Extended Inshore Fishing Charter in Port Isabel
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday 10hour inshore charter targeting multiple speciesExpert guides provide local knowledge and quality fishing gearSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests
Port Isabel's inshore waters are pure gold for anglers who know where to look, and this 10-hour charter puts you right in the thick of the action. Starting at 7 a.m., you'll spend a full day working the flats, channels, and structure where redfish, snook, and black drum call home. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking serious fishing time with seasoned guides who've been reading these waters for years. Perfect for two anglers who want to dive deep into what makes the Texas Gulf Coast one of the top-rated fishing destinations along the entire coastline.
You'll be fishing the productive inshore zones around Port Isabel, where the Laguna Madre system creates perfect habitat for our target species. The day kicks off early because that's when fish are most active, especially during warmer months. Your guide knows every oyster reef, grass flat, and drop-off that holds fish, so expect to move around and work different techniques throughout the day. The boat comes equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle – everything's rigged and ready so you can focus on fishing instead of fumbling with gear. These extended trips give you time to really dial in your technique and put multiple species in the cooler, something you just can't accomplish on shorter outings.
Inshore fishing around Port Isabel means versatility is key. You'll be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to working soft plastics along drop-offs and structure. The guides rig up medium-action spinning rods with 20-30 lb braided line – perfect for fighting big reds in shallow water without losing fish to structure. Expect to work topwater plugs early in the morning when fish are feeding actively on the surface, then transition to bottom rigs and live bait as the sun gets higher. The beauty of a 10-hour trip is having time to master different presentations. When the bite slows in one spot, you'll move to new water and adjust tactics accordingly.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Port Isabel inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up a fight that'll test your drag system. Most reds here run 20-28 inches, with plenty of slot fish perfect for the dinner table. They're year-round residents, but fall months bring the best action when schools of bull reds move through the area. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, tailing in knee-deep water, and ganged up around oyster reefs. What makes redfish so special is their aggressive nature – they'll crush topwater lures, inhale live bait, and fight dirty all the way to the boat.
Snook fishing in Port Isabel is some of the best you'll find along the Texas coast, especially around the jetties and deeper channels. These silver rockets are ambush predators that love structure, and when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. They'll jump, run, and try every trick in the book to throw your hook. Most snook here range from 18-26 inches, with occasional giants pushing 30-plus. Summer months are prime time when water temperatures hit their sweet spot, but skilled guides can put you on snook almost any time of year. The key is working live bait around pilings, rocks, and drop-offs where they wait to ambush smaller fish.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're absolute bulldogs when it comes to fighting power. These bottom-dwelling heavyweights use their broad tails and stocky build to wage war in the shallow flats. Port Isabel's drum fishery is world-class, with fish ranging from puppy drum around 16 inches up to monster bulls exceeding 40 pounds. Spring months bring the biggest concentrations as drum move into shallow water to spawn. They're suckers for fresh-cut crab and live shrimp fished on the bottom near oyster bars and muddy flats.
This extended charter gives serious anglers the chance to experience Port Isabel's renowned inshore fishing without feeling rushed. Ten hours on the water means you'll work through different tides, try multiple techniques, and have real opportunities at personal-best fish. The two-angler capacity keeps things intimate and ensures plenty of rod time for everyone aboard. Your guides bring the local knowledge and quality equipment – you bring the enthusiasm and cooler space for your catch. Don't let another season slip by without experiencing what many consider the best inshore fishing the Texas coast has to offer.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of our inshore waters - not the prettiest fish, but they'll give you an arm-burning fight. These gray-black bruisers typically weigh 10-30 pounds around Port Isabel, with some monsters pushing 50+ pounds. They're bottom feeders that love oyster beds, muddy flats, and anywhere they can crush shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What's cool about drum is that drumming sound they make - you can actually hear them underwater. The smaller ones are great eating, but anything over 15 pounds gets tough and fishy. For the best success, use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom. Keep your bait right on structure and be patient - when a big drum picks up your bait, it feels like you've hooked a truck.
Sciaenops OcellatusThese copper-colored beauties are what put Port Isabel on the map for inshore fishing. Redfish typically run 20-35 inches around here, with that distinctive black spot near their tail that fools predators. You'll find them cruising the shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, especially around oyster reefs and grass beds where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall gives you the best action, but they bite year-round in our mild Texas waters. What makes reds special is that explosive strike when they hit topwater lures in skinny water - plus they're fantastic eating with that mild, sweet flavor. My go-to tip: when you spot one tailing in the shallows, cast your shrimp or spoon about three feet ahead of where it's heading and let it sink to the bottom.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore prize fish - sleek, silver missiles with that bold black lateral line running down their sides. Most of ours run 18-30 inches, though the big females can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They love hanging around structure like mangroves, docks, and bridge pilings where they ambush baitfish. Best fishing happens during warmer months when water temps stay above 70 degrees. What gets anglers hooked on snook is their attitude - they fight dirty, jumping and making runs toward cover to break you off. Plus, they're temperature-sensitive, so you really have to work for them. The meat is excellent too, firm and white. Here's my local secret: fish live shrimp or small plugs right against the mangrove roots at dawn or dusk. Cast tight to cover and be ready for that crushing strike.
Port Isabel