Private 3-Hour South Padre Island Inshore Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 3-hour inshore fishing charter for two guestsTarget redfish, black drum, trout, and flounder speciesOperates from South Padre Island and Port Isabel waters
Looking for a solid fishing charter that won't waste your time? Old Salt Charters runs tight 3-hour private inshore trips out of South Padre Island that consistently put fish in the boat. With space for just two anglers, you'll get personalized attention and won't be competing with a crowd for the best spots. Captain and crew know these Texas waters inside and out, hitting productive flats and structure where redfish, trout, and black drum hang out year-round. Whether you're after your first keeper red or looking to fill the cooler with table fare, this top-rated charter delivers the goods without the all-day commitment.
Your morning starts at the dock where you'll meet your captain and get a quick rundown of the day's game plan. The boat heads out into the Laguna Madre and surrounding bay systems, some of the most productive inshore waters on the Texas coast. These shallow flats and grass beds hold fish year-round, and the protection from the barrier island means you'll be fishing even when the Gulf gets rough. The captain reads the conditions daily - wind, tide, water temperature - and adjusts the plan accordingly. Some days that means working deeper channels for trout, other days it's sight-fishing reds on the flats. The beauty of a private charter is flexibility to chase what's biting best. Don't forget your Texas Parks and Wildlife license with saltwater stamp, polarized sunglasses, and sunscreen. The sun reflects hard off these flats, and good polarized lenses help you spot fish cruising in skinny water.
Old Salt Charters provides all the gear you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. The boat carries both live and artificial options depending on conditions and target species. Live shrimp works magic on trout and redfish, while cut bait brings in the bigger black drum and sheepshead around structure. For artificial lures, expect to throw soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons - classic Texas inshore arsenal that produces fish. The captain teaches proper technique for working each lure type, from the steady retrieve that triggers trout strikes to the erratic action that drives reds crazy. Fishing depths range from knee-deep flats to channels running 8-10 feet, so you'll experience the full spectrum of inshore angling. The boat's shallow draft design gets into spots bigger vessels can't reach, giving you access to less pressured fish.
Redfish are the crown jewel of South Padre Island inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers fight harder than fish twice their size, making blistering runs that test your drag system. Reds school up in shallow water during cooler months, offering sight-fishing opportunities that get your heart racing. Spring through fall brings the best action, with fish ranging from 20-inch slot fish to oversized bulls pushing 40 inches. The thrill of watching a red inhale your topwater plug in two feet of clear water never gets old.
Speckled trout provide consistent action and excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite on every charter. These fish relate to grass beds and drop-offs, ambushing baitfish with explosive strikes. Fall and winter months produce the biggest trout, with fish over 20 inches common in deeper channels. Specks have soft mouths, so light drag and steady pressure are key to landing them. Their white, flaky meat makes them prized for the dinner table.
Black drum grow massive in these waters, with fish over 30 pounds regularly caught around structure and shell reefs. These bottom-dwellers use powerful shoulders to fight in short, stubborn runs that test heavy tackle. Spring spawning runs bring the biggest fish into shallow water, creating world-class opportunities for trophy hunters. Smaller drum in the 5-15 pound range provide excellent eating and steady action year-round.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish to hook, but their excellent taste makes them worth the effort. These black-and-white striped fish hang around any hard structure, using human-like teeth to crush crabs and barnacles. Winter months bring peak sheepshead action when fish move shallow to spawn. Their light bite requires sensitive tackle and quick reflexes to set the hook before they steal your bait.
King mackerel make occasional appearances during warmer months when baitfish push close to shore. These speed demons provide heart-stopping runs and aerial displays that create lasting memories. While not the primary target on inshore trips, hooking into a king near the jetties adds serious excitement to any fishing day.
South Padre Island's reputation as a premier fishing destination isn't built on luck - it's backed by consistent action and professional guides who know how to find fish. This 3-hour private charter gives you quality time on the water without breaking the bank or burning a whole vacation day. Whether you're introducing kids to fishing, celebrating a special occasion, or just need to get some line wet, Old Salt Charters delivers the goods. The intimate boat size means personalized instruction and more fish per angler. Book now and discover why anglers keep coming back to these productive Texas waters year after year.
Meet "Shallow Stalker" – your ticket to prime inshore fishing around South Padre Island! This sharp 20-foot bay boat runs on a reliable 150hp Suzuki engine, perfect for navigating the flats and channels where redfish, trout, and flounder love to hang out. Built in 2021, she's equipped with GPS and fish finder technology to put you right on top of the action. The onboard bait tank keeps your live shrimp and mullet fresh while you work the grass beds and drop-offs. With space for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast without tangling lines. Her shallow draft design lets you slip into those skinny water spots where the big reds cruise, while the stable platform makes fighting fish and landing your catch a breeze. Ready to wet some lines?
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These bruisers love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we find the most action. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater, especially the big bulls. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab on a fish-finder rig and keep it right on bottom. They're picky eaters but once hooked, they'll give you a battle you won't forget.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll smoke your drag when they hit. These offshore warriors typically weigh 20-40 pounds but can top 60+ pounds during peak season. We find them in 40-150 feet of water from late spring through fall when water temps hit the sweet spot. What guests love most is the blistering runs and aerial displays - pure adrenaline fishing. They're built for speed with razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are mandatory. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling or smoking. Pro tip: when trolling, use a stinger rig with two hooks since kings often attack the tail of live baits. Once you hook up, hold on tight - they don't call them kingfish for nothing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish of Texas inshore fishing, with their copper backs and signature black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, but we also target the big bulls that can push 40+ inches in deeper water. These bronze beauties cruise super shallow flats - sometimes with backs out of water - around oyster reefs and grass beds. They're year-round residents but fall brings the best action as they fatten up. What guests love is their power and that distinctive head shake when hooked. The meat on keeper-sized fish is firm and mild, perfect for blackening. Here's my secret: look for nervous water and muddy trails where they're rooting for crabs. Topwater lures at first light will blow your mind.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are the bread and butter of our inshore trips, running 14-24 inches with the occasional 5+ pounder to keep things interesting. These speckled beauties love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk. They're active year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. What makes trout fishing special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - topwater plugs at sunrise are pure magic. The meat is tender and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. My go-to trick: work soft plastics slowly along grass edges during moving tides. They're not the strongest fighters, but their numbers and reliability make them perfect for families and newcomers.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any structure with barnacles. They're year-round residents but winter through early spring is when they really turn on before spawning. What makes them special is they're absolute bait thieves - they'll pick your hook clean before you know it. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. My advice: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and set the hook the instant you feel that telltale nibble. They've got crushers for teeth, so don't hesitate.
South Padre Island