Premier 5-Hour Matagorda Inshore Fishing Trip

Published Date: July 18, 2025
Fishing

Matagorda Bay
$550 - $600 price range
Updated Date: August 27, 2025

Summary

Get ready for a solid day of inshore fishing in Matagorda, Texas. This 5-hour trip puts you right where the action is, targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. It's perfect if you want to pack in some serious angling without committing to a full day on the water. Bring three of your fishing buddies - the boat's set up for four anglers total. The Shallowrun Guide Service crew knows these waters inside and out, so you'll be in good hands as you chase down the local hotspots. Whether you're after your personal best or just looking to bend some rods, this trip delivers the goods. Expect hands-on guidance, plenty of casting time, and with any luck, a cooler full of fish to show for it at the end of the day. It's a great way to experience the rich fishery of Matagorda Bay without breaking the bank or eating up your whole day.

Premier 5-Hour Matagorda Inshore Fishing Trip

Rods Bent, Lines Tight

Redfish caught in Matagorda Harbor using deep sea jigging technique

Storms brewing, but the redfish are biting in Matagorda Harbor!

Redfish caught deep sea jigging in Matagorda TX

Big redfish reeled in during a stormy Matagorda adventure!

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

Spotted Weakfish caught deep sea jigging in Matagorda TX

Huge Spotted Weakfish hooked during a storm-threatened day!

Reel in the Big Ones: Matagorda Inshore Fishing

Get ready to wet a line in some of the best inshore waters Texas has to offer. Our 5-hour private trip in Matagorda is tailor-made for anglers looking to tangle with hard-fighting redfish, wily speckled trout, and tasty flounder. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet, Capt. Chad and the Shallowrun Guide Service crew will put you on the fish and show you the ropes of Gulf Coast angling. Grab three of your fishing buddies and get ready for a half-day adventure you won't soon forget.

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as we shove off from the dock, you'll feel the anticipation building. Matagorda's maze of bays, estuaries, and grass flats are a playground for inshore species, and we know just where they like to hide. We'll run to our honey holes, watching for birds working the surface – always a good sign that fish are feeding below. Once we find a promising spot, it's time to bait up and get those lines in the water. Capt. Chad will be right there to offer tips on technique, whether you're tossing soft plastics for trout or sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows. And when that drag starts singing? Well, that's when the real fun begins.

Techniques & Gear Rundown

On our Matagorda trips, we use a mix of tried-and-true techniques to put fish in the boat. Depending on conditions and what's biting, we might drift fish over oyster reefs, work topwater lures along grass lines, or pole the flats looking for cruising redfish. We provide all the gear you'll need – quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for inshore fishing. Artificial lures are our go-to, but we'll have live bait on hand if that's what the fish are keyed in on. Don't worry if you're new to these methods; Capt. Chad's got a knack for teaching and will have you casting like a pro in no time.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

"Once again, CAPT CHAD delivered a high quality fishing experience for me and our grandchildren. Great spots, lots of fish, including some beautiful reds & drum. A fabulous weather day as well. We look forward to fishing again with CAPT CHAD. RICHARD" - Richard

"As always, CAPT. CHAD was awesome! He found the fish. Too many to count. Another great experience. R" - Richard

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the stars of Matagorda's inshore waters. Known for their powerful runs and ability to strip line from a reel, redfish (or red drum) are a blast to catch on light tackle. Look for their distinctive spot near the tail – some fish sport multiple spots, making for a unique trophy photo. Reds can be found year-round, but fall is prime time when they school up for their annual spawn.

Speckled Trout: Don't let their name fool you – these spotted gamefish are anything but delicate. Speckled trout are known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. They're visual predators, so clear water and a well-presented lure can lead to explosive topwater action. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but you can tangle with specks any time of year in Matagorda.

Flounder: Often overlooked but never underappreciated, flounder are the masters of camouflage in these waters. These flat fish lie in wait on sandy or muddy bottoms, ambushing prey that passes by. While they might not put up the strongest fight, their delicious fillets make them a prized catch. Fall is the best time to target flounder as they migrate to the Gulf to spawn.

Black Drum: The cousin of the redfish, black drum are hard-fighting and great eating when caught at smaller sizes. These bottom-feeders love crustaceans, so fishing near oyster reefs or with crab-scented baits can be highly effective. Spring is prime time for black drum as they gather in large schools to spawn.

Top Catches This Season

Matagorda's inshore waters have been on fire lately, with anglers reporting consistent action across all our target species. The redfish bite has been particularly hot, with many trips producing slot-sized fish in the 20-28 inch range – perfect for both a good fight and a tasty dinner. Speckled trout have been schooling up around deeper shell reefs, providing fast action for those who can find them. And let's not forget about the flounder – we've been finding some real doormats lately, with several fish over 20 inches coming to the boat.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Texas-sized fish to your list or a newcomer eager to learn the ropes, our 5-hour Matagorda inshore trip is the ticket. With Capt. Chad's local knowledge and your enthusiasm, we're set for a day of rod-bending action. And remember, these are private trips for up to four anglers, so bring your crew and make some memories on the water. The fish are biting, the weather's fine, and we've got a spot on the boat with your name on it. So what are you waiting for? Let's get out there and show those redfish, trout, and flounder who's boss. Book your trip now and get ready for some real Matagorda magic!

Customer Reviews

CAPTs Fish Bonanza

Once again, CAPT CHAD delivered a high quality fishing experience for me and our grandchildren. Great spots, lots of fish, including some beautiful reds & drum. A fabulous weather day as well. We look forward to fishing again with CAPT CHAD. RICHARD

Richard Olliver

August 3, 2025

Fishy Frenzy Delight

As always, CAPT. CHAD was awesome! He found the fish. Too many to count. Another great experience. R

Richard Olliver

June 27, 2025

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black Drum are the heavyweight cousins of redfish, packing a serious punch on the line. These bruisers can tip the scales at 30-90 pounds, though the sweet spot for eating is under 15 pounds. You'll find them hanging around oyster beds, mudflats, and pier pilings in our bays. Spring's the prime time, when they school up to spawn. Black Drum are bottom feeders with a taste for crustaceans, so fresh crab or shrimp is your best bet. They put up a stubborn fight, especially the big ones, which makes them a blast to catch. Here's a local secret: listen for their distinctive croaking sound underwater – it can lead you right to a school. Just remember, the bigger ones can be tough and not as tasty, so consider releasing those giants to fight another day.

Redfish

Redfish are the rockstars of Matagorda's flats. These copper-colored bruisers, with their distinctive tail spots, typically run 28-33 inches but can grow over 45 inches. You'll find them tailing in super shallow water, often with their backs out of the water. They love hanging around oyster reefs, grassy flats, and marsh edges. Fall's the prime time when big schools move into the bays. Redfish are prized for their hard-fighting nature and excellent table fare. They'll hit just about anything when they're feeding, from topwater lures to live bait. Here's a local trick: on calm days, look for their wakes or tails breaking the surface. Sight-casting to these fish is an adrenaline rush like no other. Just be ready for a long, powerful run when you hook up – these guys don't give up easily!

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call 'em, are a staple in our Matagorda waters. These silver beauties usually run 14-24 inches, with some monsters pushing 40 inches. They love hanging around grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. Winter's when they school up in deeper channels. Trout are known for their soft, white meat and their aggressive strikes on topwater lures. Spring and fall are your best bets for action. They're not the biggest fighters, but their sheer numbers and willingness to bite make for non-stop fun. Pro tip: when the water's choppy, try slow-trolling with soft plastics along the edges of grass flats. The sea trout can't resist an easy meal in those conditions. Just remember, they've got soft mouths, so go easy on the hookset.

Southern Flounder

Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, lurking on sandy or muddy bottoms in our bays and estuaries. These flat, oval-shaped fish typically run 15-18 inches, but can reach up to 33 inches. They're ambush predators, so look for them around structure and drop-offs. Spring and fall are prime seasons, as flounder move between inshore and offshore waters. Anglers love targeting them for their tasty white meat and the challenge of detecting their subtle bites. To boost your chances, try drifting with live bait like mullet or shrimp on a free-line rig. My local tip: when you feel that telltale "tap," wait a few seconds before setting the hook. Flounder often grab prey sideways before turning it to swallow. Patience here can mean the difference between landing a doormat and going home empty-handed.

About the Shallowrun Guide Service

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 44

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Ready for some laid-back fishing action in Matagorda? Our 5-hour inshore trip is just the ticket. We'll cruise the local waters in search of redfish, speckled trout, and flounder - the trifecta of Texas inshore fishing. Bring along three of your fishing buddies, as our boat comfortably fits four anglers. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the sport, we've got you covered with gear and know-how. We'll hit up the best spots, sharing local tips and tricks along the way. It's a great way to spend a morning or afternoon on the water, with plenty of time to reel in some beauties. No need to worry about a long day out - this trip is perfect for those who want to pack in the fishing fun without taking up the whole day. So grab your hat and sunscreen, and let's go catch some fish in the rich waters of Matagorda Bay.

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