Port Mansfield Fishing with Slick Fin Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full 8hour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and troutExpert Captain Ruben provides all equipment and local knowledgeMaximum 2 guests with free cancellation up to 7 days
When you're looking for a solid day of fishing on the Texas coast, Captain Ruben Riojas knows how to put you on fish. This 8-hour Port Mansfield fishing trip gives you plenty of time to work the flats, channels, and structure where redfish, black drum, flounder, and speckled trout hang out. You'll fish with a captain who's been reading these waters for years, and that local knowledge makes all the difference when you're trying to connect with quality fish. The boat's rigged and ready, tackle's provided, and all you need to bring is your valid Texas fishing license and the desire to bend some rods.
Your day starts early with Captain Ruben, who'll have the boat prepped and bait ready before you even arrive at the dock. Port Mansfield sits right in the heart of some of the most productive inshore waters along the Texas coast, and this 8-hour window gives you the flexibility to move around and find active fish. You might start the morning working shallow flats for tailing redfish, then shift to deeper structure when the sun gets high and the trout start schooling. The captain adjusts the game plan based on conditions, tides, and what the fish are doing that particular day. With just 2 anglers max, you'll get plenty of personal attention and coaching, whether you're learning to read the water or perfecting your technique with artificial lures. The relaxed pace means you're not rushing from spot to spot - you can really work an area when the fish are cooperative and enjoy the process of figuring out what they want.
Captain Ruben runs a well-equipped inshore boat that can handle everything from skinny water sight fishing to working deeper channels and drop-offs. You'll use a mix of live bait and artificials depending on conditions and target species. For redfish, that might mean pitching soft plastics to structure or using live shrimp under popping corks when they're cruising the flats. Trout fishing often involves working the grass beds with topwaters early and late in the day, then switching to suspending baits when they move to deeper water. The captain provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you don't have to worry about rigging up or figuring out what's working - he'll put the right setup in your hands for each situation. You'll learn to read the signs that indicate fish are in the area: birds working, bait flipping on the surface, or subtle changes in water color that reveal structure below. The boat's equipped with quality electronics to locate schools and structure, but Captain Ruben also teaches you to fish with your eyes and instincts.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Port Mansfield fishing, and these copper-colored fighters put up a serious battle once hooked. They range from schoolie-sized fish around 18-24 inches up to bull reds that can stretch the tape past 40 inches. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish feeding aggressively in the shallows during cooler parts of the day. What makes reds so fun is their willingness to eat both live bait and artificials, plus they fight hard all the way to the boat. You'll often spot them cruising in shallow water, creating that heart-pounding sight fishing opportunity that keeps anglers coming back.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute bulldogs when it comes to fighting power. These bottom dwellers can grow massive - think 20 to 40+ pounds - and they use every ounce of that weight to test your drag system. They're most active during cooler months and love structure like oyster reefs and channel edges. Black drum have a unique way of feeding, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish, so you'll often feel them as a steady, heavy pull rather than an aggressive strike. Landing a big drum is a true test of patience and technique.
Summer flounder, or fluke, are the chameleons of the inshore scene, blending perfectly with sandy bottoms and ambushing prey with lightning-fast strikes. They typically run 14-20 inches in these waters, with some doormat-sized fish pushing 4-5 pounds. Flounder fishing requires a different approach - you're usually bouncing baits along the bottom near structure, drop-offs, or current breaks where they wait for baitfish to swim by. The bite is often subtle, feeling more like your weight got stuck than a fish eating your bait. But once hooked, they put up a surprisingly strong fight for a flatfish.
Spotted sea trout, or "specks," are probably the most popular target for Texas inshore anglers, and for good reason. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Specks in the 15-20 inch range are common, with trophy fish over 25 inches always a possibility. They school up around grass beds, shell pads, and drop-offs, often feeding most actively during dawn and dusk periods. The distinctive popping sound they make when feeding on the surface is music to any angler's ears, and their willingness to hit topwater lures creates some of the most visual and exciting fishing you'll experience on the Texas coast.
This Port Mansfield fishing trip with Captain Ruben gives you 8 solid hours to experience some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer. The combination of his local knowledge, quality equipment, and productive waters means you'll have every opportunity to connect with fish and learn something new about reading the water. With free cancellation up to 7 days out, you can book with confidence knowing your plans stay flexible. Whether you're looking to introduce someone new to saltwater fishing or you want to target species you've never caught before,
Captain Ruben's 21-foot Shallow Sport flats boat is perfectly designed for working Port Mansfield's productive shallow waters. This 2012 vessel cuts through the flats with its reliable 150HP Yamaha engine, getting you to the best redfish and trout spots quickly and quietly. The shallow draft lets you access those hard-to-reach areas where the big fish hide, while the spacious deck gives you plenty of room to cast and fight your catch. With GPS navigation keeping you on the most productive fishing grounds, you'll spend more time with your line in the water and less time searching. The boat comfortably handles up to 2 anglers, so you'll have Captain Ruben's full attention as he guides you to the black drum, flounder, and spotted sea trout that make these Texas waters famous.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of our local waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish love muddy flats, oyster beds, and shallow bays around Port Mansfield. They're bottom feeders with crusher jaws built for demolishing crabs and shellfish. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their signature drumming sounds underwater. What makes them special is their raw power and the challenge they present. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to trick: use fresh blue crab on a circle hook and keep your bait right on the bottom. These fish don't mess around when they bite.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water flats, easily spotted by their copper-red backs and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 30+ pounds in deeper water. They cruise grass flats, oyster reefs, and shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What hooks anglers is their aggressive strikes, bulldogging fights, and those heart-stopping topwater explosions. Smaller reds make excellent table fare too. Here's my local edge: look for nervous baitfish or "mud boils" where reds are rooting for crabs. Throw a gold spoon or topwater plug just ahead of cruising fish and hang on tight.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are some of the most beautiful fish in these waters. They typically run 14-24 inches and rarely exceed 5 pounds, with silvery sides covered in distinctive black spots. You'll find them over grass flats, around structure, and in 2-8 feet of water throughout our bay system. They bite year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them special is their delicate bite, decent fight, and excellent table fare - soft, white meat that's hard to beat. These fish are sight feeders and spook easily in shallow water. My secret: work topwater plugs and soft plastics early morning or late evening around grass beds. Keep your approach quiet and your casts long.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - flatfish that lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Around here, most run 15-20 inches, though big females can push 26 pounds. They're bottom dwellers that love sandy flats, channel edges, and areas where baitfish gather. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at hooking one. What guests love is their sneaky bite and how they can completely disappear against the bottom - plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. These fish are ambush predators, so they'll chase down fast-moving baits. Pro tip: hook live mullet or croakers through the lips and drag them slowly along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, give them a second before setting the hook.
South Padre Island