Full Day Fishing Adventure in Matagorda Bay
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fullday private charter targets redfish, trout, and flounderExpert captains provide gear and local knowledge includedEighthour trip accommodates up to three guests comfortably
Picture this: you're standing on the bow at dawn, watching the sun paint Matagorda Bay in shades of gold while the water comes alive with feeding fish. That's what you get with Captains Nicolas and Chris on this 8-hour guided fishing trip. Starting at 7:00 AM sharp, you'll have a full day to work the productive waters that make this Texas bay a top-rated destination for serious anglers and weekend warriors alike. With space for up to 3 guests, this isn't some crowded party boat experience – it's your private shot at some of the best inshore fishing the Gulf Coast has to offer.
This full-day format gives you something most half-day trips can't: the luxury of time and the ability to adapt. Captains Nicolas and Chris know these waters like the back of their hands, and they'll move you around based on tides, weather, and what's biting. You might start the morning working shallow grass flats for redfish, then move to deeper structure for trout as the sun gets higher. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is that you're not rushed – if the bite is hot in one spot, you can stay and make the most of it. If it's slow, you've got plenty of time to relocate and find the action. All your gear is provided, so you just need to bring your Texas fishing license, some snacks to keep your energy up, and maybe a cooler with drinks. The captains handle everything else, from rigging baits to netting your catches.
Matagorda Bay fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want that day. Your captains will have you working with both live and artificial baits, depending on conditions and target species. You might be throwing topwater plugs at dawn for explosive redfish strikes, then switching to soft plastics when the sun gets up and the fish move deeper. The bay's structure is perfect for multiple techniques – you've got oyster reefs where black drum love to hang out, grass flats that hold trout and reds, and deeper channels where flounder ambush baitfish. Your guides will teach you how to work each spot properly, whether that's a slow retrieve along the bottom for flounder or a steady retrieve through the grass for trout. The tackle is matched to the species and conditions, so you're not fighting 20-pound redfish on ultralight gear or trying to feel subtle trout bites on heavy tackle.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-28 inches here and put up a fight that'll test your drag system. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk, when they cruise the shallow flats looking for crabs and shrimp. What makes reds so exciting is their willingness to eat – they'll crush topwater lures, inhale live shrimp, and even take well-presented artificials. Plus, they're year-round residents, so you've got a solid shot at them no matter when you book.
Spotted Seatrout are the bay's most consistent biters and perfect for anglers looking to stay busy. These silvery fighters typically run 14-20 inches in Matagorda, with bigger specimens showing up during cooler months. Trout are structure-oriented, holding around oyster bars, drop-offs, and grass edges where they can ambush small baitfish. They're particularly active during low-light periods, making early morning and late evening prime time. What anglers love about trout is their predictability – once you find a good school, you can often catch several before they move on.
Summer Flounder bring a different challenge to the mix. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sandy bottoms near channel edges and drop-offs. They typically range from 15-22 inches in these waters, with the occasional doormat pushing 25+ inches. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – you need to keep your bait near the bottom and feel for their distinctive "thump" when they grab it. They're most active during moving water, especially when baitfish are being swept along channel edges.
Black Drum are the bay's bulldozers, offering raw power that'll surprise first-time anglers. These fish can range from schoolie-sized 2-3 pounders up to bruising 20+ pound bulls that'll test your patience and your tackle. They're bottom feeders, crushing crabs and shellfish around oyster reefs and hard structure. What makes black drum special is their fight – they don't jump like reds or make long runs like trout, but they'll use their broad bodies and powerful tails to bulldoze toward structure. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when cooler water concentrates them in deeper areas.
This full-day Matagorda Bay experience gives you everything a world-class fishing trip should: expert local knowledge, quality gear, productive waters, and enough time to make it count. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in new techniques or someone wanting to experience Texas coastal fishing at its finest, Captains Nicolas and Chris will put you on fish and show you why this bay has such a strong reputation. The 8-hour format means you're getting real value – not just a quick taste, but a comprehensive day that covers different species, techniques, and areas of the bay. With only 3 spots available, this trip books up fast, especially during peak seasons. Don't wait to secure your date – the fish are biting, the captains are ready, and Matagorda Bay is calling your name.
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard our 21' JH Performance boat, built for chasing redfish and trout across Matagorda Bay's productive waters. This spacious rig comfortably handles up to 5 anglers while you work the flats and deeper channels for speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and black drum. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on tailing reds in shallow water, while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish in the bay's deeper pockets. GPS navigation ensures we can hit all the prime spots efficiently during your 8-hour trip. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and any keeper fish fresh throughout the day. Whether you're casting to schooling trout or sight-fishing for copper-colored redfish, this boat gives you the platform and tools needed to make the most of Matagorda's excellent year-round fishing opportunities.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 90. These dark-colored fighters love our oyster beds and muddy flats, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that'll test your drag, but stick with the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) for eating since the big ones get tough. My go-to tip: fish fresh blue crab on the bottom around oyster reefs. The crab stays put better than shrimp and doesn't get picked off by catfish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas coastal fishing, easily recognized by their copper-red color and signature black spot near the tail. In Matagorda Bay, most run 20-35 inches and prefer super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are exposed. They cruise oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines year-round, but fall and spring offer the hottest action. What makes them special is their raw power and willingness to eat almost anything when they're feeding. The smaller ones make excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. My favorite trick is sight-fishing them in inches of water using topwater plugs early morning. Watch for their wakes and tails - then hold on tight.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Texas bay fishing, typically running 14-24 inches in Matagorda Bay. These silver beauties with black spots love our grass flats and drop-offs, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. They're aggressive feeders that hit topwater plugs at dawn and dusk, making for some explosive surface action. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the dinner table. Fall through spring gives you the best action when water temps drop and they concentrate in large schools. Pro tip: fish live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds during moving tides. The cork attracts them, and the shrimp seals the deal.
Paralichthys DentatusThese masters of camouflage are some of the most fun fish to target in Matagorda Bay. Summer Flounder average 15-20 inches and are ambush predators that lie flat on sandy bottoms waiting for baitfish to swim by. They're most active September through November when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What makes them special is watching them change colors to match the bottom - true chameleons of the sea. They make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The key to landing more flounder is using a slow retrieve with your bait right on the bottom. Try hooking live mullet through the lips and dragging it slowly across sandy areas.
Matagorda