Half Day South Texas Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour afternoon charter targeting redfish and speckled troutProfessional guide provides boat, gear, and bait for groupsAccess shallow Baffin Bay flats using specialized shallowdraft vessel
Captain Lamar Villarreal knows exactly where the fish are biting along the Texas coast. This afternoon charter runs from Corpus Christi Bay all the way down to Port Mansfield, covering some of the most productive inshore waters in the state. You'll launch at 2:00 PM for five solid hours of fishing prime flats and back lakes where redfish, trout, and other inshore species love to feed. Whether you've been fishing these waters for decades or you're just getting started, this trip delivers consistent action in shallow water paradise.
This charter puts you right in the heart of South Texas inshore fishing country. Captain Lamar runs a brand new 2026 25-foot Magnum Haynie that's built specifically for shallow water work. The boat draws minimal water and gets you into those skinny flats where big redfish cruise and speckled trout stack up. You'll fish everything from the famous Baffin Bay flats to productive back lakes and shoreline structures between Corpus and Port Mansfield. The afternoon timing is perfect – fish are often more active as the day cools down, and you'll avoid the morning boat traffic. Your group of up to four anglers gets the boat all to yourself, so you can fish at your own pace and hit the spots that are producing best that day. Captain Lamar provides all the gear, bait, and local knowledge you need. Just bring your Texas fishing license and maybe some snacks for the trip.
Inshore fishing in South Texas is all about reading the water and adapting to conditions. Captain Lamar switches between techniques based on what's working – you might be throwing soft plastics at redfish tailing in two feet of water, working topwater plugs over grass flats for trout, or bouncing jigs along drop-offs for black drum. The Haynie's shallow draft opens up spots that bigger boats can't reach, putting you on fish that haven't seen much pressure. You'll learn to spot nervous water, read bird activity, and pick apart structure that holds fish. The captain provides quality rods and reels spooled with appropriate line, plus a selection of proven baits and lures. Live bait often produces when conditions get tough, but artificial lures let you cover more water efficiently. Wade fishing opportunities come up when you find fish in super shallow areas – there's nothing quite like stalking a school of redfish in knee-deep water.
Redfish are the backbone of South Texas inshore fishing, and these waters produce some real bruisers. These bronze-backed fighters average 20 to 28 inches, with plenty of oversized bulls cruising the flats during warmer months. Redfish feed aggressively in shallow water, often with their backs out of the water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. They hit hard and make strong runs, especially in skinny water where they can't dive deep. The slot-sized fish make excellent table fare, while the big bulls provide pure adrenaline before you release them to fight another day. Peak action runs from late spring through fall, but these fish bite year-round when you know where to look.
Speckled trout bring finesse fishing to the equation, and the grass flats from Corpus to Port Mansfield hold some of the state's best populations. These spotted beauties typically run 14 to 20 inches, with occasional gator trout pushing 25 inches or better. Trout are structure-oriented fish that relate to drop-offs, shell pads, and grass beds where baitfish congregate. They're more temperature-sensitive than redfish, so timing and location matter. Early summer and fall produce the most consistent action, though winter can deliver some of the biggest specimens. Trout have soft mouths, so you need to play them carefully on light tackle – but that delicate fight makes landing a good one even more satisfying.
Black drum don't get the glory of reds and trout, but they're willing biters that can really bend a rod. These bottom-feeders love oyster reefs and shell structure, where they use their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish and crabs. Most run 15 to 25 inches, but you'll occasionally hook into a real heavyweight pushing 30-plus inches. They fight with steady, bulldogging pressure that tests your drag system. Black drum bite best on natural baits fished near structure, and they're often willing to feed when other species shut down.
Southern flounder are the chameleons of the inshore world, perfectly camouflaged against sandy and muddy bottoms. These flatfish ambush prey from their hiding spots, striking with lightning speed when baitfish swim within range. Most keeper flounder run 15 to 20 inches, and they make excellent table fare with their mild, flaky white meat. Fall brings the best flounder action as they stage for their offshore spawning migration, but you'll find them year-round in back lakes and shallow bays. Flounder fishing requires patience and precise bait presentation, but connecting with a quality doormat is worth the effort.
Sheepshead round out the mixed bag, though they're more seasonal visitors to these waters. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and small crabs off structure. They're notorious bait stealers with incredibly light bites, earning them the nickname "convict fish" for both their stripes and their thievery. When you do hook one, they fight surprisingly hard for their size. Sheepshead fishing sharpens your skills and keeps you on your toes between shots at the more glamorous species.
This half-day charter gives you a solid taste of world-class South Texas inshore fishing without eating up your entire day. Captain Lamar's local knowledge and top-rated equipment put you on fish consistently, whether you
Hit the flats aboard this 24' Haynie bay boat, built for serious inshore action along the Texas coast. The 350HP Mercury gets you to the fish fast, cruising at 40 knots to cover water from Corpus Christi Bay down to Port Mansfield's prime redfish spots. This center console handles shallow water like a dream—perfect for sneaking up on tailing reds in the Baffin Bay flats. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox while you hunt for that next speckled trout or black drum. GPS keeps you on the productive water, and there's room for up to 4 anglers to work the shorelines and grass beds where these fish love to feed. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising redfish or working soft plastics for trout, this boat puts you right where the action happens in South Texas waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, and you'll hear them before you see them - they make actual drumming sounds that you can pick up on the boat's hull. These bruisers typically run 10-30 pounds in our area, with some real giants pushing 50+ pounds. They love shallow oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring spawning season from February through April is when they school up and get aggressive, making them easier targets. What guests love is the raw power - even a 15-pounder will test your drag and make your arms burn. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare too. Here's the key: use fresh crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near structure. When you feel that slow, heavy pull, don't set the hook hard - just lift and let the fish hook itself.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing - those copper-colored bulldogs with the distinctive black spot near their tail. Our fish typically range from 20-35 inches, with the slot-sized ones putting up the best fights. They cruise shallow flats, oyster reefs, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs showing above the surface. You can target them year-round, but fall is prime time when they school up for their spawning runs. What makes reds special is their power and that heart-stopping topwater strike when they crush a lure in skinny water. They're also fantastic table fare when kept within the slot limit. The sight-fishing aspect gets guests hooked - watching a 30-inch red slowly cruise through clear water before exploding on your bait never gets old. Here's my tip: when you see them tailing or cruising, cast well ahead of their path and work your lure slowly into their strike zone. Rush the presentation and you'll spook them every time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and for good reason - they're aggressive, fight hard, and taste great on the dinner table. Most of our fish run 15-20 inches with plenty of keepers in the 2-4 pound range. They love grass flats, shallow reefs, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. These fish are structure-oriented, so we target them around shell pads, scattered grass, and transition zones between deep and shallow water. Spring through fall are peak seasons, but they bite year-round when you find the right depth. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their acrobatic fights when hooked. Their delicate white meat is perfect for the fry pan too. My best advice is to work soft plastics slowly along the grass edges during moving tides. Trout have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't horse them - that's how you lose fish at the boat.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Texas bays with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can crush barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-3 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we occasionally see 5-pounders around the right structure. You'll find them hugging any hard structure - bridge pilings, docks, oil rigs, and jetty rocks where they feast on barnacles and fiddler crabs. They're active year-round but really turn on during their spring spawn from February to April. Guests love the challenge because these fish are incredibly finicky and require finesse to catch consistently. When you do land one, they're absolutely delicious with sweet, flaky white meat. The trick is getting your bait tight to the structure with a small hook and light sinker. Feel for that subtle tap-tap-tap, then set the hook immediately - wait too long and they'll steal your bait every time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to ambush shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. You'll spot them by their dark blotches and both eyes on the left side of their head. Most run 15-18 inches here in our bays, but we regularly see keeper-sized fish up to 25 inches. They love shallow, muddy bottoms around Corpus Christi and Baffin Bay, especially near drop-offs and grass edges. Fall and winter are prime time when they're staging for their offshore spawning runs. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they come off the bottom - plus they're some of the best eating fish in Texas waters. My go-to trick is using a Carolina rig with live shrimp, but keep it moving slowly. They'll follow your bait before committing, so patience pays off.
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