Expert Guided Inshore Fishing for Skilled Anglers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target trophy redfish, trout, and flounder in shallow watersCaptain Augustin provides local expertise and advanced inshore techniquesAll gear included plus catch cleaning and filleting services
Captain Augustin knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put your fishing skills to the test in Lower Laguna Madre's crystal-clear shallows. This isn't your typical tourist charter – we're talking about a serious fishing trip designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and reel. You'll be targeting trophy redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in some of the most productive inshore waters along the Texas coast. With room for up to five guests but focused on two primary anglers, this setup gives everyone plenty of space to work while keeping the action intense and personal.
Lower Laguna Madre is where serious inshore fishing happens on South Padre Island. The water stays clear most of the year, giving you excellent sight-fishing opportunities when conditions are right. Captain Augustin will position you over grass flats, around structure, and along drop-offs where these game fish love to hang out. The shallow nature of these waters means you'll be using finesse techniques – think light tackle, precise presentations, and reading the water like a book. This isn't about hauling in fish after fish on heavy gear; it's about outsmarting some of the smartest inshore species in Texas waters. You'll spend the day moving between productive spots, adjusting techniques based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling you through their behavior.
All your gear and tackle come included, but Captain Augustin runs a tight ship when it comes to technique. You'll be working with medium-light spinning gear most of the day, perfect for the finesse presentations these fish demand. Live bait fishing with shrimp and small baitfish is a staple, but artificial lures play a huge role too – soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons all have their moments depending on conditions and fish activity. Wade fishing might come into play if the captain spots fish in super shallow water, so be ready to get your feet wet. The beauty of inshore fishing here is adapting your approach throughout the day. Morning might call for topwater action, midday could mean working deeper grass beds with soft plastics, and afternoon might bring sight-casting opportunities to tailing redfish. Captain Augustin will clean and fillet your catch at the end of the trip, so you'll head home with restaurant-quality fillets ready for the dinner table.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Lower Laguna Madre, and these aren't your average schoolie specks. We're talking about fish that can push 20-25 inches when you connect with the right school. They love the grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving tides. Specks are ambush predators, so your presentation needs to be on point – too fast and they'll ignore it, too slow and they'll inspect it and swim away. Spring and fall bring the best numbers, but summer mornings can produce some serious fish if you're willing to get up early. What makes speckled trout so popular with experienced anglers is their willingness to hit artificials and their fighting ability relative to their size. A good speck will make several runs and test your drag system.
Redfish are the heavyweight champions of these flats, and Lower Laguna Madre grows some serious bulls. These copper-colored bruisers can range from slot-size fish around 20-25 inches up to massive specimens pushing 40+ inches. Reds are year-round residents, but they really turn on during fall months when they're feeding heavily before winter. You might spot them tailing in skinny water, cruising grass beds, or ambushing bait around structure. What gets anglers fired up about redfish is their pure power – once hooked, they'll make long, sustained runs that'll test your tackle and technique. They're also smart, especially the bigger fish, so your approach and presentation matter more than the gear you're throwing at them.
Southern flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're some of the tastiest fish swimming in these waters. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and waiting for prey to swim overhead. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – you'll be bouncing soft plastics along the bottom or drifting live bait near structure where they like to ambush food. Fall is prime time for flounder as they fatten up and move toward deeper water for winter. What experienced anglers love about flounder is the challenge – they're not always easy to locate, but when you dial in their pattern, you can have some seriously productive trips. Plus, there's nothing better than fresh flounder fillets on the grill.
This charter fills up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot and weather conditions are prime. Captain Augustin's local knowledge and commitment to putting skilled anglers on fish has built a solid reputation among serious inshore fishermen. You'll need to bring your Texas fishing license and be ready for a full day of technical inshore fishing. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. Whether you're looking to sharpen your inshore techniques, target trophy-class fish, or just spend a day with someone who knows these waters inside and out, this charter delivers the kind of fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Don't wait – good guides and prime fishing dates book up weeks in advance, especially during fall and spring when these fish are most active.
Captain Augustin Perez's 25-foot Dargel Kat is built for serious inshore fishing in South Padre's shallow flats. This stable platform handles the skinny waters of Lower Laguna Madre with ease, powered by a reliable 250 HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fish fast at speeds up to 55 knots. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a productive day targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder - GPS keeps you on course, fish finder marks your targets, and radar helps navigate when visibility drops. VHF radio ensures clear communication on the water. With room for up to four anglers plus the captain, there's plenty of space to work the flats without getting tangled up. The shallow draft design lets you access those prime fishing spots where the big reds like to cruise.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing here at South Padre. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black eyespots near the tail are built for shallow water fights. Most fish we target run 20-35 inches, but we regularly see slot fish and the occasional bull red that'll straighten hooks. They cruise our 1-4 foot flats, often with their backs showing, hunting crabs and baitfish around grass beds and oyster structure. Spring and fall fishing is prime time when they're most active. What guests love most is watching these fish explode on topwater lures in skinny water - it's pure adrenaline. They're also fantastic eating when kept within slot limits. My go-to trick: look for nervous water and mullet getting pushed around - that's usually reds feeding below.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most consistent targets in the Lower Laguna Madre. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and average 1-5 pounds, though we occasionally hook into some real trophies. They love grass flats and shallow water, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare - tender, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also smart fighters that'll test your skills. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels, but spring through fall finds them scattered across the flats. Pro tip: when you see birds working bait, there's usually specks underneath feeding on the same shrimp and small fish.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the ultimate ambush predators in our shallow waters, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to strike. These flat, oval-shaped fish typically measure 15-18 inches, with both eyes on their left side - nature's perfect design for bottom living. They're masters of camouflage, changing color to match their surroundings. What makes them exciting is the surprise factor - you never know when that "piece of bottom" will come alive and grab your bait. Fall is prime time when they're moving toward deeper water for winter. They make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat that's perfect for filleting. The key to consistent flounder fishing is working your bait slow along the bottom near structure changes. I always tell clients to use a Carolina rig with live mullet or shrimp and be patient - let the flounder fully commit before setting the hook.
South Padre Island