5.0(1 Reviews)Full-Day Inshore Fishing South Padre Island
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday private charter targeting snook, redfish, and flounder inshoreArtificial and fly fishing only with light tackle providedEight hours covering multiple spots with experienced Captain Mark
Captain Mark's 8-hour charter puts you right in the heart of South Padre Island's legendary inshore fishery. This isn't your typical half-day trip—we're talking about a serious day on the water targeting some of the most sought-after species in Texas. You'll be working the flats, channels, and structure where Snook, Redfish, and Flounder call home. With artificials and fly gear only, this charter is built for anglers who want to test their skills and put in the work. The extended time on the water means we can hit multiple spots, adjust to conditions, and really dial in on what's working. Pack your patience along with your enthusiasm—the best catches often come to those willing to grind it out all day.
This private charter maxes out at two anglers, so you're getting Captain Mark's full attention and expertise. We'll launch early and spend the entire day working South Padre's productive inshore waters. The focus is on light tackle and fly fishing—no live bait or cut bait on this trip. You'll be casting artificials like soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons, or working a fly rod if that's your preference. All gear is provided, but feel free to bring your favorite rods if you've got them. We'll cover different water throughout the day—shallow flats where Redfish cruise, deeper channels that hold Snook, and sandy bottoms where Flounder ambush prey. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is the flexibility to move around and adapt. If the morning bite is slow in one area, we've got plenty of time to relocate and find where the fish are feeding.
Captain Mark keeps the boat stocked with quality light tackle rigs perfect for inshore work. We're talking spinning reels loaded with 15-20 pound braid, matched to rods that have enough backbone for big Reds but still let you feel every bump from a Flounder. The artificial selection covers all the bases—paddle tails in natural colors for working structure, topwater baits for those heart-stopping surface strikes, and jigs for bouncing bottom. If you're into fly fishing, the setup includes 8-weight rods with intermediate lines and a box full of Clouser minnows, crab patterns, and shrimp flies. The key to success here is matching your presentation to the conditions. Morning might call for topwater action as Redfish push bait in the shallows, while midday often means working deeper with soft plastics. Captain Mark reads the water like a book and will put you on the right technique at the right time. Don't be afraid to ask questions—he's always willing to share what he's learned from years of working these waters.
"Captain Mark was outstanding—knowledgeable, skilled, well-equipped, and most importantly, had a fantastic attitude. He took us to all the right spots at the perfect time of the season, and the great weather made the experience even better. Throughout the day, we had great conversations and enjoyed the incredible wildlife, which added to the adventure. While we didn't land a Snook, Captain Mark gave it his all, and we still managed to boat three keeper-sized fish while spotting plenty more. My only small suggestion would be to mix up the techniques if one approach isn't working, perhaps trying live or cut bait. But overall, it was an excellent trip. I've booked many charters, and this was one of my top experiences. I'd absolutely go out with Captain Mark again and highly recommend him!" - Conrad
Snook are the crown jewel of South Padre's inshore scene, and for good reason. These ambush predators love structure—docks, jetties, mangrove lines, and channel edges where they can pin baitfish against cover. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs that'll test your drag system. Best action typically comes during warmer months when water temps stay above 60 degrees. Snook are incredibly line-shy, so light leaders and natural presentations are crucial. When you hook one, expect a fight that combines the power of a Redfish with the aerial acrobatics of a Tarpon. They're catch and release only, but the memory of a big Snook crushing a topwater plug will stick with you forever.
Redfish are the bread and butter of South Padre inshore fishing, and they're here year-round in good numbers. These copper-colored bulldogs can be found tailing in inches of water or schooled up in deeper channels. What makes Reds so special is their willingness to eat artificials and their never-give-up attitude once hooked. A slot-sized Red will make multiple runs, often heading straight for the nearest structure to try and break you off. They're not picky eaters, but matching the hatch with your soft plastic colors can make the difference between a slow day and a banner trip. The 28-inch slot limit means you might catch several before finding a keeper, but each fight is just as fun as the last.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise in these waters, lying buried in sand waiting for an easy meal to swim by. They're typically found around channel edges, drop-offs, and areas where current brings food to them. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique—you'll be bouncing jigs or slowly working soft plastics along the bottom. The bite is often subtle, just a slight weight on your line that could be anything from a small Flounder to a doormat pushing 5+ pounds. Fall months are prime time when these flatfish are fattening up before their offshore spawning run. A fresh Flounder fillet is tough to beat at the dinner table, making them a favorite target for anglers looking to bring home some quality eating.
Crevalle Jack bring the power game to South Padre's inshore waters. These silver torpedoes travel in schools
This 19' Mako bay boat is your ticket to South Padre's prime inshore fishing grounds. With a 115HP Mercury engine pushing you to 35 knots, you'll cover serious water chasing snook, redfish, and flounder in the back bays. The boat seats four but we keep it intimate with just two anglers, giving you plenty of room to work those artificial lures and fly rods without bumping elbows. Captain Mark knows these flats like the back of his hand, and the GPS keeps you locked onto those honey holes when the bite gets hot. The stable hull handles choppy water with ease while staying nimble enough to slide into skinny spots where the big reds like to prowl. Perfect platform for light tackle work and fly fishing – you'll have space to make those long casts and fight fish properly. The onboard kitchen keeps snacks and drinks handy during those long stretches between bites.
Caranx HipposJack Crevalle are the bulldogs of the flats - pure muscle and attitude packed into a brassy, golden package. Most of our jacks run 3-8 pounds, but we hook into some real bruisers pushing 15-20 pounds that'll test your drag system. They roam both shallow flats and deeper channels, often in schools that crash baitfish at the surface. Look for diving birds - that's your jackpot. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're most active in our warmer waters. Anglers love them because they fight way above their weight class and never give up. They're not the prettiest on the plate, but the battle more than makes up for it. These aggressive predators will hit almost anything that moves fast enough. They're curious fish too - sometimes they'll follow your lure right to the boat. Here's what works: when you find a school, cast past them and retrieve fast with erratic action. Jacks love the chase, and that aggressive retrieve triggers their predatory instincts better than anything.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing here at South Padre, and they're perfect for our artificial-only approach. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-30 inches, with that distinctive black spot near their tail. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out - hunting around oyster bars, grass flats, and drop-offs. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring are phenomenal when they school up. What makes them so popular is their willingness to eat artificials, strong fights, and excellent table fare. They're not picky eaters and will smash topwater plugs, soft plastics, and spoons with equal enthusiasm. The sight-fishing can be addictive when you spot their tails or backs in skinny water. These fish can live 40+ years and stay fairly close to where they were born. Here's my local trick: look for nervous baitfish or slight color changes in the water - reds push a small wake when they're hunting, and that's your cue to make a long cast ahead of them.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most prized gamefish here around South Padre, and for good reason. These sleek predators typically run 18-28 inches in our waters, with that unmistakable black lateral line and golden coloring. They love structure - mangroves, docks, jetties, and grass lines in 2-6 feet of water. Temperature is everything with snook; they're most active when water temps are between 70-85°F, making late spring through early fall our best window. What gets anglers hooked is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw your lure. Plus, they're outstanding table fare when kept within regulations. These fish are ambush predators, so they position near cover and wait for baitfish to swim by. My go-to technique is working the edges of structure with soft plastics or topwater plugs early morning or late evening. Here's the key: make your retrieve erratic and keep it moving - snook love the chase.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms where they blend in perfectly. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, but we catch some beauties up to 25+ inches in our waters. What makes them unique is having both eyes on their left side and that signature camouflage ability. They love shallow bay areas, especially around structure like docks and drop-offs where they ambush prey. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward passes for spawning. Anglers love them because they're great table fare with sweet, white meat. They fight differently than other fish - more of a bulldogging battle than flashy jumps. Here's my tip: when you feel that thump, don't set the hook immediately. Let them turn and swim with it for a count or two, then set firm. They have that big mouth but sometimes just grab the tail of your bait.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters, and seeing one roll or jump never gets old. These ancient fish can reach massive sizes - we regularly see 4-6 footers weighing 80-150 pounds around South Padre. They prefer shallow flats, channels, and near-shore waters, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our area. What draws anglers from everywhere is that first jump - pure power and grace that'll test every bit of your tackle and skill. They're not great eating due to their bony meat, so most folks target them purely for the sport. These prehistoric fighters have been around for 125 million years, and when you hook one, you'll understand why they're on every angler's bucket list. Here's what I tell my guests: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the fish - lower your rod tip toward them to give slack and prevent throwing the hook. It goes against every instinct, but it works.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Mark was outstanding—knowledgeable, skilled, well-equipped, and most importantly, had a fantastic attitude. He took us to ...
Texas