Premium Half Day Dove Hunting in Alice Texas
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour shared dove hunt in prime South Texas groundsMorning and afternoon sessions accommodate all skill levelsAccess to consistent dove activity with experienced guides
There's something special about the shallow waters around Alice, Texas that keeps bringing anglers back season after season. Located in the heart of South Texas, these productive inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing you'll find anywhere along the coast. With Villarreal Guide Services, you're getting four solid hours on the water targeting the species that make this area famous - redfish, sea trout, black drum, southern flounder, and sheepshead. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to dial in your technique or someone just getting started with saltwater fishing, this trip delivers the kind of action that builds lifelong memories.
Your half-day adventure kicks off early, making the most of prime feeding times when fish are most active. The beauty of fishing around Alice lies in the diverse habitat - from grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water to deeper channels where black drum patrol the bottom. You'll spend your time working different structures and depths, adapting your approach based on conditions and what the fish are telling us. The water here has that perfect mix of clarity and nutrients that keeps baitfish happy, which means the predators are never far behind. Don't worry about bringing tackle - everything you need is provided, from rods rigged for different techniques to a full selection of baits and lures that have proven themselves in these waters. The boat is set up specifically for inshore work, with a shallow draft that lets us get into those skinny areas where bigger boats can't follow.
The key to success in these waters is reading the signs and adjusting your presentation accordingly. We'll be working everything from topwater plugs over grass beds at dawn to soft plastics bounced along drop-offs when the sun gets higher. The technique changes throughout the trip based on what's working, but expect to throw a mix of artificials and live bait depending on conditions. Sight casting is huge here - there's nothing like watching a redfish's back fin cutting through two feet of water as you place your lure right in its path. When the fish are holding deeper, we'll switch tactics and work the bottom with baits that black drum and sheepshead can't resist. The area's structure is perfect for this kind of fishing - old shell beds, grass transitions, and subtle depth changes that hold fish year-round. Your guide knows these waters like the back of their hand, from the spots that fire during morning sessions to the afternoon honey holes that produce when other areas shut down.
Southern flounder are the ninjas of the inshore scene around Alice, lying flat against sandy bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. These fish typically run anywhere from 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional doormat pushing 24 inches or better. Fall is prime time for flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning run, making them more aggressive and easier to locate. They're absolute masters of camouflage, which makes hooking one feel like you've outsmarted nature itself. The fight isn't flashy like a redfish, but that initial thump followed by the flounder's bulldogging run to the bottom gets your heart racing every time.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the group, with fish commonly ranging from 5 to 15 pounds and occasional giants topping 30 pounds. These bottom-dwellers are most active during cooler months, particularly from November through March, when they school up in deeper holes and around structure. What makes black drum special is their incredible strength - pound for pound, they're some of the toughest fighters you'll encounter inshore. They use their broad tails and stocky build to their advantage, making long, powerful runs that test both your drag and your patience. The bigger fish are smart too, often requiring a subtle presentation to fool them.
Sheepshead are the tackle thieves that every angler loves to hate, but when you figure out their game, they're absolutely addictive to catch. These convict-striped fish average 12 to 16 inches around Alice, with occasional slabs reaching 18 inches or more. They're most cooperative during the spring spawn when they move into shallower water around structure. What makes sheepshead fishing so engaging is the technique required - you need to feel every tick and tap on your line because their bite is often just a subtle weight change. They're notorious for stealing bait, but when you time the hookset perfectly and feel that sheepshead's head-shaking fight, it's pure satisfaction.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of South Texas inshore fishing, offering consistent action throughout most of the year. The fish here typically range from 14 to 18 inches, with quality fish pushing 20 inches or better showing up regularly during prime conditions. Spring and fall produce the most reliable action, but even summer fishing can be excellent during early morning and late afternoon sessions. Sea trout are perfect for anglers wanting to improve their technique because they respond to so many different presentations - from topwater plugs that create explosive strikes to soft plastics worked slowly over grass beds. Their fight combines initial speed with acrobatic jumps that keep you on your toes.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and the waters around Alice consistently produce quality fish in the 18 to 28 inch range. These copper-colored fighters are available year-round, but fall typically offers the most consistent action as fish feed heavily before winter. What sets redfish apart is their versatility - they'll eat everything from topwater plugs in two feet of water to cut bait in deeper channels. The sight fishing opportunities are world-class, with fish regularly tailing in skinny water during the right conditions. When a red takes your lure, that initial run is something special - they use their broad tail to generate incredible power, often making multiple runs that test your equipment and your skill.
This half-day trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for - quality time on productive water with
Fish the productive waters around Alice, Texas aboard this well-equipped 24' Haynie bay boat from 2021. This center console design handles inshore conditions with ease, powered by a reliable 350HP Mercury that cruises at 40 knots to get you to the best fishing spots quickly. The boat comfortably fishes up to 4 anglers with plenty of deck space for casting and fighting fish. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Texas afternoons on the water. GPS navigation ensures you'll find those productive honey holes where the fish are biting. Whether you're targeting redfish in the shallows or speckled trout along the grass lines, this Haynie provides the stable platform and performance needed for a successful day on the bay. Perfect for getting after those South Texas gamefish that make this area famous.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90 pounds. They're gray to black with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in brackish waters and estuaries. Spring is prime time, especially during spawning season when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds. Adults prefer saltier water near inlets while juveniles stick to less salty areas with sandy bottoms. What guests love is their strong, steady fight - no flashy jumps, just pure power. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. For bigger fish, stick with fresh or soft-shell crab on the bottom. My local tip: fish around dawn or dusk near oyster reefs, and use enough weight to keep your bait down where they're feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are copper-colored fish with that signature black spot near the tail. They typically run 20-35 inches and 5-15 pounds in the shallows, with bigger bulls offshore. What makes them special is they love ultra-shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them on grass flats, oyster reefs, and around structure in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are peak seasons when they're most active and feeding heavily. Guests love them because they eat almost anything, fight hard with long runs, and the slot-size fish make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. They're sight fishing targets too - you can actually see them cruising the flats. My local tip: use topwater plugs early morning over shallow grass flats. When they blow up on a topwater lure, it's something you'll never forget. Just keep steady pressure and let your drag work.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout, as we call them down here, are beautiful silver fish covered in black spots with that classic trout shape. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, perfect size for the dinner table. These fish love grass flats, shallow bays, and soft bottom areas in 2-6 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. Spring through fall are best, with early morning and evening being prime feeding times. In winter, they school up in deeper channels. What guests enjoy is their willingness to hit lures and their excellent eating quality - tender, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They put up a decent scrap with some head shakes and short runs. My go-to technique is working soft plastics or topwater plugs over grass flats during low light. Keep your drag light though - their mouths tear easily, so let them run when they want to.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their gray bodies and black stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though you might hook into a 20-pounder if you're lucky. These structure lovers hang around docks, bridges, pilings, and any barnacle-covered surface where they scrape off their favorite meals. Spring is prime time, especially February through April during spawning. What makes them popular is they're notorious bait thieves with excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort. The challenge is their light bite and quick mouth, plus they're tough to clean with those spines and scales. My best advice: get your bait tight to structure, use small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp, and when you feel that subtle nibble, set the hook hard and fast before they steal your bait.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are flat, oval-shaped fish with both eyes on their left side and distinctive light and dark blotches. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms to ambush prey like shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Most run 15-18 inches, but you can catch them up to 33 inches. They hang out in shallow bays, estuaries, and nearshore waters with soft bottoms. Fall and winter are prime times when adults move offshore. What makes them fun to target is their sneaky nature - they'll inhale your bait before you know it. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. My go-to trick is using a Carolina rig with live shrimp or mud minnows, keeping your bait right on the bottom and staying patient. When you feel that subtle tap, set the hook quick because they're notorious for stealing bait.
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