5.0(5 Reviews)Calaveras Lake Fishing Guide | 4 Hour Charter Trip
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Halfday freshwater redfish trips at Calaveras and Brauning LakesAll bait, tackle, and fish cleaning services includedMorning and afternoon departure times available daily
Looking for some serious freshwater action right here in San Antonio? Our 4-hour charter trips on Calaveras and Brauning Lakes are where local anglers go to fill their coolers. Captain Joe Solis has been putting folks on fish at these power plant lakes for years, and he knows exactly where the big reds and cats are hanging out. We'll meet you at the dock at either 7:30am or 1:30pm - your choice - and spend the next four hours chasing whatever's biting best that day. All your bait and tackle are covered, plus we'll clean and bag your legal fish at the end so you can head straight home with dinner ready to cook.
These aren't your typical Texas fishing holes. Calaveras and Brauning are warm-water discharge lakes from the power plants, which means the fish stay active year-round and grow to impressive sizes. We'll launch from the public dock and cruise to the spots that are producing, whether that's working the discharge areas when the water's moving or hitting the deeper channels where big cats like to patrol. Your group of up to 4 anglers will have plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques. March through May is when the redfish really turn on, but don't sleep on the catfish action during the cooler months - these power plant cats get fat and fight hard in the warm water. Captain Joe reads these lakes like a book and adjusts tactics based on conditions, time of year, and what the fish are telling us.
We keep it simple but effective out here. For redfish, we're usually throwing cut bait on Carolina rigs or working live shad when we can get them. The reds in these lakes love hanging around structure and drop-offs, so we'll anchor up and let the scent trails do their work. When we're targeting catfish, it's all about location and patience - we'll set up with multiple rods using proven catfish baits and wait for those telltale rod tips to start dancing. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included in your trip, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your fishing license and maybe a cooler with drinks. We run quality gear that can handle the big fish these lakes produce, and Captain Joe will walk you through the techniques whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started.
"My son and I had a great time today. We were extremely fortunate to have found Mr. Solis who turned out to be perfect person to take us out. He was very patient and informative as we aren't very experienced in the fishing department. He knew exactly where to go, for how long, and when to move on. We caught some red drums, channel catfish, and blue catfish. Upon completion of fishing, Mr. Solis cleaned and filleted all of the fish we caught. I would highly recommend Mr. Solis as I know we intend on booking him again in the near future." - Eric. "It was easy to book with Joe and to locate the meeting point. Joe was friendly and professional. He was informative of the area, the fish we were after, and provided helpful tips to help with our trip. We attended with our 11 y/o daughter. He was patient and encouraging of her fishing skills. We had a time, caught a good number of fish, and Joe did a good job cleaning them for us at the end. We will definitely book with Joe again!" - Matthew. "Trip was great, limited out on reds then got on catfish. Captain was super cool laid back guy willing to answer questions and very patient to more experienced and newer fisherman. Plan to go back in a few weeks. Definitely the best was to fish in San Antonio. 10/10 boat t& experience." - Kevin.
Redfish are the crown jewel of these power plant lakes, and for good reason. These aren't your typical coastal reds - they've adapted to freshwater life and put on serious weight feeding on the abundant baitfish and crawfish. Most of our reds run between 3-8 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into a double-digit fish that'll test your drag and your patience. They're most active from March through May when the water temperatures are prime, and they'll hit cut bait, live shad, or even artificials if you know how to work them. What makes catching reds here so special is their fight - in the warm, clear water they'll make long runs and dig deep, giving you a battle you won't forget.
Hardhead sea catfish might not sound glamorous, but these power plant cats are something else entirely. The warm water discharge keeps them feeding aggressively, and they grow to sizes that'll shock you if you're used to typical Texas catfish. We're talking fish in the 5-15 pound range that fight like they're twice that size. Blue cats, channel cats, and hardheads all call these lakes home, and they're most cooperative during the cooler months when the redfish slow down. They're bottom feeders that love structure, so we'll position over submerged timber, creek channels, and around the warm water discharge areas. The best part? They're excellent eating, and Captain Joe knows how to clean them so you get the most meat with no muddy taste.
Here's the deal - Calaveras and Brauning Lakes offer some of the most consistent freshwater fishing in the San Antonio area, and our 4-hour trips are designed to put you on fish without burning your whole day. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing, planning a guys' trip, or just want to get away from the dock crowds at the bigger lakes, this is your spot. Captain Joe's local knowledge and patient teaching style make every trip productive, and with all gear included plus professional fish cleaning, you're getting serious value.
Hit the water in our nimble 2021 Mako skiff, built for serious anglers who want to get into the fish-holding spots at Calaveras and Brauning Lakes. This 17-footer cuts through the water with its Mercury 60HP engine, hitting speeds up to 30 knots to get you where the redfish are biting fast. The shallow-draft design lets us slide into those skinny water honey holes where bigger boats can't go. We've rigged her with everything you need for a productive day on the water - fish finder to mark schools, GPS to hit the proven spots, and radar for those early morning runs when visibility gets sketchy. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh. With room for up to 3 anglers plus your guide, there's plenty of casting room without getting lines tangled. Whether we're chasing reds in the shallows or working deeper structure for cats, this boat gets you there ready to fish.
Ariopsis FelisHardhead catfish become our main target during cooler months when we switch gears from redfish. These tough fighters typically run 12-15 inches but don't let the size fool you - they've got serious pulling power and will test your drag. You'll find them cruising muddy bottoms and around any structure in deeper water, especially when temperatures drop. Fall through early spring is when they really turn on, moving into shallower areas to feed heavily. What makes them fun is their aggressive nature - they'll hit almost anything and fight dirty all the way to the boat. Handle with care though, those dorsal spines are razor sharp. My go-to trick is fresh shrimp on a circle hook fished right on bottom - they can't resist it and the circle hook keeps them pinned solid.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are what make our spring trips special here at Calaveras and Brauning. These copper-backed beauties average 20-30 inches and pack serious muscle - you'll know when one hits your line. They're surprisingly adaptable fish that thrive in our warm lake waters, usually hanging around structure and shallow flats where they hunt aggressively. March through May is prime time when water temps hit their sweet spot and these fish get really active. What guests love most is the explosive strike and bulldogging fight - redfish don't give up easy. The eating quality is top-notch too, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady near any visible structure. These fish like to ambush their prey, so patience pays off big time.
5.0 out of 5.0My son and I had a great time today. We were extremely fortunate to have found Mr. Solis who turned out to be perfect person to ta...
It was easy to book with Joe and to locate the meeting point. Joe was friendly and professional. He was informative of the area, t...
Trip was great, limited out on reds then got on catfish. Captain was super cool laid back guy willing to answer questions and very...
Joe Solis is a fantastic guide. He put us on fish within 30 minutes of boarding the boat. We hit our limit with about an hour or s...
It took us a bit to get started, but once we did, we filled the live well with big, beautiful Blue catfish. The Captain was frien...
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