Corpus Christi Guided Fishing | 7 Hour Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour inshore fishing adventure in Corpus Christi watersTarget Black Drum, Redfish, Flounder, and Speckled Trout speciesExpert Captain Byron Noles guides up to two guests
Ready to spend a full day on the water chasing some of the Gulf Coast's most prized gamefish? This 7-hour guided fishing adventure puts you right in the heart of Corpus Christi's legendary inshore waters, where redfish cruise the shallows and black drum patrol the deeper grass beds. Captain Byron Noles has been working these flats for seven years, and he knows exactly where the fish are holding based on tides, weather, and season. You'll fish from a top-rated 22-foot Coastal Custom Boats center console powered by a reliable Suzuki 200hp – plenty of boat to get you to the honey holes quickly and fish comfortably all day long.
Seven hours gives you serious time to work different spots and really dial in your technique. Captain Byron runs a relaxed but productive boat – no rushed fishing here. You'll start early when the fish are most active, hitting shallow grass flats for redfish and speckled trout before the sun gets too high. As conditions change throughout the day, Byron adjusts the game plan. Maybe that means working deeper structure for black drum during the midday heat, or targeting sheepshead around channel markers when the tide starts moving. The extended trip length means you're not constantly watching the clock. If the bite is hot, you stay put. If one spot isn't producing, there's plenty of time to move and find active fish. With only two anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of shots at quality fish.
Byron keeps his boat rigged with quality spinning gear perfectly matched to inshore species – medium-heavy rods with smooth drags that can handle a bull red's initial run but still have the finesse for trout on light line. Most of the fishing happens with live bait and cut bait, though he's always ready to switch to artificials when fish are aggressive. You'll learn to work soft plastics along grass edges, pitch live shrimp to redfish tailing in skinny water, and present cut crab to black drum around structure. The boat's equipped with a shallow-water anchor system and trolling motor for precise positioning – crucial when you're sight-fishing or working specific structure. All tackle, bait, and licenses are included, so you can focus on fishing instead of rigging lines.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the bay – these copper-colored bruisers can push 30+ pounds and will test your drag system. They're year-round residents but fish best during cooler months when they school up around oyster reefs and channel drop-offs. Black drum are bottom feeders with keen noses, so fresh cut crab or shrimp fished on the bottom is your best bet. When you hook one, get ready for a powerful, head-shaking fight that's all about endurance. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for blackening or frying.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the bay – they'll steal your bait before you know they're there. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish around structure. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they move inshore to spawn. Sheepshead fishing requires patience and a light touch – they nibble rather than slam the bait. But land one of these 3-5 pound fish and you've earned it. They're considered some of the best eating fish in the bay, with sweet, flaky meat that rivals red snapper.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing. These bronze-backed beauties with distinctive black spots can range from schoolie-sized fish to 40+ pound bulls. Reds are aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and lures with authority. Fall and winter offer the best action when big schools move through the area. There's nothing quite like watching a red's back break the surface as it crushes a topwater plug in shallow water. Even smaller reds put up a memorable fight with powerful runs and head shakes. They're slot-limited fish, so Byron knows exactly which ones are keepers and which ones go back to fight another day.
A full-day trip with an experienced local captain is your ticket to understanding what makes Corpus Christi such a world-class fishing destination. Seven hours on the water gives you the best shot at multiple species and teaches you techniques you'll use for years. Captain Byron's local knowledge and quality equipment stack the odds in your favor, whether you're a seasoned angler looking to learn new water or a newcomer wanting to experience Gulf Coast fishing at its finest. With only two spots available, this customer favorite books up quickly, especially during prime fishing months. Don't wait – secure your date and get ready for a day of serious fishing in some of Texas's most productive inshore waters.
Captain Byron's 22-foot Coastal Custom center console is built for serious fishing in Corpus Christi's productive waters. The 2018 bay boat handles beautifully with its Suzuki 200hp outboard, cruising at 40 knots to get you to the best spots fast. Perfect size for up to 2 anglers who want room to work without feeling cramped. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, while the onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long 7-hour days chasing redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. GPS navigation means more time with lines in the water and less time searching. This setup is ideal for working the shallow flats and deeper bay structure where the big drum and sheepshead hang out.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with giants reaching 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're fantastic fighters that really test your drag, but stick to keepers under 15 pounds for the table since bigger ones get tough and fishy. Best baits are fresh crab, clams, or bucktail jigs fished right on bottom. Here's my local trick: when you feel that first gentle tap, don't set the hook yet. Let them mouth it for a few seconds, then drive it home hard. Their bony mouths need a solid hookset to stick.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, typically running 20-35 inches with bronze backs and that signature black eyespot near the tail. They love super shallow flats, sometimes with backs out of water, cruising grass beds and oyster reefs hunting for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. What guests love most is watching them explode on topwater lures in skinny water - it's pure adrenaline. They fight hard with long runs and head shakes, plus they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat. My go-to trick around Corpus is working gold spoons over grass flats on low light mornings. Keep your boat in deeper water and cast shallow - they spook easily but the payoff is worth it.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and gray prison stripes, running 1-8 pounds typically but capable of hitting 20+ pounds. What makes them special are those human-like teeth they use to scrape barnacles off structure. Find them around any pilings, jetties, or docks - the more barnacle-covered, the better. Spring spawning runs from February through April offer the hottest action. They're notorious bait thieves and excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Fresh shrimp or fiddler crab work best, but here's a local secret: scrape some barnacles off the pilings with your rod tip before you start fishing. That creates a chum slick that draws them in close. When you feel them nibbling, wait for solid weight then set hard - their bony mouths are tough to penetrate.
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