Wade Fishing with Captain Eric Gonsoulin

A Little Something About Me

I am Captain Eric Gonsoulin, the owner and operator of Trophy Tails Fishing based in Corpus Christi, Texas. I am a professional angler and guide who specializes and focuses on wade fishing with artificial lures, though my abilities extend far beyond that skill. Whether we move through the pristine waters of Rockport or the shallow flats of the Laguna Madre, my charter service and I are committed to giving anyone who books with us a fun and successful fishing experience.

Like most people who’ve experienced fishing at an early age, my first fishing memory was with my dad. When I was around three or four years old, my dad would carry me on his shoulders while wading shallow sand flats to look for redfish with a 1⁄2 oz golden spoon. We would wade along the water until we’d hook a fish, and then he would give me the rod telling me, ‘Here bud, you fight him!.’ To this day, fishing with my dad is still a special activity that I’m thankful that I get to do more often than most. I am very grateful for all the times I’ve spent fishing with my dad.

Those early memories of fishing with my dad by wading and using artificial lures have inspired me to teach anyone who books with me how to catch fish the same way. Trophy Tails Fishing welcomes all types of anglers, whether they’re looking for trophy fish, want to learn new angling skills, level up their current skills, need a tournament guide, or want someone to accompany them on a family outing.

What I Love About Fishing

My favorite thing about fishing is the opportunity to compete against Mother Nature. I believe wade fishing with artificial lures for trophy class speckled trout (sea trout) and redfish is the world’s best chess game against the toughest opponent. This is because your job each day is to know when and why fish are in an area, how they will be set up in that area, and how you should approach that area to be successful. It takes strategizing and planning to a whole new level because Mother Nature does not make mistakes, so you better understand the habits and character traits of these upper-class fish. If you don’t have the right game plan or don’t read the signs given, you’ll be humbled every day. If you do, you will be able to say you beat Mother Nature for a day. What drives me is having the chance to beat Mother Nature for a day and getting to try again and again every day. 

My Favorite Places to Fish and What I Like to Target

My favorite water body to fish in would be the Lower Laguna Madre in Port Mansfield, Texas. Everything from the town to the fishing is special to me. Port Mansfield is a very small fishing community in the middle of the King Ranch land north of the Texas-Mexico border, where trophy-class deer roam the streets in herds and the sunrises are always spectacular because it is void of most civilization. 

Aside from the town, the fishing matches up very well to my wade fishing with an artificial lures-only style of angling, and the class of trout that roam these waters are big enough to top anyone’s bucket list. For my preferred style of fishing, this area is second to none. Miles and miles of shallow sand and grass flats under pristine clear water make up this large expanse of the bay system we call the Laguna Madre (Mother Lagoon.) Lack of predation and shallower water allow the trout to grow to trophy status more often, and through our catch and release efforts, we will continue to help this bay system produce these trophy class fish. 

My charter fishing service offers wade fishing/artificial only trips in Port Mansfield during December only for clients who have booked with me in Rockport. Most of them were driven to find their personal best-speckled trout or redfish. We also take clients to nearby saltwater waterways such as Laguna Larga, Barney M David Reservoir, Petronila Creek, Tunas Creek, Aransas Bay, Copano Bay, and Mesquite Bay.

Speckled trout and redfish can be caught by wading at any time of the year. If you want to book with me during the peak seasons for either species, the best months are; fishing for speckled trout is excellent from January through March and from October through December. Redfish are abundant from March through October. Both species still offer good fishing opportunities for the rest of the year.

Book Your Next Fishing Trip With Trophy Tails Fishing

Because I have been fishing since I was a toddler and have grown up as a master guide, you’re in good hands when you book your next fishing trip with Trophy Tails Fishing. I am committed to your success as an angler, so whether you want someone to guide you for recreational, sport, or tournament fishing or to have a fun time with your family and kids, you can leave it up to me. 

My goal as a guide is to direct clients toward a great day on the water while pursuing their personal best and help them learn something new every time they book with me. From the moment we leave the dock to when we return, I believe there are always lessons to be learned on the water. I want clients who book with me to go to the water as better anglers.

Trophy Tails Fishing offers a private boat experience on a 20’ vessel that can accommodate up to four guests. All trips exclusively focus on wade fishing with artificial lures, which is great for anglers who want to learn or improve upon a technical fishing skill. Trips are full-day charters. We provide water, Gatorade, photo ops, and fish cleaning. We encourage clients to bring their own tackle, but you can tell us if you need any wading equipment or fishing tackle you don’t have. We also allow beer on the boat, but we urge you to stay responsible. 

Visit my website, Instagram, and Facebook page for updates and more information. Next time you’re in this amazing area of Texas, book with us! I can’t wait to see you at the dock and on the boat!