5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Fishing Trip On South Padre Island
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour inshore fishing trip targeting five prized speciesSmall group experience with maximum two guests per charterProfessional guidance from experienced Reel Off Charters team
Seven hours on the water around South Padre Island means serious fishing time. You'll be working the inshore flats and back bays where Black Drum, Redfish, Sea Trout, Snook, and Southern Flounder call home. This isn't a rush job – with a full day ahead, you can really dial in on productive spots and give each fish the attention it deserves. Captain Ruben knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether you're casting your first line or you've been working these flats for years. The boat holds just two anglers, so you're getting personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your technique.
This top-rated charter puts you in prime inshore territory where the Laguna Madre system meets the Gulf. You'll be fishing shallow water structure, grass flats, and drop-offs that hold South Padre's best gamefish. The morning typically starts early to beat the heat and catch fish during their most active feeding periods. Your captain will adjust tactics throughout the day based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing. Some days they're hitting topwater baits in skinny water, other days you're working soft plastics along channel edges. The beauty of a seven-hour trip is having time to adapt and really work each spot properly. You'll cover different types of water and learn what makes each area productive for specific species.
Inshore fishing around South Padre relies heavily on light tackle and finesse presentations. You'll be using spinning gear with 15-20 pound braid, throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastic paddle tails on jig heads. When the water's calm and clear, sight fishing becomes a huge part of the game – spotting tailing Redfish or cruising Snook and making precise casts. The captain provides all the gear, but if you have favorite rods or reels, feel free to bring them along. Wading opportunities come up throughout the day when fish are holding in super shallow water that's best approached on foot. The flats boat can get into water so shallow you'll swear it's running on wet sand, opening up access to spots that bigger boats simply can't reach.
"We had a great day. Ruben was helpful and knowledgeable. The Redfish was DELICIOUS!" - Sally
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the bread and butter of South Padre inshore fishing. They range from schooling rats in the 18-24 inch range up to bull Reds pushing 30+ inches. Peak season runs from spring through fall, but you can find them year-round in deeper pockets during winter. What makes Reds so addictive is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight once hooked. They'll crush topwater baits in skinny water and inhale soft plastics worked along grass edges. The sight of a Red's back and tail breaking the surface as it feeds is something every angler needs to experience.
Snook: South Padre sits right at the northern edge of Snook territory, making every catch here special. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangrove shorelines, and channel edges where they can pin baitfish. They're most active during warmer months, typically April through October. Snook have serious attitude and will absolutely destroy a well-placed bait, but they're also notorious for throwing hooks with their gill-rattling jumps. Their distinctive black lateral line and sloping forehead make them unmistakable, and their table fare is outstanding.
Sea Trout: Speckled Trout are the most consistent biters in these waters and perfect for anglers wanting steady action. They school up over grass flats and soft bottoms, especially during early morning and late afternoon feeding periods. Spring and fall offer the best chances at bigger fish in the 20+ inch range, while summer brings numbers of keeper-sized fish. Trout respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them ideal for perfecting different techniques. Their spotted sides and elongated body make them beautiful fish, and they're excellent on the table when properly cared for.
Black Drum: These bottom-dwelling powerhouses can really test your tackle, especially when you hook into a bull Drum over 20 pounds. They're year-round residents but most active during cooler months when they move into shallow water to feed on crabs and shellfish. Black Drum are known for their subtle bite – often feeling like you're snagged on bottom until the fish starts moving. Younger fish under 15 pounds are excellent eating, while the big bulls are best released to continue the cycle. Their chin barbels and high-backed profile make them easy to identify.
Southern Flounder: These masters of camouflage are the ultimate ambush predators, lying buried in sand waiting for unsuspecting prey. Fall months, particularly September through November, offer the best Flounder action as they move toward deeper water for winter. They prefer soft bottom areas near structure or current breaks where baitfish get disoriented. Flounder fishing requires patience – they often mouth a bait before committing, so you need to give them time to fully take it. Their unique body shape and both eyes on one side make them fascinating fish, and they're absolutely phenomenal on the dinner plate.
A full day on South Padre's inshore waters gives you the best shot at multiple species and the chance to really learn these productive fisheries. With only two anglers per trip, you're getting the kind of personalized instruction and attention that makes for memorable days on the water. The combination of diverse species, beautiful scenery, and world-class fishing makes this
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our 2021 26-foot Shallow Master Pro, a bay boat built specifically for South Padre's inshore waters. This beauty runs on a powerful 300HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the hot spots quickly and quietly, perfect for sneaking up on those spooky snook and flounder hiding in the shallows. The boat's shallow draft design lets us access those skinny water areas where the big reds love to cruise. With GPS navigation and a top-notch fish finder, we'll pinpoint exactly where the fish are holding. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to fight those drag-screaming redfish, while the comfortable seating keeps you fresh during the full 7-hour trip. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing drum or working the grass flats for sea trout, this rig handles it all with ease.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of the bay - powerful, determined fighters that'll test your tackle. These grey-black fish typically run 10-20 pounds around here, but we catch some monsters pushing 40+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs, so you'll find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and structure. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love is that steady, hard pull they give - no fancy jumps, just pure strength. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with firm, white meat. The key is getting your bait on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. Fresh crab is deadly, and here's my tip: use circle hooks and let them hook themselves. These fish have tough mouths, so don't try to set the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing - copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, perfect eating size with sweet, firm meat that's hard to beat. They cruise super shallow flats, often with their backs out of the water, around oyster bars and grass beds. Year-round fishing is good, but fall is prime when they school up in big numbers. What makes them special is they eat everything - live bait, artificials, flies - and fight like bulldogs with long, powerful runs. The sight fishing aspect gets people hooked; watching a red slowly cruise the shallows then explode on your lure is addictive. Here's my go-to technique: gold spoon worked slowly over shallow grass. The flash drives them crazy, and don't be afraid to throw it right in their face - redfish are aggressive and curious.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in dark spots that make great table fare. Most run 14-20 inches and about 2-3 pounds, perfect for a fish fry. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and potholes. They're year-round residents but bite best in spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. What makes them fun is they'll hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're aggressive feeders that often travel in schools. The meat is soft and flaky with a mild taste that even kids love. They bite well at dawn and dusk, or try fishing the lights at night. My local tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. The noise attracts them from a distance, and that natural shrimp presentation seals the deal.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore gamefish with that distinctive black lateral line running down their golden sides. Most of ours run 18-24 inches, but the big females can push 30+ inches and really put up a fight. They love structure - mangroves, docks, jetties, and creek mouths where they ambush prey. Spring through fall are best, especially around the full moons when they're most active. What makes them special is that explosive strike and strong runs they'll make toward cover. The meat is fantastic too - firm, white, and mild. They're temperature sensitive, so we target them in water around 70-80 degrees. Here's a local trick: work your lure or bait right along the edge of structure, not in it. Snook sit in the shadows and dart out to grab their meal, so patience and precise casting pay off.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, oval-shaped fish camouflage perfectly in sandy and muddy bottoms around our shallow bays and estuaries. They typically run 15-18 inches, though we'll see some pushing 30+ inches that'll really test your drag. Both eyes sit on their left side, which makes them fascinating to watch. They're ambush predators that bury in the sand waiting for shrimp, crabs, and small fish to swim by. Fall and early winter are prime times when they're fattening up before moving offshore. The meat is excellent - sweet and flaky. My tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp on a Carolina rig and watch your rod tip closely. These fish have soft mouths and will spit the bait if they feel resistance, so set the hook gently but quickly.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a great day. Ruben was helpful and knowledgeable. The Redfish was DELICIOUS!
South Padre Island