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Wade Fishing Matagorda Bay with Shallowrun Guide
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- Matagorda Bay
- $550 - $600 price range
- Updated Date: August 27, 2025
Summary
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Waist-Deep Action
Big redfish reeled in during a stormy Matagorda adventure!
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!
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Storms brewing, but the redfish are biting in Matagorda Harbor!
Big redfish reeled in during a stormy Matagorda adventure!
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!
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Storms brewing, but the redfish are biting in Matagorda Harbor!
Big redfish reeled in during a stormy Matagorda adventure!
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!
Reel in the Action: Matagorda Bay Wading Trip
Get ready to slip on your waders and dive into some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer. This 5-hour private wade fishing adventure in Matagorda Bay is perfect for anglers looking to get up close and personal with the fish. You'll be casting in knee to waist-deep water, feeling the gentle push and pull of the tides as you work your lures. It's just you, your fishing buddies, and miles of pristine coastal waters teeming with fish. No boat noise, no distractions – just pure fishing bliss.
What's the Deal?
This trip is all about getting you into the sweet spots where the big ones lurk. Your expert guide knows Matagorda Bay like the back of their hand and will put you right where the action is. You'll be targeting a mixed bag of inshore favorites – redfish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum, and sheepshead. The bay's shallow flats and grass beds are prime real estate for these species, and wading lets you sneak up on them without spooking the school.
Keep in mind, this is a BYO gear situation. You'll need to bring your own rod, reel, tackle, and waders. Don't sweat it if you're not sure what to pack – your guide can give you the lowdown on what works best in these waters. And if you're itching to use live bait, you can grab some before the trip. Just remember, nothing beats the feeling of fooling a fish on your own lure!
Wading 101
If you've never been wade fishing before, you're in for a treat. It's like stealth mode for anglers. You'll be moving slow and steady through the water, feeling for changes in bottom structure with your feet. Your guide will show you how to read the water – looking for bait activity, slicks, or birds working the surface. These are all dead giveaways that fish are feeding nearby.
Casting accuracy is key when you're wading. You'll want to work your lure or bait close to structure like oyster reefs, drop-offs, or grass lines. The beauty of wading is you can make precise casts and really work an area thoroughly. And when you hook up, get ready for an up-close-and-personal fight. There's nothing quite like feeling a big red pull against your leg as it tries to make a run!
Why Anglers Can't Get Enough
Matagorda Bay is a fishing paradise, plain and simple. The vast, shallow flats create perfect conditions for sight-casting to tailing reds or working topwaters for aggressive trout. And the best part? This bay doesn't see nearly as much pressure as some of the more well-known Texas hotspots. That means more fish and fewer crowds – music to any angler's ears.
Wade fishing here gives you a chance to really slow down and connect with your surroundings. You'll hear the calls of shorebirds, feel the coastal breeze on your face, and maybe even spot a dolphin or two cruising by. It's the kind of fishing that makes you forget about everything else and just live in the moment.
Fish You'll Want to Hook
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the rock stars of Texas inshore fishing. In Matagorda Bay, you can expect to tangle with reds anywhere from 20 to 30 inches, with some real bulls mixed in. They love to cruise the shallow flats, often revealing their location with their signature tail-waving behavior. When a red picks up your lure, hold on tight – these fish pull like freight trains and will test your drag system to the max.
Speckled Trout: Also known as spotted seatrout, these fish are prized for both their fight and their flavor. Matagorda Bay is home to some seriously hefty specks, with fish over 5 pounds not uncommon. They're ambush predators, so working topwater lures over grass beds or along drop-offs can lead to explosive strikes. The best part? Trout often school up, so where there's one, there's usually more.
Flounder: These flatfish might not win any beauty contests, but they more than make up for it on the dinner plate. Matagorda Bay sees good numbers of flounder, especially during their fall run. Look for them around structure like pier pilings or channel edges. A slow-rolled soft plastic or live bait bounced along the bottom is like ringing the dinner bell for these ambush artists.
Black Drum: Often overlooked by trophy hunters, black drum can provide some of the most consistent action in Matagorda Bay. These bottom-feeders love to hang around oyster reefs and channel edges. While most drum you'll catch will be in the 2-5 pound range, don't be surprised if you hook into a big ugly pushing 30 pounds or more. They're not the prettiest fish in the sea, but they pull like mules and can be a blast on light tackle.
Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes and impressive dental work, sheepshead are one of the more unique species you'll encounter. They're structure-oriented fish, so you'll find them around jetties, pilings, and reefs. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, so a sensitive rod and patience are key. Once hooked, they put up a stubborn, head-shaking fight that'll keep you on your toes.
Time to Wet a Line
Look, if you're itching for a fishing trip that gets you right in the thick of the action, this Matagorda Bay wading adventure is your ticket. It's hands-on, it's intimate, and it puts you in prime position to tangle with some of the best inshore species Texas has to offer. Whether you're a seasoned wade fisherman or looking to try it for the first time, this trip delivers the goods.
So grab your gear, pull on those waders, and get ready for a day on the water you won't soon forget. The fish are waiting, and the tide's just right. Don't let this opportunity slip away – book your spot now and get ready to make some waves in Matagorda Bay!
Learn more about the animals
Black Drum
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, ranging from 5 to 30 pounds but can top 90. You'll find them in Matagorda's shallow, muddy flats and near oyster beds. They use those powerful jaws and teeth to crush shellfish, so listen for their distinctive drumming sound. Spring's the hot time as they school up to spawn. Anglers dig Black Drum for their strong fights and good eating when under 15 pounds. To land one, use fresh crab or shrimp on a bottom rig. Here's a local trick: scrape some barnacles off a piling to chum them in. Just remember, the bigger ones over 15 pounds get tough and lose flavor, so consider releasing those giants to fight another day.
Redfish
Redfish, or Red Drum, are the rockstars of Matagorda Bay. They typically run 20-30 inches and 6-15 pounds, but can grow much larger. Look for them in super shallow water, often with their backs out of water, around oyster reefs and grass flats. Fall is prime time as they school up for their spawn run. Anglers love Reds for their hard-fighting spirit and that signature tail spot. To catch 'em, try gold spoons or topwater lures in shallow water. For a real thrill, sight-cast to tailing Reds in less than a foot of water. Here's a local trick: on calm days, look for pushed water or "nervous" bait fish to find feeding Reds. When you hook one, hold on tight - these bruisers will test your gear and your arms with powerful runs.
Sea Trout
Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are a favorite in Matagorda Bay. They usually run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, but can reach up to 40 pounds. Look for them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They're most active in fall and spring when water temps are mild. Anglers love 'em for their aggressive strikes and delicate, flaky meat. To catch Sea Trout, try topwater lures early morning or late evening - that surface action is hard to beat. During the day, soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork work great. Here's a local tip: if you're having trouble finding them, try drifting grass flats and fan casting. Once you locate a school, you can often catch multiple fish from the same spot. Just remember, they have soft mouths, so don't set the hook too hard.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead, or "convict fish" for their black and white stripes, are the toothy characters of Matagorda Bay. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but can reach 20 pounds. Look for them around any structure - docks, bridges, jetties - where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Spring's prime time as they school up to spawn. Anglers love Sheepshead for their crafty bait-stealing skills and excellent table fare. To catch 'em, use small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp. Fish as close to the structure as you can without snagging. Here's a tip: when you feel the telltale nibbles, wait a beat before setting the hook. These guys are notorious bait thieves, so give 'em time to really take it. Patience pays off with these striped tricksters.
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 15-18 inches, but can grow up to 33 inches. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Fall is prime time as they migrate to spawn offshore. Anglers love targeting flounder for their tasty white meat and the challenge of detecting their subtle bites. To catch 'em, use live bait like mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig. Let it sit on the bottom, then slowly drag it along - when you feel weight, give it a second before setting the hook. These ambush predators often hold the bait before committing, so patience is key. Look for them around structure like oyster beds, dock pilings, and dropoffs where they wait to ambush prey.
About the Shallowrun Guide Service
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 44
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
