Their delicate mouths mean you need to play them carefully, but that first speckled trout in the box always feels like a victory.
Redfish bring the power to Matagorda Bay fishing, with slot-size fish between 20-28 inches providing some of the coast's best fights. These copper-colored bulldogs cruise shallow flats and deeper channels, often traveling in small schools during fall months. Redfish feed year-round but really turn on during spring spawning runs and fall migrations. When a red grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately - they pull hard and stay down, using their broad sides to fight the current. Unlike trout, reds have tough mouths that can handle aggressive hook sets. The bay's structure holds both slot reds for the dinner table and oversized bulls that provide pure sport before release.
Southern flounder add variety to your cooler, though they require different techniques than trout and reds. These flatfish ambush prey from sandy bottoms and muddy areas, especially near creek mouths and channel edges. Fall brings the best flounder action as fish migrate toward deeper water, growing fat on mullet and shrimp. Flounder hits feel subtle - more like a gentle pickup than an aggressive strike. Setting the hook requires patience since these fish often mouth baits before fully committing. Once hooked, flounder fight differently than other bay species, staying deep and using their flat profile to plane through the water. A keeper flounder makes outstanding table fare, with white, flaky meat that's hard to beat.
Matagorda Bay's year-round fishing means there's never a bad time to book this charter, though each season offers different advantages. Spring brings aggressive pre-spawn fish, summer delivers trophy-sized specimens, fall produces consistent numbers, and winter concentrates fish in predictable areas. Captain Antonio's drift fishing approach maximizes your time on productive water while giving you hands-on experience with techniques that work throughout the Texas coast. The 6-hour timeframe hits both morning and midday feeding periods, increasing your chances of steady action. With all gear provided and photos included, you're getting professional guide service that focuses on putting fish in the boat. This top-rated charter delivers the authentic Matagorda Bay experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Book your dates early, especially during peak fall months when the fishing heats up and calendar spots fill quickly.
Get ready to chase redfish and trout aboard this sweet 25' Majek center console – the go-to choice for serious Texas anglers. Captain Antonio's rig is built for the shallow waters and structure-rich zones of Matagorda Bay, offering plenty of deck space for up to 4 anglers to work the flats comfortably. The stable platform handles bay chop like a dream while you drift over prime feeding areas targeting specks, reds, and flounder. All the quality rods and reels are provided, so you can focus on reading the water and landing fish. This center console setup gives you the perfect combination of shallow-water access and smooth riding – exactly what you need for a productive day working Matagorda's productive inshore waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bay's bulldozers - strong, stubborn fighters that'll test your tackle. These copper-colored fish typically range 18-32 inches around here, with that distinctive black spot near their tail that fools predators. They love shallow water, sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy flats where they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring are prime time when they're most active, though we catch them year-round. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and powerful runs - plus they make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. My go-to trick is working topwater plugs early morning over shallow flats. When you see that bronze back roll behind your lure, get ready for a battle.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of Matagorda Bay's most popular targets, and for good reason. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and fight harder than you'd expect for their size. They love grass flats and shallow structure, especially around oyster reefs and drop-offs. Best fishing happens early morning and late evening when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best eating you'll find in these waters. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels, making them easier to locate. Pro tip: when drift fishing, let your plastic tail jig hit bottom then work it slow with subtle twitches. They'll often hit on the fall, so stay ready.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the masters of disguise in Matagorda Bay - flat, sandy-colored ambush predators that blend perfectly with the bottom. Most run 15-18 inches, though we've seen some impressive 20+ inch doormat-sized fish. They bury themselves in sand and mud near drop-offs, channel edges, and around structure where they wait for unsuspecting prey. Fall months are prime time as they fatten up before heading offshore to spawn. What makes them exciting is you never see the bite coming - just a gentle tap, then steady weight. They're also phenomenal eating with firm, white fillets that taste amazing fried or grilled. Best technique is slow-dragging live shrimp or bull minnows along the bottom. Keep your drag loose and give them time to swallow the bait before setting the hook - they're not going anywhere fast.
Matagorda