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Top-Rated Laguna Madre Inshore Fishing Trip
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- South Padre Island
- $450 - $575 price range
Summary
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Laguna Madre Catches
Redfish Fishing South Padre Island
Bay Fishing South Padre Island
South Padre Fishing Charters
South Padre Fishing
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South Padre Island Fishing Charter Casting dreams
South Padre Island fishing Redfish trophy
South Padre Fishing Charters bounty! Book now!
Redfish catch in South Padre Island Fishing
Where every cast tells a story. South Padre Island
Redfish Fishing South Padre Island
Bay Fishing South Padre Island
South Padre Fishing Charters
South Padre Fishing
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South Padre Island Fishing Charter Casting dreams
South Padre Island fishing Redfish trophy
South Padre Fishing Charters bounty! Book now!
Redfish catch in South Padre Island Fishing
Where every cast tells a story. South Padre Island
Redfish Fishing South Padre Island
Bay Fishing South Padre Island
South Padre Fishing Charters
South Padre Fishing
Reel in the Action: 5-Hour Laguna Madre Fishing
Get ready to wet a line in one of Texas' best-kept fishing secrets! This 5-hour trip in Laguna Madre is perfect for anglers looking to mix it up with some wade fishing and drifting. You'll be targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most prized inshore species, all while soaking in the beauty of this unique ecosystem. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet, our experienced captain will put you on the fish and make sure you have a blast doing it.
What's Biting in the Bay
Laguna Madre is a fisherman's playground, and for good reason. This shallow, hypersaline lagoon is teeming with gamefish that'll put your skills to the test. We'll be going after redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder, and even the elusive snook. The beauty of Laguna Madre is its versatility - one minute you might be sight-casting to tailing reds in ankle-deep water, the next you could be drifting over a deep hole loaded with trout. Our captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, so you're in for a top-notch fishing experience.
Wade Fishing vs. Drifting
On this trip, you'll get to experience the best of both worlds. Wade fishing is a favorite among Texas anglers, and for good reason. There's nothing quite like feeling the soft bottom under your feet as you silently stalk your prey in the shallows. It's a great way to cover water and really get in tune with the environment. But don't worry, we won't be on our feet the whole time. When the tide's right, we'll also do some drifting. This lets us cover more water and hit those deeper pockets where the big ones like to hang out. Whether you're slinging soft plastics, tossing topwaters, or live-baiting, our captain will help you dial in the right technique for the conditions.
Gearing Up for Success
No need to stress about equipment - we've got you covered with top-quality rods, reels, and tackle. If you're wade fishing, we recommend bringing a good pair of wading boots or old sneakers to protect your feet. Don't forget to pack some sunscreen, a hat, and polarized sunglasses - the Texas sun can be brutal out on the water. Oh, and make sure to bring a camera - you'll want to snap a pic of that trophy trout or bull red before we release it!
Species Spotlight
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are a favorite among Laguna Madre anglers. Known for their powerful runs and distinctive spot on the tail, redfish can be found tailing in the shallows or cruising along grass lines. Fall is prime time for big bulls, but you can catch them year-round. Nothing beats the thrill of watching a red crash a topwater lure!
Speckled Trout: Also known as spotted seatrout, these wily predators are prized for both their fight and their taste. They love to hang around potholes in the grass flats and along drop-offs. Early mornings and late evenings are magic hours for trout fishing, especially with topwater lures. The "gator" trout of Laguna Madre are legendary among Texas anglers.
Black Drum: Don't let their ugly mugs fool you - black drum put up a great fight and are delicious on the dinner table. These bottom-feeders love crustaceans, so a piece of shrimp on a jighead is often the ticket. You can find them around oyster reefs and in deeper holes, especially during the cooler months.
Southern Flounder: Masters of camouflage, flounder require a keen eye and a delicate touch. They love to ambush their prey along drop-offs and around structure. Fall is the best time to target these flatfish as they migrate to the Gulf to spawn. A slow-dragged soft plastic or live bait is hard for them to resist.
Snook: While not as common as the other species, snook are a prized catch in Laguna Madre. These lightning-fast predators love structure and current, so look for them around mangroves and in channels. They're at the northern edge of their range here, which makes landing one even more special.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Laguna Madre isn't just another fishing spot - it's a unique ecosystem that offers experiences you won't find anywhere else. The crystal-clear, shallow waters make for some of the best sight-casting opportunities on the Gulf Coast. And with over 350 square miles of fishable water, there's always a new honey hole to explore. Our customers rave about the diversity of the fishing - where else can you catch a redfish, trout, and snook all in the same day? Plus, the scenery ain't too shabby either. Keep an eye out for roseate spoonbills, ospreys, and even the occasional dolphin!
Time to Wet a Line
Ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer? This 5-hour trip with Reel Off Charters is your ticket to Laguna Madre's fishy paradise. Whether you're looking to bend a rod, learn some new techniques, or just enjoy a day on the water, we've got you covered. With only room for two anglers, you're guaranteed a personalized experience tailored to your skill level and interests. Don't let this opportunity slip through your fingers - the fish are biting, and your spot on the boat is waiting. Book now and get ready to make some memories on the water!
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the flats. They can grow huge – 30-50 pounders aren't uncommon, though smaller ones taste better. You'll find them in shallow bays and estuaries, often rooting around oyster beds and mudflats. They use their strong chin barbels to feel for crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when big schools gather to spawn. Anglers enjoy the hard-pulling fight of a big drum and the excellent table fare of smaller ones. Fresh peeled shrimp or cut crab are top baits. Fish them on the bottom with just enough weight to hold. Black drum aren't the most aggressive biters, so be patient and watch your rod tip for subtle movement. When you feel weight, reel down and set the hook firmly. Local tip: listen for their distinctive croaking sound – it can give away a school's location in muddy water.
Redfish
Redfish are the bruisers of the flats, with their copper color and distinctive tail spot. Most run 20-30 inches in the bays, but bulls over 40 inches prowl the beachfronts. You'll find them in super shallow water, often tailing as they root for crabs in the mud. They love to hang around oyster reefs and marsh edges too. Fall is prime time when big schools flood the flats. Anglers can't get enough of their hard-pulling fights and excellent table fare. Gold spoons are a classic lure, but soft plastics and topwaters work great too. When you spot a school, cast well ahead and work your lure into their path. Once hooked, reds often make powerful runs, so be ready to gain line when you can. Local tip: on calm days, scan for push waves or tailing fish in skinny water – sight-casting to redfish is as good as it gets.
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are a favorite target in the Laguna Madre. Most run 15-20 inches, but gators over 25 inches aren't uncommon. Look for them over grass flats, along channel edges, and near oyster reefs. They're aggressive predators, often schooling up to chase bait. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but you can catch them year-round. Anglers love their willingness to hit artificial lures and their delicate, flaky meat. Soft plastics under a popping cork work great, as do topwater plugs early and late in the day. Sea trout have soft mouths, so use a steady retrieve when you get a hit – no need for a hard hookset. They often school up, so where you catch one, there are usually more. Local tip: on calm mornings, look for subtle v-wakes on the surface – that's often a trout chasing bait.
Snook
Snook are one of the trickiest inshore fish to catch, but that's what makes them so fun. They typically run 20-30 inches, with big ones pushing 40. You'll find them around mangroves, docks, and other structure in shallow coastal waters. Snook are ambush predators with incredible bursts of speed. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they move between inshore and nearshore waters. Anglers love the challenge – snook fight hard, make amazing leaps, and taste great too. Live bait like mullet or pinfish works well, but artificials like swimbaits and topwaters can be deadly. Work your lure right up against the structure, that's where snook like to hide. When you hook one, be ready for a fast first run. Local tip: fish the outgoing tide around creek mouths and passes. Snook often stage there to ambush bait being swept out.
Southern Flounder
Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, blending seamlessly with sandy or muddy bottoms. Most run 15-18 inches, but they can reach over 30 inches. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. They're ambush predators, lying in wait for small fish and crustaceans. Fall is prime time as they move to deeper water to spawn. Anglers love targeting flounder for their tasty white meat and the challenge of detecting their subtle bites. To land one, try drifting or still fishing with live bait like mullet or shrimp. Keep your line tight and be patient – flounder often mouth the bait before committing. When you feel weight, give it a second before setting the hook. These flatfish put up a decent fight and make for some of the best eating around. Local tip: work your bait slowly along drop-offs and channel edges where flounder like to hang out.
About the Shallowmaster
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 25
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
