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Top-Rated Laguna Madre Inshore Fishing Trip
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- South Padre Island
- $450 - $575 price range
- Updated Date: September 5, 2025
Summary
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Laguna Madre Catch Reel
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
Half-Day Laguna Madre Fishing: Snook, Flounder & More
Ready to wet a line in one of the best fishing spots on the Texas coast? Our half-day trip in Laguna Madre is just the ticket. We're talking about 4 hours of prime inshore action, where you can try your hand at both wade fishing and drift fishing. Whether you're after redfish, trout, or the elusive snook, we've got you covered. So grab your hat and sunscreen, and let's hit the flats!
Trip Overview
Picture this: You're standing knee-deep in the crystal-clear waters of Laguna Madre, casting your line towards a school of redfish tailing in the distance. Or maybe you're drifting along, feeling the gentle rock of the boat as you work a soft plastic for speckled trout. That's what you're in for on this 4-hour adventure. Our seasoned captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you right where the fish are biting. We keep things flexible, switching between wade fishing and drifting to maximize your chances of landing that trophy catch. And with a max of two guests per trip, you'll get plenty of one-on-one guidance to sharpen your skills.
What to Expect on the Water
When it comes to fishing the Laguna Madre, versatility is key. We'll start by assessing the conditions and the bite. If the fish are hugging the shallow flats, we'll hop out and do some wade fishing. There's nothing quite like the thrill of stalking redfish in gin-clear water, watching them cruise by just feet away. We'll show you how to spot them and make that perfect cast. If the drift bite is on, we'll stay in the boat and cover more water. We'll rig up with a mix of live bait and artificials, depending on what's working best that day. Expect to throw soft plastics, topwater lures, and maybe even fly fishing gear if that's your thing. The beauty of Laguna Madre is its diversity – one minute you might be fighting a bull red, the next you could be finessing a flounder out of structure.
Top Catches This Season
Folks, the fishing in Laguna Madre has been on fire lately. We've been seeing some monster trout coming to the boat, with several over 25 inches landed in the past month. The redfish action has been steady, with schools of slot-sized fish cruising the flats and some big bulls lurking in the deeper cuts. But the real buzz this year has been the snook. These hard-fighting fish have been showing up in good numbers, and they put on one heck of a show when hooked. Don't forget about the often-overlooked black drum – these bruisers can give you a run for your money on light tackle. And for you flounder fans out there, we've been finding some nice doormats around structure and drop-offs.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Snook: These silver-sided beauties are the newcomers making waves in Laguna Madre. Snook are ambush predators that love to hang around structure, so we'll target them near mangroves, oyster bars, and dock pilings. They're known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps once hooked. The best time to target snook is during the warmer months, from late spring through early fall. Anglers love chasing snook because they're a challenging catch that requires finesse and skill.
Southern Flounder: Often called the "doormats" of the flats, flounder are masters of camouflage. These flat fish bury themselves in the sandy bottom, waiting to ambush prey. We'll target them with slow-moving baits along drop-offs and around structure. Fall is prime time for flounder as they begin their migration to the Gulf. Flounder are prized for their delicate, sweet meat, making them a favorite for anglers looking to bring home dinner.
Black Drum: Don't let their ugly mug fool you – black drum are a blast to catch. These bottom-feeders can grow to massive sizes, with some "big uglies" topping 30 pounds or more. We'll look for them in deeper holes and channels, often using natural baits like crab or shrimp. Black drum put up a stubborn fight, using their weight to their advantage. They're available year-round but are especially active in the spring during their spawning season.
Sea Trout (Speckled Trout): The bread and butter of Laguna Madre fishing, speckled trout are abundant and eager to bite. These speckled beauties are known for their willingness to hit topwater lures, making for some exciting visual strikes. We'll find them over grass flats, along edges of channels, and around bait schools. Trout fishing is good year-round, but the bigger "gator" trout are often caught in winter and early spring. Anglers love specks for their sporty fight and excellent table fare.
Redfish: No trip to Laguna Madre is complete without targeting redfish. These copper-colored bruisers are the signature species of Texas inshore fishing. We'll sight-cast to them in the shallows, looking for their distinctive tailing behavior as they root for crabs in the mud. Redfish are known for their powerful runs and their ability to strip line from your reel. Fall is the prime time for big bull reds, but you can catch slot-sized fish year-round. The "redfish slam" – catching a red on topwater, soft plastic, and fly – is a popular challenge among anglers.
Time to Book Your Spot
Listen, folks, I've been fishing these waters for years, and I can tell you there's never a dull moment on Laguna Madre. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to tangle with some trophy trout or a newcomer hoping to land your first redfish, this trip has something for everyone. We provide all the gear, know-how, and local insight – all you need to bring is a good attitude and maybe a lucky hat. With only two spots available per trip, these charters fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. So don't wait around – get in touch, lock in your date, and get ready for some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer. The fish are biting, and we've got a spot on the boat with your name on it. Let's make some memories on the water!
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are the heavyweights of Laguna Madre, ranging from 5 to 30 pounds, with some monsters hitting 90 pounds. Look for them in brackish waters over oyster beds and mudflats. They're most active in spring during spawning season, when you can actually hear them "drumming" underwater. Anglers love Black Drum for their strong fights and good eating, especially the smaller ones under 15 pounds. To catch one, use fresh crab or shrimp on a bottom rig. Here's a local secret: if you're having trouble finding them, listen for that distinctive croaking sound – it's a dead giveaway. When you feel a bite, give them a moment to take the bait before setting the hook. These guys can be stubborn, so be patient and ready for a battle.
Redfish
Redfish, or Red Drum, are the bulldogs of Laguna Madre. These copper-colored fish with a signature black tail spot typically range from 20 to 28 inches inshore, but can grow much larger. You'll find them tailing in super shallow water, often less than 2 feet deep. Fall is prime time when they school up for spawning. Anglers love Reds for their hard-fighting nature and excellent table fare. To hook one, try sight-casting with gold spoons or soft plastics in shallow grass flats. Here's a local secret: look for "nervous water" or wakes – that's often a sign of cruising Reds. When you spot one, cast well ahead and let the lure sit until the fish gets close. Then give it a twitch and hold on tight – when a Red hits, it's like being hooked to a truck!
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are a staple in Laguna Madre. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14 to 24 inches, though some can reach 30 inches. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. Spring and fall are prime seasons when water temps are mild. Anglers love targeting trout for their aggressive strikes and delicate, flaky meat. To land one, try using soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. Here's a local tip: look for "slicks" on the water's surface – these oily patches are often signs of feeding trout. When you find a school, they'll usually hit just about anything you throw. Keep your retrieves slow and steady, and be ready for that telltale thump when they strike.
Snook
Snook are the prized catch of Laguna Madre, known for their powerful runs and acrobatic leaps. These sleek, silver fish with a distinctive black lateral line typically range from 24 to 38 inches. You'll find them around mangroves, seawalls, and oyster beds in shallow water. Spring and fall are peak seasons when water temperatures are just right. Snook put up an amazing fight and are considered one of the best-tasting fish out there. To hook one, try using live bait like mullet or pinfish near structure during incoming tides. A local tip: when you're casting, aim for the shadows – snook love ambushing prey from dark spots. Be ready for explosive strikes and keep your drag set light to prevent break-offs on their initial run.
Southern Flounder
Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. They typically range from 15 to 18 inches, but can grow up to 33 inches. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Fall is prime time for catching these flatfish as they migrate to spawn. Anglers love targeting flounder for their tasty, white meat and the challenge of detecting their subtle bites. To land one, try drift fishing with live bait like mullet or shrimp. A local trick is to use a slow retrieve and give your bait some extra wiggle – flounder often strike as the bait moves away. When you feel that telltale thump, wait a few seconds before setting the hook to make sure the flounder has the bait fully in its mouth.
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
