Full Day Guided Fishing Trip In Matagorda Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday guided fishing adventure targeting redfish, trout, and flounderEight hours exploring both East and West Matagorda Bay watersCustomizable approach with drifting flats or wade fishing options
Captain Matthew knows Matagorda Bay like the back of his hand, and when you book this full-day charter, you're getting access to eight solid hours of his local knowledge. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking about a proper fishing adventure that covers both East and West Matagorda Bay. You'll have time to work the flats, hit multiple spots, and really dial in on what's biting. Whether you're after that slot redfish, a hefty speckled trout, or a doormat flounder, this trip gives you the best shot at filling your cooler while learning techniques that'll make you a better angler long after you leave Texas waters.
This full-day trip runs eight hours, giving you and up to two fishing buddies plenty of time to explore Matagorda's legendary fishing grounds. Captain Matthew tailors each trip based on conditions, tides, and what the fish are doing that day. Some days you'll be drifting the deeper grass beds with soft plastics, other times you'll wade the skinny water where big reds cruise the flats. The beauty of an eight-hour charter is flexibility – if one spot isn't producing, you've got time to move and adjust. You'll cover water from the ICW to the back lakes, hitting structure, grass lines, and shell reefs that hold fish year-round. The captain provides all tackle and knows exactly which baits work best in each zone, so you can focus on fishing instead of rigging up.
Matagorda Bay fishing is all about reading water and matching your approach to conditions. Captain Matthew runs both wade fishing and boat fishing depending on what's working. Wade fishing puts you right in the fish's world – you'll work shallow flats where redfish tail and speckled trout ambush bait in knee-deep water. The boat fishing covers more ground fast, letting you drift structure or anchor up on productive reefs. Tackle-wise, you're looking at medium-action spinning gear spooled with 15-20 pound braid. Soft plastics dominate here – think paddle tails, shrimp imitations, and topwater plugs when conditions are right. The captain carries a full arsenal of lures and knows which colors work best in Matagorda's varying water clarity. Live bait gets deployed when fish are finicky, and croaker or shrimp under popping corks can be absolute money on tough days.
Redfish are the backbone of Matagorda Bay fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers fight like freight trains in shallow water. You'll find them year-round, but spring and fall offer the best action when they're feeding heavily before seasonal moves. Slot reds (20-28 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while oversized bulls provide pure adrenaline on light tackle. They love working shell bars, grass edges, and shallow mud flats where they root for crabs and shrimp. What makes reds so special here is their aggressive nature – they'll absolutely demolish a topwater plug on calm mornings or crush a soft plastic worked along the bottom.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bay's most popular gamefish for good reason. These spotted beauties average 15-20 inches but can push 25-plus inches when you find the right school. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, shell reefs, and drop-offs where baitfish concentrate. Winter months can be tough, but spring through fall offers consistent action. Specks are sight feeders with excellent eyesight, making them fun on artificial lures. A well-placed soft plastic or topwater can trigger explosive strikes, and their white meat makes them a favorite at the dinner table.
Southern flounder are the bay's ultimate ambush predators, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting prey. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes – anything over 20 inches is considered a quality catch, and doormat flounder pushing 24-plus inches are genuine trophies. Fall is prime time when they stage near passes preparing for their offshore spawning run. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – you're bouncing baits along the bottom or working soft plastics with a slow, deliberate retrieve. When a big flounder hits, it feels like snagging bottom until that head shake gives them away, then it's a bulldogging fight to the boat.
Eight hours on Matagorda Bay with Captain Matthew gives you the full experience – time to learn, time to fish multiple spots, and time to put together a memorable day on the water. This isn't just about catching fish (though you'll do plenty of that), it's about understanding how this bay system works and picking up techniques you'll use for years. The combination of wade fishing and boat fishing means you'll experience different aspects of coastal angling while targeting three of Texas' most sought-after species. With space for just three anglers, you get personalized attention and instruction that makes this trip worth every penny. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot.
Captain Matthew's motorboat is perfectly rigged for serious angling across Matagorda Bay's productive waters. This fishing machine comes equipped with a wireless trolling motor that lets you slip silently into shallow redfish territory without spooking your targets. The GPS navigation keeps you on course between East and West Bay hotspots, while the fish finder helps locate schools of speckled trout and flounder holding near structure. Built for three anglers, there's plenty of room to work your lines whether you're casting from the deck or preparing to wade the flats. The boat handles both deep drifts over open water and skinny runs where trophy fish cruise the grass beds. With 8 hours ahead of you, this setup gives you the range and stealth needed to hit multiple fishing zones and adapt to whatever the bay serves up that day.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay fishing. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-35 inches and put up one heck of a fight in shallow water. Look for them tailing in 1-4 feet over mud and grass flats, around oyster reefs, and near structure. That black spot near their tail isn't just for show - it's how you know you've got a red on. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding heavily before and after winter. What guests love most is sight fishing for them in skinny water and watching that explosive strike. These fish eat well too - firm, mild meat that grills perfectly. Pro tip: when you see a red with its back out of the water feeding, cast well ahead and let your bait settle. They spook easily but once hooked, they'll give you a memorable battle.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most consistent targets here in Matagorda Bay. These silvery fish with their distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around structure like shell reefs and drop-offs. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods - dawn and dusk can be magic times. What makes specks special is their willingness to hit artificials and their excellent table fare with flaky white meat. The key trick I always share: work your lure slow and steady. Specks have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't horse them. A 1/4 oz jighead with a soft plastic tail bounced along the bottom near grass beds is hard to beat.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder might be our sneakiest targets, but they're worth the hunt. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we see some doormat-sized ones pushing 5+ pounds. They're masters of camouflage, burying in sand and mud bottoms in shallow bays and around structure. Both eyes on their left side make them one of nature's oddest fish. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore winter migration. What makes flounder fishing special is the challenge - you're hunting an invisible predator. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The secret is fishing slow along the bottom. Use a Carolina rig with live finger mullet or bull minnows, and when you feel that distinctive tap-tap-pull, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook. Patience pays off with these ambush feeders.
Matagorda, TX