Morning Half Day Bay Fishing In Corpus Christi, TX
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Morning halfday inshore fishing trip for two guestsTarget redfish, sea trout, and black drum speciesAll fishing equipment provided by Southbound Fishing Charters
If you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer, you've found it right here in Corpus Christi Bay. This morning half-day trip with Southbound Fishing Charters puts you right where the fish are biting, without eating up your whole day. We're talking about a solid four hours on the water, chasing everything from chunky redfish to beautiful sea trout in some of the most productive shallow waters along the Gulf Coast. The morning bite is when these fish are most active, and with just two anglers max, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Your morning starts early – that's when the fish are hungry and the crowds haven't hit the water yet. We'll launch from one of Corpus Christi's prime boat ramps and head straight to the productive flats and grass beds where these inshore species love to hang out. The bay system here is absolutely loaded with structure – oyster reefs, drop-offs, and grass flats that hold fish year-round. You'll be fishing aboard a well-equipped bay boat that can get into skinny water where the big fish feel safe. All your tackle, rods, and bait are provided, so you just need to bring your Texas fishing license, some snacks, and plenty of water. The guide knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether they're schooled up in open water or tucked tight against the shoreline structure.
This is classic inshore fishing at its finest. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish want that day. Expect to throw everything from soft plastic tails under popping corks to live shrimp around structure. The water clarity and wind conditions dictate the approach, but your guide will have you rigged up with the right setup for the situation. Wade fishing might come into play if we find fish in super shallow water – there's nothing quite like sight-casting to a big red cruising the flats. The tackle is medium to medium-light spinning gear, perfect for the size fish we're targeting. You'll learn proper techniques for working soft plastics, setting the hook on trout, and fighting fish in shallow water without breaking them off on oyster shells.
Southern Flounder are the pancake-flat predators that love to bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure. These guys can get surprisingly heavy – a good flounder will go three to five pounds, and the big females can push eight pounds or more. Fall and winter are prime time for flounder, when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn. They're ambush feeders, so you'll be dragging baits right along the bottom near drop-offs and channel edges. What makes flounder so fun is the way they inhale your bait – one second you're bouncing bottom, the next you've got a heavy, head-shaking fish that fights like it's twice its size.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the bay, and Corpus Christi has some real tanks swimming around. These fish can range from small "puppy drum" at a couple pounds all the way up to massive 30-pound-plus fish that will test your drag system. They're bottom feeders with powerful mouths designed for crushing crabs and shellfish, so you'll often find them around oyster reefs and shell pads. Spring and fall see the best black drum action, and they're not picky eaters – cut bait, live shrimp, and even blue crabs will get their attention. When you hook into a big black drum, get ready for a long, grinding fight that will leave your arms burning.
King Mackerel might seem like an odd target for a bay trip, but Corpus Christi's proximity to deep water means these speedsters often chase bait right up to the jetties and nearshore areas. Kings are pure adrenaline – they'll smoke your drag on the initial run and then treat you to spectacular jumps as they try to throw the hook. Summer and early fall are when you're most likely to encounter kings, especially around the jetties and shipping channels. These fish require wire leaders because their teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. A good king will go 15 to 30 pounds, and they're absolutely fantastic on the dinner table when handled properly.
Sea Trout are probably the most consistent target in Corpus Christi Bay, and for good reason – they're beautiful fish, excellent table fare, and a blast to catch on light tackle. Speckled trout love grass beds, drop-offs, and areas with good current flow. They can be caught year-round, but spring and fall offer the best shot at bigger fish. A quality trout will run 15 to 20 inches, with the occasional "gator trout" pushing 25 inches or more. They're notorious for their soft mouths, so you'll learn the importance of a smooth drag and steady pressure. Trout are also one of the most versatile fish when it comes to techniques – they'll eat live bait, soft plastics, topwater plugs, and everything in between.
Cobia are the wild cards of the bay system – brown sharks with attitude that can show up anywhere, anytime. These fish are curious by nature and will often swim right up to the boat to check things out. Cobia can get massive, with fish over 40 pounds not uncommon in these waters. Spring through fall sees the best cobia action, especially around structure like channel markers, piers, and crab traps. They're sight-fishing targets when conditions are right, and watching a big cobia slowly rise from the depths to investigate your bait never gets old. These fish fight hard and dirty, using their broad tails and muscular bodies to maximum advantage.
The 25-foot Majek Xtreme cuts through Corpus Christi's shallow bay waters with its powerful 300HP Suzuki 4-stroke engine, getting you to the best fishing spots fast. This fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need for a productive morning on the water - GPS to find structure where redfish and sea trout hang out, VHF radio for safety, and a wireless trolling motor that lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them. The onboard multimedia system keeps things entertaining between bites. Built for serious bay fishing, this boat handles the Texas coast's varying water levels and gets you into those tight spots where the big drum like to feed. Perfect for two anglers who want to focus on filling the cooler with keeper-sized fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These powerful fish get their name from the drumming sounds they make, especially during spring spawning season. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow structure where they use crushing jaws to feed on crabs, oysters, and mollusks. Spring is peak time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. After that, they scatter and become trickier to find. Anglers love them because big drums provide serious fights, and smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, flaky meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab for bait since it stays on the hook better than softer baits, and make sure you're fishing right on the bottom where they feed.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are the bread and butter of our bay fishing. These beautiful fish typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, covered in distinctive black spots. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially around structure like reefs and drop-offs. You'll find them in 2-15 feet most of the year, though they move to deeper channels during winter cold fronts. Spring and fall produce the best action, but they bite year-round here in Corpus Christi. Anglers love specks because they're scrappy fighters, great table fare with tender white meat, and they'll hit both live bait and artificials. The key is fishing grass flats at dawn and dusk when they're most active. My go-to tip: work a soft plastic tail under a popping cork over grass beds. The noise draws them in from a distance.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these chocolate-colored bruisers average around 30-50 pounds but can hit 100+ pounds and 6 feet long. They're loners, rarely schooling except during spawning season from June through August. You'll spot them cruising just under the surface around reefs, wrecks, buoys, and other structure in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration and summer months are prime time when they move into our area. What makes cobia special is their incredible fight - they're strong, stubborn, and make long runs. Plus, they're arguably the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. Here's the secret: sight fishing is key. Once you spot one, cast a bucktail jig ahead of where it's swimming and work it back slowly. Don't worry about jig color - they're not picky.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your tackle and reflexes. These silvery rockets typically weigh around 30 pounds but can push 90+ pounds, with females growing much larger than males. We find them in 40-150 feet of water around structure, though bigger fish often move closer to inlets and harbors. They're voracious predators that feed on everything from blue runners to menhaden. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps hit 68-84°F. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they're among the fastest fish in the Gulf, matched only by wahoo. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling or smoking. Here's a local trick: rig two hooks on a wire leader when using live bait - one in the nose, one trailing behind. Kings often hit the tail section first, so that second hook saves a lot of missed fish.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are fascinating flatfish that usually run 15-18 inches, though bigger ones hit 30+ inches. They're masters of camouflage, burying in sand and mud bottoms with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. You'll find them in our shallow bay waters, especially around sandy flats and muddy areas where they hunt shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up before heading offshore. What makes them special is their unique appearance and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They fight surprisingly well for a flatfish too. Pro tip: when drift fishing, use live shrimp on a light jig head and work it slow along the bottom. Once you feel that subtle tap, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Corpus Christi