Matagorda Family Inshore Trip: Top-Rated Fishing

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

Matagorda Bay
$500 - $600 price range

Summary

Looking for a relaxed family fishing day in Matagorda? This 7-hour private trip is perfect. We'll head out early at 6 AM to beat the heat and hit the local bays and marshes. You'll be targeting Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Black Drum on our shallow-draft boat. The captain provides all the gear and local expertise, so you just need to bring your Texas fishing license, sun protection, drinks, and snacks. It's great for kids too – the captain offers patient coaching to keep things easy-going while everyone learns. With room for up to 4 anglers, it's ideal for families or small groups. We can clean your catch and snap some photos if you'd like – just let us know when booking. It's a fun way to spend a vacation day on the water, soaking up the coastal atmosphere and trying your hand at some inshore fishing.

Matagorda Family Inshore Trip: Top-Rated Fishing

Coastal Catches

Huge Spotted Weakfish hooked during a storm-threatened day!

Reeling in a redfish while deep sea jigging under clear Matagorda skies!

Three huge catches on a partly cloudy day in Matagorda!

Hooked a sleek Spotted Weakfish in stormy Matagorda waters!

Matagorda's Family-Friendly Inshore Adventure

Welcome to Matagorda, where the fish are biting and the family memories are waiting to be made. Our 7-hour private inshore trip is tailor-made for families looking to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some quality time on the water. We're not just fishing here; we're creating stories you'll be telling for years to come.

Trip Overview

Rise and shine, folks! We're hitting the water at 6 AM to beat the Texas heat and catch the fish when they're most active. Our shallow-draft boat is perfect for navigating the nooks and crannies of Matagorda's bays and marshes. You'll have a front-row seat to some of the best inshore fishing spots around, where Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Black Drum call home. Don't worry if you're new to this - we've got patient coaching for the kiddos and beginners, keeping things laid-back while everyone gets a chance to reel in a keeper.

What to Expect on the Water

We're all about the "go with the flow" approach here in Matagorda. Your captain's got years of local know-how, so we'll adjust our tactics based on what the fish are doing that day. We might start by drifting some grassbeds for trout, then move to sight-casting for tailing reds in the shallows. We use light tackle that's easy for everyone to handle, and live bait that these inshore species can't resist. Don't forget your Texas fishing license - it's your ticket to the action. And while we've got the ice chest for your catch, bring along some drinks and snacks to keep the energy up. Sun protection is a must out here, so slap on that sunscreen and grab a hat. Oh, and if you want those "look what I caught" photos or fish cleaning at the end, just give us a heads up when you book.

Top Catches This Season

Matagorda's waters are teeming with some real beauties, and each one offers a unique challenge and reward. Let's break down the stars of our inshore show:

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the pride of Texas inshore fishing. Known for their distinctive spot near the tail, redfish put up a fight that'll have your rod bending and your reel screaming. They love hanging around structure and in the shallows, often revealing their location with their tails sticking out of the water as they feed - a sight that gets every angler's heart racing. Fall is prime time for big bulls, but we catch quality reds year-round in Matagorda.

Speckled Trout: Also called spotted seatrout, these guys are the bread and butter of inshore fishing. They're known for their speckled pattern and their willingness to hit artificial lures, making them a blast for anglers of all skill levels. Specks school up, so when you find one, you've often found many. Spring and fall are fantastic for trophy trout, but summer mornings can be red hot too.

Southern Flounder: Flatfish fanatics, listen up! Flounder are the masters of camouflage, blending in with the sandy bottom. They're ambush predators, so we'll target them around drop-offs and structure. The challenge of hooking these sideways swimmers adds an extra thrill to your catch. Fall is the golden season for flounder as they start their migration to the Gulf, but we can find them year-round if you know where to look.

Black Drum: Don't let their ugly mug fool you - black drum are a blast to catch and great eating when they're smaller. These cousins of the redfish use their whiskers to root out crabs and shrimp from the bottom. They pull like a freight train and can grow to massive sizes. While we catch them all year, late winter and early spring see big schools move in, offering some of the best action.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Matagorda's got a little something for everyone. Kids love the constant action of catching smaller fish, while seasoned anglers can test their skills against some real trophies. The diversity of our waters means we can always find a spot where the fish are biting, regardless of the conditions. And let's be honest, there's nothing quite like watching your youngster's face light up when they reel in their first big red or speck. It's not just fishing; it's family bonding time in one of the most beautiful settings Texas has to offer.

Time to Book Your Spot

Alright, folks, let's get you out on the water! This 7-hour trip is perfect for making those lasting family memories or treating your buddies to a day they won't forget. We've got room for up to 4 anglers, so gather your crew and let's hit the bays. Remember, we provide all the gear and know-how - you just bring the excitement and a willingness to have a great time. Matagorda's fish are calling, and trust me, you don't want to miss this call. Book now and get ready for a day of laughs, learning, and some serious fish-catching action. See you on the water!

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, growing up to 90 pounds. Most keepers run 5-30 pounds, with the smaller ones tasting best. You'll find them in brackish waters, around oyster beds, and in shallow, muddy flats. They're bottom-feeders with strong jaws, crushing shellfish like it's nothing. Spring's the hot season when they school up to spawn, making some weird croaking sounds underwater. Anglers dig Black Drum for their powerful fights and good eating, especially the smaller ones under 15 pounds. To hook one, use fresh crab or shrimp on the bottom. Here's a local trick: fish the incoming tide near oyster beds, and listen for that distinctive drum sound – it might just lead you to a big one.

Redfish

Redfish are our local rockstars, known for that distinctive spot near their tail. They usually run 28-33 inches when full-grown, but can hit 45 inches and 50 pounds. You'll find them in super shallow water, sometimes with their backs out of the water! They love hanging around oyster reefs, seagrass, and mudflats in 1-4 feet of water. Fall's the prime time when they school up, but you can catch 'em year-round. Anglers go nuts for Redfish because of their hard-fighting nature and excellent eating quality. They'll hit just about any bait or lure, but topwater lures in shallow water are a blast. Local secret: look for "tailing" redfish in really shallow water during high tide – it's sight fishing at its finest.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call 'em here, are a favorite inshore target. They usually run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, though some monsters hit 40 pounds. Look for them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They love to hang around structure and drop-offs. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but you can catch 'em year-round. Anglers prize Sea Trout for their mild, delicate flavor and the fun fight they put up. They're suckers for live shrimp, but artificial lures work great too. Try topwater plugs early morning or evening for some exciting strikes. Local tip: when you find one trout, there's usually more nearby. Fan cast the area thoroughly before moving on.

Southern Flounder

Southern Flounder are sneaky bottom-dwellers that make for great eating and a fun challenge. They're usually 15-18 inches long but can grow up to 33 inches. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries, hanging out on sandy or muddy bottoms. These masters of camouflage blend in perfectly, waiting to ambush prey. Fall is prime time for flounder fishing as they move to deeper waters. Anglers love targeting them for their delicate, white meat and the thrill of the hunt. To catch one, try drifting or still fishing with live bait like mullet or shrimp. My local tip: use a slow retrieve and keep your bait close to the bottom. When you feel a bite, give it a second before setting the hook – flounder like to grab their prey sideways before swallowing.

About the Shallowrun Guide Service

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 44

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Our shallow-draft boat is perfect for navigating Matagorda's inshore waters. With room for up to 4 anglers, it's spacious enough for the family but nimble enough to access those hard-to-reach fishing spots. The deck provides a stable platform for casting and reeling in your catch. There's ample storage for gear and coolers to keep your drinks and snacks chilled throughout the day. Comfortable seating lets you relax between bites, and the boat's design minimizes rocking so even those prone to seasickness can enjoy the trip. While not fancy, this reliable vessel is well-maintained and equipped with all the essentials for a productive day of fishing the local bays and marshes. It's an ideal setup for introducing kids to angling or for experienced fishermen looking to hone their inshore skills.

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