Full Day Advanced Fishing Trip On South Padre Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour advanced inshore fishing targeting trophy speciesExpert Captain Ruben provides premium gear and local knowledgeSmall twoperson capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
Captain Ruben Garcia knows South Padre Island's inshore waters like the back of his hand, and this 7-hour advanced fishing trip puts you right in the action with him. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking about a serious day on the water targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most prized species. With only 2 anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and access to Captain Ruben's best spots where Snook, Southern Flounder, Redfish, Black Drum, and Sea Trout prowl the shallows. Pack your A-game because these fish don't mess around, and neither does this top-rated charter experience.
You'll meet Captain Ruben at first light when the fish are most active and the crowds haven't hit the water yet. This full-day adventure gives you the luxury of time – no rushing between spots or cutting lines short when the bite gets hot. We'll work everything from grass flats to drop-offs, oyster bars to channel edges, following the tides and the fish. Captain Ruben brings all the premium gear you'll need, from light tackle spinning rigs perfect for finicky Sea Trout to heavier setups that can handle a bull Redfish's initial run. The intimate 2-person capacity means you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn when the action heats up. Plus, Captain Ruben can tailor techniques to your skill level and help you master new approaches that'll make you a better angler long after this trip ends.
This charter focuses on the kind of fishing that separates weekend warriors from serious anglers. We're talking sight fishing to tailing Reds in skinny water, working soft plastics through structure where big Flounder ambush baitfish, and mastering the art of live bait presentation that drives Snook absolutely crazy. Captain Ruben will have you throwing everything from topwater plugs at dawn to suspending twitch baits during the midday lull. You'll learn to read water color, understand how tide changes affect fish behavior, and pick up local tricks like using the right retrieve speed for different species. The 7-hour format lets you really dial in these techniques instead of just getting a taste – by the end of the day, you'll be working baits like a local pro and understanding why certain spots produce at specific times.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise in these waters, laying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms near structures and ambush points. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes – we're talking about fish that can stretch over 20 inches and provide serious fights on light tackle. Fall and winter months are prime time for doormat Flounder, when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning runs. What makes them so exciting is their explosive strike and the way they use their flat profile to bulldoze toward cover once hooked.
Snook are the crown jewel of South Padre Island inshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish are smart, aggressive, and absolutely beautiful with their distinctive black lateral line and golden sides. They love structure – docks, mangroves, jetties – and they'll absolutely demolish topwater baits during low-light periods. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs toward whatever cover they can find. The slot limit keeps things interesting, and releasing a healthy Snook after a great fight never gets old.
Black Drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute bulldogs that'll test your drag and your patience. These copper-colored bruisers can grow massive – we're talking fish that can top 30 pounds and fight like freight trains. Spring months bring the big spawning drum into shallow water where you can sight fish to them in crystal clear conditions. Their crushing bite and unstoppable runs make them a favorite among anglers who appreciate pure power over flash.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of South Padre Island fishing, but don't let their abundance fool you – trophy Specks are cunning fish that require finesse and skill. These spotted beauties are structure-oriented and love grass flats, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper pockets. A big Sea Trout's soft mouth means you need to keep steady pressure without horsing them, and their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials makes them perfect for testing different techniques throughout the day.
Redfish are pure excitement on the end of your line – copper-bronze torpedoes that can turn a routine cast into an arm-burning battle. South Padre's Reds range from schooling rat Reds that'll bend your rod in half to oversized bulls that can strip line like nobody's business. What makes Redfish special is their year-round availability and their willingness to eat almost anything you throw at them. Watching a big Red crush a topwater bait in skinny water is one of those moments that'll stick with you long after you head home.
Captain Ruben's advanced full-day trips fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is world-class. This customer favorite experience gives serious anglers the time and expertise needed to target South Padre Island's best inshore species using proven techniques and local knowledge you won't find in any fishing magazine. With premium gear included and only 2 spots available, you're guaranteed the personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and an outstanding one. Whether you're looking to master new techniques, target trophy fish, or simply spend a full day doing what you love most, this renowned charter delivers the goods. Book now and get ready for the kind of fishing day that reminds you why you picked up a rod in the first place.
Your fishing platform for this advanced South Padre Island adventure is a 2021 26' Shallow Master Pro, perfectly suited for targeting those hard-fighting inshore species. This bay boat's shallow draft design gets you into the prime feeding areas where Snook, Flounder, and Redfish love to hang out. The 300HP Suzuki engine delivers the power to cover serious water during your 7-hour trip, while the GPS navigation and fish finder help Captain Ruben put you on the fish fast. Built for up to 6 anglers but configured for just 2 guests, you'll have plenty of room to work lures and fight trophy fish without feeling cramped. The boat's stable platform makes it ideal for sight fishing the flats and working structure where the big ones hide.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the flats - powerful, stubborn fighters that'll test your tackle and patience. These fish range from scrappy 5-pounders up to massive 30+ pound bulls, though the smaller ones taste better. You'll find them crushing oysters and crabs around shell beds, shallow flats, and creek mouths in brackish water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you can actually hear them drumming underwater during this period. What makes them special is their crushing power and those pharyngeal teeth that can crack oyster shells like nothing. They're excellent fighters that use their weight and broad body to wear you down. The meat on smaller fish is sweet and flaky, but the big ones get tough. Best approach is bottom fishing with fresh crab or cut bait. Here's the key - use just enough weight to hold bottom and keep your drag loose. When a big drum picks up your bait, let them run with it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish of our shallow water fishing - bronze-backed beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. School-size fish run 18-27 inches, while the big bulls can stretch past 35 inches and give you a fight you won't forget. They love super shallow water, often cruising flats so thin their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass beds, and muddy shorelines where they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat just about anything and their powerful runs when hooked. They're also great table fare in the slot-size range. The sight-fishing opportunities are unmatched - watching a big red tail in 12 inches of water never gets old. Pro tip: when you spot tailing fish, approach from downwind and cast well ahead of them. Let your bait settle and wait - they'll find it.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable targets year-round, with those beautiful spotted sides and soft white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. Most fish run 14-18 inches, but we regularly see 3-5 pounders that really bend the rod. They cruise grass flats, sandy bottoms, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, feeding on shrimp, small baitfish, and crabs. Dawn and dusk are prime feeding times, though night fishing under lights can be phenomenal. What guests love is their willingness to bite artificials - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons all work great. They're not the hardest fighters, but they make up for it in numbers and taste. The key to consistency is finding clean, moving water with some structure nearby. One trick that works well here is using a popping cork with a jig or live shrimp underneath - the noise attracts them from a distance and the suspended bait looks natural.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore challenge - sleek, powerful fish with that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. Most of our fish run 18-28 inches, but the big girls can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They love structure - mangroves, docks, jetties, and creek mouths where they can ambush baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around the new and full moons when they're most active. What hooks anglers is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll run straight for cover the second they feel steel. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. These fish are temperature sensitive, so they move with the seasons. One tip that works well here - cast your lure past the structure and work it back parallel to the cover. Snook position themselves in the shadows waiting to strike, so don't fish right on top of them.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese masters of camouflage are some of the most unique fish you'll target in our waters. Southern flounder typically run 15-18 inches, though we see plenty in the 5-pound range. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms, waiting to strike passing baitfish, shrimp, and crabs. You'll find them in shallow bays, around oyster beds, and near creek mouths where the current brings food. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up for their offshore spawning run. What makes them special? That distinctive flat body with both eyes on one side, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local trick - when drift fishing, let your bait hit bottom and stay still for a few seconds. These fish won't chase a fast-moving lure, but they'll hammer something that looks like easy prey sitting on the sand.
South Padre Island