Premium Port Mansfield Inshore Fishing with Slick Fin
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, black drum, flounder, and spotted sea trout inshoreCaptain Ruben provides all gear and local water expertiseBeginner-friendly 8-hour trip with free 3-day cancellation policy
Looking for a solid day of inshore fishing in one of Texas's hottest fishing spots? Captain Ruben Riojas knows Port Mansfield's waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish. This 5-hour charter targets the bread-and-butter species that make the Lower Laguna Madre famous: redfish, black drum, flounder, and spotted sea trout. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been working these flats for years, Captain Ruben adjusts his approach to match your skill level and keeps things fun. Just grab your Texas fishing license and show up ready to fish – everything else is handled.
Captain Ruben runs a tight ship that's all about putting fish in the boat while keeping the experience relaxed and educational. You'll launch from Port Mansfield and head into the productive waters of the Laguna Madre system, where grass flats, drop-offs, and shell bars hold plenty of fish year-round. The captain provides all your tackle, bait, and gear, so you don't need to worry about rigging up or figuring out what's working. He'll walk you through the basics if you're new to inshore fishing, or he'll let experienced anglers work their own techniques while offering local insights. With only 2 anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to fish comfortably. The trip moves at a good pace – when one spot slows down, Captain Ruben knows exactly where to go next.
Inshore fishing in Port Mansfield is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Ruben switches between live bait, artificial lures, and bottom rigs depending on conditions and target species. You'll likely work with live shrimp under popping corks for trout, throw soft plastics along grass lines for reds, and drop Carolina rigs near structure for black drum and flounder. The tackle is medium-light spinning gear that's perfect for the 14-30 inch fish you'll be targeting. Captain Ruben pays attention to tides, wind direction, and seasonal patterns to position the boat where fish are actively feeding. Some days you'll wade shallow flats, other days you'll fish from the boat over deeper grass beds or along channel edges. The key is staying mobile and letting the fish tell you what they want.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port Mansfield fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers are found here in incredible numbers. Most reds you'll catch run 20-28 inches and fight like crazy, making long runs and using their broad sides to pull drag. They school up in shallow water during cooler months and spread out over grass flats when it warms up. What makes reds special is their aggressive feeding behavior – when you find a school, you can often catch multiple fish before they move on. Black drum are the heavyweights of the trip, with fish commonly reaching 5-15 pounds and occasionally much larger. They're bottom feeders that love structure and drop-offs, and they'll test your drag with powerful runs toward the nearest snag. Spring and fall are prime time for big drum, though smaller ones provide action year-round.
Summer flounder might surprise you with their size and fight in these waters. Port Mansfield produces some thick flatfish in the 16-20 inch range that make excellent table fare. They're ambush predators that bury in sand near grass edges and channel mouths, striking fast when bait drifts by. Spotted sea trout round out the grand slam and are often the most consistent biters. These beautiful fish average 15-20 inches with occasional 4-5 pound "gator trout" mixed in. They're structure-oriented and feed actively during moving water, making them perfect targets when other species are finicky. Trout also provide steady action for beginners learning to feel bites and set hooks properly.
Captain Ruben's Port Mansfield fishing trips deliver exactly what serious anglers want – consistent action, local expertise, and a professional approach without the stuffiness. The 5-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunity to work different areas and target multiple species while keeping the day manageable. With free cancellation up to 3 days out, you can book with confidence and adjust for weather if needed. Port Mansfield's year-round fishing means there's never a bad time to get on the water, though spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable conditions and active fish. Don't sleep on this opportunity to fish with a captain who knows how to put his clients on fish consistently.
Captain Ruben's 22-foot Shallow Sport bay boat cuts through Port Mansfield waters with serious fishing credentials. This 2012 rig runs on 150HP Yamaha power, built specifically for stalking redfish and speckled trout in shallow bay systems. The hull design lets you slip into skinny water where bigger boats can't reach - perfect for sight-casting to cruising reds along grass lines. GPS keeps you locked onto productive spots while the stable platform gives you clean casting angles whether you're throwing topwater at first light or working soft plastics around structure. At 22 feet, there's room to move without crowding your fishing partner, plus storage for tackle and ice. This bay boat handles Port Mansfield's shifty conditions while getting you close to fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, ranging from keeper-sized 5-pounders up to massive 30+ pound bulls. These gray-black bruisers love hanging around oyster reefs and muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spring spawning season - that's prime time when they school up and become much easier to target. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when you feel that heavy thump on bottom, don't set the hook hard. Let them chew on fresh crab bait for a few seconds, then lift steady - they bite sideways and need time to get it right.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish of Texas flats, easily spotted by their copper-red backs and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, though we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 30+ pounds. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with backs exposed - around grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges. Spring and fall offer the best action, but they bite year-round here. What makes reds special is their aggressive nature and bulldogging fight that'll have your arms burning. They're also fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The key to consistent success is sight fishing - polarized glasses are essential. When you spot their wake or see them tailing, cast your lure 3-4 feet ahead and let them find it. Gold spoons and topwater plugs are money baits that rarely fail.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are probably our most consistent biters, running 14-24 inches on average with those beautiful black spots covering silver sides. They love grass flats and drop-offs where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Best action happens during warmer months, especially early morning and evening when they come up to feed. What guests love most is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats watching a trout explode on a surface plug at dawn. They're also excellent table fare with delicate, flaky meat that's perfect fried or grilled. My go-to technique is working a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. Keep it slow and steady, and when you feel that tap-tap-tap, count to two before setting the hook - they like to play with their food first.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise down here, blending perfectly with sandy bottoms in 8-15 feet of water. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and are ambush predators that lie buried waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're most active before moving offshore. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they come up off the bottom - plus they're some of the best eating fish you'll catch. The meat is sweet, flaky, and perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: when you're drifting over structure, keep your bait moving slowly along the bottom with a bucktail jig tipped with live minnow. They'll often follow before striking, so don't rush the hookset.
South Padre Island