5.0(1 Reviews)3-Hour Inshore Fishing on South Padre Island
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
3hour inshore fishing charter targeting multiple coastal speciesSmall group experience with maximum 2 guests aboardPrime South Padre Island fishing locations with expert guidance
South Padre Island's shallow waters hold some of the Gulf Coast's best inshore fishing, and this 3-hour charter puts you right in the middle of the action. You'll work the grass flats, oyster reefs, and back bay areas where redfish cruise and flounder lay buried in the sand. Captain Ruben knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether you're slinging live shrimp under a popping cork or working a soft plastic through the structure. With only 2 anglers max, you get personal attention and prime spots on the boat. No crowds, no rushing – just quality time on the water targeting some of the coast's most sought-after species.
Your morning starts at the dock where Captain Ruben gets you rigged up and ready to fish. The boat's equipped with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, and live bait. You'll head out into the Laguna Madre, that legendary shallow bay system that stretches behind the island. This isn't deep sea fishing – you're working water that's often just 2-4 feet deep, where you can actually see the grass beds and shell pads where fish like to hang out. The captain reads the water conditions, tide movement, and recent bite reports to put you on the most productive spots. Some days that means drifting the flats with live shrimp, other times you'll be pitching artificials tight to structure. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – you never know what's going to grab your bait next.
Inshore fishing is all about finesse and reading the water. You'll use medium-light spinning gear that lets you feel every nibble and has the backbone to handle a bull red when it decides to make a run. Live shrimp under popping corks work magic on trout and redfish, especially when you're working grass beds in 3-5 feet of water. For flounder, you'll bounce jigs tipped with gulp baits along sandy bottoms and drop-offs. When targeting snook around structure, live mullet or pigfish get their attention fast. The captain provides all tackle, but if you've got your own setup, bring a 7-foot medium rod with 15-20 lb braided line. Circle hooks are the way to go for live bait fishing – they hook fish in the corner of the mouth and reduce deep hooking. Polarized sunglasses aren't just recommended, they're essential for spotting fish and structure in these clear, shallow waters.
"We caught some incredible black drum which we promptly took over to senior donkeys to have cooked up! Delicious! Ruben was an awesome captain who took us to a great spot. He was patient with everyone who didn't want to touch the live bait and cleaned and filleted our fish upon return." - Autumn
Southern Flounder are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand with just their eyes showing. These flatfish love channel edges, spoil banks, and anywhere the bottom transitions from hard to soft. Fall through early winter is prime time when they're fattening up for their offshore spawning run. A 3-4 pound flounder puts up a surprising fight, and they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in these waters. Look for them in 4-8 feet of water near structure.
Snook are the glamour fish of South Texas inshore waters. These silver-sided predators with the distinctive black lateral line love ambushing baitfish around docks, jetties, and oyster reefs. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward structure. Summer months bring the best snook action, especially around dawn and dusk. A slot-sized snook between 15-24 inches is a trophy catch that'll test your drag system and your nerves.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the bay system. These copper-colored fighters use their powerful tails and broad sides to wage war in shallow water. You'll find them rooting around oyster reefs and shell beds, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring brings schools of bull drum that can top 40 pounds, while smaller drum provide consistent action year-round. Their fighting style is pure power – long, determined runs that'll make your arms burn.
Spotted Sea Trout are the bread and butter of South Padre inshore fishing. These beauties with canine teeth and spotted sides love grass flats where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall offer the best trout fishing when schools move shallow to feed. A 3-4 pound trout is a solid fish, and they're incredibly cooperative on both live bait and artificials. Their soft mouths mean you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them to the boat.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing. These bronze-backed bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails are built for shallow water battles. Reds cruise oyster reefs, grass flats, and marsh edges looking for crabs and baitfish. Fall brings some of the year's best redfish action when schools of slot fish move through the area. A slot red between 20-28 inches combines power with acrobatics, often making multiple runs and using their broad sides to fight in shallow water.
This 3-hour charter gives you a solid taste of what makes South Padre Island inshore fishing so special. You're not just fishing – you're learning these waters from a captain who lives and breathes this stuff. With only 2 spots available, you get personalized instruction and prime fishing time without feeling rushed. The variety keeps things interesting, and the action stays consistent throughout the year. Whether you're looking to
Step aboard the 26' Shallow Master Pro, your perfect fishing companion for targeting Snook, Flounder, and other prized species around South Padre Island. This 2021 bay boat cuts through shallow coastal waters with ease, powered by a reliable 300HP Suzuki engine that gets you to the hotspots quickly and quietly. Built specifically for inshore fishing, she handles the back bays and flats like a dream while keeping you comfortable during your 3-hour adventure. The onboard GPS navigation guides you to productive waters, while the fish finder helps locate schools of Redfish, Black Drum, and Sea Trout hiding in the structure below. With space for your small group and all the fishing gear you need, this boat puts you right where the action happens along Texas's premier fishing coastline.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldozers of the bay - powerful, stubborn fish that'll test your arms and your tackle. They range from 5-30 pounds typically, with some giants pushing 90+ pounds. You'll find them around oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they cruise the bottom crushing crabs and shellfish with those crusher teeth. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning and you can actually hear them drumming underwater. What guests love is the strong, steady fight - no fancy jumps, just pure power pulling toward the bottom. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are great eating, but the big ones get tough. Pro tip: use fresh or live crab on a fish-finder rig and fish right on the bottom. When they pick it up, let them run with it a few seconds before setting the hook - they need time to get that crab positioned right in their mouth.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing - bronze-colored bruisers with that signature black eyespot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-28 inches, but the bull reds can push 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is spectacular when they school up. What makes them special is their powerful fight and that explosive topwater strike when they're tailing in skinny water. They're also great table fare with firm, slightly sweet meat. The coolest thing is sight-fishing for them in inches of water - it's like hunting. Here's my tip: when you see a redfish with its tail up feeding, cast well ahead of where it's moving, not right at it. Let your bait settle, then give it a subtle twitch when the fish gets close.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in distinct black spots. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, perfect for light tackle action. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good current flow where they can pick off shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding. What makes them so popular is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent fight on light tackle - they'll jump and make strong runs. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters with tender, flaky white meat. Just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. My go-to technique is working a soft plastic shrimp or topwater plug over the grass beds during low light periods. The key is making noise - specks are curious and will come investigate a well-worked topwater lure.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the kings of ambush around here - sleek silver fish with that unmistakable black lateral line running down their sides. Most range 1-3 feet long, but the big females can hit 4+ feet and really test your drag. They're structure junkies, hanging around mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths where they can dart out to grab baitfish. Spring through fall is peak season, especially around the full and new moons when they spawn and their fins turn bright yellow. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs - they'll jump and thrash like crazy. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat. Here's a local secret: work the shadow lines around structures during moving water. Snook love to sit in the shadows waiting for prey, so cast your lure or live shrimp right along that edge where light meets dark.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with just their eyes showing, waiting to ambush prey. You'll recognize them by both eyes being on their left side and the scattered spots across their dark surface. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They love shallow bays, grass flats, and around structure like docks and oyster bars. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're more active. What makes them special is their fight - they'll bulldoze along the bottom using that flat body as leverage. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp or mullet on a Carolina rig, and when you feel that subtle tap, give them a second to turn the bait before setting the hook.
5.0 out of 5.0We caught some incredible black drum which we promptly took over to senior donkeys to have cooked up! Delicious! Ruben was an awes...
South Padre Island