Full Day Matagorda Bay Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day guided trip targets redfish, trout, and flounderEight hours covering East and West Matagorda Bay watersAccommodates up to three guests with customized fishing approaches
Captain Matthew's full-day guided fishing trip puts you right in the heart of some of Texas' most productive inshore waters. With 8 solid hours on Matagorda Bay, you'll have plenty of time to work both the East and West Bay systems, targeting the holy trinity of Texas inshore fishing: redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. This isn't a rushed half-day where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. You'll cover serious water, learn the nuances of these flats, and have multiple shots at different species as conditions change throughout the day.
This top-rated fishing experience adapts to your crew and the conditions. Captain Matthew reads the water like a book, adjusting tactics based on tides, wind, and fish movement. You might start the morning drifting the deeper grass beds with soft plastics, then move to wade fishing the skinny water flats when the sun gets up and fish start tailing. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is flexibility – if the trout are firing on the East Bay reefs, you can stay put and load up. If the reds are cruising the West Bay shorelines, you've got time to make that run. With a maximum of 3 anglers, everyone gets personalized instruction and plenty of casting opportunities. The captain provides all tackle, but feel free to bring your favorite rods if you've got them.
Matagorda Bay fishing is all about versatility, and Captain Matthew covers the full spectrum of inshore techniques. You'll work with both artificial lures and live bait, depending on what's producing. Soft plastic rigging is bread and butter here – whether it's a Bass Assassin on a quarter-ounce jighead for trout or a paddle tail on a heavier head for reds in current. The captain also runs topwater when conditions are right, and there's nothing quite like watching a big red blow up on a She Dog at first light. Wade fishing is where things get really tactical. You'll learn to read the water, spot nervous baitfish, and present lures with the finesse that big speckled trout demand. The flats here are perfect for wading – mostly firm sand and shell with good visibility. When you're targeting flounder, it's all about bottom contact and feeling those subtle taps that signal a flatfish mouthing your bait.
Redfish are the backbone of Matagorda Bay fishing and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallows year-round, with fish ranging from schoolie reds in the 18-24 inch range up to bull reds that'll test your drag system. Spring and fall see the best numbers, but summer fishing can be world-class if you time the tides right. Reds here are notorious for their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights. They'll eat everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, making them perfect for anglers of any skill level. The satisfaction of sight-casting to a tailing red in two feet of water never gets old.
Speckled trout are the technical challenge that keeps seasoned anglers coming back. Matagorda's trout population is healthy and diverse, with keeper-sized fish available throughout most of the year. The best action typically runs from March through November, with May and October being customer favorites for trophy potential. These fish are structure-oriented, relating to grass beds, shell reefs, and drop-offs. They're also moody – what works one day might not touch them the next. That's where Captain Matthew's local knowledge pays dividends. He knows which reefs produce in different wind directions and how to adjust presentations for pressured fish. A 3-pound trout on light tackle is pure gold.
Southern flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're phenomenal table fare and surprisingly fun to catch once you dial in the technique. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to cruise by. The key is keeping your lure in contact with the bottom and recognizing that subtle "tap-tap" that signals a flounder pickup. Fall is prime time for doormat flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning runs. Captain Matthew knows the transition areas where these flatfish concentrate, and the techniques to consistently put them in the boat. A 4-pound flounder is a legitimate trophy in these waters.
An 8-hour guided trip with Captain Matthew gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Matagorda Bay has to offer. You'll learn techniques that translate to other Texas bays, target multiple species in their prime habitats, and have the time to really dial in what's working. Whether you're a local angler looking to up your game or visiting Texas for some renowned inshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. The extended time on the water means you're not watching the clock – you're focused on the next cast and the next fish. Book your dates early, especially for prime fall and spring periods when the fishing is at its peak.
Captain Matthew's motorboat is perfectly rigged for working Matagorda Bay's productive waters. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow redfish haunts without spooking your targets, while the GPS keeps you on productive spots across both East and West bays. When the fish are holding tight to structure or scattered across the flats, the fish finder becomes your best friend for marking schools of trout and locating those deeper holes where flounder like to ambush baitfish. This setup handles three anglers comfortably, giving everyone room to cast and fight fish without crowding. Whether you're drifting the open flats or positioning for precise wade fishing spots, this boat gets you where the fish are biting and keeps you there all day long.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with their trademark black spots near the tail love our shallow flats and oyster reefs. Most of what we catch runs 20-32 inches, but don't be surprised if we hook into a bull pushing 40+ inches. They're found year-round in 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. What makes reds special is their aggressive nature - they'll smash topwater plugs, spoons, and live shrimp with equal enthusiasm. The fight is memorable too, with powerful runs and stubborn head shakes. They taste great when kept within slot limits. My go-to trick: look for "nervous water" or slight disturbances on calm days - that's usually reds pushing bait in the shallows.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets here in Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall through spring offers the best action, with cooler months bringing bigger schools into deeper channels. What guests love most is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - plus they make excellent table fare with that mild, flaky white meat. Pro tip: when you see birds working over bait, cast just outside the commotion rather than right in the middle where the trout are likely lurking.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise in Matagorda Bay. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush passing prey. Most run 15-18 inches, though we occasionally land doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. You'll find them along channel edges, drop-offs, and around structure in 4-15 feet of water. Fall migration brings the best action as they move toward deeper water for winter. What's fun about flounder fishing is the challenge - they're subtle biters that require patience and technique. They're also some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, white meat. The key is fishing slow and staying in contact with bottom. When you feel that subtle "tick" or your line goes slack, set the hook immediately - flounder inhale bait quickly and can spit it out just as fast.
Matagorda, TX