Inshore Fishing Charter South Padre Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour private inshore charter targeting redfish, snook, and flounderArtificial lures and fly fishing only from specialized bay boatsAll tackle included, accommodates two guests with Captain Mark
Captain Mark's got you covered for a solid five-hour afternoon charter targeting some of the best inshore species South Texas has to offer. This private trip keeps things simple but effective – we're talking artificial lures and fly fishing only, which means you're going to learn real techniques that produce fish day after day. Whether you've been casting lines for decades or just picked up your first rod, this charter adapts to your skill level while putting you on productive water around South Padre Island's legendary flats.
You'll be fishing from either a 19-foot Mako Bay Boat or a Maverick HPX-T skiff, depending on wind and water conditions that day. Captain Mark knows these shallow waters like the back of his hand and picks the right boat to match the conditions and give you the best shot at your target species. The afternoon timing is perfect – you're hitting prime feeding windows when redfish are cruising the flats and snook are posted up around structure. All your gear is provided, so you just need to show up with your Texas saltwater license, some snacks, plenty of water, and good sun protection. Trust me on the sun protection – those flats will reflect UV all afternoon, and you don't want to spend your evening nursing a sunburn instead of planning your next trip.
This charter focuses on artificial lures and fly fishing gear, which means you're learning sustainable techniques that really work in these waters. Captain Mark will have you throwing topwater plugs, soft plastics, and spoons depending on what the fish are hitting that day. If you're into fly fishing, the shallow flats around South Padre are perfect for sight casting to cruising redfish and snook – there's nothing quite like watching a red come up and crush your fly in two feet of crystal clear water. The light tackle approach keeps the fight exciting, even on smaller fish, and gives you a real feel for what these species can do when they're hooked up and running.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise down here, laying flat against sandy bottoms until your lure comes drifting by. These fish typically run 14 to 20 inches, with some real doormat-sized specimens pushing the 24-inch mark. Fall and early winter are prime time for flounder, when they're staging near passes before heading to deeper water. What makes them so fun is that initial hit – flounder don't mess around when they decide to eat, and they'll put up a surprisingly good fight once hooked.
Snook are the crown jewel of South Texas inshore fishing, and South Padre Island sits right in their prime habitat. These fish love structure – docks, jetties, mangrove shorelines – anywhere they can ambush baitfish. They're most active during warmer months, from late spring through early fall, and they're notorious for their explosive strikes on topwater lures. A good snook will jump, run, and generally make you work for every inch of line you get back. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black lateral line and golden sides.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the flats, using their powerful tails to root around for crabs and shellfish in shallow water. You'll often hear them before you see them – that distinctive drumming sound they make is unmistakable. These fish can range from schoolie-sized 2-pounders to massive 30-plus-pound bulls that will test your drag and your patience. They're year-round residents, but spring brings the big spawning fish into shallower water where they're more accessible to light tackle anglers.
Tarpon show up in South Padre waters during the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall. Even the smaller tarpon you'll encounter here – usually in the 20 to 60-pound range – are absolute dynamite on light tackle. These fish are famous for their acrobatic fights, clearing the water multiple times and shaking their heads violently to throw the hook. Landing a tarpon on artificial lures is considered one of the top achievements in inshore fishing, and the waters around South Padre offer some of the most consistent tarpon action on the Texas coast.
Redfish are the bread and butter of South Texas inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive, relatively easy to locate, and put up a great scrap once hooked. Reds feed actively in shallow water, often with their backs and tails visible as they root around for crabs and shrimp. They're available year-round, but fall brings some of the best action as schools of bull reds move through the area. The slot-size fish – 20 to 28 inches – are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls provide pure sport fishing excitement.
This charter combines everything that makes South Padre Island fishing special – productive waters, diverse species, and techniques that actually work. Captain Mark's focus on artificials and fly fishing means you're not just catching fish, you're learning skills that will make you a better angler long after this trip ends. The private charter format keeps things relaxed and lets you fish at your own pace, whether you want to focus on technique or just enjoy being on the water. With only two spots available, this trip fills up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons. Book your afternoon on the flats and see why South Padre Island has earned its reputation as one of Texas's top inshore fishing destinations.
Your fishing platform for this South Padre Island adventure is a nimble 19' Mako bay boat that's perfectly suited for working the shallow flats and backwaters where redfish, snook, and flounder love to hide. This boat seats up to four anglers comfortably, though your charter accommodates two guests for optimal fishing space and personalized attention from Captain Mark. Powered by a reliable 115HP Mercury engine, this bay boat can cruise at 35 knots when you need to cover water quickly to reach the hottest fishing spots. The Mako's shallow draft design lets you slip into skinny water where bigger boats can't go – exactly where those trophy reds cruise the grass flats during high tide. Built specifically for inshore fishing, the boat delivers the stability you need for accurate casting while maintaining the maneuverability to follow schools of fish or position perfectly for that money shot at a tailing redfish. The GPS navigation system keeps Captain Mark on top of productive structure and helps mark new fishing spots as conditions change throughout your five-hour charter. Whether you're sight-casting with artificials or working a fly rod, this Mako provides the steady platform and quick repositioning capability that makes the difference between watching fish and catching them in South Texas waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of the flats - powerful fish that can really test your drag system. These grey-black fish cruise oyster beds and muddy bottoms in shallow water, using their strong jaws to crush shellfish and crabs. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater, especially during spring spawning season when they school up in big numbers. Most range 5-15 pounds, but we hook into some 30+ pounders that feel like trying to stop a freight train. They're great eating when under 15 pounds - bigger ones get tough. Spring is prime time when they congregate in shallow areas and are easier to target. After spawning, they scatter and become trickier to find. These fish are built for the bottom, so your presentation needs to stay down there. Keep your bait or fly right on the deck - that's where they feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our bread and butter species - bronze-colored fish with distinctive black spots near the tail that cruise the shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water. They love oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy areas where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Most run 18-28 inches, perfect slot fish that fight hard and taste great. You can target them year-round, but fall and winter offer some of the best shallow-water action when they school up. What makes them so popular is their aggressive nature - they'll hit topwater lures, jigs, and flies with explosive strikes. The fight is solid too, with strong runs and head shakes. Those black spots aren't just for looks - they fool predators into attacking the wrong end. Watch for wakes and tailing fish in skinny water, then make your cast ahead of them.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate sight-fishing target with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. They love structure - mangrove shorelines, docks, jetties, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. Most of our fish run 20-28 inches, but we see plenty in the 30+ inch range. They're temperature sensitive, so warmer months from May through September are best, especially around new and full moons when they spawn near passes. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make powerful runs toward cover. The meat is fantastic eating with a clean, mild flavor. They change from male to female as they mature, so those bigger fish are usually females. My secret: cast tight to structure and be ready for that immediate hookset when they hit.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish can change color to match the bottom they're lying on. You'll find them buried in sand and mud throughout our shallow bays, usually in 2-6 feet of water around structure like oyster reefs and grass beds. They're ambush predators with both eyes on one side of their head, waiting to grab shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some pushing 25+ inches. Fall and winter are prime time when they move toward passes heading offshore to spawn. What makes them fun is the surprise factor - you never know when that "stick" on the bottom will turn into a nice flatfish. They're excellent table fare too. Pro tip: work your lure slowly along the bottom and pause it often - that's when they strike.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing - pure adrenaline on a fly rod or light tackle. These prehistoric giants average 80-100 pounds but can reach 200+ pounds and 6+ feet long. They roll and gulp air at the surface in our warm shallow waters, especially around channels and deeper pockets. Late spring through summer brings the best action when they migrate through our area. What makes them legendary is their acrobatic fight - multiple jumps that can reach 10 feet high at 35 mph. Most anglers practice catch and release since they're bony and not great eating, plus they're slow-growing fish that can live 50+ years. The bigger ones are usually females that don't mature until 7-13 years old. When you hook one, keep your rod tip down during those jumps - that's when they throw the hook most often.
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