Full Day Advanced Fishing Trip in Sabine Lake
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Eighthour advanced fishing trip targeting redfish, trout, and flounderProfessional guide provides strategic instruction and technique refinementMaximum four guests for personalized, resultsdriven lake experience
This isn't your weekend warrior fishing trip. Captain Chris Horner runs a serious operation on Sabine Lake, and this 8-hour advanced charter is built for anglers who want to push their skills and land quality fish. You're not just casting lines and hoping for the best – you're learning patterns, working structure, and fishing with purpose. Chris knows every productive spot on this massive lake system, and he's not afraid to move around until you're on fish. With room for up to 4 anglers, this trip gives you the space to work without feeling crowded, plus the focused attention that separates good fishing days from great ones.
Sabine Lake covers over 90 square miles of prime saltwater fishing, and Chris uses every inch of it to put you on fish. This isn't a "park and pray" kind of day – you'll be moving between oyster reefs, working grass flats, and targeting structure that holds redfish, trout, and flounder. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to really dial in the bite. Maybe the reds are schooling up on the north reefs in the morning, but the trout bite turns on over the grass beds after lunch. Chris reads these patterns daily, and he'll adjust your approach based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling him. You'll fish with quality tackle that can handle these bruiser reds, and Chris provides all the terminal gear you need. He's also big on teaching – if you want to learn why certain lures work better in specific conditions, or how to read structure on the fish finder, he's happy to share that knowledge.
Sabine Lake fishing is all about versatility, and Chris runs techniques that match the conditions and species you're targeting. For redfish, you'll work shallow flats with topwater plugs early in the day, then switch to soft plastics when the sun gets high. The trout bite often happens over grass beds using everything from popping corks with live shrimp to paddle tail plastics worked just above the vegetation. Flounder fishing requires a different approach entirely – you're bouncing jigs along drop-offs and channel edges where these flatfish ambush baitfish. Chris keeps his boat positioned perfectly for each technique, whether that's drifting over structure or holding on anchor while you work a productive area. The lake's mix of fresh and saltwater creates incredible habitat diversity, from shallow marshes perfect for sight fishing reds to deeper channels that hold big trout. You'll fish with spinning gear that can handle 20-30 pound fish, and Chris stocks a variety of lures to match whatever the fish want on any given day.
Lake Trout in Sabine Lake are the kind of fish that make you forget about everything else happening in your life. These aren't the small school trout you might catch off a pier – we're talking about 3-5 pound specimens that fight like they're twice that size. The best trout action usually happens early morning and late afternoon when they're actively feeding over grass beds in 4-6 feet of water. They're incredibly structure-oriented, so Chris positions you over the right spots where these fish congregate. What makes Sabine Lake trout special is their aggressive nature – they'll absolutely destroy a topwater plug, and the strike is something you'll remember long after the trip ends.
Redfish are the lake's signature species, and Sabine Lake produces some absolute bulls. These copper-colored bruisers average 24-30 inches, with plenty of oversized fish in the mix that'll test your drag and your arm strength. Peak redfish action runs from late spring through early fall, but Chris finds them year-round by adjusting his approach. Summer reds school up in deeper water and over shell reefs, while cooler months find them in the shallows where you can sight fish to individual fish. The fight is what separates reds from other species – they make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to leverage against your rod. Landing a bull red on light tackle is a workout, and it's exactly why serious anglers keep coming back to Sabine Lake.
Southern Flounder might not be the flashiest fish in the lake, but they're incredibly fun to target and excellent on the dinner table. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. The key to consistent flounder fishing is working the right structure – channel drop-offs, pier pilings, and areas where hard bottom meets soft mud. They typically range from 14-20 inches in Sabine Lake, with some doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage near passes before heading to deep water to spawn. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the technique – you're constantly moving, bouncing jigs along the bottom, and feeling for that distinctive thump when a flounder crushes your bait.
If you're ready to fish Sabine Lake the right way, this advanced full-day trip with Captain Chris Horner delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for. Eight hours gives you time to really work the lake, learn from an experienced guide, and put multiple species in the boat. Chris's approach focuses on results and education, so you're not just catching fish – you're becoming a better angler. The trip accommodates up to 4 people, making it perfect for a group of fishing buddies who want a challenge. Sabine Lake produces year-round, but prime fishing runs from April through November when all three target species are most active. Book your advanced fishing experience today and see why Phantom Charters has earned a reputation for putting clients on quality fish in one of Texas's most productive lake systems.
This 25-foot Turner center console runs on serious power with a 350HP Mercury that'll push you across Sabine Lake at speeds hitting 75 knots when you need to cover water fast. The boat's built for fishing, not lounging – wide gunwales for casting room, plenty of rod storage, and a stable platform that handles the lake's chop without beating you up. With space for four anglers, there's enough elbow room to work lures properly without tangling lines. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, while the Mercury's reliability means more time with lines wet and less time wondering if you'll make it back to the dock. Perfect setup for working Sabine's grass flats, deeper channels, and structure where the reds, trout, and flounder hang out.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are cold-water giants that can reach 15-40 pounds, with their grey-green bodies marked by cream-colored spots. These char prefer deep, oxygen-rich waters and typically suspend in mid-depths of large lakes. Spring right after ice-out offers the best opportunities when they move shallow. Summer pushes them deep where trolling and jigging become essential. What makes them special is their size potential and the challenge of finding them in vast water. They're slow-growing fish that can live decades, making each one valuable. My go-to technique is vertical jigging with spoons or swimbaits near drop-offs. The key is staying patient and working different depths until you locate their preferred zone that day.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our shallow water fishing here in Sabine Lake. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches and love cruising the flats in 1-4 feet of water around oyster reefs and grass beds. You'll spot them by that signature black eyespot near their tail. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is watching them crush topwater lures in skinny water - the visual strikes are addictive. They fight hard and make great table fare with that mild, sweet flavor. Here's the local trick: when you see one, look for more. They often travel in small schools, and a quiet approach with a well-placed spoon or soft plastic can turn one fish into several.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of camouflage that lie buried in sand and mud bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches but can push over 20 pounds in rare cases. You'll find them on soft bottoms near structure, channels, and drop-offs throughout the lake. Fall migration periods produce the best action as they stage before heading to deeper water. What makes them fun is the surprise factor - you never know when that "snag" will suddenly come alive and make a run. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch. My local tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp or bull minnows on a light jighead. Keep your bait moving just off bottom and stay ready - their bite feels like dead weight until you set the hook.
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