Corpus Christi Scenic Inshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targeting redfish and speckled troutScenic fishing in calm shallow waters with wildlife viewingAll gear provided for groups up to 2 anglers
Picture this: you're casting into crystal-clear shallow waters while pelicans cruise overhead and dolphins occasionally surface nearby. That's what you get with Split Hook Guide Service's scenic inshore fishing trip in Corpus Christi. This half-day charter takes you into the area's most productive shallow bays and flats, where the fishing is hot and the scenery never gets old. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for a relaxing change of pace or someone who wants to combine great fishing with nature photography, this trip delivers on both fronts. The calm inshore waters make it perfect for anglers of all experience levels, and with just two spots available per trip, you'll get plenty of personal attention from your guide.
Your morning starts early as you meet your captain at the marina, ready to explore Corpus Christi's renowned inshore fishery. The boat heads out into the protected bays and grass flats where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout ambush baitfish around structure. These aren't deep-water fishing grounds – you're working in water that's often just 2-6 feet deep, which means you can actually see the fish you're targeting. The shallow nature of inshore fishing creates a totally different vibe than offshore trips. You're constantly reading the water, looking for nervous baitfish, tailing redfish, or birds working over schools of trout. Your guide knows exactly where to find the fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. Between the productive fishing spots, you'll cruise through scenic areas where the Texas coast shows off its wild side. Expect to see everything from roseate spoonbills to bottlenose dolphins, making this trip a photographer's dream as much as an angler's paradise.
Inshore fishing in Corpus Christi is all about finesse and reading the conditions. Your guide provides all the tackle you'll need, typically medium-light spinning rods paired with reels spooled with 15-20 pound braided line. The techniques vary throughout the day based on what's working. You might start with live bait – shrimp under popping corks around grass beds, or live croaker drifted along drop-offs where flounder hang out. When the fish are actively feeding, artificial lures come into play. Soft plastics rigged on jig heads are the go-to choice for working the grass flats, while topwater plugs create explosive strikes during the early morning bite. Your captain will teach you how to work these lures properly – the subtle twitches that make a soft plastic look like a wounded shrimp, or the steady retrieve that drives trout crazy when they're schooled up. The beauty of inshore fishing is that it's not about brute strength; it's about technique and presentation. Even if you've never touched a fishing rod before, your guide will have you casting like a pro by the end of the trip.
Sea Trout, also called speckled trout, are the bread and butter of Corpus Christi inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive black spots are aggressive feeders that love to ambush prey around grass beds and shell reefs. Most of the trout you'll catch range from 14-18 inches, though the bay holds some real wall-hangers pushing 25 inches or more. Spring and fall offer the best action, when cooler water temperatures have the trout feeding heavily. What makes specks so exciting to catch is their fighting style – they'll make long runs and jump clear out of the water when hooked. They're also excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite for anglers who want to take dinner home.
Redfish are the glamour species of Texas inshore fishing, and Corpus Christi's shallow flats are perfect redfish habitat. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats in small schools, often with their backs or tails visible above the surface. Reds in the 20-28 inch range are common, with fish in the slot limit providing fantastic fights on light tackle. What sets redfish apart is their power – when a good red takes off across a flat, it's like hooking a freight train. Fall is prime time for big schools of slot reds, while summer fishing focuses on individual fish or small pods working the shallows during low-light periods. The sight-fishing opportunities for redfish make every cast exciting, especially when you can watch a fish track down your lure.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise in Corpus Christi's inshore waters. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near drop-offs, ambushing unsuspecting prey that swims too close. While they might not be the flashiest fighters, flounder make up for it with their excellent eating quality and the challenge they present to anglers. Most flounder caught range from 15-20 inches, though the bay produces some doormat-sized fish exceeding 24 inches. The best flounder fishing typically occurs during their fall migration when fish move toward the gulf, concentrating around passes and channels. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the technique – you're often bouncing soft plastics along the bottom, feeling for that subtle thump that indicates a flounder has inhaled your lure.
This scenic inshore trip represents everything that makes Corpus Christi fishing special – diverse species, beautiful scenery, and the kind of personalized experience you can only get with a top-rated local guide. With gear provided and only two anglers per trip, you're guaranteed individual attention and the best chance at success. Whether you're looking to catch your first redfish, add to your speckled trout count, or simply enjoy a peaceful morning on the water, this charter delivers. The combination of productive fishing and scenic beauty makes it perfect for couples, friends, or anyone wanting a break from the everyday grind. Don't forget to bring your fishing license, camera, and appetite for adventure. Book your
Step aboard the 23' Stoner, a reliable 2020 motorboat that's built to handle Corpus Christi's inshore waters with ease. Powered by a strong 200HP Suzuki engine, this boat cuts through the bay at speeds up to 50 knots, getting you to the best fishing spots quickly. The shallow draft design makes it perfect for navigating those productive flats where redfish and speckled trout love to feed. With room for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without crowding. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold throughout the day, while the GPS navigation system helps locate those honey holes where the fish are biting. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water or drifting for trout over grass beds, this boat provides a stable, comfortable platform for a successful day on the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Corpus Christi flats fishing. These copper-colored bruisers typically range from 18-28 inches for slot fish, though we see plenty of bulls pushing 30+ inches. What sets them apart is that distinctive black eyespot near the tail and their love for super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy bottoms year-round, though fall brings the best action when they school up heavily. Reds are absolute bulldogs once hooked, making long runs and using their broad sides to fight hard. They're also excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. Here's a local secret: when you spot one tailing, cast well ahead of where it's moving and let your bait settle - they spook easily but can't resist a well-placed offering.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets here in Corpus Christi's shallow waters. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds, making them perfect for light tackle action. You'll find them cruising grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring are prime times when they school up in predictable spots. What makes specks so appealing is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're outstanding table fare with delicate, flaky white meat. My go-to trick is using a popping cork with live shrimp - the noise draws them in from a distance, and that subtle presentation seals the deal. They're scrappy fighters that'll give you multiple runs before coming to the boat.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise living right under your nose on our sandy and muddy bottoms. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some real doormat-sized fish over 20 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sand with just their eyes showing, waiting for shrimp, crabs, or small fish to wander by. You'll find them in 3-15 feet of water around structure changes - drop-offs, channel edges, and areas where sand meets grass. Fall through early winter is prime time as they fatten up before their offshore spawn. While they're not flashy fighters, flounder are prized for their mild, sweet meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. The trick is fishing slow with live finger mullet or shrimp right on bottom - when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook.
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