Matagorda Full Day Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing targeting seasonal species in Matagorda baysExpert guidance from Captain Marc with over 40 years experienceAll gear provided with optional live bait for enhanced success
Get ready for an authentic Texas coast fishing adventure with Captain Marc and Matagorda Moonshine Charters. This isn't your typical tourist boat ride – it's a genuine inshore experience that puts you right where the fish are biting. Starting at first light and running until mid-afternoon, you'll have eight solid hours to work the productive waters around Matagorda Bay. With over four decades guiding these waters, Captain Marc knows every oyster reef, grass flat, and back-lake honey hole that holds fish year-round. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to improve your technique or a seasoned angler wanting to explore new water, this trip delivers the real deal.
Your day kicks off at 6:00 AM sharp – that's prime time when the fish are most active and the water is still calm from the night. Captain Marc runs a comfortable boat that easily handles up to three anglers, giving everyone plenty of elbow room to cast without tangling lines. The beauty of Matagorda's inshore fishery is the variety of structure and habitat within a short boat ride. One minute you're working a shallow grass flat for tailing redfish, the next you're drifting a deeper channel edge where the trout stack up. The laid-back atmosphere means there's no pressure to be the perfect angler – mistakes happen, and that's how you learn. Captain Marc's teaching style focuses on reading the water, understanding fish behavior, and adapting your presentation to the conditions. You'll come away not just with a cooler full of fish, but with knowledge that'll make you a better angler on future trips.
All the tackle is provided, so you don't need to worry about bringing the right rods or having enough terminal tackle. The go-to setup is spinning gear paired with popping corks – a deadly combination that's been fooling Texas inshore fish for generations. Popping corks create that subtle disturbance on the surface that mimics feeding baitfish, while the leader and bait work below in the strike zone. Captain Marc will show you the proper cadence for working the cork, when to let it sit still, and how to read the subtle bites that often feel like nothing more than a gentle tick. Live bait is available for an extra $20 per angler, and it's worth every penny when the fish are finicky. Fresh shrimp under a popping cork is like ringing the dinner bell for hungry trout and redfish. The captain adjusts techniques throughout the day based on tides, wind, and fish activity, so you might find yourself throwing soft plastics on jig heads, working topwater plugs over shallow reefs, or even sight-fishing with live bait when conditions are right.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These silver-sided fighters love the grass flats and shell reefs that dot the bay system. Spring and fall are peak times when schools of keeper-size trout move shallow to feed, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. What makes trout fishing so addictive is their unpredictability – one cast might produce a barely legal 15-incher, while the next could hook into a 25-inch gator trout that'll test your drag. They're notorious for their soft bite, often feeling like you've snagged a piece of grass until the fish starts shaking its head. The bigger trout tend to be loners, hanging around deeper structure while the smaller school fish work the flats in groups.
Redfish are the muscle cars of the inshore world, and Matagorda Bay grows some true bulls. These copper-colored bruisers can be found anywhere from six inches to six feet of water, depending on the season and tides. Summer months bring excellent sight-fishing opportunities when reds cruise the shallow flats with their backs out of water. There's nothing quite like watching a red approach your bait, especially when you can see that distinctive black spot near the tail. Fall is prime time for bull reds – those oversized fish that peel line off your reel like a freight train. Even the smaller slot-size reds put up a fight that'll surprise newcomers to inshore fishing. They're notorious for their bulldogging runs and tendency to head straight for the nearest oyster reef when hooked.
Southern flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're prized table fare and surprisingly fun on light tackle. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. The key to consistent flounder fishing is keeping your bait moving slowly along the bottom, covering water until you find where they're staged. They have a unique bite – often feeling like you've hung bottom until you feel that telltale head shake. Fall months are peak season when flounder move toward the passes to spawn, making them easier targets for anglers. A good flounder bite can turn a slow day into a fish fry, as they rarely come alone.
This top-rated full day trip books up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons. Captain Marc's 40-plus years of experience and intimate knowledge of Matagorda's waters make this charter a customer favorite among serious anglers. The eight-hour timeframe gives you the best shot at multiple species while allowing time to adapt to changing conditions throughout the day. Remember to bring your own drinks, snacks, and a cooler with ice to keep your catch fresh for the ride home. The non-refundable deposit policy ensures your spot is secured, so don't wait if you're serious about experiencing world-class inshore fishing on the Texas coast. Whether you're after a personal best trout, a bull redfish for the wall, or just a relaxing day learning from one of the area's most experienced captains, this trip delivers the authentic Matagorda Bay fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Captain Marc's 20-foot Transport bay boat is perfectly rigged for working Matagorda's shallow bays and grass flats. This reliable fishing machine handles the skinny water like a dream while keeping you comfortable during those long 8-hour days on the water. With room for 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines or bumping elbows. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of reds and trout, while the GPS keeps us on productive spots. An icebox stores your drinks and snacks, plus there's room for your catch. The radar comes in handy when morning fog rolls in off the Gulf. Built tough for Texas coastal conditions, this boat gets you to where the fish are biting in Matagorda Bay's back lakes and bayous.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Matagorda flats fishing. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and are famous for that distinctive black spot near their tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and mud bottoms. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is the explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging fight these fish provide. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, mild-flavored meat. The trick with reds is keeping your bait moving slowly and staying quiet - they spook easy in skinny water. Try bouncing a gold spoon along the bottom near structure changes.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets in Matagorda's shallow grass flats and bayous. These silvery beauties average 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass beds in 2-4 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They bite best during cooler months and low-light periods - early morning and evening are prime time. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key to consistent success is working your bait slowly along the bottom near grass edges. When using live shrimp under a popping cork, let it sit still for 30 seconds between pops - that's when they usually strike.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise in our Matagorda waters. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms waiting for prey. You'll find them along drop-offs, channel edges, and around structure in 3-10 feet of water. Fall migration provides the hottest action as they move toward deeper water. What makes them fun to target is the surprise factor - you never know when that "dead" bottom will come alive. They're also some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, white fillets. My go-to technique is drifting live bull minnows or shrimp on light jigheads right along the bottom. Keep your bait moving slowly and feel for that subtle tap.
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