Corpus Christi Family Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting Redfish, Sea Trout, and FlounderFamilyfriendly charter suitable for all ages and skill levelsAll fishing gear provided with crew assistance for beginners
Looking for a fishing trip that works for everyone in the family? This half-day inshore charter out of Corpus Christi is exactly what you need. We're talking about relaxed fishing in some of Texas's most productive shallow waters, where kids can actually catch fish and parents don't have to worry about rough seas or complicated techniques. Captain Split Hook has been running these family-friendly trips for years, and he knows exactly how to keep everyone engaged – whether you're dealing with a excited 8-year-old or a nervous first-timer who's never held a rod. The boat stays close to shore in the protected bays and flats around Corpus Christi Bay, targeting species that actually bite and fight hard enough to get everyone pumped up. All your gear is provided, the crew handles the messy stuff, and you just focus on having a good time on the water.
This isn't one of those marathon fishing trips where you're out there all day getting sunburned and cranky. We're talking about a solid half-day on the inshore flats and grass beds where the fish actually live. The boat launches right from downtown Corpus Christi, so you're fishing productive water within 15 minutes of leaving the dock. Captain Split Hook runs a clean, well-maintained inshore boat that's perfect for families – stable enough that nobody's getting seasick, but shallow-draft enough to get into those back-country spots where the big reds and trout hang out. The pace is relaxed but focused. Your guide knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish while keeping things fun and educational. Kids love learning about the different species, and adults appreciate the local knowledge about tides, structure, and seasonal patterns. The crew handles all the net work, unhooking, and fish care, so parents can focus on helping their kids and actually enjoying the experience instead of wrestling with tackle.
We fish light tackle here – think spinning reels loaded with 15-20 pound braid, matched to 7-foot medium-action rods that are perfect for both kids and adults. The techniques are straightforward and effective: live shrimp under popping corks for trout, soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom for redfish and flounder. Nothing fancy, nothing that requires years of practice to master. Your guide provides all the tackle, bait, and terminal gear, plus he'll retie rigs as needed throughout the trip. The boat is rigged with a shallow-water anchor system, so when we find fish, we stay put and work the area thoroughly. Most of the fishing happens in 2-6 feet of water over grass beds, oyster reefs, and sandy potholes – classic inshore habitat that holds fish year-round. The captain uses his trolling motor to position the boat perfectly, and he's constantly reading the water, looking for diving birds, bait schools, and subtle structure changes that most anglers would miss. Live bait is the go-to here, mainly live shrimp from local bait camps, but we'll also throw artificials when the fish are aggressive or when kids want to try something different.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Corpus Christi inshore fishing, and they're perfect for family trips. These silvery fighters typically run 14-18 inches in these waters, with the occasional 3-4 pounder that'll make everyone on the boat take notice. Trout are most active during the cooler parts of the day and love to hang around grass beds where they can ambush baitfish. What makes them great for families is their willingness to bite – they're aggressive feeders that'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater lures with equal enthusiasm. The fight is honest but not overwhelming for kids, and they make excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few for dinner. Spring and fall are prime time, but you can catch keeper trout in these bays pretty much year-round.
Redfish are the showstoppers of Texas inshore fishing, and the Corpus Christi area produces some beauties. These copper-colored bruisers typically range from 20-28 inches in the slot, with broad shoulders and serious pulling power that gets everyone excited. Reds are ambush predators that cruise the flats looking for crabs, shrimp, and small fish, and they're famous for their bulldogging fights and surprising speed in shallow water. What kids love about redfish is how you can actually see them sometimes – watching a big red crush a topwater plug in 2 feet of clear water is something they'll talk about for months. These fish are available year-round, but fall is when they really turn on, schooling up in the bays before their offshore spawning runs. The slot limit protects the breeding stock while ensuring plenty of keeper-sized fish for anglers.
Southern Flounder are the sneaky stars of the inshore scene, and they're perfect for teaching kids about different fishing techniques. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottoms near structure where they wait to ambush passing prey. Flounder typically run 14-18 inches in these waters, and while they're not flashy fighters, they're steady pullers that telegraph every head shake through the rod tip. What makes them special is the challenge of the catch – flounder have soft mouths and tend to bite light, so kids learn to feel the subtle pickup and set the hook at just the right moment. They're most active during cooler months when they stage near bay mouths preparing for their offshore spawning migration. Flounder are also outstanding table fare, with firm white meat that even picky eaters love.
This family fishing charter fills up fast, especially during school breaks and summer months when families are looking for fun activities that work for all ages. Captain Split Hook only takes 2 guests per trip, which means personalized attention and plenty of room to move around the
This sleek 23-foot Stoner motorboat is your ticket to Corpus Christi's prime inshore fishing spots. Built in 2020 and powered by a reliable 200HP Suzuki engine, she'll cruise comfortably at speeds up to 50 knots, getting your family to the fish faster. The spacious deck accommodates up to 4 anglers with plenty of room to cast and fight those stubborn redfish. GPS navigation keeps us on the productive flats where sea trout and flounder love to hide. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those hot Texas afternoons. Perfect for families wanting to experience the excellent inshore fishing that makes Corpus Christi famous – from shallow grass flats to productive drop-offs where the big speckled trout patrol.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed Drum are the backbone of our inshore fishing here in Corpus Christi. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. Look for that distinctive black spot near their tail - it's their trademark. They love super shallow water, often in just 1-4 feet around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy bottoms. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active, but you can catch them year-round. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll pull hard and make long runs. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. These fish aren't picky eaters, so everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs works. Here's a local trick: when you spot them tailing in shallow water, cast past them and slowly work your bait back - they spook easy if you land right on top of them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are one of our most consistent catches year-round. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They're perfect for families since they bite readily and put up a decent fight without being too overwhelming for kids. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - great table fare if you don't overcook it. During cooler months, they school up in deeper water, but spring through fall they're scattered in 2-4 feet of water. Pro tip: when fishing grass flats at night, listen for them "popping" shrimp on the surface - that's your cue to cast a topwater lure their way.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are the masters of disguise on our bay bottoms. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and around 3-5 pounds, though we catch some pushing 8+ pounds during the cooler months. They bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to ambush passing shrimp, crabs, and small fish. You'll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms in 3-15 feet of water, especially near structure like jetties, reefs, and channel edges. Fall is absolutely prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn. Families love targeting flounder because they're great eating - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat fried up fresh. The trick is patience since they often just mouth the bait before committing. My go-to technique is drifting live bull minnows or shrimp on a Carolina rig, keeping it right on bottom. When you feel that tap-tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait around and swallow it properly.
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