World-Class 7-Hour Matagorda Inshore Fishing Trip

Published Date: July 18, 2025
Fishing

Matagorda Bay
$550 - $600 price range
Updated Date: September 21, 2025

Summary

Looking for a full day of inshore fishing in Matagorda Bay? Captain Chad from Shallowrun Guide Service has you covered with this 7-hour trip. You'll be targeting Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder across the bay's diverse fishing grounds. It's perfect for groups of up to four, whether you're just starting out or you've been fishing these waters for years. All the gear you need is provided, and you can even opt for live bait if that's your preference. Just make sure everyone in your group has a valid Texas fishing license before you head out. With a full day on the water, you'll have plenty of time to find the hot spots and reel in some impressive catches. It's a great way to experience the rich inshore fishery of Matagorda Bay and improve your angling skills under expert guidance.

World-Class 7-Hour Matagorda Inshore Fishing Trip

Bay Fishing Action

Three redfish caught while fishing in Matagorda

A summer flounder caught by a person in Matagorda

Flounder Kids reeling in

A lone redfish caught while fishing in TX

Fishing memories made

Catch big in Matagorda

Reel in the Big Three: Redfish, Trout, Flounder

Ready to wet a line in some of the best inshore waters Texas has to offer? Shallowrun Guide Service's full-day Matagorda Bay trip is your ticket to hooking into the coveted "Texas Slam" - redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. With 7 hours on the water, we'll hit all the honey holes across this diverse bay system. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, Captain Chad's got you covered with top-notch gear and local know-how. Grab your buddies (up to 4 total) and get ready for a day of bent rods and screaming drags!

What to Expect on the Water

We'll kick things off early, meeting at the dock as the sun's coming up. After a quick safety rundown, we'll ease out of the harbor and into Matagorda's maze of bays, flats, and channels. Captain Chad's been fishing these waters for years, so he knows exactly where the fish are hanging out. We'll start by hitting some prime spots for redfish - maybe sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows or working deeper holes where the big boys lurk. As the day heats up, we might switch gears and drift for trout over grass beds or work some jetty rocks for flounder. The beauty of a full day is we've got time to try different tactics and locations until we find the hot bite.

Fishing Arsenal & Tactics

Leave your tackle box at home - we've got you covered with top-of-the-line rods, reels, and terminal tackle. We'll be using a mix of artificial lures and live bait (available for purchase) to entice those fish. Expect to throw soft plastics, topwaters, and maybe even fly gear if that's your thing. For redfish, we might be sight-casting with gold spoons or chunking cut mullet in the deeper holes. Trout love a well-worked soft plastic under a popping cork, while flounder can't resist a live shrimp bounced along the bottom. Captain Chad will show you the ropes if you're new to these techniques, or swap fish stories if you're an old pro. Just remember to bring your Texas fishing license - we can't hit the water without it!

Top Catches This Season

While every day on the water is different, Matagorda Bay has been on fire lately. Anglers have been limiting out on fat specks in the 2-3 pound range, with some gators pushing 5 pounds showing up around structure. The redfish bite has been steady, with schools of slot-sized fish cruising the flats and some bruiser bulls hanging around the jetties. Flounder fishing picks up as we move into fall, but we've been finding some good-sized doormats already. The variety is what keeps folks coming back - you never know if your next cast will hook into a personal best or even a surprise jack crevalle or black drum.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish (Red Drum): The bulldogs of the bay, redfish will test your drag and your arm strength. These copper-colored beauties love to cruise shallow flats, often revealing their location with a waving tail above water. In Matagorda, we catch reds year-round, but the fall "bull red" run is something special. Slot-sized fish (20-28 inches) make for great eating, while the big bulls over 40 inches provide an unforgettable catch-and-release battle.

Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout): The crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, speckled trout are prized for both their fight and their flavor. These spotted predators hunt in schools, often blasting bait on the surface in exciting "blowups". Matagorda's grass flats and deeper channels hold trout year-round, but the bigger specimens (we call 'em "gator trout") tend to show up in cooler months. There's nothing quite like the subtle "thump" of a big trout inhaling your lure.

Southern Flounder: Masters of camouflage, flounder are ambush predators that lie flat on the bottom waiting for prey. While they might not win any beauty contests, they're one of the tastiest fish in the bay. Matagorda's muddy bottom and abundance of bait fish make it a flounder paradise. The fall "flounder run" as they migrate to spawn is legendary, but we catch these flatfish year-round. Patience and a slow retrieve are key - when you feel that distinctive "thump", it's time to set the hook!

Black Drum: Often overlooked but never underappreciated, black drum are the workhorses of Matagorda Bay. These cousins of the redfish can grow to massive sizes, with trophy "big uglies" topping 30 pounds. Smaller "puppy drum" are excellent eating and put up a great fight. We target them around oyster reefs and channel edges, often using natural baits like crab or shrimp. The "croaking" sound they make when pulled from the water is unmistakable!

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Matagorda Bay isn't just another fishing spot - it's a slice of coastal paradise that keeps anglers coming back year after year. The sheer variety of fish and fishing opportunities is hard to beat. One minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds in gin-clear water, the next you're battling a trophy trout in a deep channel. The relatively light fishing pressure compared to some other Texas bays means there's always a chance at that fish of a lifetime.

But it's not just about the fish. Matagorda's natural beauty is something to behold. Pristine marshes teem with birds and wildlife, while the open bay stretches to the horizon. You might spot dolphins playing in the boat wake or see a sea turtle pop up for air. And let's not forget those Texas sunrises and sunsets - they're worth the trip alone.

With Shallowrun Guide Service, you're not just getting a fishing trip, you're getting a full-on Matagorda Bay experience. Captain Chad's local knowledge means you'll hit the best spots and learn techniques that'll up your inshore game. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in on that trophy catch, or a family wanting to make some fishing memories, this full-day trip delivers.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to bend a rod and fill the cooler with some of Texas' finest inshore species, it's time to lock in your date with Shallowrun Guide Service. This full-day Matagorda Bay trip gives you the best shot at experiencing everything these waters have to offer. With limited spots available (remember, we keep it small with just 4 anglers max), don't wait to book. Whether you're chasing that Texas Slam or just want a day of quality fishing in a beautiful setting, Captain Chad's got you covered. Grab your sunscreen, snacks, and fishing license - we'll handle the rest. See you on the water!

Learn more about the animals

Black Drum

Black Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, ranging from 5 to 30 pounds, with some monsters hitting 90 pounds. You'll find them in brackish waters, around oyster beds, and in estuaries. They're bottom feeders with strong jaws perfect for crushing shellfish. Spring's the best time to target them when they school up for spawning. Anglers love the fight these big boys put up, especially on light tackle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating too, with a sweet, firm meat. When fishing for Black Drum, use fresh crab or shrimp for bait and fish it right on the bottom. Here's a pro tip: listen for their distinct drumming sound – it can help you locate a school even before you see them.

Redfish

Redfish, or Red Drum, are the rockstars of our inshore waters. These copper-colored fighters, known for the distinct black spot near their tail, usually run 20 to 30 inches in the bay. You'll find them in super shallow water, sometimes with their backs out of the water, hunting around oyster reefs and grass flats. Fall is prime time when they school up, but you can catch 'em year-round. Anglers love Redfish for their hard-pulling fights and excellent table fare. To hook one, try sight-casting with gold spoons or soft plastics in the shallows. Here's a tip: when you see them "tailing" (feeding with their tails above water), approach quietly and make a precise cast just ahead of them. The excitement of watching a Redfish chase down your lure is hard to beat.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, also known as Speckled Trout, are a favorite here in Matagorda Bay. These silvery, spotted beauties typically run 14 to 24 inches and put up a great fight. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are mild. Anglers love 'em for their aggressive strikes and tasty, flaky white meat. To catch Sea Trout, try using topwater lures early in the morning or late evening – the surface explosions are a blast. Live shrimp under a popping cork is another go-to method. Here's a local secret: on calm days, look for "slicks" on the water surface. These oily patches are often a sign of feeding trout.

Southern Flounder

Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. They're typically 15-18 inches long but can grow up to 33 inches. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Fall is prime time for flounder fishing as they move to deeper waters for spawning. Anglers love targeting them for their delicate, sweet meat and the challenge of hooking these bottom-dwellers. To catch 'em, use a slow retrieve with live bait like mullet or shrimp, or try drifting with artificial lures. Here's a local tip: when you feel a bite, wait a few seconds before setting the hook. Flounder often grab prey sideways before turning it to swallow, so give 'em time to get the bait fully in their mouth.

About the Shallowrun Guide Service

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 44

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Captain Chad's custom-built bay boat is perfectly suited for exploring the shallow waters of Matagorda Bay. This versatile vessel allows anglers to access prime fishing spots where redfish, trout, and flounder hide out. With a stable fishing platform and plenty of deck space, up to four guests can cast comfortably throughout the day. The boat's shallow draft lets you sneak into backwaters and over grass flats that larger boats can't reach. There's ample storage for gear and coolers, plus top-notch electronics to locate fish. A quiet trolling motor helps you slip up on wary fish without spooking them. Whether drifting the open bay or poling along marshy shorelines, this nimble craft gives you the ideal setup for a productive day of inshore fishing in Matagorda's diverse ecosystem.

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