5.0(6 Reviews)Half Day Fishing Trip On South Padre Island
5.0(6 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Target Black Drum, Redfish, Sea Trout, Snook and Southern FlounderFivehour inshore charter accommodates up to two guests maximumAfternoon departure time provides optimal fishing conditions
Captain Ruben Garcia and the crew at Reel Off Charters know exactly where the fish are biting around South Padre Island. This 5-hour inshore fishing adventure puts you right in the heart of Texas's premier coastal fishing grounds, where the afternoon sun creates perfect conditions for targeting some of the Gulf's most sought-after species. You'll be working the flats and back bays where Black Drum, Redfish, Sea Trout, Snook, and Southern Flounder call home. With a maximum of 2 guests, you get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience. Captain Ruben runs a tight operation that focuses on putting fish in the boat while keeping things relaxed and educational. You'll launch from South Padre Island and head to productive inshore waters where grass flats meet deeper channels - prime real estate for the species you're after. The afternoon timing works perfectly here, as many of these fish become more active as the day progresses and the light starts to change. Expect to move between several spots as conditions and fish activity dictate. Captain Ruben reads the water like a book and isn't afraid to relocate if the bite slows down. The boat comfortably handles small groups, giving everyone plenty of room to fish without tangling lines or bumping elbows.
Captain Ruben provides all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. You'll primarily be using medium-action spinning gear loaded with braided line - perfect for feeling those subtle strikes and having the backbone to handle bigger fish. Live bait is the name of the game here, with live shrimp being the go-to choice for most species. You'll also work with artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons when conditions call for it. The fishing style varies throughout the trip - sometimes you're anchored up over structure waiting for drum to find your bait, other times you're drifting the flats targeting trout and redfish. Captain Ruben takes time to explain each technique and helps less experienced anglers with everything from casting to hook sets. Don't worry about bringing anything except sunscreen, drinks, and snacks - everything else is handled.
"Another great trip thanks Ruben! We caught some whiting, speckled trout, and a couple nice black drum keepers. Saw some dolphins, My kids had a blast and we hope to see you again next year!" - Jeremy
"I booked Captain Garcia for my dad's birthday trip, and we had an amazing time! Captain Garcia was incredibly attentive and went out of his way to accommodate us. He was also great with the kids, taking the time to teach them how to cast and explaining fish behavior while we were out on the water. It made the experience even more special for everyone. My family and I truly had a blast and look forward to booking with Captain Garcia again in the near future!" - Osvaldo
"Thank you, Captain Ruben, for such a successful and memorable outing. We were a group of 6 and the boat easily accommodated us all. Captain Ruben was extremely hard working, knowledgeable and attentive, gave detailed insight and guidance as needed. Each of us in the group caught multiple fish and we definitely ate well that night. He was glad to filet the keepers for us. We truly had the best time and are excited for the opportunity to come back again!" - Erin
Southern Flounder are the table fare champions of this trip, and South Padre Island's sandy bottoms and grass beds create perfect flounder habitat. These ambush predators lie camouflaged on the bottom, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. They typically range from 14 to 20 inches around here, with the occasional doormat pushing 24 inches or more. Fall and winter months are prime time for flounder, as they stage near passes before heading to deeper water to spawn. What makes catching flounder so satisfying is the way they hit - a subtle thump followed by dead weight as they try to bury back into the sand.
Snook fishing around South Padre Island represents some of the northernmost action you'll find for this species. These silver-sided predators love structure and ambush points where they can surprise prey. They're incredibly line-shy and put up a serious fight, combining long runs with spectacular jumps. Most snook here run between 20 and 30 inches, though trophy fish over 35 inches are caught each season. Summer and early fall provide the best action, when water temperatures stay consistently warm. Captain Ruben knows the specific docks, jetties, and mangrove edges where snook like to hunt.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, and the waters around South Padre Island produce some real bulls. These fish are bottom feeders with powerful jaws designed for crushing crabs and shellfish. Young drum, called puppy drum, fight pound-for-pound harder than almost any fish in these waters. Mature fish can exceed 40 pounds and provide arm-burning battles on appropriate tackle. They're year-round residents but become more active during cooler months. The key to drum fishing is patience - they're methodical feeders that take their time investigating baits.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread-and-butter species that keep rods bent throughout the trip. These spotted beauties love grass flats and are aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and artificials with enthusiasm. They typically run 14 to 18 inches, with quality fish pushing over 20 inches and earning the "gator trout" nickname. Spring and fall provide peak action, but you can catch specs year-round around South Padre Island. What makes them so popular
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard our 2021 26' Shallow Master Pro, a purpose-built bay boat that's perfect for targeting South Padre Island's prized inshore species. This sleek vessel packs a powerful 300HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots quickly while running whisper-quiet through shallow flats where snook and flounder love to hide. The boat's shallow draft design lets us access those hard-to-reach backcountry areas where the big redfish cruise. We've got you covered with a top-notch GPS system to navigate the maze of channels and a quality fish finder to locate schools of sea trout and black drum. With comfortable seating for your small group and plenty of deck space for fighting fish, this boat is built for serious anglers who want to experience the best inshore fishing the Texas coast has to offer.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore scene, and you'll know when one grabs your bait. These grey-black bruisers typically weigh 5-30 pounds but can hit 90+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow estuaries where they root around for food. Spring is prime time, especially during spawning when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds. What draws folks to target them is the sheer power - they're not fast but they're strong as bulldozers. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make good eating, but the big ones are tough. They're extremely adaptable to different salinities and temperatures. My local tip: use fresh crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. When you get a bite, don't rush the hookset - let them take it and run a bit first.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are what put South Padre on the map for sight fishing. These bronze-backed beauties with their signature black spots near the tail average 20-30 inches and fight like freight trains. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out - around grass flats, oyster reefs, and shorelines. Fall and spring offer the best action, but they're catchable year-round in our mild climate. What gets people fired up is watching them cruise in clear, shallow water and making that perfect cast. They eat everything from topwaters to soft plastics, and that initial run will test your drag. The meat is excellent too - mild and sweet. They're homebodies that stick to small areas once they find good habitat. Here's my bread-and-butter tip: look for tailing fish in the shallows and cast well ahead of their path. They spook easily in skinny water, so stay quiet and keep your distance.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter fish around here - consistent, fun to catch, and great on the table. These spotted beauties typically run 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, with their distinctive black spots covering a silver-green body. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall provide the hottest action, though they bite year-round in our waters. Night fishing can be outstanding, especially under lights. What makes them favorites is their willingness to bite artificials, decent fight, and that sweet, flaky white meat. During winter, they school up in deeper channels. Here's a key tip: work your lures slow and low through the grass - trout often suspend just above the bottom vegetation. When the bite gets tough, downsize your lures and slow your retrieve even more.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of our inshore waters around South Padre. These sleek, silver fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-24 inches, but the big females can push 40+ inches. They're ambush predators that love hanging around mangroves, docks, and structure where they can dart out for a quick strike. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during spawning season when their fins turn bright yellow. What gets anglers hooked is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make drag-screaming runs and try every trick to throw your hook. The meat is top-shelf too, firm and flaky. They're temperature sensitive, so focus on warmer water areas. Here's my go-to tip: work your lure slowly past structure and be ready - when a snook decides to eat, it happens fast and hard.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise down here - these flat, oval-shaped fish bury themselves in sand and mud with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They love shallow bays, estuaries, and muddy bottoms where they can camouflage perfectly. Spring and fall are prime times when they move through our waters. What makes them special is that chameleon ability - they change color to match whatever bottom they're on. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's a local trick: when you feel that subtle tap on your bait, give it a few seconds before setting the hook. Flounder don't inhale bait like other fish - they grab it sideways and need time to turn it around and swallow it properly.
5.0 out of 5.0Another great trip thanks Ruben! We caught some whiting, speckled trout, and a couple nice black drum keepers. Saw some dolphins,...
Jeremy Cardinal, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Another great trip thanks Ruben! We caught some whiting, speckled trout, and a couple nice black drum keepers. Saw some dolphins,...
I booked Captain Garcia for my dad’s birthday trip, and we had an amazing time! Captain Garcia was incredibly attentive and went o...
Thank you, Captain Ruben, for such a successful and memorable outing. We were a group of 6 and the boat easily accommodated us all...
Captain Ruben worked hard to find us fish! It was tough going but he’s the full service guide you want. We had a family of five an...
Thank you guys. Nice family. They know how to fish. Keep up the great work with the kids. Fun time.
South Padre Island