South Padre Full Day Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday 8hour inshore fishing charter starting at 7:00amExpert guides target multiple species using various fishing techniquesPrivate charter accommodates up to 2 guests maximum
Nothing beats a full day on the water around South Padre Island, especially when you've got 8 solid hours to work the flats and channels for some of Texas' best inshore action. This private charter kicks off at 7:00am sharp, giving you and one fishing buddy the entire boat to yourselves. No crowds, no strangers – just you, your partner, and our guide who knows these waters like the back of his hand. We'll hit the prime spots where snook, redfish, trout, flounder, and black drum hang out, using everything from artificials to popping corks to put fish in the boat.
Your day starts early for good reason – that's when the fish are most active and the water's still calm from the night. We'll cruise out to the best spots based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. South Padre's backwater system is massive, with endless grass flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs that hold fish year-round. You'll be working different techniques throughout the day, so whether you're a seasoned angler or still learning the ropes, there's always something new to try. The boat stays comfortable with just two anglers, so you've got plenty of room to cast and fight fish without bumping elbows.
We mix it up with proven methods that work in these shallow coastal waters. You'll spend time bottom fishing around structure where drum and bigger trout like to hang, plus jigging soft plastics through grass beds and along drop-offs. Popping cork setups are deadly here – that clicking sound drives trout and reds crazy, especially in the morning hours. We also run topwater plugs and spoons when fish are feeding aggressively. All artificial baits and lures come with the trip, but if you want to upgrade to cut bait or live shrimp, that's available for an extra charge. The live stuff can really turn on the bite when artificials aren't cutting it, especially for bigger drum and snook.
Snook are the crown jewel around here, and South Padre's one of the few places in Texas where you can consistently target them. These ambush predators love hanging around structure – docks, mangroves, and channel edges where they can dart out to grab prey. They're most active during warmer months, typically May through October, and they fight like absolute tanks. The way they slam a topwater plug or strip line on the initial run gets every angler's heart pumping. Black drum are another local favorite, especially the bigger "bull" drum that can push 30+ pounds. These bruisers patrol the flats and oyster beds, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations, and once you hook one, you'll understand why locals call them "bulldozers."
Summer flounder are flat-out fun to catch and even better to eat. They bury in sandy bottoms near channels and structure, waiting to ambush baitfish swimming overhead. The bite picks up in summer months when water temps rise, and these fish can really surprise you with their speed and fight. Sea trout are probably the most reliable target year-round – they school up in grass beds and along drop-offs, feeding heavily on shrimp and small fish. The speckled pattern and distinctive canine teeth make them easy to identify, plus they're aggressive strikers that'll hit everything from soft plastics to live bait. Redfish round out the slam, and they're absolute favorites among inshore anglers. These copper-colored fighters cruise the flats in schools, tailing in shallow water as they root for crabs. The way they peel drag and make multiple runs keeps you on your toes, and that distinctive black spot near the tail makes them unmistakable.
Eight hours on the water gives you real time to dial in different techniques and hit multiple spots based on conditions. Most half-day trips barely scratch the surface, but a full day lets you adapt when the bite changes or weather shifts. With just two anglers maximum, you get personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities to put techniques into practice. The non-refundable deposit secures your date, and trust me – prime fishing days book up fast, especially during peak season. Whether you're chasing your first snook, looking to land a bull drum, or just want to spend quality time on some of Texas' best inshore waters, this charter delivers the goods. Pack your sunscreen, bring a cooler for your catch, and get ready for a day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Get ready to hit the water on our 21' Shallow Sport bay boat, perfectly designed for South Padre's inshore fishing adventures. This versatile vessel handles up to 4 anglers comfortably while navigating the shallow flats and back bays where the fish are biting. Captain Kenny has this boat rigged with everything you need - quality rods, reels, and a tackle box full of proven lures that work these waters. The GPS keeps us on the hottest spots while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. When morning fog rolls in, our radar ensures we stay safe and keep fishing. Whether we're working the grass beds with topwater plugs, bouncing jigs along the bottom structure, or drifting live bait near the jetties, this boat gets us there efficiently and brings you back with a cooler full of redfish, trout, and flounder. The shallow draft design means we can chase fish into skinny water where the big ones hide.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldozers of our inshore waters, and they put up one heck of a fight. Most run 5-15 pounds, but we hook into 30+ pounders that'll have you questioning your tackle choices. You'll find them around oyster beds and muddy flats in 2-8 feet of water, using those powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring brings the best fishing when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. Guests love the steady, powerful pull these fish give, and the smaller ones make great eating with sweet, flaky meat. The big ones are better released. Here's the trick: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, give them time to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing here at South Padre. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-28 inches with that signature black spot near the tail. They cruise our grass flats and oyster reefs in water so shallow their backs sometimes break the surface. You can sight-cast to them year-round, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What guests love most is watching these fish explode on topwater lures in skinny water - it's pure adrenaline. They're strong fighters that peel drag and make long runs. Plus, slot-sized fish are excellent eating with firm, sweet meat. Best advice: polarized sunglasses are essential for spotting them, and cast ahead of cruising fish, not right on top of them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are South Padre staples that'll keep your rod bent all day. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches and love our grass flats and shallow bay waters. You'll find them in 2-6 feet of water around structure and drop-offs, especially during cooler months when they school up. Dawn and dusk produce the best action, though night fishing under lights can be outstanding. Trout are scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so they're perfect for lighter tackle. The meat is tender and flaky - just don't overcook it. They hit everything from live shrimp under popping corks to topwater plugs. Local secret: work your lure slower than you think, especially in cooler water. These fish will follow a bait for a long time before committing to the strike.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of our most popular targets around South Padre's mangroves and grass flats. These golden, torpedo-shaped fish typically run 18-24 inches, though we see some pushing 30+ inches that'll really test your drag. They love hanging around structure - docks, bridge pilings, and mangrove edges where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and that distinctive black lateral line. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: when working mangroves, cast your lure past the cover and retrieve it right along the edge - that's where they're waiting.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or "fluke" as we call them, are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and are famous for their perfectly sideways bite - both eyes are on one side! They bury themselves in sand waiting to ambush prey, so you'll find them on open bottom areas in 10-30 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily before moving deeper. Guests get a kick out of their unique appearance and the fact they can change colors like chameleons. They're also top-notch table fare with delicate, white meat that's hard to beat. My go-to technique: drift with live minnows or strip baits on a bucktail jig, bouncing it just off the bottom to trigger that ambush response.
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