Full Day Family Fishing in Corpus Christi
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour family fishing adventure targeting redfish and speckled troutCaptain Cordon provides patient guidance for beginners and childrenAll fishing gear included for up to four guests
Looking for a solid day on the water that won't stress out the kids or overwhelm first-time anglers? Captain Cordon's 8-hour family fishing adventure checks all the boxes. This isn't your typical rushed charter where you're fighting big waves and complicated techniques. We're talking calm inshore waters, patient instruction, and plenty of opportunities for everyone to get their line tight. The Corpus Christi bay system is perfect for this kind of fishing – protected waters mean comfortable conditions, and the variety of species keeps things interesting from sunrise to sunset.
This top-rated charter runs a full 8 hours, giving your family plenty of time to settle in and really enjoy the experience. Captain Cordon knows these waters like the back of his hand, and more importantly, he gets how to work with families. No yelling, no impatience when someone tangles their line for the third time. The boat accommodates up to 4 guests comfortably, so there's room to spread out without feeling cramped. You'll be targeting the bread-and-butter species of the Texas coast – redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum. These fish are abundant, fun to catch, and perfect for building confidence in new anglers. The scenic Texas coastline provides a beautiful backdrop, but honestly, once the fish start biting, you won't be thinking much about the scenery.
All your fishing gear is included, which takes a huge burden off families who don't want to invest in equipment they might only use once a year. Captain Cordon sets everyone up with appropriate tackle – lighter rods for the kids, properly balanced setups for adults. The techniques are straightforward: mostly live bait and soft plastics worked around structure and grass flats. No complicated trolling patterns or technical jigging that requires years of experience. You'll learn how to work a shrimp under a popping cork, how to feel the difference between a fish bite and bottom contact, and maybe pick up some tips on reading the water. The inshore environment is forgiving – shallow flats, protected bays, and visible structure that makes it easier to understand why fish hold in certain spots. Captain Cordon explains what he's doing as he moves between spots, so you're learning the bay system while you fish.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive, relatively easy to hook, and put up a memorable fight without being overwhelming for younger anglers. They're available year-round in Corpus Christi, though fall and winter often produce the best action when schools of slot-sized fish move through the shallows. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat – they're not particularly picky about baits, and they often give you multiple chances if you miss the first hookset. Plus, they're beautiful fish that photograph well for those family memories.
Speckled trout are the other mainstay of Texas bays, and they're perfect for teaching finesse fishing. These fish require a bit more subtlety than redfish – lighter tackle, softer presentations, and attention to the bite. They're most active during cooler months and early morning or evening periods during summer. What anglers love about specks is the variety in size and the fact that they often travel in schools. When you find one, you've usually found several. They're also excellent eating, making them a customer favorite for families planning a fish dinner.
Flounder might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're among the most rewarding to catch. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure. The bite is often subtle – more of a weight on the line than a sharp strike. Learning to detect and hookset on flounder teaches patience and line sensitivity that makes you a better angler overall. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage near passes before heading offshore to spawn. They're also world-class table fare, with sweet, white meat that converts even non-fish eaters.
Black drum are the workhorses of the bay system – reliable, hard-fighting, and available in good numbers throughout the year. Larger drum provide serious pulling power that can test your drag and fighting technique, while smaller specimens are perfect for kids who want to feel something strong on the other end. They're bottom feeders with excellent senses of smell and taste, making them suckers for fresh shrimp and cut bait. What makes black drum special is their consistency – when other species are finicky due to weather or seasonal changes, drum are usually willing to cooperate.
Captain Cordon's family-friendly approach and patient teaching style make this charter a standout choice for mixed-age groups or anyone new to saltwater fishing. The 8-hour format gives you real value – enough time to try different techniques, move between productive areas, and let everyone in the family have success. The calm inshore waters mean you can focus on fishing instead of fighting seasickness, and the variety of target species keeps things interesting all day. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. But honestly, with Corpus Christi's consistent fishing and Captain Cordon's local knowledge, you're setting yourself up for the kind of day that has families planning their return trip before they even reach the dock.
Hit the productive inshore waters of Corpus Christi aboard this well-equipped 2017 Haynie Cabin Cruiser. This 25-footer handles beautifully with its 225HP Mercury engine, getting you to the best redfish and speckled trout spots quickly and comfortably. The walkaround design gives everyone room to move around and fish, while the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the full 8-hour day. Captain Cordon knows exactly where to find the fish, using the onboard fish finder and GPS to put you on redfish, sea trout, flounder, and black drum. The wireless trolling motor lets you work the shallows quietly without spooking fish. Perfect setup for families wanting a relaxed day on the Texas coast with plenty of fishing action in calm, protected waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black powerhouses love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with those strong jaws. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. They're scrappy fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. For best results, fish fresh crab on the bottom around oyster reefs - they can't resist it and catfish won't steal your bait like they do with shrimp.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water flats, easily spotted by that distinctive black spot near their copper-colored tails. Most fish we catch run 20-30 inches, but these bronze beauties can grow into real monsters over 40 inches in deeper water. They love super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and grass beds where they'll cruise with their backs out of water hunting crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing here in Corpus Christi with spring and fall being peak seasons. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike and bulldog fight that'll test any angler. Smaller reds are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. My go-to trick: look for nervous water and birds working, then throw topwater lures ahead of cruising schools.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our Corpus Christi flats, running 14-24 inches with those distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. They love grass flats in 2-4 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall offer the best action, though they bite year-round in our Texas waters. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their respectable fight for their size. The meat is tender and flaky - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Pro tip: work topwater plugs early morning over grass beds, then switch to soft plastics as the sun gets higher and they move to deeper edges.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, changing colors to match their surroundings perfectly. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and are active ambush predators that'll nail anything from live baitfish to sea worms. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're most active and feeding heavily before winter. What makes them special is that explosive bite when they come up off the bottom - plus they're some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, white meat. Here's a local trick: when using live bait, hook it through the lips and let it swim just above the bottom where flounder are waiting to strike.
Corpus Christi