Matagorda Bay Wading Guided Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour AM wading trip targeting Speckled Trout and RedfishShallow flats fishing designed for various skill levelsIncludes tackle, ice, and photos for up to three guests
Picture this: you're standing waist-deep in crystal-clear flats as the sun breaks over Matagorda Bay, scanning the grass beds for that telltale wake of a cruising redfish. This isn't your typical boat trip – this is wade fishing at its finest, where every step puts you closer to some of the Texas coast's most prized gamefish. Our 6-hour morning wade puts you right in the action, targeting speckled trout and redfish in their backyard while you experience the bay like the locals do.
We'll meet up at 6:30 AM sharp – early bird gets the worm, and in this case, the worm gets the fish. Starting before dawn gives us the best shot at those productive morning hours when the fish are actively feeding. You'll be wading the shallow grass flats and sand pockets where these fish love to cruise and ambush baitfish. The beauty of wade fishing Matagorda Bay is the intimate connection you get with the environment – feeling the bottom change under your boots, reading the water with your own eyes, and positioning yourself exactly where you need to be. We provide all the tackle, ice for your catch, and those hero shots you'll want to show off later. The trip accommodates up to three anglers comfortably, though we can squeeze in a fourth person for an extra fifty bucks. Just remember to bring your own wading gear – chest waders or just shorts and wading boots, whatever keeps you comfortable in the shallows.
Wade fishing is all about stealth and strategy. We'll be using lightweight spinning tackle with artificial lures – soft plastics rigged on jig heads, topwater plugs, and spoons are the bread and butter for these flats. The key is moving quietly and covering water methodically. I'll teach you how to read the grass lines, spot nervous water, and pick apart those subtle depth changes where fish like to hang. We're not just randomly casting here – every throw has a purpose. You'll learn to work your lures with the right cadence, keeping them in the strike zone longer. The water depth ranges from knee-deep to chest-deep, so you'll need to be comfortable moving around in waders or getting wet. Polarized sunglasses are absolutely essential – they're your underwater eyes, letting you spot fish, structure, and obstacles. Non-spray sunscreen is required to protect the environment, and trust me, you'll want plenty of water since we'll be out there for six solid hours.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These beautiful fish love the grass flats and can be found year-round, though spring through fall offers the most consistent action. Specks typically run 14-20 inches in these waters, with some real doormat trout pushing 24+ inches for those lucky enough. They're aggressive feeders that'll hammer topwater plugs at dawn and soft plastics throughout the day. What makes them special is their willingness to eat artificials and their spectacular fighting ability – they'll jump, shake their heads, and give you every bit of fight they've got. The best part about targeting specks is their schooling behavior; find one, and you've likely found more.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Matagorda Bay grows some bruisers. These copper-colored bulldogs cruise the flats in pods, often with their backs or tails showing above the surface. Reds here typically range from 20-30 inches, with plenty of slot-sized fish and some real monsters over 35 inches that'll test your drag. They're year-round residents but really turn on during late summer and fall when they school up for their spawning runs. What gets anglers hooked on redfish is the visual aspect – watching a red slowly cruise toward your bait, then witnessing that explosive strike. They're powerful fighters that'll make long runs and use their broad sides to put serious pressure on your tackle.
Southern flounder might be the bonus fish of the trip, but don't underestimate these flatfish. They're masters of camouflage, lying in wait on sandy bottoms and shell patches, ready to ambush anything that swims by. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning migration, often growing fat and aggressive. These fish can reach impressive sizes – 18-24 inch flounder are common catches that provide excellent table fare. What's exciting about flounder fishing is the surprise factor; you never know when that subtle bump on your soft plastic is actually a nice doormat flounder. They fight differently than trout or reds, using their flat bodies to create drag and making short, powerful runs.
This wade fishing trip represents the authentic Matagorda Bay experience – no crowded boat launches, no fighting for fishing spots, just you, the fish, and some of the most productive inshore waters on the Texas coast. At $800 for up to three people (plus a $50 bait fee), you're getting a full day's worth of professional guidance, tackle, and local knowledge that takes years to develop on your own. We welcome families, though kids need USCG-approved life jackets for safety. Don't forget your Texas fishing license – it's required for everyone 17 and older. The early morning start might seem tough, but those productive dawn hours make all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. Ready to experience wade fishing the way it was meant to be? Let's get you booked and on the water.
Get ready to fish the Texas flats aboard Capt. Antonio's 25' Majek center console—the gold standard for shallow water angling. This fishing machine cuts through Matagorda Bay's prime redfish and speckled trout waters with ease, giving you and up to 3 fellow anglers plenty of room to work the flats. The spacious deck layout keeps everyone comfortable during those long morning sessions, while the shallow draft gets you into skinny water where the big reds love to cruise. Capt. Antonio stocks the boat with top-shelf rods and reels, so you're fishing with gear that can handle whatever pulls back. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish or working grass beds for specks, this Majek puts you in prime position to make the most of your Texas bay fishing adventure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target in Matagorda Bay's shallow flats. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ pounds in deeper water. Look for their distinctive black spots near the tail and that telltale wake when they're cruising ankle-deep water over mud and grass. Fall through spring offers the best action when they school up in cooler months. What guests love most is watching a big red explode on a topwater plug in two feet of water - pure adrenaline. They're also fantastic table fare with firm, mild meat. My go-to trick: cast well ahead of cruising fish and let your bait sit motionless until they get close, then twitch it once.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. You'll find them around grass flats and oyster reefs in 2-6 feet of water, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. They feed on shrimp and small baitfish, making them perfect targets for soft plastics and topwater lures. What makes them special is their delicate white meat - some of the best eating fish in the bay. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady along the grass edges early morning or late evening when they're feeding most aggressively.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the bay's masters of disguise, laying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These "doormats" typically measure 15-18 inches but can reach impressive sizes up to 8 pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, around structure, and near drop-offs where they bury themselves in soft bottom. Fall migration from October through December provides the hottest action as they move toward deeper water. Guests enjoy the challenge of finding these well-camouflaged fish and their excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Key tip: drift slowly over likely bottom and use a Carolina rig with live shrimp, letting it bounce along the bottom to trigger strikes.
Matagorda