South Padre Island Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private inshore fishing charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests maximumFive to nine hour fishing adventure in Texas bay waters
Looking for a private fishing charter that delivers both quality and flexibility? Old Salt Charters has you covered with their top-rated 5 to 9-hour South Padre Island inshore fishing trips. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this world-class charter puts you right in the heart of some of Texas' most productive bay waters. With a maximum of 2 guests, you'll get personalized attention from experienced captains who know these waters like the back of their hand. Pack your Texas Parks and Wildlife Fishing License with saltwater stamp, polarized sunglasses, and sunscreen – you're about to experience why South Padre Island consistently ranks as a customer favorite among Gulf Coast fishing destinations.
Your day starts at the dock where you'll meet your captain and get a quick rundown of the game plan. The beauty of booking with Old Salt Charters lies in their local knowledge – these guys have been working the flats, channels, and grass beds around South Padre Island and Port Isabel for years. You'll cruise out into the bay system where shallow water fishing reigns supreme. The Laguna Madre provides some of the most consistent year-round fishing on the Texas coast, and your captain will position you over productive structure, grass flats, or along channel edges depending on conditions and target species. The intimate 2-person capacity means you won't be fighting for rod space or competing with a crowd for the captain's attention. This is your fishing trip, tailored to your skill level and preferences.
Inshore fishing around South Padre Island is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Your captain will have you rigged with everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics on jig heads. Depending on the bite, you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in knee-deep water or working deeper channels for trout and drum. The boat comes equipped with quality tackle suited for the bay environment – medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle everything from 14-inch specks to bull reds pushing 30 pounds. Polarized glasses aren't just recommended, they're essential for spotting fish in the clear shallow water. Your captain will coach you through different retrieval speeds, bait presentations, and how to work structure. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – inshore techniques are learnable, and there's nothing quite like the rush of seeing a red drum crush your bait in 2 feet of crystal-clear water.
The redfish action around South Padre Island is nothing short of spectacular. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the grass flats and oyster reefs year-round, with fish ranging from slot-size "rat reds" to oversized bulls that'll test your drag system. Spring and fall see the most consistent action, but summer fishing can be lights-out if you're willing to start early or fish late. Redfish are ambush predators that love structure – oyster bars, grass edges, and drop-offs are all prime real estate. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight. Plus, they're excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few within the slot limit.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout as they're officially known, are the bread and butter of South Padre Island inshore fishing. These silver-sided gamefish are abundant from spring through fall, with the best action typically happening over grass beds and along channel edges. Trout are structure-oriented and feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. They're known for their delicate mouths, so you'll need to keep steady pressure without horsing them to the boat. The eating quality is outstanding – firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Winter months can produce some true trophy trout, with fish over 25 inches not uncommon for anglers willing to brave cooler temperatures.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute powerhouses that provide some of the best fights in the bay. These bottom-dwellers can grow massive – it's not unusual to hook into drum pushing 40 or 50 pounds around South Padre Island's deeper channels and shell beds. They're year-round residents with peak action in cooler months. Black drum have excellent hearing and will respond to baits that create vibration. Their crushing bite and sustained runs make them a favorite among anglers who appreciate raw power over flash. Smaller drum under 30 inches make excellent table fare, while the big bulls are typically released to fight another day.
Sheepshead are the thieves of the bay – notorious bait stealers with human-like teeth and incredible cunning. These black and white striped fish hang around structure like pilings, jetties, and oyster reefs where they feed on crustaceans and barnacles. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they school up for spawning. Catching sheepshead requires patience and quick reflexes – they're masters at stealing bait without getting hooked. But land one and you'll understand why they're called the "convict fish." Their flaky white meat is considered some of the best eating in the Gulf, making every stolen bait and missed hookset worth the frustration.
King mackerel might seem like an odd addition to an inshore trip, but the nearshore waters around South Padre Island regularly produce kings, especially during spring and fall migrations. These silver bullets are pure speed and aggression, capable of blistering runs that'll empty your spool in seconds. When kings move close to shore, usually following bait schools, your captain might venture to the edge of the bay or just outside the pass for some fast action. Kings hit hard, jump high, and their razor-sharp teeth add an extra element of excitement. They're also fantastic on the grill, with firm, meaty steaks that satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
This isn't just another fishing trip
Meet "Shallow Stalker" – your 20-foot ticket to South Padre Island's best inshore fishing action! This 2021 Bay Boat runs on a reliable 150-horsepower Suzuki engine that'll get you to the productive flats and channels where redfish, trout, black drum, and flounder are biting. Built specifically for bay fishing, she's equipped with GPS navigation to hit those honey holes and a fish finder to locate schools below. The onboard bait tank keeps your live shrimp and mullet fresh while you work the grass beds and oyster reefs. Perfect for up to 2 anglers who want to experience Texas coastal fishing at its finest. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in shallow water or drifting structure for speckled trout, this boat handles the technical inshore waters around Port Isabel with ease. Ready to put some fish in the cooler?
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These gray-black bruisers love crushing oysters and crabs with their powerful jaws around shell beds and muddy flats. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to the smaller ones under 15 pounds for eating since the big boys get tough. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom near oyster structure. The bite feels like you snagged a stump until it starts peeling drag.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are pure speed demons that'll rip line off your reel faster than you can blink. These silver rockets typically run 10-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds when you get into the big girls. They cruise depths from 40-150 feet, following bait schools and temperature breaks. Summer and fall bring the best action when water temps hit that 70-80 degree sweet spot. Guests love them for the screaming runs and aerial shows - plus they're great eating when prepared fresh. The secret is using a stinger rig with two hooks on wire leader since they'll often hit the back half of your bait. Troll fast with live bait or big spoons, and always keep that drag loose or they'll snap you off on the initial hit.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of shallow water fishing around here. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots run 18-30 inches in the shallows, though the big bulls offshore can push 40+ inches. They cruise grass flats, oyster reefs, and marshy shorelines in water so shallow their backs stick out. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding in big schools. What makes them special is that explosive strike in skinny water - pure adrenaline when a 20-pounder blows up on topwater. Plus they're excellent eating in the slot size range. The trick is staying quiet and making long casts with gold spoons or paddle tails. Watch for wakes and tailing fish, and always lead them since they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches with that beautiful spotted pattern. These guys love grass flats and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water, especially around oyster bars and channel edges. Cool mornings and evenings are prime time, with winter months bringing some of the biggest fish as they school up in deeper holes. Anglers love their aggressive strikes and that sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're scrappy fighters that'll jump and shake their heads to throw the hook. My favorite approach is working soft plastics or topwater plugs over grass beds at dawn. Keep your retrieve steady and don't horse them - their mouths are soft and they'll tear off if you're too aggressive.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Texas waters with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth. These 1-8 pound tricksters hang around any structure with barnacles - bridge pilings, jetties, and dock posts. They're notorious bait thieves who'll nibble your hook clean without you knowing. Early spring brings the best action when they move shallow to feed. Folks love targeting them because they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The key is getting your bait tight to structure and setting the hook hard the moment you feel weight. I always use fiddler crabs or small pieces of shrimp on a short leader - keeps it natural and gets it down fast before the current sweeps it away.
South Padre Island