SPI Fishing Charters | 5 Hour Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Five-hour inshore fishing adventure with Captain Ruben RiojasTarget black drum, flounder, redfish, and spotted sea troutAccommodates two guests with flexible seven-day cancellation policy
Captain Ruben Riojas knows these South Padre Island waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 5-hour charter with Slick Fin Charters is all about getting you hooked up with the area's best inshore action – black drum, flounder, redfish, and spotted sea trout. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just picked up your first rod, Captain Riojas will have you fishing like a pro. Just grab your fishing license and let him handle the rest. With free cancellations up to 7 days out, there's no reason not to get on the books.
You'll be fishing the productive flats and channels around South Padre Island where the action stays consistent year-round. Captain Riojas runs a tight ship that comfortably handles 2 anglers, so you won't be elbow-to-elbow with a crowd. The 5-hour window gives you plenty of time to work different spots and adjust tactics based on what's biting. Morning trips often produce the best bite, but afternoon sessions can be killer too, especially when targeting drum in deeper water. The captain provides all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. He's got live shrimp, cut bait, and artificials ready to go depending on conditions and target species. The boat stays within the protected bay systems most of the time, so even if it's breezy outside, you'll find fishable water.
Captain Riojas switches up techniques based on what's happening that day. For redfish, you'll likely be casting spoons and soft plastics around grass flats and oyster reefs where these copper-colored fighters like to cruise. Black drum fishing often means dropping down with cut crab or shrimp near structure – these bruisers don't mess around when they grab your bait. Flounder action happens along channel edges and sandy bottoms where you'll bounce jigs tipped with live bait or gulp. Spotted sea trout respond well to topwater plugs early in the morning or soft plastics worked under a popping cork. The captain runs quality spinning gear that can handle everything from finicky trout to bulldogging drum. He'll teach you how to read the water, watch for baitfish, and feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact. Live bait fishing teaches patience and technique, while artificials let you cover water and trigger reaction strikes.
Black drum are the heavyweights of South Padre's inshore scene, with fish ranging from 5-pound "puppy" drum up to monsters pushing 40 pounds or more. These bottom-huggers love structure like jetties, reefs, and bridge pilings where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Spring and fall bring the best numbers, but you can find drum year-round if you know where to look. When a big drum takes your bait, there's no mistaking it – they pull hard and steady, using their broad sides to fight every inch of the way up. The thrill comes from that initial run and the arm-burning battle that follows.
Summer flounder, or "fluke" as many anglers call them, are the masters of disguise in these waters. They bury themselves in sand and mud along channel drops and ambush passing baitfish with lightning-quick strikes. Most South Padre flounder run 14-20 inches, with occasional doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds. Fall migration brings some of the best flounder action as fish fatten up before heading to deeper water. The challenge with flounder is feeling their subtle bite – they often just swim away with your bait rather than hammering it. Setting the hook requires good timing and a steady hand.
Spotted sea trout are probably the most popular target species around South Padre Island, and for good reason. These beautiful fish hit hard, jump when hooked, and make excellent table fare. They school up over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. Trout fishing peaks in spring and fall when water temperatures are ideal, but summer and winter can produce good action too. The spots along their silver sides make them easy to identify, and their willingness to hit topwater lures creates some of the most exciting fishing you'll find in the bay.
Redfish are the poster children for South Padre Island fishing – bronze-backed bulldogs that never give up without a fight. These fish patrol shallow flats, often in water so skinny you can see their backs breaking the surface. Slot-sized reds (20-28 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while oversized "bull" reds provide pure adrenaline with their blistering runs. Fall brings some of the best redfish action as schools of fish move through the area, but South Padre produces quality reds throughout the year. The sight of a red's broad tail disappearing into the grass after it crushes your lure will keep you coming back for more.
Captain Ruben Riojas has built his reputation on putting clients on fish and making sure everyone has a great time on the water. This 5-hour trip gives you the perfect taste of what South Padre Island fishing is all about – consistent action, beautiful scenery, and the chance to tangle with some seriously good fish. The flexible cancellation policy takes the pressure off, so you can book with confidence knowing you're covered if Mother Nature doesn't cooperate. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler, teach the kids how to fish, or just enjoy a day away from the dock, this charter delivers the goods. South Padre's fish are waiting – time to go get them.
Captain Ruben Riojas's 21-foot Shallow Sport flats boat cuts through South Padre's inshore waters like it was built for these exact conditions. This 2012 vessel draws just enough water to slip into those skinny flats where redfish and spotted sea trout love to hang out, while the 150HP Yamaha gives you plenty of power to cover ground when the fish are moving. The GPS keeps you on productive water, and with room for up to 5 anglers, there's space to work without bumping elbows. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working the grass beds for flounder, this boat gets you into fish-holding water that bigger rigs can't reach. The shallow draft design means accessing those back-country spots where black drum cruise the muddy bottoms, making it perfect for serious anglers who want to fish where the crowds can't follow.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90+. These powerful fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds around 2-6 feet deep. 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 with those crushing jaws built for crabs and oysters. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab and fish the incoming tide around oyster reefs. Keep your bait right on the bottom and be patient - these fish take their time inspecting before they commit to the bite.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature inshore species, easily recognized by that distinctive black spot near the tail and bronze-red coloring. Most run 20-30 inches, but the big bulls can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They cruise super shallow flats in 1-4 feet, often with their backs out of water around oyster bars and grass edges. Year-round fishing with peak action during warmer months when they're most active in the shallows. What guests love is sight-fishing to tailing reds and that powerful run when hooked. They're also excellent table fare when kept in slot. My go-to technique is working live shrimp or small crabs along drop-offs near structure on moving water - always position yourself upcurrent from where you expect them to be feeding.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, usually running 14-24 inches with those beautiful black spots scattered across their silver sides. They love grass flats and shallow bays in 2-8 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. Cool fronts in fall and winter concentrate them in deeper holes and channels where they school up tight. These fish hit hard and make solid runs, plus they're fantastic eating with tender white meat. The key to consistent trout fishing here is working the edges of grass beds with live shrimp under a popping cork. When the water's calm, try topwater plugs early morning - the strikes will wake you right up.
Paralichthys DentatusFlounder are the masters of camouflage on our sandy bottoms, typically running 15-20 inches but capable of much more. These flatfish ambush predators lie buried in sand waiting for baitfish to pass overhead. 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 explosive strike when they come off the bottom - plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: use a slow drift with live finger mullet or shrimp, and when you feel that subtle tap, give them a few seconds to turn the bait before setting the hook.
South Padre Island