Half Day Baffin Bay Redfish and Speckled Trout Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour morning charter targeting redfish and speckled troutProfessional guide provides boat, gear, and bait for groupsAccess legendary Baffin Bay flats using specialized shallowwater boat
Captain Lamar Villarreal knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard his 2026 25' Magnum Haynie at 7:00 AM, you're getting five solid hours of fishing some of the most productive inshore waters on the Texas coast. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to work the legendary Baffin Bay flats and surrounding waters from Corpus Christi Bay down to Port Mansfield, targeting redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and flounder in their prime habitat. Whether you've been fishing these waters for years or you're picking up a rod for the first time, Captain Lamar's got the experience and local knowledge to put you on fish and make sure you have a blast doing it.
Your morning starts early, but trust me, it's worth it. The fish are active, the water's usually calm, and you'll have the flats mostly to yourself before the afternoon crowd shows up. Captain Lamar runs a top-rated operation that covers serious ground – from the grass beds of Corpus Christi Bay to the crystal-clear shallows of Baffin Bay and everything in between down to Port Mansfield. The Magnum Haynie is built for this kind of fishing, with its shallow draft design letting us get into skinny water where the big reds like to cruise. You'll be sight-casting to tailing redfish one minute and working a grass line for specks the next. The boat's equipped with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, bait, and fuel are all included in your trip. Just bring your Texas fishing license, some snacks if you want them, and get ready to fish. This charter accommodates up to four anglers, so it's perfect for a small group of friends or family members who want personalized attention from an experienced guide.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what the fish are doing and where we find them. In the shallows, we're talking sight-casting with soft plastics – watching for nervous water, tailing fish, and those tell-tale wakes that give away a cruising redfish. Captain Lamar keeps the boat positioned perfectly so you can make accurate casts without spooking fish in the clear water. When we're working deeper grass beds or shell reefs, we might switch to live bait under popping corks or drift with soft plastics to cover more water. The gear on board is quality stuff – medium-light spinning setups that are perfect for these inshore species, with smooth drags that can handle a bull red's first run. Lure selection changes with conditions, but you'll likely be throwing paddle tails, topwater plugs during the right conditions, and maybe some live shrimp when the trout are finicky. Captain Lamar reads the water constantly, adjusting techniques based on tide movement, wind direction, and fish behavior. That's the difference between fishing with a guide who knows these waters and just going out and hoping for the best.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive, pull hard, and show up in good numbers throughout the flats system. You'll find them cruising the shallow grass beds, working bait along drop-offs, and tailing in water so shallow their backs are out of the water. Redfish here typically run from slot-size fish around 20-27 inches up to big bulls that can push 35+ inches and give you a real workout. They're most active during moving tides and low-light periods, which is why that early start time works so well. What makes catching reds here special is the sight-fishing opportunities – there's nothing quite like watching a 30-inch red inhale your lure in two feet of crystal-clear water.
Speckled trout are the other star of the show, and Baffin Bay is world-class trout water. These fish are structure-oriented, relating to grass beds, shell reefs, and drop-offs where they can ambush baitfish. The specks here grow big – four to six-pounders aren't uncommon, and the occasional seven or eight-pounder keeps things interesting. They're most active during cooler months and early mornings, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Speckled trout have soft mouths, so there's technique involved in fighting them properly, and they're excellent eating if you decide to keep a few within regulations.
Black drum add some variety to the mix, especially around shell reefs and deeper structure. These bottom-feeders can get huge – 20 to 40-pounders are possible – and they're bulldogs when hooked. They're not the flashiest fighters, but they make up for it with pure power and stamina. Younger drum, called puppy drum, are great table fare and put up a scrappy fight relative to their size.
Southern flounder round out the target species list and are always a welcome surprise. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying in ambush along sand flats and channel edges. They hit hard and fight with surprising strength, making long runs and using their flat profile to their advantage in the current. Fall months are prime time for flounder as they move toward deeper water, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look.
This half-day charter gives you everything you need for a world-class inshore fishing experience without eating up your entire day. Captain Lamar's reputation for putting clients on fish speaks for itself, and his knowledge of waters from Corpus Christi Bay to Port Mansfield means you're fishing proven spots where the fish actually live. The Magnum Haynie gets you into places other boats can't reach, the gear is top-notch,
Hit the flats in style with this 24-foot Haynie center console, built specifically for stalking redfish and speckled trout in Baffin Bay's shallow waters. The 350HP Mercury pushes this rig to 40 knots, getting you from Corpus Christi Bay to Port Mansfield's prime fishing spots fast. Captain Lamar knows where the fish are hiding, whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or working grass beds for keeper trout. This boat handles skinny water like a dream – perfect for those legendary Baffin Bay flats where the big fish cruise. The center console setup gives everyone room to cast, while the icebox keeps your drinks cold during those hot Texas mornings. GPS keeps you on the fish, and with space for four anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out when the bite gets hot.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of our bay system - these powerful fish can push 30+ pounds and will test your drag when hooked. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for eating oysters, crabs, and shellfish around structure. You'll find them on oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek mouths in water from 2 to 20 feet deep. Spring is when they really shine, especially during spawn when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. Guests love them because they fight like freight trains and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use fresh crab for bait and fish it right on bottom. When they pick it up, give them a few seconds before setting the hook - they like to mouth it first.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing - bronze-colored beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail. These fish average 20-30 inches in our waters and put up fights that'll make your arms burn. They cruise the flats in 1-4 feet of water, often so shallow you can see their backs. Look for them around grass beds, oyster reefs, and drop-offs where they ambush crabs and shrimp. We catch them year-round, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight dirty, and the slot-sized fish make outstanding table fare with sweet, firm meat. My go-to technique: sight-cast with topwater lures early morning or use live shrimp under a popping cork. Cast ahead of cruising fish and let them find your bait.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our Texas coast - beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots that school up in grass flats and around structure. Most run 14-20 inches, but we regularly see 3-5 pounders, and the occasional "gator trout" can push 6+ pounds. They love shallow water over grass beds, especially during moving tides when baitfish get active. Spring through fall gives us the best action, with dawn and dusk being prime time. What makes them special is they hit hard and jump, plus they're some of the finest eating fish around - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for any recipe. The trick is matching the bait to what they're feeding on. When they're on shrimp, use live or plastic; when baitfish are around, try a topwater or soft plastic minnow. Work it slow and steady.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their black and white stripes, but what really gets people's attention are those human-like teeth. These crafty fish average 2-5 pounds and hang tight around any structure - docks, pilings, reefs - feeding on barnacles and small crabs. They're notorious bait thieves, so you'll feel those light taps as they try to steal your offering. Spring brings the best action when they move shallow to spawn, though we catch them year-round. Anglers love the challenge because they're smart and the reward is sweet - excellent white, flaky meat that's hard to beat on the table. My secret: use a small hook with fresh shrimp and get as close to structure as possible. When you feel them nibbling, set that hook hard and fast - they'll spit it out in a heartbeat.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They love our shallow bay waters, especially around structure changes and drop-offs. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our area heading to spawn offshore. What makes them special is that unique fight - they pull hard and stay deep, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. The meat is sweet, white, and flaky. My tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap on bottom, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a bit - they're notorious for just mouthing the bait at first.
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