Full Day Fishing Adventure for First-Timers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour beginner fishing trip targeting redfish and snookCaptain provides all gear and teaches basic fishing techniquesSmall group experience with maximum two guests aboard
Captain Ruben Garcia has been guiding newcomers through South Padre Island's protected inshore waters for years, and this 7-hour beginner-friendly trip is his specialty. You'll spend the day learning the ropes in calm, shallow flats where the fish are plentiful and the pressure is off. No worries if you've never held a rod before – Captain Ruben provides all the gear, bait, and patient instruction you need to start hooking redfish, sea trout, and flounder right away. This isn't about breaking records or testing your limits; it's about getting comfortable on the water while bringing home some great catches.
Your morning starts early at the marina, where Captain Ruben will get you set up with rods, reels, and tackle that's perfect for beginners – nothing too heavy or complicated. The boat heads into the calm backwaters and grass flats around South Padre Island, where the water stays shallow and protected from wind chop. These spots are fish magnets, holding steady populations of redfish, sea trout, black drum, snook, and southern flounder year-round. You'll anchor up in productive areas and work live bait or simple lures while Captain Ruben walks you through proper casting technique, how to feel bites, and the right way to set the hook. With just two anglers on board, you get plenty of one-on-one attention and coaching throughout the day. Expect to move between several different spots as you learn to read the water and understand where different species like to hang out.
Captain Ruben keeps things simple with medium-action spinning rods spooled with 15-20 pound braided line – strong enough to handle good fish but forgiving for beginners still working on their technique. You'll primarily fish with live shrimp under popping corks, which is the most effective and easiest method for targeting multiple species in these inshore waters. The popping cork makes noise to attract fish while keeping your bait at the right depth, and when something bites, you'll see and feel it right away. For variety, Captain Ruben might switch you over to soft plastic lures like paddle tails or DOA shrimp on lightweight jig heads. These let you cover more water and learn basic retrieve techniques. All terminal tackle, weights, hooks, and bait are included, so you don't need to worry about rigging or what to bring. Captain Ruben handles the complicated stuff while teaching you the fundamentals that will serve you well on future fishing adventures.
Southern Flounder are the bread and butter of this fishery, especially during fall and winter months when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning run. These flatfish can be tricky to spot since they bury themselves in sand and mud, but they're aggressive feeders that will nail a live shrimp dragged slowly along the bottom. Most flounder you'll catch run 14-18 inches, perfect for the dinner table, and they put up a surprisingly strong fight for such an odd-looking fish. What makes them exciting is that sudden, powerful bite followed by their bulldogging runs along the bottom.
Snook are the glamour fish of South Texas inshore waters, known for their distinctive black lateral line and explosive strikes. They love structure like docks, bridge pilings, and mangrove shorelines where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best snook action, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized specimens to thick-bodied bruisers over 30 inches. Snook are famous for their acrobatic fights – they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw your hook. Even smaller snook provide heart-pounding action that gets beginners hooked on fishing.
Black Drum might not win beauty contests, but they're fantastic fish for beginners to target. These bottom-feeders cruise shallow flats in schools, making that distinctive drumming sound with their swim bladders when you hook up. They range from puppy drum around 14-16 inches up to hefty bulls pushing 20-30 pounds. Black drum bite consistently year-round and fight with steady, powerful pulls that teach newcomers how to work a fish properly. They're also excellent table fare when prepared right.
Sea Trout are probably the most common catch on these trips, and for good reason – they're abundant, aggressive, and relatively easy to hook. These silver-sided fish with prominent canine teeth love grass flats and will hit both live bait and artificials. Peak sea trout fishing happens during cooler months when schools move shallow to feed. They typically run 15-20 inches in these waters, with occasional "gator trout" stretching over 25 inches. Sea trout are perfect starter fish because they bite readily and don't require specialized techniques to catch consistently.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and South Padre Island's grass flats hold some beauties. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails are built for power, making long runs when hooked. Reds feed year-round but really turn on during spring and fall. You'll typically encounter fish in the 20-28 inch range, though oversized bulls over 30 inches occasionally show up. What makes redfish special is their combination of beauty, fighting ability, and excellent eating quality. Landing your first red on light tackle is a milestone every angler remembers.
This top-rated beginner trip with Captain Ruben Garcia offers everything you need for a successful introduction to South Padre Island fishing. Seven hours on the water gives you plenty of time to learn proper techniques, target multiple species, and build confidence without feeling rushed. The calm inshore waters provide the perfect classroom setting, while the diverse fish population ensures steady action throughout the day. With all gear, bait, and expert instruction included, you can focus on enjoying the experience
Step aboard the 2021 26' Shallow Master Pro, your perfect fishing platform for exploring South Padre Island's productive inshore waters. This versatile bay boat cuts through shallow flats with ease, powered by a reliable 300HP Suzuki engine that gets you to the fish quickly and quietly. Built specifically for these coastal waters, she handles like a dream whether you're drifting over grass beds hunting flounder or working structure for snook and redfish. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to cast and fight fish, while the GPS keeps you on productive spots and the fish finder shows what's swimming below. With Captain Ruben at the helm, you'll learn proper techniques while targeting sea trout, black drum, and other prized species that call these waters home. The boat's shallow draft design means access to those skinny water honey holes where bigger fish often lurk, making every cast count on your South Padre adventure.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically weighing 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish cruise shallow flats and oyster beds, using their strong jaws to crush crabs, oysters, and shrimp. You'll find them around structure - pier pilings, jetties, and especially oyster reefs in 2-15 feet of water. Spring offers the best fishing when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What makes them exciting is their bulldogging fight and the drumming sound they make underwater. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with firm, white meat. My go-to technique: use fresh crab on a fish finder rig and keep it right on the bottom. Be patient - they're deliberate feeders and will mouth the bait before committing to the bite.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bulldogs of the flats, easily identified by their distinctive black spot near the tail. Around South Padre, most run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, though the big bulls can push 40+ inches. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out of the water - around grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love is watching them cruise in skinny water and the powerful, drag-screaming runs when hooked. They're also fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. Pro tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish in the shallows. When you spot one, cast well ahead of where they're heading and let your bait settle to the bottom - they feed down.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are beautiful silver fish covered in dark spots, averaging 14-20 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. They're schooling fish that love grass flats, sandy potholes, and drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water around South Padre. Early morning and late evening produce the best action, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite artificial lures and their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for beginners since they're forgiving and fight well for their size. The key trick here is using popping corks with live shrimp or soft plastics. Work the grass edges and listen for feeding activity - when trout are up feeding, you'll hear them slurping bait on the surface.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are sleek, golden fish with that signature black lateral line running down their sides. Around South Padre, they average 18-24 inches, but the big females can push 3-4 feet and really test your drag. These ambush predators love hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths where they can dart out to grab shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. They're temperature sensitive, so spring through fall gives you the best shots when water temps are warm. What guests love most is their explosive strikes and powerful runs - they'll jump and fight hard right to the boat. The meat is firm and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. Here's a local trick: cast your lure past structure and work it back slowly - snook often follow before they strike, so don't rush the retrieve.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, oval-shaped fish that ambush prey from sandy or muddy bottoms around South Padre. They typically run 15-18 inches but can reach up to 33 inches and 20 pounds. These masters of camouflage bury themselves in sand with just their eyes showing, waiting to strike at shrimp, crabs, and small fish. You'll find them in shallow bays, around oyster beds, and near creek mouths in 2-10 feet of water. Fall and winter months offer the best action when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them special is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side of their head - and they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: drift slowly with live shrimp on a Carolina rig, keeping your bait right on the bottom where they're waiting.
South Padre Island