8-Hour Inshore Fishing Charter with Slick Fin
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and trout.Captain Ruben provides expert guidance for all skill levels.Equipment included, only valid Texas fishing license required.
South Padre Island delivers some of Texas's best inshore fishing, and Captain Ruben Riojas knows these waters like the back of his hand. This 8-hour charter puts you right in the action, targeting four of the Gulf Coast's most popular species: redfish, black drum, flounder, and spotted sea trout. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to fill the cooler or a beginner wanting to learn the ropes, Captain Ruben tailors each trip to match your skill level and goals. The boat accommodates just two anglers, so you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines. Pack your Texas fishing license and let Slick Fin Charters handle everything else.
Captain Ruben runs a relaxed operation where the focus stays on fishing, not rushing from spot to spot. You'll spend your day working the productive inshore waters around South Padre, from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper channels where black drum hang out near structure. The 8-hour window gives you real time to dial in techniques and work multiple areas as conditions change throughout the day. Early morning often brings the best bite, but afternoon sessions can be just as productive when you know where to look. The captain reads water conditions, tide movements, and seasonal patterns to put you on fish consistently. This isn't a cattle boat operation - with only two anglers aboard, you get the kind of individual coaching that makes a real difference in your success rate.
Slick Fin Charters provides all the tackle you need, from medium-action spinning rods perfect for inshore work to a full selection of lures and baits. You'll likely work with live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs depending on what the fish want that day. The captain switches up techniques based on conditions - maybe starting with live bait on the bottom for drum and trout, then moving to artificial lures when redfish start busting bait in the shallows. Expect to use circle hooks for live bait presentations and learn proper hooksets for different species. The boat stays positioned using a trolling motor for stealth in shallow water, letting you make precise casts to structure and grass beds where these fish feed. You'll pick up local techniques like working a soft plastic through oyster bars or reading water color changes that indicate productive areas.
Redfish are the crown jewel of South Padre's inshore scene, and these copper-colored fighters put up some serious battles. Look for them in 2-4 feet of water around grass flats and oyster reefs, especially during moving tides. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but summer mornings can be hot when they're feeding aggressively. Redfish hit hard and make long runs, stripping drag and testing your technique. The slot-size fish (20-28 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the bigger bulls provide pure sporting thrills.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs on light tackle. These bottom-dwellers love structure like jetties, bridge pilings, and shell beds where they root around for crabs and shrimp. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. Don't expect flashy jumps - black drum fight deep and dirty, using their broad sides to pull hard against the drag. The bigger specimens can push 30-40 pounds, giving you a workout you won't forget.
Summer flounder, or fluke, are the shape-shifters of the inshore world. These flatfish bury in sandy bottoms near channel edges and ambush baitfish swimming overhead. They're most active during warmer months, especially around structure transitions where sand meets shell or grass. Flounder fishing requires patience and feel - they often mouth baits before committing, so detecting subtle bites separates successful anglers from those going home empty-handed. Their firm white meat makes them a top choice for the dinner table.
Spotted sea trout are perhaps the most cooperative species you'll target, often schooling in good numbers over grass flats and sandy potholes. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots along their sides bite consistently throughout the year, though spring and fall provide peak action. They're suckers for live shrimp under popping corks and respond well to soft plastics worked slowly through their feeding zones. Trout make excellent eating and fight with surprising strength for their size, often jumping and tail-walking when hooked.
An 8-hour charter with Captain Ruben gives you the time to really experience South Padre's inshore fishing potential. The intimate 2-angler capacity means you're not competing for attention or fighting for prime fishing spots on the boat. Free cancellation up to 7 days out takes the pressure off booking around weather uncertainties - always a smart policy when dealing with coastal conditions. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so commit when you're ready to fish. Just grab your Texas fishing license and prepare for a day of steady action targeting some of the Gulf's most sought-after species. South Padre's inshore waters are waiting, and Captain Ruben knows exactly where to find them feeding.
Captain Ruben's 21-foot Shallow Sport flats boat is perfectly rigged for prowling South Padre's backcountry waters. This 2012 build handles the shallows like a dream with its 150HP Yamaha pushing you to prime redfish and trout spots. The GPS keeps you on productive flats while there's plenty of room for two anglers to work comfortably. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or drifting for flounder, this boat gets you where the fish are biting. The shallow draft design lets Captain Ruben access those skinny water honey holes that bigger boats can't reach.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, ranging from 5-30 pounds around here, though some monsters reach 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love our shallow muddy flats and oyster beds, using their crusher jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're tough fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to the smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table - the big ones get pretty chewy. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom near those oyster bars. They can't resist it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature species around South Padre - those copper-colored backs and distinctive black spots near the tail make them unmistakable. Most of ours run 20-30 inches, and they love our super shallow flats where you'll see their backs cruising just under the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but spring and fall are peak times when they school up tight. What makes reds so popular is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll peel line and test your skills. Plus they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The secret here is sight fishing the flats with topwater plugs or soft plastics. When you see that red back, cast ahead of them and get ready for fireworks.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most reliable year-round targets here in South Padre waters. These silver beauties with their distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and love our grass flats and shallow bay areas. They're most active during low-light periods - early morning, late evening, and overcast days are perfect. What guests love about trout is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, tender white meat. They put up a good scrap for their size too. The key trick I share is working topwater plugs over grass beds at first light - the explosive surface strikes will get your heart pumping every time.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, changing colors to match their surroundings perfectly. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches but can surprise you with some real doormat-sized fish. They're ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting for baitfish to swim by, then explode upward for the strike. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at them when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them special is that incredible camouflage ability and the way they fight - plus they're outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Hook your baitfish through the eyes and keep it moving slowly along the bottom.
South Padre Island