5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Morning Fishing Trip In South Padre Island
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday morning inshore fishing charter for two guestsTarget redfish, trout, flounder using light tackle techniquesProfessional guide provides equipment and local expertise
If you're looking for a solid inshore fishing experience that actually puts fish in the boat, Captain Steve's half-day morning trips out of South Padre Island deliver exactly what serious anglers want. These aren't tourist trap boat rides – they're legitimate fishing charters focused on getting you hooked up with the best inshore species the Texas Gulf Coast has to offer. You'll be fishing the productive shallow waters where redfish cruise the grass flats and speckled trout stack up in the deeper pockets, all while learning from a captain who knows these waters like his own backyard.
Your morning starts early at the boat launch, where Captain Steve has everything ready to roll. The boat's equipped with quality tackle, fresh bait, and all the gear you need for a successful day targeting the flats and bay system around South Padre. This is intimate fishing at its best – just you and one other angler, which means personalized attention and more shots at prime fishing spots. The waters here are typically calm in the mornings, making it perfect for light tackle work and giving you a real feel for each fish you hook. Depending on what's biting and the seasonal patterns, you'll be drift fishing over structure, working the grass beds, or bottom fishing where the bigger drum like to hang out. Captain Steve reads the water conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly, so you're always fishing where the action is hottest.
This charter focuses on proven light tackle methods that work consistently in South Padre's inshore waters. You'll be using both live bait and artificial lures, depending on what the fish are showing interest in that day. Drift fishing is a major part of the program here – letting the boat move naturally with the current while you work baits at different depths to locate active schools. When the trout are fired up, nothing beats a well-presented soft plastic or live shrimp drifted through their feeding zone. Bottom fishing comes into play when targeting the bigger species like black drum and sheepshead around structure. Captain Steve provides all the tackle, but if you have favorite lures or specific gear preferences, bring them along. The shallow bay system around South Padre is perfect for sight fishing when conditions allow, and there's nothing quite like watching a big red crush your bait in two feet of crystal clear water.
"This is our second trip with Captain Steven Hillary and won't be our last. Steven does not disappoint and put us on fish right away. We hit on some nice Reds and Trout and had a great time. Steven is very patient and accommodating, helping with bait and artificial lure selection. His knowledge of the bay system ensures a great trip. The equipment and boat are very well maintained and modern. Steven also is a great conversationist and we enjoy talking with him about a multitude of outdoor subjects. Thanks again." - Richard
"Captain Steve is the real deal! From the moment we hit the water, he had us on the trout. We reached our limit of speckled trout by 9:30 AM, and the action was nonstop. He clearly knows the waters around South Padre like the back of his hand. The boat was clean, comfortable, and well-outfitted. Steve was friendly, professional, and made the entire experience fun and stress-free. He was great with everyone on board, patient, helpful, and always working to keep us on fish. If you're booking a trip through Fishbooker, stop scrolling and book Captain Steve and you won't regret it. We'll definitely be back for another trip!" - Todd
"I was looking for a last minute, spur-of-moment fishing trip in South Padre Island. I've used other guides before but Captain Steve gets the gold medal. I saw that he was available, read a few reviews on him (thank you past clients, you were spot on), messaged him from the App, and he replied within a few minutes. Within 15 minutes we had the trip planned, paid for, and instructions ready on where to meet him the next morning. Like clockwork, Captain Steve was there at the boat launch, boat in the water, ready to go. From the beginning Steve was extremely informative and talkative about conditions, what to expect, and what we hoped to accomplish. Within 30 minutes we were out at his first spots drifting and fishing. Had some good trout with a few keepers and one larger 21" trout we couldn't keep. Moved spots and Captain Steve had us on some big Reds. Even pulled in a nice 28.5" Red, then a 26.5 Red, then a 21" Red. I know that doesn't happen all the time, but both of us were excited and had a great time. After we returned to the launch he even cleaned and filleted all the fish for me to take home. Fish Tacos for everyone! As a testament to Captain Steve's services, I have a luxury condo in SPI that I rent and I don't refer anyone to my clients unless I've tried and tested them first. Captain Steve has made it on my list as a highly recommended fishing guide to my clients. I will use him again in the near future. Thank You Captain Steve for a great morning fishing." - Jeremy
Redfish are the crown jewel of South Padre inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 20 to 35 inches in these waters, with the occasional bull red pushing the tape even further. They're most active during the cooler parts of the day, making morning trips ideal for hooking up. Reds cruise the shallow grass flats looking for crabs and shrimp, and when they find your bait, they make runs that will test your drag system. What makes them special is their fighting ability – they don't jump like tarpon, but they pull hard and steady, making multiple runs toward structure. Fall and spring offer the most consistent redfish action, though they bite year-round when you know where to look
Our brand-new 2024 Majek Illusion bay boat cuts through South Padre's shallow waters with serious fishing power. This 25.6-footer runs on a Suzuki 300HP engine that'll get you to the redfish and trout spots fast, hitting speeds up to 70 knots when conditions are right. The center console design gives you plenty of casting room for two anglers, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working the grass flats for speckled trout. Fish finder tech helps locate the structure where black drum and sheepshead hang out, and the GPS keeps you on the productive spots. Cold drinks and snacks stay fresh in the icebox during those hot Texas mornings on the bay. Built specifically for these inshore waters, she handles the shallow runs around South Padre and Rio Hondo with ease, getting you into fish-holding water other boats can't reach.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90+ pounds. These powerful fish love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-10 feet of water, using their crushing jaws to munch on crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make underwater, plus they're serious fighters that'll test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab bait and fish it right on the bottom - they rarely chase anything more than a foot off the mud. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard because their bony mouths are tough to penetrate.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are pure muscle wrapped in golden scales, averaging 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, though we hook some real bruisers over 20 pounds. These bullies roam both shallow flats and deeper water, but you'll usually find them chasing baitfish in schools that create quite a commotion. Look for diving birds - that's your best sign they're feeding below. Spring through fall brings steady action when the water warms up. What draws anglers is their raw power and aggressive strikes - pound for pound, few fish fight harder. They'll bend your rod in half and strip drag like crazy. They're not great eating, but the fight is addictive. Key tip: when you spot a feeding school, cast past them and rip your lure back fast - silver spoons or swimbaits work best. The faster you retrieve, the more likely they'll chase it down.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and that signature black spot near the tail. These bruisers typically run 18-30 inches and 3-15 pounds, though we regularly see larger bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - cruising oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines looking for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their powerful runs and stubborn fight, plus they're curious enough to eat almost any lure you throw. The meat is excellent on smaller fish under 28 inches. Watch for tailing fish in skinny water and cast ahead of their path with a soft plastic or topwater plug. Keep it quiet - these fish spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter fish here in South Padre, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats and shallow bays, especially at dawn and dusk when the bite really turns on. You'll find them in 2-6 feet of water around structure or drop-offs where baitfish gather. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, though we catch them year-round. Anglers love trout because they hit topwater lures aggressively and make great table fare with tender, flaky white meat - just don't overcook them or they'll get mushy. They're also perfect for light tackle fishing, making every fight enjoyable. The trick is working soft plastics or live shrimp slow and steady along the bottom. When the water's calm, try topwater plugs early morning - that surface explosion never gets old.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of South Padre - those black and white stripes make them easy to spot around any structure. They run 1-8 pounds typically, though we catch some 15+ pounders that'll surprise you. These fish live around docks, bridge pilings, and anywhere barnacles grow since that's their main food source. Spring brings the best fishing when they move shallow to spawn around March and April. People love targeting them because they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth, making every bite a chess match. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the bay - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Here's the key: get your bait tight to the structure and watch your rod tip like a hawk. When you see that slight tick or feel weight, set the hook immediately and hard - they'll steal your bait in a heartbeat if you hesitate.
5.0 out of 5.0This is our second trip with Captain Steven Hillary and won’t be our last. Steven does not disappoint and put us on fish right awa...
Captain Steve is the real deal! From the moment we hit the water, he had us on the trout. We reached our limit of speckled trout b...
I was looking for a last minute, spur-of-the moment fishing trip in South Padre Island. I've used other guides before but Captain...
Texas