Full Day Guided Fishing In Matagorda Bay, Texas
Private Trip
River Fishing
Full 8-hour private fishing trip for up to 3 guestsTarget redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, and black drumExpert captains provide all gear and local knowledge
There's something special about having a full eight hours to really work the waters of Matagorda Bay. This isn't your typical rushed half-day trip where you're checking your watch before the fish start biting good. With Captains Nicolas and Chris from Whataguide Service, you get the luxury of time – time to learn the bay, time to perfect your technique, and time to put some serious fish in the boat. Starting at 7:00 AM when the water's still calm and the fish are active, this top-rated charter gives you and up to two other anglers the chance to chase redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, and black drum across some of Texas's most productive inshore waters. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to up your game or a seasoned angler wanting to explore new water, this full-day format lets you really dig into what makes Matagorda Bay a world-class fishing destination.
Matagorda Bay sits right where the Colorado River dumps fresh water into the Gulf, creating the kind of mixed salinity that inshore species absolutely love. Your captains know every grass flat, oyster reef, and drop-off in this system, and they'll move you around based on tides, wind, and what the fish are doing that day. Morning usually starts in the shallows targeting redfish around structure – think scattered shell, grass edges, and those sweet potholes where reds like to cruise. As the sun gets higher and boat traffic picks up, you'll likely shift to deeper grass flats for trout or work the channel edges for black drum and flounder. The beauty of an eight-hour trip is flexibility. If the trout bite is hot, you can stay on them. If the redfish are tailing in the shallows, you've got time to make that move. All your gear is provided, from rods and reels to tackle and bait, so you just need to bring your Texas fishing license, some snacks and drinks for the day, and your enthusiasm for putting fish in the boat.
Your captains will have you fishing with medium-action spinning gear perfectly suited for Matagorda Bay's conditions. Depending on what you're targeting, you'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at dawn to soft plastics worked along grass lines and bottom rigs bounced through the channels. The shallow water here calls for finesse – light leaders, natural presentations, and reading the water to find where fish are holding. When you're sight-fishing for reds in two feet of water, it's all about quiet approaches and accurate casts. Switch to the trout grounds, and you'll learn how to work a soft plastic just off the bottom, feeling for that subtle tick that means a seatrout just inhaled your bait. Flounder fishing means slowing way down, dragging baits along sandy bottoms and being patient for that distinctive thump. Your guides will teach you how to read bird activity, water color changes, and current breaks – the kind of local knowledge that takes years to develop but makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers run from schoolie size around 18 inches up to bull reds pushing 40 inches and 30 pounds. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with fish feeding aggressively in the shallows during cooler parts of the day. What makes reds so exciting here is the variety of ways you can catch them – sight-casting to tailing fish, working topwater over grass flats at first light, or bouncing soft plastics along oyster reefs. They fight hard, pulling drag and making runs that'll test your technique, plus they're beautiful fish with those distinctive copper sides and black spots.
Spotted seatrout are the other crown jewel of this bay system. These fish are pure finesse – they've got excellent eyesight and can be picky about presentations, but when you dial in the right technique, you can have steady action all day. The best trout here typically run 15 to 25 inches, with some real wall-hangers pushing 28 inches or better. Summer months can be tough during midday heat, but spring and fall offer fantastic trout fishing, especially around grass flats adjacent to deeper water. What anglers love about trout is their willingness to hit artificial lures, their acrobatic fights, and the satisfaction of figuring out exactly what they want on any given day.
Summer flounder might not pull like a redfish, but they're incredibly fun to target and absolutely delicious on the table. These flat fish are masters of camouflage, lying in sandy areas waiting to ambush prey. They're more active during warmer months, and Matagorda Bay's mix of sand and grass creates perfect flounder habitat. The fish here typically range from keeper size around 15 inches up to doormat flounder exceeding 20 inches. What makes flounder fishing addictive is the challenge – you've got to slow down, feel every bump and tick, and develop the patience to let them fully commit to the bait before setting the hook.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the bay, and when you hook into a big one, you'll know it immediately. These fish can exceed 40 inches and 50 pounds, making them the strongest fish you're likely to encounter in these waters. They're often found around structure – oyster reefs, channel edges, and areas with current flow. Drum are excellent table fare when kept in the slot, and the bigger fish make for great photos before release. They're particularly active during cooler months, and their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style make them a customer favorite among anglers who like to feel their equipment work.
This full-day charter gives you everything you need for a memorable day on one
Your fishing adventure takes place aboard a spacious 21' JH Performance boat, built to handle Matagorda Bay's waters with ease. This well-equipped vessel comfortably accommodates your group of 3 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast lines and land fish without crowding each other. The boat comes loaded with everything needed for a successful day targeting redfish, trout, and other bay species. An onboard fish finder helps locate schools and structure where the fish are holding, while the GPS navigation system ensures efficient moves between productive spots. The wireless trolling motor allows for stealthy approaches to shallow flats and grass beds where redfish like to feed. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and preserves any fish you decide to take home. Captain Nicolas and Chris know exactly how to position this boat for the best fishing opportunities, whether you're working oyster reefs, grass flats, or deeper channels throughout the bay.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These copper-colored bruisers love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their signature drumming sounds underwater. They're bulldogs on the line, using that bulk to test your drag. For eating, stick with fish under 15 pounds since the bigger ones get tough. Here's the key: use fresh crab on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom near oyster structure. They won't chase your bait, so put it where they live.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Texas bay fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and that signature black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches and fight like freight trains, using those broad tails to peel drag. You'll find them tailing in ankle-deep water over grass flats or cruising oyster reefs and shorelines. They feed year-round but spring and fall offer the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat almost anything - live shrimp, crabs, topwater plugs, you name it. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor. Here's a local secret: look for nervous baitfish dimpling the surface in shallow water. That usually means reds are feeding below, and a well-placed topwater lure will get hammered.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout are the bread and butter of Texas bay fishing, with those distinctive black spots scattered across their silver sides. Most run 14-24 inches, perfect table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. You'll find them over grass beds in 2-6 feet of water, especially around structure changes like drop-offs or shell banks. They bite year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. Trout are scrappy fighters that jump and make drag-screaming runs. The best part? They're aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. My go-to trick is working a soft plastic slowly over grass beds right at dawn - that's when the bigger sows are feeding in the shallows before moving deeper.
Paralichthys DentatusFlounder are the masters of disguise in Matagorda Bay, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush anything that swims by. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and are built like pancakes with both eyes on one side. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're most active. What makes them special is watching them change colors to match the bottom - it's like fishing for ghosts. The meat is excellent, white and flaky when cooked right. They hit live baitfish hard but the strike feels more like a gentle tug than a slam. Pro tip: when you feel that soft bite, count to three before setting the hook. They grab prey sideways and need time to turn it around in their mouth.
Matagorda