2-Day Kayak Fishing & Camping Adventure
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Twoday guided kayak fishing adventure targeting trophy catfish speciesLakeside camping combined with advanced fishing technique instruction sessionsHobie Outback kayaks provided for stable fishing platform experience
Looking for something more than just a quick morning on the water? This 2-day guided kayak fishing and camping adventure on Calaveras Lake gives you the full experience – extended time targeting trophy Redfish, Channel Catfish, and Blue Catfish while camping lakeside under the Texas stars. It's designed specifically for solo anglers who want to really dial in their skills and spend quality time in nature without rushing back to the dock. You'll fish from stable Hobie Outback kayaks, learn advanced techniques from an experienced guide, and enjoy the kind of relaxed pace that lets you truly connect with the water and the fish that call it home.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're watching the clock. Over two full days, you'll have plenty of time to work different areas of Calaveras Lake, adjusting your approach based on what the fish are telling you. We typically start around 6:30 AM, but conditions dictate everything – sometimes the fish are more active a bit later, and flexibility is key to success. You'll be paddling a Hobie Outback, which is hands-down one of the most stable fishing kayaks out there. The pedal drive system keeps your hands free for fishing while giving you precise control over positioning and drift. Between the extended time on the water and camping lakeside, you get that full outdoor experience that's hard to find close to San Antonio. The nights spent by the lake add a whole different dimension – listening to the water lap against the shore while planning tomorrow's strategy over a camp meal.
Kayak fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your presentation to match what you're seeing. Throughout the two days, we'll work on everything from bottom fishing techniques for those hefty catfish to targeting redfish in the shallower areas where they like to cruise and feed. The Hobie Outback setup allows you to fish hands-free while using the pedal system to maintain position or follow moving fish. We'll cover proper anchor techniques for when you find productive spots, how to manage multiple rods effectively from the kayak, and reading electronics to locate structure and fish. Calaveras Lake has diverse structure – from deeper channels where big catfish hold to flats and points where redfish patrol. Learning to identify these areas and match your technique accordingly is what separates good days from great ones. You'll need a valid Texas fishing license, and all the specialized kayak fishing gear is provided. The camping aspect means you can process the day's lessons around the campfire and hit the water fresh the next morning with new strategies.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Calaveras Lake fishing. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches here, with plenty of slot fish and some real monsters pushing 40+ inches. They're most active during cooler parts of the day – early morning and evening – making them perfect targets for extended trips like this one. Redfish are sight feeders in shallow water, so you'll learn to spot their telltale wakes and tails when they're feeding. The fight they put up from a kayak is something else entirely – that initial run can spin you around if you're not ready for it. What makes them special here is their year-round presence, though they're most aggressive in spring and fall when water temps are in their sweet spot.
Channel Catfish in Calaveras are absolute slabs, regularly hitting 5-10 pounds with fish over 15 pounds caught consistently. They're structure-oriented, holding around submerged timber, drop-offs, and creek channels. The best action often comes during low-light periods, which works perfectly with our camping setup – you can target them effectively at dawn and dusk. Channel cats are aggressive feeders and put up a surprisingly strong fight, especially the bigger ones that use their body weight and the current to their advantage. They're most active during warmer months but can be caught year-round with the right approach and bait selection.
Blue Catfish are the true giants of the lake system. These fish can exceed 20-30 pounds and provide the kind of arm-burning fights that fishing stories are made of. They prefer deeper water and main lake points, often relating to structure in 15-25 feet of water. Blues are opportunistic feeders but respond well to cut bait and live offerings. Landing a big blue from a kayak requires patience and technique – they'll use their size and strength to try to get into cover or simply power away from you. The cooler months often produce the best blue catfish action, as they school up in predictable areas and feed more aggressively.
This 2-day adventure offers something you can't get from shorter trips – the time to really develop your skills while enjoying the full outdoor experience. Whether you're looking to target your personal best catfish, dial in your redfish techniques, or simply spend quality time on the water away from daily distractions, this trip delivers. The combination of expert guidance, quality equipment, and extended time on productive water makes it a top-rated choice for serious anglers. Military personnel receive a discount to $275 for solo trips, reflecting our appreciation for service members. Calaveras Lake continues to produce excellent fishing year-round, and the camping component adds that extra element that turns a fishing trip into a real outdoor adventure. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – solo trips like this book up quickly, especially during prime fishing seasons.
Get ready to work the waters of Calaveras Lake with the Hobie Outback, a pedal-powered fishing kayak that keeps your hands free for casting while you silently cruise to the best spots. This single-angler setup gives you complete control over your fishing experience—pedal backward to hold position in current, forward to cover water, or coast quietly into shallow cover where the big catfish and redfish hide. The stable platform means you can stand and sight-cast or stay seated for comfort during long days targeting trophy fish. With hands-free propulsion, you'll spend more time with a rod in your hands and less time paddling, giving you the edge when fish are feeding. Perfect for navigating Calaveras Lake's structure and drop-offs while maintaining the stealth approach that separates successful kayak anglers from the rest.
Ictalurus FurcatusBlue cats are the heavyweights of Calaveras Lake, averaging 15-30 pounds with some pushing 50-plus. They're the largest North American catfish species and absolute bulldogs when hooked. These slate-blue colored fish have squared-off anal fins and prefer deeper water - channel bends, holes, and drop-offs in 15-35 feet. They're most active during warm months but bite year-round. What draws anglers is that trophy potential and the fight they deliver - long, powerful runs that'll test your drag. They're opportunistic feeders that'll hit fresh-cut bait, especially when it's bleeding into the water column. Pro tip: use fresh-cut shad or herring and let it sink to the bottom near structure. Blue cats are scavengers, so dead bait often works better than live. Be patient - they'll mouth it before committing.
Ictalurus PunctatusChannel cats in Calaveras are steady fighters that average 3-8 pounds, though we regularly see 15-20 pounders. They have forked tails and smooth, slippery skin with those signature whiskers. Look for them near deep holes, channel edges, and around submerged structure in 10-25 feet of water. Summer nights are fantastic, but they bite year-round. What anglers love is their dependable nature - they'll hit when other fish won't, and they're fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. They use their whole body as taste buds, so scent matters more than presentation. My go-to trick is fresh-cut shad or chicken liver on the bottom. Let it sit still and wait for that steady pull - no need to set the hook hard since they usually hook themselves.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish on Calaveras Lake typically run 20-35 inches and put up a solid fight with their powerful runs. You'll spot them by their copper-red backs and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. These fish love shallow areas around structure - submerged timber, drop-offs, and vegetation lines in 2-6 feet of water. Early morning and late evening are prime times, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and the way they pull drag. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: when you see them cruising shallow, cast ahead of their path and let your lure sit still. They'll often circle back and investigate anything that looks like an easy meal sitting on the bottom.
Calaveras Lake