South Padre Island Private Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 5hour inshore fishing trip for two guestsTarget redfish, snook, flounder, and speckled trout speciesMultiple fishing techniques including bottom and drift fishing
This world-class 5-hour private fishing trip starts bright and early at 6:30 AM, giving you and one other angler the best shot at South Padre's legendary inshore action. You'll fish the flats, nearshore waters, and protected inshore zones where the Gulf meets the bay system. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with just two anglers max, you get personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one.
Your morning kicks off in some of the most productive fishing waters Texas has to offer. We'll work the shallow flats for sight-fishing opportunities, hit the deeper channels where big redfish cruise, and maybe swing by the jetties if conditions are right. The beauty of this trip is the variety - one minute you're stalking tailing reds in 18 inches of water, the next you're battling a bull drum in the deeper cuts. The Laguna Madre bay system here is pure magic, with crystal-clear water that lets you see fish coming from 50 yards away on a good day. Weather and tides dictate where we go, but trust me, there's always a Plan B that'll put fish in the boat.
We'll run both light and heavy tackle depending on what we're targeting. Light spinning gear with live shrimp or soft plastics is deadly on speckled trout and smaller redfish in the shallows. When we're hunting bigger fish or working structure, we'll bump up to heavier rods with cut bait for black drum and bull reds. Bottom fishing around the jetties can produce some surprising catches, while drift fishing the flats with topwater plugs early in the morning is about as exciting as it gets. Captain provides all the gear, but if you've got a favorite rod or lucky lure, bring it along. The boat's rigged with everything from conventional reels to fly gear if you want to throw feathers at tailing fish.
Snook are the crown jewel of South Padre fishing, and these ambush predators love hanging around structure and mangroves. They're most active during warmer months, typically May through October, and they fight like nothing else - explosive runs and gill-rattling jumps that'll test your drag system. What makes them special is their pickiness; they'll follow a lure for 20 feet before deciding whether to eat it, making each hookup feel earned.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the bay, with the big ones pushing 30-40 pounds and fighting dirty in the current. Spring and fall see the best action, especially around oyster reefs and mud flats where they root for crabs and worms. They're not pretty fish, but man do they pull hard - it's all about endurance when you tie into a big black drum.
Redfish are what most folks come here to catch, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are available year-round and fight above their weight class. The sight-fishing opportunities in the clear flats are world-renowned, watching a big red slowly cruise up to your bait before that heart-stopping moment when they turn to eat it. Slot-sized fish make excellent table fare, while the oversized bulls are pure adrenaline.
Summer flounder, or fluke as some call them, are the chameleons of the bay floor. Best action happens during their spring and fall migrations when they're staging in the channels and around structure. They're sneaky biters that require patience, but a nice doormat flounder is one of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Plus, they're masters of camouflage - you might not even realize you've caught one until you start reeling up.
Lake trout might sound out of place here, but these spotted beauties (actually speckled trout) are a South Padre staple. They school up in good numbers during winter months and provide consistent action when other species slow down. They're aggressive feeders that hit everything from live shrimp to rattling plugs, and a limit of good-sized specks makes for a great fish fry.
This top-rated private charter books up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hottest. With Shallow Sport Family, you're getting a captain who lives and breathes these waters, knows where the fish are holding, and isn't satisfied unless you're bent over with a screaming reel. The early start time puts you on the water when fish are most active, and the 5-hour window gives you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in new water or someone who just wants to catch their personal best redfish, this trip delivers the goods. Don't sleep on this one - check availability and secure your dates before someone else snatches up your preferred slot.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore fishing, regularly hitting 15-40 pounds in these waters. They cruise shallow flats, oyster beds, and muddy bottoms where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. These fish are built like tanks and fight accordingly, making long, powerful runs that test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating, but the big bulls are better released. They're not picky about salinity, so we find them everywhere from the surf to back bay creeks. Pro tip: use fresh crab on a circle hook and let it sit on the bottom. When a drum picks it up, don't set the hook - just start reeling and let the circle hook do its work.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout don't naturally occur in our South Padre Island waters - these cold-water char need deep, frigid lakes to survive and are typically found in places like Canada and the northern Great Lakes. They're massive fish that can reach 15-40 pounds and live in depths of 50-200 feet where water stays cold year-round. In their native range, early spring right after ice-out and fall turnover are prime times when they move shallow enough for anglers to reach. These fish are prized for their incredible size potential and excellent eating quality. Jigging deep structure with heavy spoons and large swimbaits is the standard approach. Since we don't have lake trout in our Gulf waters, guests looking for similar deep-water action might want to consider our offshore trips for king mackerel or amberjack instead.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing here at South Padre. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically run 18-27 inches in our shallow waters. You'll spot them tailing on grass flats, cruising shorelines, and around oyster reefs in just 1-4 feet of water. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. What makes redfish special is their powerful runs and never-give-up attitude - they'll use every inch of shallow water to try and break you off. They're also excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. The sight-fishing opportunities are what really get people hooked - watching a red inhale your topwater lure in skinny water is pure adrenaline. Local tip: when you see a red with its head down feeding, cast well ahead and let your lure settle before starting your retrieve.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most sought-after inshore species, and for good reason. These sleek fighters typically run 18-28 inches around South Padre, with that distinctive black lateral line making them easy to spot. You'll find them hanging around mangroves, docks, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. They love structure and ambush points. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during moving tides. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll use every bit of cover to try and break you off. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back through the strike zone. Snook often follow before they hit, so don't give up on a slow retrieve.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise that lie flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush baitfish swimming overhead. These "doormat" fish typically run 15-20 inches, but the big females can push 5-6 pounds and make for great table fare with their mild, flaky meat. You'll find them on sandy flats, around structure, and near inlet mouths in 10-30 feet of water. Fall is when they really turn on as they fatten up before their offshore migration. What's fun about flounder fishing is you never know when that subtle tap will turn into a nice fish. They're not flashy fighters, but their unique appearance and excellent eating quality keep guests coming back. Here's the key: use a slow drift with live bait or jigs bounced along the bottom. Feel for that telltale "mushy" bite - flounder inhale prey sideways, so give them a second before setting the hook.
Brownsville