Pro-Level Inshore Fishing in Corpus Christi
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour charter targeting redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drumCaptain Cordon provides advanced techniques and proven fishing groundsProfessional-level trip accommodates up to four experienced anglers
Captain Cordon's full-day charter isn't for weekend warriors looking to wet a line. This 8-hour adventure targets serious anglers who know the difference between a decent day and a legendary haul. You'll be working the proven flats and back bays around Corpus Christi, chasing redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum with techniques that separate the pros from the amateurs. This top-rated charter accommodates up to 4 guests, so bring your crew or book solo for personalized attention. All tackle is provided, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one that's earned your trust.
Captain Cordon's approach is all about maximizing your time where the fish are biting. We're not burning daylight at tourist spots – you'll be hitting structure and grass beds that locals have worked for decades. The boat covers serious ground throughout the day, adapting to tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us. Early morning starts are common because that's when these species feed most aggressively. You'll be sight-casting to tailing reds, working soft plastics through oyster bars, and reading water like a map. This isn't a leisurely float – it's a focused fishing mission designed for anglers who appreciate strategy as much as action. The Texas coast around Corpus Christi offers some of the most productive inshore waters in the Gulf, and this charter puts you right in the heart of it.
We're talking pro-level approaches here – sight-fishing with polarized optics, working topwater plugs at first light, and switching between live bait and artificials based on what's producing. Captain Cordon provides quality spinning and baitcasting setups rigged for the species we're targeting. You'll learn to read subtle strikes on soft plastics, perfect your drift presentations, and understand how tide movement affects fish positioning. The boat carries everything from live shrimp and mud minnows to an arsenal of proven lures – gold spoons for reds, soft plastics for trout, and jigs for working structure where drum and flounder hold. This charter focuses on technique refinement and pattern recognition, skills that'll make you a better angler long after you leave Corpus Christi waters.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Corpus Christi's shallow flats provide world-class opportunities year-round. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in these waters, with bigger bull reds lurking near passes and deeper structure. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but summer mornings can produce spectacular sight-fishing when reds tail in skinny water. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and powerful runs – a hooked red will test your drag and your technique. They're also incredibly smart, requiring precise presentations and quality tackle to consistently fool.
Speckled trout behavior changes with the seasons, making them a fascinating target for serious anglers. Summer finds them in deeper grass beds and around structure, while cooler months bring them shallow to chase baitfish. These fish are notorious for subtle strikes that require sensitivity and quick hook-sets. Average specks run 14-18 inches, but Corpus Christi produces quality trout in the 20+ inch range that'll make your day memorable. They're pattern fish – once you dial in their preference for the day, multiple catches are common.
Summer flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying motionless on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting prey. These flatfish require patience and proper technique, but a quality doormat flounder is one of the most rewarding catches in these waters. They're most active during moving tides and prefer areas where current sweeps baitfish past their hiding spots. Flounder fishing teaches you to feel bottom composition through your rod tip and recognize the distinctive thump of a flatfish inhaling your bait.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with mature fish reaching 30+ pounds in Corpus Christi waters. These powerful fish love structure – oyster reefs, bridge pilings, and rocky areas where crabs and shellfish congregate. They're year-round residents but feed most aggressively during cooler months. What makes drum fishing special is the technique required – you need to get baits right on the bottom and be ready for a freight train run when they decide to move. Their fight is all about power and endurance, testing your equipment and your patience.
This isn't your typical tourist charter – it's designed for anglers who understand that great fishing requires skill, patience, and local knowledge. Captain Cordon's reputation speaks for itself, and spots on this renowned full-day trip fill quickly, especially during prime seasons. The combination of proven techniques, quality equipment, and access to productive waters makes this a customer favorite among serious fishing enthusiasts. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so book when you're committed to a day of professional-level fishing. Whether you're looking to improve your technique, target specific species, or simply enjoy a focused day on some of Texas's best inshore waters, this charter delivers the experience that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
This 2017 Haynie Cabin Cruiser is built for serious fishing in Corpus Christi's productive inshore waters. At 25 feet with a reliable 225HP Mercury engine, she'll get you to the prime redfish and speckled trout spots without breaking a sweat. The walkaround design gives you plenty of room to work the shallows and flats where these fish love to hunt. You'll have everything needed for a productive day - fish finder to locate schools, GPS to mark your hot spots, and a wireless trolling motor for those sneaky approaches in skinny water. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long Texas summer days on the bay. Perfect for targeting reds, specks, flounder, and black drum in the backwaters and grass flats around Corpus Christi.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some bulls pushing 90+. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths where they cruise around crushing crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're serious fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to smaller ones under 15 pounds for the table since the big ones get tough. Pro tip: use fresh crab on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom - they won't come up for it. When you feel that steady pull and hear the drumming through your rod, you know you've got one.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, averaging 20-30 inches with that signature copper color and black eyespot near the tail. These fish love super shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall when water temperatures are ideal. What makes reds special is their power and that distinctive tail-walking fight when hooked. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The real thrill is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water with topwater plugs or live shrimp. Local secret: look for nervous water and muddy spots where they're rooting around for crabs. When you spot one, cast ahead of where it's moving and be ready for an explosive strike.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish, typically 14-24 inches with those beautiful black spots along their silver sides. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water, especially around structure where baitfish gather. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they school up, and early morning or evening bites are usually most productive. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit artificials - they're aggressive feeders that'll crush topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp. The meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating you'll find. Here's a local trick: fish popping corks with live shrimp during moving water, but switch to soft plastics when it's calm. The key is matching your retrieve to their mood that day.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, typically running 15-20 inches though some doormat-sized fish hit 26 pounds. These flatfish are ambush predators that lie perfectly camouflaged waiting for baitfish, shrimp, and crabs to swim by. They're most active September through November when the water starts cooling and bait gets thick. What makes them special is that chameleon-like ability to change colors and that sideways bite - both eyes are on one side so they attack from an unusual angle. The meat is white, flaky, and excellent eating. Best technique here is drifting live finger mullet or shrimp on a circle hook, keeping it just off the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook hard - just lift and reel steady.
Corpus Christi