Full-Day Inshore Fishing Adventure in Port Mansfield
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full 8-hour inshore fishing trip with experienced Captain Ruben RiojasTarget redfish, black drum, flounder, and spotted sea troutAll equipment provided with free cancellation up to 7 days
Get ready for a serious day on the water with Captain Ruben Riojas and Slick Fin Charters. This 8-hour fishing trip puts you right in the heart of Port Mansfield's legendary inshore waters, where redfish cruise the flats and speckled trout stack up in the cuts. You'll be fishing with a captain who knows every shell bar, grass bed, and drop-off that holds fish in this part of South Texas. Port Mansfield sits perfectly between the Laguna Madre and the Gulf, creating some of the most productive inshore fishing on the Texas coast. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and prime positioning all day long.
Captain Ruben runs a tight ship, and that means you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. We're talking about a full 8 hours of fishing time – not travel time – so you'll maximize every minute on productive water. The boat launches right here in Port Mansfield, putting you within minutes of some of the best redfish flats and trout holes on the coast. You'll start early to beat the crowds and catch the morning bite when fish are most active. The captain provides all your tackle, bait, and gear, so all you need is a valid Texas fishing license and maybe some snacks to keep your energy up. The intimate two-person capacity means no fighting for space or waiting your turn – it's your day to fish hard and fish right.
Port Mansfield inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Ruben switches between live bait and artificials depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. You might find yourself working topwater plugs over shallow grass beds at sunrise, then switching to soft plastics as you drift deeper cuts later in the day. The Laguna Madre's gin-clear water means sight fishing opportunities when redfish cruise the shallows, but it also requires finesse and proper presentation. We'll hit classic spots like the Land Cut, various spoil islands, and productive back lakes that most weekend warriors never see. The captain's trolling motor keeps us positioned perfectly, whether we're working a specific structure or covering water to locate active fish.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Port Mansfield inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from schoolie-sized fish perfect for action to bull reds that'll test your drag and your arms. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish feeding aggressively in the shallows during cooler months. Reds are smart fighters – they'll use every oyster bar and grass bed to their advantage, making each hookup a chess match between angler and fish.
Speckled sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of consistent action here. These beautiful fish with their spotted flanks and sharp teeth love the deeper grass beds and channel edges around Port Mansfield. Spring brings the best numbers, but quality fish are caught year-round. What makes specks special is their willingness to hit artificials – there's nothing like watching a big trout explode on a topwater plug in shallow water.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute tanks when it comes to fighting power. These bottom-huggers love crab and shrimp around structure, and Port Mansfield's shell reefs hold some impressive specimens. Fall and winter are prime time for bigger drum, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon. They fight like freight trains, using their broad sides and powerful tails to test every knot in your setup.
Summer flounder, or Southern flounder, are the ultimate ambush predators in these waters. They lie buried in sand near drop-offs and channel edges, waiting for bait to swim by. These flatfish require patience and the right presentation, but landing a quality flounder is incredibly rewarding. Fall migration produces the best action as fish move toward deeper water, and a fresh flounder dinner is tough to beat.
This top-rated 8-hour trip with Slick Fin Charters delivers everything serious anglers want – knowledgeable guidance, productive water, and the chance at some of Texas's best inshore species. Captain Ruben's local expertise and commitment to putting you on fish makes this a customer favorite among both visiting and local anglers. With free cancellation up to 7 days out, there's no risk in securing your date. Port Mansfield's inshore fishing is world-class, but having the right guide makes all the difference between a good day and an amazing day on the water. Whether you're chasing your first redfish or looking to add quality specks to your count, this full-day adventure puts you in position to succeed.
Captain Ruben's 2012 Shallow Sport flats boat is your ticket to the productive fishing grounds around Port Mansfield. This 21-foot shallow-water specialist cuts through the skinny water where redfish and trout love to hang out. The reliable 150HP Yamaha gets you to the hot spots quickly and quietly, while the GPS keeps you on track to find those honey holes. Built for serious bay fishing, this boat handles the Texas coast's shallow flats perfectly. You'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without feeling cramped. The shallow draft design lets Captain Ruben slide into those back-country areas where the big reds cruise. Perfect platform for sight fishing or working the grass beds for speckled trout and flounder.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the bay, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 90. These gray-black bruisers love crushing shellfish with their powerful jaws, making that distinctive drumming sound you'll hear underwater. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-6 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's your best shot at multiple hookups. They're serious fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and let it sit on the bottom near structure. These fish are methodical feeders, so patience pays off.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing here in Port Mansfield. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 18-28 inches, with that signature black spot near the tail that makes them unmistakable. They cruise grass flats, oyster reefs, and shorelines in surprisingly shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What gets people hooked is watching these fish blow up on topwater lures in knee-deep water, plus they fight like freight trains. Smaller "slot" reds make excellent eating too. My go-to technique: throw a gold spoon or topwater plug ahead of cruising fish and work it slowly past their nose. The key is staying quiet and making long casts - these fish spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, and for good reason. These silvery beauties with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and baitfish. Best action happens during warmer months from spring through fall, with early morning and evening bites being prime time. What anglers love is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their respectable fight for their size. Plus, they're outstanding on the table with sweet, flaky white meat. Local secret: work a soft plastic paddle tail under a popping cork over grass beds. The popping sound draws them in, and that subtle action underneath seals the deal. Keep your retrieve slow and steady.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, sand-colored fish blend perfectly with the bottom while waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see plenty of "doormat" flounders pushing 4-5 pounds. They hang out on sandy bottoms near structure in 8-25 feet of water, especially around channel edges and drop-offs. Fall months from September through November are peak season when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they nail your bait - plus they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. Here's a local trick: drift live finger mullet or mud minnows on a bucktail jig, and when you feel that tap, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder inhale their prey sideways and need time to turn it.
South Padre Island