5.0(4 Reviews)Full Day Corpus Christi Inshore Fishing Adventure
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour guided inshore fishing trip in Upper Laguna MadreTarget redfish, speckled trout, and black drum speciesExpert guidance with toptier equipment for five guests maximum
When you're looking for a serious day on the water targeting some of Texas' most prized gamefish, this 8-hour guided trip with Captain Ryan McCain delivers exactly what you're after. We're talking about fishing the legendary Upper Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay - waters that have built reputations among anglers for consistently producing trophy redfish, speckled trout, and black drum. This isn't your typical half-day charter where you're rushing back to the dock just as the bite picks up. With a full day ahead of us, we can work multiple spots, adjust to changing conditions, and really dial in on what the fish are doing.
Your day starts early, which is exactly how productive fishing trips should begin. We'll meet at the launch and get you set up with everything you need - quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait that's proven to work in these waters. The boat accommodates up to 5 anglers comfortably, so whether you're bringing the whole crew or keeping it intimate, everyone gets plenty of room to fish. Captain Ryan knows these flats and deeper channels like the back of his hand, and he's not shy about sharing techniques that'll make you a better angler. Expect to learn proper lure presentation, how to read water conditions, and when to switch up your approach based on what the fish are telling us. The 8-hour timeframe gives us flexibility to hit morning spots when trout are active, then transition to areas where reds and drum typically feed as the day progresses.
In these shallow coastal waters, we're primarily sight fishing and working structure with light tackle that lets you feel every bump and tap. You'll be throwing artificial lures like soft plastics rigged on jig heads, topwater plugs during the right conditions, and occasionally live or cut bait when the fish demand it. The key in Upper Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay is staying quiet and making accurate casts to specific targets - grass beds, drop-offs, and shell reefs where these species congregate. We're talking about water that ranges from knee-deep flats to channels that might hit 6-8 feet, so boat positioning and stealth become crucial. Captain Ryan runs shallow-draft equipment that gets us into places bigger boats can't reach, giving you access to less pressured fish. When the wind picks up or conditions change, having multiple techniques in your arsenal makes the difference between a good day and a great one.
"Ryan McCain's Fishing Guide Service was an incredible experience for me and my four buddies. Ryan worked hard the entire time to put us on fish and shared helpful tips that made the trip fun and successful for all of us. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a top-notch fishing adventure. We're already looking forward to booking with him again. Thanks again, Ryan! 🤙🏽" - Aaron
"Great time! Captain Ryan was great, he put us on fish from start to finish(weather was good). We had a blast!" - Peyton
"What a great time we had! Ryan is an excellent captain and our family has used him more than once. Highly recommend for his accommodations, his ability to find fish, and his kind and fun personality. Great experience for young and old. You won't regret booking with him." - Dewayne
"We had family visiting from out of town and decided a day in the water would be a wonderful shared experience. Despite less than ideal conditions, Captain Ryan of McCain's Shallow Water Experiences persevered putting us on multiple schools of fish. The result: a great day with the family and some beautiful redfish, drum, and speckled trout that will not only make for great stiries but several wonderful dinners. Thanks Capt. Ryan!" - Kevin
Redfish are the bread and butter of Texas coastal fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-28 inches in these waters, with the occasional bull red pushing 30+ inches and giving you a fight you won't forget. They're most active during moving tides and low-light periods, often found cruising shallow flats or working bait against shorelines. What makes reds so appealing is their aggressive nature - when they want your lure, they'll let you know with authority. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some of the biggest fish when you find them stacked up in deeper holes.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the technical challenge that keeps experienced anglers coming back. These spotted gamefish are incredibly structure-oriented, relating to grass beds, shell reefs, and drop-offs where they ambush small baitfish. Most of your catches will fall in the 14-20 inch range, but Upper Laguna Madre is famous for producing true trophy trout over 25 inches. They're particular about lure presentation and water temperature, making them the perfect species to test your skills against. Early morning and late evening typically offer the best opportunities, especially when throwing topwater plugs over shallow grass.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they'll test your tackle and your patience in the best possible way. These bottom-dwelling powerhouses can range from schoolie-sized fish around 16-20 inches up to genuine giants that push 40+ inches and 20+ pounds. They're primarily structure fish, congregating around shell reefs, bridge pilings, and channel edges where they root for crabs and shellfish. The fight is pure power - no jumping or flashy runs, just steady, determined pulls that'll make your drag sing. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer, when large schools move through these coastal bays during their spawning migrations.
This full-day charter gives you the
You'll be fishing from a brand-new 2024 Shoalwater 23 Catamaran, perfectly designed for the shallow waters of Upper Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay. This 23-foot cat hull runs smooth and stable, powered by a reliable 300HP Suzuki that'll get you to the hot spots fast – cruising at speeds up to 45 knots when needed. The shallow draft design lets us slip into those back-country areas where the big reds and trout like to hide. The boat comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day on the water. There's an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh, plus a wireless trolling motor for those times when we need to move quietly through the grass flats without spooking the fish. GPS navigation keeps us on the productive spots and gets us back to the dock safely. With room for up to 5 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without getting tangled up with your buddies. The catamaran's stable platform makes it easy to fight those big drum and reds, even when they're pulling drag and making long runs.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. They're built like tanks with powerful jaws that crush oysters and crabs all day long. You'll find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and shallow areas where they root around the bottom like underwater bulldozers. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we see the most action. What makes them special is that fight; they pull like freight trains and make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually feel through the boat. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and let it sit right on the bottom near structure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches, but we see plenty of bruiser "bulls" over 40 inches that'll test your gear. They love cruising our flats in just 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs showing above the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall really fires up when they school heavily. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - plus that unique sight-fishing opportunity when you can actually see them coming. The slot-sized fish make fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. My local secret: look for nervous water and mullet jumping - that usually means reds are feeding nearby. Throw a gold spoon or topwater plug right into the commotion.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our bay system, running anywhere from 14-24 inches with the occasional trophy pushing 5+ pounds. These silvery fish with black spots love our grass flats and shallow waters, especially around dawn and dusk. They're most active in spring and fall when water temps are comfortable, but we catch them year-round. Winter finds them schooled up in deeper channels. What guests love about specks is their willingness to bite and excellent table fare - soft, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They'll hit topwaters, soft plastics, and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. Pro tip: work your lures slow and steady over grass beds in 2-4 feet of water, and don't set the hook too hard - their mouths are soft and tear easily.
5.0 out of 5.0Ryan McCain’s Fishing Guide Service was an incredible experience for me and my four buddies. Ryan worked hard the entire time to p...
Great time! Captain Ryan was great, he put us on fish from start to finish(weather was good). We had a blast!
What a great time we had! Ryan is an excellent captain and our family has used him more than once. Highly recommend for his accomm...
We had family visiting from out of town and decided a day in the water would be a wonderful shared experience. Despite less than i...
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