Full Day Redfish & Shark Surf Fishing
Private Trip
Shore Fishing
Full-day surf fishing adventure targeting redfish and sharks from shoreFamily-friendly trip accommodates all experience levels with expert guidanceAll gear, bait, and instruction provided for 8-hour beach fishing
Looking for a fishing adventure that'll get your heart pumping right from the beach? Captain Johnny Hamm's full-day surf fishing trip on Bolivar Peninsula delivers exactly that. This isn't your typical wade fishing or boat charter – we're talking about casting lines into the Gulf surf where redfish cruise the shallows and sharks patrol just beyond the breakers. Perfect for families who want to experience the raw excitement of surf fishing without needing any prior experience. At 8 hours, you'll have plenty of time to master the techniques, feel some serious pulls on your line, and maybe land the fish of a lifetime.
Captain Johnny sets up shop right on the sandy shoreline of Bolivar Peninsula, where the Gulf of Mexico crashes into Texas in spectacular fashion. You'll be surf fishing, which means casting heavy rigs beyond the breakers where big fish hunt in the turbulent water. The beauty of this setup is simple – no seasickness, easy bathroom breaks, and room to spread out along the beach. Johnny brings all the serious gear you'll need, including heavy surf rods, pyramid sinkers, circle hooks, and fresh bait that'll get attention from both reds and sharks. The peninsula's location creates perfect conditions as tidal currents push baitfish along the shore, drawing in hungry predators. With only 3 guests max, you get personalized attention and plenty of one-on-one coaching. Don't worry about packing much – just bring your appetite for adventure, some snacks, drinks, and sunscreen because you'll be out there all day.
Surf fishing is all about reading the water and putting your bait where the fish are feeding. Captain Johnny will teach you to spot the cuts, channels, and drop-offs where redfish and sharks love to hunt. You'll learn to cast heavy rigs 100+ yards into the surf using big surf rods that can handle the weight and fight of these powerful fish. The technique involves using pyramid sinkers to hold bottom in the current, while circle hooks ensure solid hooksets on everything from bull reds to blacktip sharks. Johnny uses fresh cut bait – usually mullet, shad, or whiting – that creates scent trails in the moving water. You'll fish multiple rods at once, spreading your baits at different distances and depths to cover more water. When something big hits, the rod tip will load up and start bouncing like crazy. That's when the real fun begins, fighting fish that can strip line and make your arms burn. The sandy beach gives you room to walk with fish during long fights, which is crucial when you hook into a bull red or shark that wants to run.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Bolivar Peninsula surf fishing. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallows looking for crabs and baitfish, often feeding in water so shallow you can see their backs. Slot-sized reds (20-28 inches) are common, but the real excitement comes from oversized bull reds that can stretch 35+ inches and weigh 20-40 pounds. They hit hard and fight like freight trains, making long runs parallel to the beach. Best fishing happens during moving tides, especially incoming water that pushes bait toward shore. Redfish feed year-round here, but fall months bring the biggest numbers as they stage for their offshore spawning runs.
Blacktip sharks are the most common shark species you'll encounter, typically running 2-4 feet long with incredible speed and aerial ability. When a blacktip grabs your bait, expect wild jumps and blistering runs that'll test your drag system. They're most active during warmer months and love to feed in the surf zone where baitfish get disoriented by the waves. Bonnethead sharks are smaller but feisty fighters, usually 2-3 feet long with distinctive shovel-shaped heads. They're actually quite common in shallow Gulf waters and provide great action for younger anglers since they're more manageable but still give a good fight.
Bull trout offer some of the best eating you'll find in Texas waters, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. These chunky fish hang around structure and drop-offs, hitting cut bait with authority. Tiger sharks are the apex predator here – massive, powerful fish that can exceed 10 feet and 500+ pounds. Landing a tiger shark from the surf is a bucket-list experience that requires teamwork, patience, and serious tackle. They're more active during summer months and feed heavily at dawn and dusk when baitfish are most vulnerable.
This full-day surf fishing adventure gives you the complete Bolivar Peninsula experience – big fish, expert guidance, and memories that'll last forever. Captain Johnny's family-friendly approach means everyone from kids to grandparents can get in on the action, while his local knowledge puts you on fish that many anglers never get to experience. The combination of redfish and sharks creates non-stop excitement, and with all gear provided, you just need to show up ready to fish. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to saltwater fishing or want to cross tiger sharks off your bucket list, this trip delivers the goods. Book now and get ready for some of the best surf fishing Texas has to offer.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of our shark fishing - these sleek predators love to jump clear out of the water when hooked, sometimes launching 20 feet into the air. They average 4-5 feet but can push 9 feet in our Gulf waters. You'll find them cruising the surf line and around nearshore structure, typically in 30-100 feet of water. Summer months bring the most consistent action when they follow baitfish into our area. What makes them exciting is that aerial show and their aggressive nature - they hit hard and fast, then put on a jumping display that gets everyone on the beach watching. They're also excellent eating with firm white meat. These guys can get pretty wound up when there's blood in the water, so keep your hands clear. My go-to technique is chunked mackerel or fresh sardines on a circle hook with heavy tackle - 30-50 pound line is a must because they'll test your drag system for sure.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead sharks are the perfect starter shark for families - these small hammerheads with their distinctive shovel-shaped heads rarely exceed 4 feet and are completely harmless. They're common in our shallow bays and surf zone, typically cruising in schools of 5-15 fish. You'll find them year-round in the Gulf, but summer brings the best numbers when they move into really shallow water to feed on crabs and small fish. What guests love about bonnetheads is they give you that genuine shark experience without the intimidation factor - kids get a huge thrill landing their first shark. They put up a scrappy fight for their size and are surprisingly strong. The key to landing them consistently is using fresh blue crab for bait - cut it in half and hook it through a leg joint. That combination of scent and movement drives them crazy, and they'll usually hit within minutes of your bait hitting bottom.
Salvelinus ConfluentusBull trout are a rare treat in our Gulf waters - these olive-green chars with their bright orange and red spots are actually more common in cold northwestern streams, but occasionally show up in our cooler surf during winter months. They're typically 20-30 inches and can hit 30 pounds when conditions are right. Unlike most of our warm-water species, these guys prefer the deeper, cooler pockets near jetties and structure where the water stays cold. Winter and early spring are your best shots when Gulf temperatures drop. What makes them special is their aggressive strike and the fact that landing one here is pretty uncommon - it's a real bragging rights fish. They're excellent table fare too, with firm white meat. Pro tip: fish early morning or evening when they're most active, and look for the deeper holes where cold water settles.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most popular surf targets here on Bolivar Peninsula. These copper-colored beauties typically run 18-30 inches in our shallow Gulf waters, though we occasionally land some real bruisers pushing 40+ inches. You'll spot them by their distinctive black spots near the tail and that bronze-red coloring. They love cruising the shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, especially around grass beds and shell structure. Fall through spring gives you the best action when they're feeding heavy before winter. What makes them so fun is that explosive strike and bulldog fight - they'll peel drag and make long runs. Plus, they're fantastic eating with that mild, sweet flavor. My local trick: when you see their backs breaking the surface, cast 10 feet ahead and let your bait settle - they're cruising and feeding, not spooked yet.
Galeocerdo CuvierTiger sharks are the apex predators of our Gulf waters and the ultimate trophy for serious shark anglers. These massive fish can reach 14-16 feet and over 1,000 pounds, with those distinctive dark stripes that fade as they age. They're solitary hunters that cruise deeper waters but move shallow to feed, especially at night. While they're around year-round, late summer and fall offer your best shot when water temperatures are warmest. What makes tigers so special is their raw power and the fact that landing one is a genuine accomplishment - these are the fish that separate casual anglers from serious shark hunters. They're incredibly strong swimmers and will test every piece of your tackle. The fight can last hours. For bait, nothing beats a fresh tuna or mackerel fillet on heavy tackle - 100-pound line minimum. My advice: fish at night with patience, because when a tiger decides to feed, you'll know it immediately.
Bolivar Peninsula