World Class Private Bay Fishing with Smith's Guiding
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour private fishing charter targeting redfish and speckled troutWade fishing or boat casting options in productive Baffin BayExpert guidance with live bait and artificial lures provided
Looking for a serious day on the water? This 8-hour private bay fishing trip puts you right in the heart of some of Texas's most productive fishing grounds. We're talking Baffin Bay, Laguna Madre, and the Land Cut – waters that have been producing trophy fish for decades. Captain Smith knows these flats like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on the fish. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to upgrade your game or a seasoned angler chasing that next personal best, this trip delivers. Just you and one fishing buddy, no crowds, no rushed schedule – just pure fishing time in waters that consistently produce.
This isn't your typical charter boat experience. We keep it intimate with just two anglers max, which means you get Captain Smith's full attention and the flexibility to fish exactly how you want. Feel like wading the grass flats for that perfect sight-cast? We'll anchor up and get you in the water. Want to work structure from the boat with live bait? No problem. The beauty of these bay systems is the variety – we can hit shallow flats in the morning when the trout are active, then move to deeper cuts for redfish as the day progresses. Eight hours gives us real time to explore different areas and adapt to what the fish are doing. The boat comes equipped with top-shelf tackle, but bring your own gear if you've got favorites. We'll have live shrimp, finger mullet, and a full spread of artificials ready to go. The key is staying mobile and reading the water – something Captain Smith has been doing in these bays for over 15 years.
The fishing style here is all about versatility. In the shallow grass flats, we're talking sight-casting with topwater plugs or soft plastics – watching for that telltale wake or copper flash that gives away a cruising red. The water clarity in Laguna Madre is legendary, so when conditions are right, it's like hunting with a fishing rod. For the deeper structure in the Land Cut, we'll switch gears to live bait rigs or heavier jigs that can get down to where the big trout hang out. Wade fishing is huge here, especially early morning or late afternoon when the fish move shallow to feed. We're equipped with medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle everything from schoolie trout to bull reds pushing 40 inches. The boat carries a full selection of MirrOlure plugs, Gulp! baits, and live bait setups. Captain Smith will match the technique to the conditions – if the wind's howling, we'll find protected water and adjust accordingly. That's the advantage of having eight hours and multiple fishing zones to work with.
Redfish are the crown jewel of these bay systems, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can show up anywhere from 6 inches of water to 15 feet deep, and they fight like they're twice their size. Spring and fall are prime time when the big breeding bulls move through, but we catch quality reds year-round. What makes them special here is the variety – you might sight-cast to a tailing red in the morning, then hook into a 35-inch bull later in the day. They're smart fish that will test your drag and your knots.
Speckled trout, or "specks" as the locals call them, are the bread and butter of Corpus Christi bay fishing. These spotted beauties are structure-oriented and love to hang around shell reefs, drop-offs, and grass lines. The best action typically happens during cooler months when they school up, but summer can produce some real giants if you know where to look. What anglers love about trout fishing here is the consistency – on a good day, you might boat 20 or more keepers, with a few pushing that magical 5-pound mark.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the bay system, and when you hook into a big one, you'll know it immediately. These bottom-huggers can exceed 40 pounds and will test every piece of tackle you've got. They're most active during their spring spawning runs, but we catch them throughout the year around oyster reefs and deeper channels. The fight is all about endurance – they don't jump like a red, but they'll pull steady and hard until your arms burn.
Summer flounder add an element of finesse to the mix. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. The Laguna Madre system produces some quality doormat flounder, especially around the deeper cuts and channel edges. They're seasonal visitors, most active during warmer months, and require a different approach – slower presentations with live bait or soft plastics bounced along the bottom. When you hook a good flounder, that head-shaking fight is unmistakable.
This 8-hour private bay fishing adventure gives you access to some of the Gulf Coast's most renowned fishing waters with a captain who lives and breathes these bays. You're not just booking a fishing trip – you're getting a masterclass in reading water, understanding fish behavior, and fishing multiple techniques in world-class habitat. The flexibility to fish your way, combined with the productivity of these waters, makes this a customer favorite for serious anglers. Captain Smith's local knowledge and willingness to adapt to conditions means you're always fishing the best available water. Whether you're looking to check some species off your bucket list or trying to land that personal best red, these Corpus Christi bays deliver. Don't wait for the perfect weather forecast – the fish are here year-round, and every day on the water teaches you something new. Book your spot and get ready to see why anglers travel from across the country to fish these Texas flats.
Step aboard our restored 2006 Tran Sport 25' center console bay boat, your ticket to Corpus Christi's best fishing waters. This versatile rig was completely refreshed in 2022 and runs on a reliable 250HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fish at 30 knots. Whether you're targeting reds in the shallows of Baffin Bay or hunting specks in Laguna Madre, this boat handles it all with ease. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, while our wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking wary fish in skinny water. Our fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure and baitfish, and GPS navigation ensures we hit all the productive spots. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh throughout the day. Built for serious bay fishing, this boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers but we keep groups at 2 for maximum fishing room and personalized attention. From wade fishing the grass flats to casting at structure from the deck, you'll have everything needed for a productive day chasing redfish, speckled trout, and black drum in some of Texas' most fish-rich waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our bays, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+ pounds. They love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-6 feet of water, using their powerful jaws to crush shellfish all day long. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater, which is pretty wild. These fish fight like bulldogs and will test your drag, but keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds for eating since the big ones get tough. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig right on the bottom - they can't resist it, and it stays put better than shrimp when the current's running strong.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, with that copper-bronze back and signature black spot near the tail. They typically run 18-35 inches in the bays and love cruising grass flats, oyster reefs, and shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. These fish fight like trucks - long, powerful runs that'll test your equipment. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, mild flesh. What makes them special is sight fishing - watching a red's back break the surface as it tails in skinny water gets your heart pumping every time. Pro tip: cast ahead of moving fish and let your bait sink naturally - they spook easily in shallow water, so patience pays off big time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Texas bay fishing, averaging 14-24 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their silvery sides. They love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall are prime time, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. These fish have a delicate mouth, so they're fun on light tackle and make excellent table fare with sweet, tender meat. During winter months, they school up in deeper channels where you can really load the boat. Here's a local secret: work your soft plastics under a popping cork real slow - the noise draws them in, but that subtle action below seals the deal.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish change colors to match the bottom and ambush prey from sandy spots. Most run 15-20 inches, but don't let their size fool you - they're aggressive predators that hit hard. Look for them on sandy flats and around channel edges in 8-20 feet of water. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. They're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The trick with flounder is using a slow retrieve with bucktail jigs or live minnows - let your bait hit bottom, then work it slow and steady. They'll often follow before striking, so be patient and keep that bait moving just off the sand.
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