Half Day Family Friendly South Texas Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour morning charter targets redfish and speckled trout inshore.Familyfriendly trip accommodates up to four guests with patient instruction.All fishing gear, bait, and fuel included with experienced captain.
Captain Lamar Villarreal knows how to get kids hooked on fishing – literally and figuratively. His morning charters launch at 7:00 AM sharp from the legendary waters between Corpus Christi Bay and Port Mansfield, where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout stack up in the deeper cuts. This isn't just another fishing trip; it's five hours of patient instruction, quality time on the water, and the kind of memories that turn little ones into lifelong anglers. With everything provided except your license and snacks, all you need to bring is sunscreen and enthusiasm.
Captain Lamar runs his charters from a brand-new 2026 25' Magnum Haynie – one of the most respected bay boats in Texas waters. This rig cuts through choppy conditions like butter and provides a stable platform for casting, whether you're eight years old or eighty. The morning departure time isn't just for show; dawn and early morning hours are when these fish feed most aggressively, especially during warmer months. You'll cover prime water from the grass flats of Corpus Christi Bay down to the productive marshes near Port Mansfield, adjusting tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling you. Captain Lamar keeps groups small at four anglers max, ensuring everyone gets personal attention and plenty of rod time. No fighting over spots or waiting your turn – just quality fishing with a guide who genuinely enjoys teaching the next generation.
This charter focuses on sight fishing and structure fishing techniques that work consistently in South Texas bays. Captain Lamar provides medium-action spinning rods spooled with 15-20 pound braid – perfect for handling aggressive redfish runs while still being manageable for younger anglers. You'll primarily fish with live shrimp under popping corks, soft plastic baits like paddle tails and shrimp imitations, and occasionally topwater plugs when conditions are right. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety of presentations: one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working a grass line for trout with a suspending twitch bait. Captain Lamar reads the water conditions and adjusts accordingly, teaching you to recognize productive areas like shell reefs, drop-offs, and grass beds. All bait, tackle, and gear comes included, though he's always happy to share tips about what works best if you're building your own arsenal.
Redfish are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs range from schooling juveniles around 18-24 inches up to hefty bulls pushing 30-plus pounds. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish feeding aggressively in shallow water during morning hours. What makes reds so appealing for families is their willingness to eat and their never-give-up attitude once hooked. A 25-inch red will peel drag and make multiple runs, giving everyone on the boat something to get excited about.
Speckled trout provide the finesse fishing that keeps things interesting. These beautiful fish typically run 14-20 inches in these waters, with occasional specimens pushing the 5-6 pound mark. Trout are more temperamental than reds, requiring subtle presentations and gentle hooksets. They school up around structure and drop-offs, particularly during cooler months. Kids love trout fishing because these fish often bite softly, teaching young anglers to pay attention to their rod tips and develop a feel for what's happening down below.
Black drum offer a completely different experience – these bottom-hugging bruisers can reach impressive sizes and test your drag system. Smaller drum in the 2-5 pound range make excellent table fare, while the big bulls provide arm-burning fights that create instant fishing converts. They're most active during spring months and tend to concentrate around oyster reefs and mud flats where they root for crabs and shellfish.
Southern flounder are the ninjas of the bay system – masters of camouflage that ambush prey from sandy bottoms and grass edges. These flatfish typically range from 14-18 inches with occasional doormat-sized specimens that really get the adrenaline flowing. Fall months bring the best flounder action as fish move toward passes and deeper water. There's something magical about watching a kid's face light up when they see their first flounder lying perfectly flat against the bottom.
Sheepshead round out the roster as the bait thieves of the bunch. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth and a knack for stealing your shrimp without getting hooked. But when you connect with a good sheepshead, you'll appreciate their strong runs and excellent table qualities. They concentrate around structure during cooler months and provide steady action when other species are finicky.
Captain Lamar's family-friendly approach sets this charter apart from typical fishing trips. His patience with young anglers and beginners creates an environment where everyone can learn and succeed, regardless of experience level. The five-hour duration hits the sweet spot – long enough to get into fish and try different techniques, but not so long that younger kids get restless or worn out. Starting May 1st, these private charters book up quickly, especially during peak summer months when families are planning their South Texas fishing adventures. Don't let this top-rated opportunity slip by; the combination of prime fishing waters, quality equipment, and experienced instruction makes this exactly the kind of trip that creates lifelong fishing memories.
Get ready to fish the productive waters between Corpus Christi Bay and Port Mansfield aboard our 2021 24' Haynie center console bay boat. This fishing machine is built specifically for South Texas inshore waters, powered by a reliable 350HP Mercury that cruises at 40 knots to get you to the best redfish and trout spots quickly. The spacious center console layout comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, making it perfect for families wanting to target speckled trout, redfish, black drum, and flounder in the shallow flats and grass beds. Captain Lamar knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish while providing patient instruction for beginners and kids. The boat features an icebox to keep your drinks cold during the 5-hour morning trip, plus GPS navigation to locate those honey holes where the fish are biting. All fishing gear, bait, and tackle are provided.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These bottom feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time, especially during their spawn when they school up in shallow water - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What guests love most is the hard pull and stamina these fish have. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, white meat. My go-to tip is using fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a fish-finder rig. Keep your bait right on the bottom and be ready - when a big drum picks up your bait, there's no mistaking that steady, powerful run toward deeper water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, easily identified by their copper-bronze color and signature black spot near the tail. Most range 20-30 inches, but 40+ inch bulls show up regularly. They cruise grass flats, oyster reefs, and shorelines in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up for their spawn. What guests love is watching them push wakes in skinny water and that powerful, steady fight. Plus, slot-sized fish make outstanding table fare with mild, sweet meat. The secret is staying quiet and watching for nervous water, mud trails, or tailing fish. Once you spot them, cast well ahead of their path with a gold spoon or topwater plug - the strike is usually explosive and immediate.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our Texas coast, running 14-24 inches with plenty of beautiful spots covering their silver sides. They love grass flats, shallow reefs, and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers the best action, but winter can be outstanding when they school up in deeper holes. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table quality - tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The fight isn't overpowering, making them ideal for kids and beginners. My favorite trick is working topwater plugs early morning over grass flats. When the water's calm, that explosive surface strike gets everyone's heart pumping. If topwater isn't producing, switch to soft plastics bounced slowly along the bottom - they can't resist it.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders show up around deeper structure. You'll find them glued to anything with barnacles - bridge pilings, docks, jetties, and reef structure. Winter through early spring is peak season when they're spawning around passes and offshore rigs. Guests love the challenge since they're notorious bait thieves with incredible table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and get your bait tight to the structure. When you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, don't wait - set the hook hard immediately. Those powerful jaws will crush your hook if you hesitate, and they'll drop the bait just as fast as they picked it up.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, changing color to match their surroundings perfectly. You'll typically catch them around 15-18 inches, though some reach over 2 feet. They love shallow bays, grass flats, and channel edges where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward passes and deeper water. What makes them special is that unique sideways fight and their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The key trick I share with guests is to fish slow and stay patient. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them mouth the bait for a second or two, then give it a solid hookset. They're notorious for stealing bait if you rush it.
undefined, undefined