Full Day Beginner-Friendly Corpus Christi Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sevenhour beginnerfriendly inshore fishing trip with expert guidanceTarget redfish, trout, drum, sheepshead with all equipment providedIncludes bait, tackle, gear, and professional catch cleaning service
Ready to dip your line in the water but not sure where to start? Captain Jason Thornton's got you covered with this top-rated 7-hour fishing adventure designed specifically for beginners and families. You'll spend a full day on Corpus Christi's productive inshore waters, learning everything from proper rod handling to landing techniques while targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most popular species. This isn't a rushed trip where you're left to figure things out on your own – Jason takes the time to teach you the fundamentals while keeping things relaxed and fun. With all gear, bait, and tackle provided, plus complimentary fish cleaning at the end of the day, this customer favorite trip removes all the guesswork from your first fishing experience on the Texas coast.
Your day starts early with Captain Jason, who'll walk you through the basics before you even leave the dock. He's known for his patience with first-timers, explaining everything from how to hold a rod properly to reading the water for fish activity. The boat stays close to shore in the protected bays and flats around Corpus Christi, where the water's calmer and perfect for learning. You'll move between several productive spots throughout the day, giving you a chance to try different techniques and see how fish behave in various environments. Jason keeps the group small – just 2 anglers max – so you get plenty of individual attention. He'll adjust his teaching style to your pace, whether you're a quick learner or need extra time to get comfortable with the gear. The atmosphere stays easygoing all day, with plenty of encouragement and celebration when you land your first fish.
This trip focuses on live bait and artificial lure fishing, the two most effective methods for Corpus Christi inshore species. You'll learn to work live shrimp under popping corks – a deadly technique that mimics injured baitfish struggling on the surface. Jason also teaches proper soft plastic rigging, showing you how to thread paddle tails and gulps onto jig heads for targeting structure-oriented fish like sheepshead and black drum. The boat's equipped with medium-action spinning rods that are forgiving for beginners but still have enough backbone to handle bigger redfish and drum. You'll practice casting to specific targets like oyster bars, grass beds, and drop-offs where fish typically hold. Circle hooks are used throughout the day for better hook-up ratios and easier fish handling. Jason demonstrates how to set the drag properly, fight fish without losing them, and safely bring them to the boat. By afternoon, you'll be confidently working your baits and reading your rod tip for subtle bites.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Corpus Christi inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up fights that'll get your heart racing. They typically run 18-30 inches in these waters and are most active during moving tides. You'll find them cruising shallow grass flats and ambushing baitfish around oyster reefs. What makes reds so exciting is their aggressive strikes – when one hits your bait, there's no mistaking it. They make powerful runs toward structure, testing your drag and teaching you proper fish-fighting techniques. Fall and spring offer the best action, but summer fishing can be world-class early in the morning.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter species that keep Corpus Christi anglers coming back. These beautiful fish average 14-18 inches and have mouths full of sharp teeth that'll shred your line if you're not careful. They're ambush predators that love to hide in grass beds and around shallow structure, making them perfect targets for learning proper lure presentation. Specks are most active during dawn and dusk, but overcast days can produce all-day action. Their strikes are often subtle – just a slight tick on your line – so they teach you to pay attention to your bait and develop sensitivity in your hands.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but these bottom-dwelling powerhouses will test every knot on your rig. They typically range from 2-15 pounds in the bay system and are masters at finding crabs and shrimp in the mud. What's fascinating about drum is their ability to crush shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth – you can actually hear them crunching shells underwater. They're excellent fish for beginners because they bite consistently and fight hard without making blazing runs that can intimidate new anglers. Winter months are prime time for bigger drum, while smaller ones are caught year-round.
Sheepshead are the ultimate test of your bait presentation skills. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and can steal your bait faster than you can blink. They hang around any hard structure – docks, pilings, jetties, and oyster bars – picking off barnacles and small crabs. Landing a sheepshead requires perfect timing and quick hook sets, making them a favorite challenge for developing anglers. They're also some of the best eating fish in the bay, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they move into the bays to spawn.
Southern flounder are the chameleons of the bay system, lying flat on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. These flatfish can grow to impressive sizes – anything over 18 inches is considered a quality catch. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the visual aspect; you can often see them swimming along the bottom or buried in the sand with just their eyes showing. They're most active during moving water and low-light conditions. Fall brings the best flounder action as they migrate toward the Gulf to spawn, fattening up on shrimp and small fish in the process. Their unique body structure and fighting style – they roll and twist instead of making straight runs – provides a completely different fishing experience from other inshore species.
Step aboard the 23-foot Shoalwater Catamaran and get ready to fish Corpus Christi's productive inshore waters in comfort. This cat's shallow draft design lets Captain Jason navigate right into those fishy spots where redfish and trout love to hang out. The 250HP Suzuki gets you to the fishing grounds quickly, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure or grass flats. The fishfinder helps locate schools of baitfish and gamefish below, and GPS navigation ensures smooth runs between productive spots. With room for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without crowding. The stable catamaran platform makes it easy for beginners to learn proper techniques, and there's even a head onboard for those long 7-hour days on the water. This setup is perfect for targeting everything from schooling trout to sight-fishing redfish in the shallows around Corpus Christi Bay.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of our inshore waters and perfect for beginners who want to feel a real fight. These powerful fish typically run 5-15 pounds around Corpus Christi, with some monsters pushing 30+ pounds during spring spawning season. You'll find them crushing crabs and oysters around structure - think jetties, piers, and oyster reefs in 3-20 feet of water. They're most active February through May when they school up to spawn, making them easier to target. What guests love most is their bulldogging fight and the distinctive drumming sound they make when brought to the boat. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with firm, white meat. Larger fish are better released as the meat gets tougher. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. These guys have powerful crushers for teeth and won't pass up an easy crab meal.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Texas coast and absolute favorites among guests for their powerful runs and that signature black spot near their tail. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 18-35 inches here, with slot fish around 20-28 inches being most common in our shallow bays and flats. You'll find them in 1-6 feet of water around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy shorelines where they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer the best action, but they bite year-round in our waters. What guests love most is watching them cruise the shallows with their backs out of water and that heart-stopping moment when they crush a topwater lure. They fight hard, pulling drag and making long runs. The meat is firm and mild, perfect for the table. Pro tip: when sight-fishing, cast ahead of cruising fish and let your bait sink to the bottom - they feed with their heads down.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our Corpus Christi fishing, perfect for beginners learning the basics. These beautiful spotted fish typically run 1-3 pounds and 14-18 inches, with some nice 4-5 pound "gator trout" mixed in. You'll find them over grass flats, around reefs, and in 2-8 feet of water where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during dawn and dusk, especially in spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificial lures, plus they make excellent table fare with tender, mild white meat. The spotted pattern and canine teeth make them easy to identify too. Best tip I can share: work your lure slowly and be ready for a subtle bite. Trout don't usually slam baits - they suck them in, so watch your line for any twitch or movement and set the hook gently but firmly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, and they're absolute masters at stealing bait. These crafty fish hang around any structure they can find - docks, pilings, jetties, and reefs where they feast on barnacles and crabs with their human-like teeth. Most run 1-4 pounds and 12-16 inches, though we catch some nice 6-8 pounders during winter months when they school up. They're active year-round but best in cooler weather when they move shallow. Guests love the challenge of outsmarting these notorious bait thieves, and the reward is some of the finest eating fish in our waters - sweet, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Here's the key: use small hooks, keep your bait tight to structure, and when you feel them pecking, set the hook hard and fast. They'll clean your hook in seconds if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are fascinating flatfish that guests love targeting for their unique appearance and excellent table fare. These ambush predators bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms, waiting for shrimp, crabs, and small fish to pass by. You'll typically find them in 2-15 feet of water around grass flats, channel edges, and oyster reefs throughout our area. Most run 1-3 pounds, but we see some nice 4-6 pounders during cooler months when they're most active. What makes them special is watching both eyes on one side of their head track your bait, plus they make some of the best eating fish we catch. The meat is sweet, white, and flaky - perfect for beginners. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to mouth the bait first, and patience pays off with these crafty bottom dwellers.
Corpus Christi