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Multi-Boat Inshore Fishing in Matagorda Bay
MatagordaWhat you will be catching:
Black Drum
Redfish
Sea Trout
Sheepshead
Southern Flounder
- Fleet of five boats accommodates groups up to 15 people
- Targets redfish and speckled trout in Matagorda Bay waters
- Customizable trips for corporate events, families, and large groups
Trip Pricing and Availabilities:
Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.
Big Group Fishing Adventure in Matagorda Bay
Got a crew of 15 that's ready to hit the water but can't find a charter big enough? Joe from Bay Finatic has you covered. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking five boats working together to give your entire group the fishing experience of a lifetime in Matagorda Bay. Whether you're planning a corporate retreat, family reunion, or just getting the whole gang together for some serious angling, Joe handpicks his most trusted local guides to make sure everyone has a blast. We're not just throwing lines in the water; we're crafting a custom fishing adventure that'll have your group talking about it for years.
What to Expect on the Water
When you roll up to the launch with 14 of your closest fishing buddies, you'll meet Joe and his team of seasoned guides who know Matagorda Bay like the back of their hands. Each boat takes 3-4 anglers, so you're not crammed in like sardines – there's plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and actually enjoy the ride. Joe coordinates the entire fleet, keeping everyone in radio contact so we can share intel on where the fish are biting. One boat finds a hot redfish flat? The whole crew knows about it within minutes. Want to split up and try different techniques? No problem. Some boats can work the grass flats for specks while others hit the shell reefs for drum. The beauty of having five boats is flexibility – we can cover more water and give everyone exactly the kind of fishing they're after.
Tackle Talk and Bay Navigation
Each guide brings top-rated gear that's perfectly matched to Matagorda's conditions. We're talking medium-action spinning rods spooled with 15-20 pound braid, because you never know when a bull red is going to slam your bait. Live shrimp and croaker are our go-to baits, but we'll also rig up some soft plastics for those finicky trout. The bay runs shallow in most spots – 2 to 8 feet is prime territory – so we use boats that can get skinny and reach those back-country honey holes where the big fish live. Joe's got the GPS coordinates locked in for productive shell reefs, grass beds, and drop-offs that consistently produce. Between the satellite radios keeping all boats connected and fish finders marking structure, this isn't a guessing game. We're putting you on fish, plain and simple.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the crown jewel of Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches and fight like they've got something to prove. Fall and winter are prime time when schools of reds cruise the shallows looking for crabs and shrimp. You'll see their backs and tails breaking the surface before they absolutely destroy your bait. The fight is pure power – no fancy jumps, just bulldogging runs that'll test your drag system. What makes them special here is the sheer numbers. Find a good school and everyone on the boat can get in on the action.
Sea trout, or specks as we call them, are the bread and butter of Matagorda fishing. These spotted beauties love the grass flats and will hit just about anything you throw at them when they're feeding. Most run 14-18 inches, but the gator trout – those 20+ inch females – are what dreams are made of. Spring and early summer are peak season when they move shallow to spawn. They're finicky feeders that require some finesse, making them perfect for anglers who like to think about their approach. Plus, they're outstanding table fare if you decide to keep a few for dinner.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing baitfish. These flat fish average 15-18 inches and provide a completely different fight than reds or trout. They're strong and stubborn, using their flat bodies to create maximum resistance. Fall migration brings the biggest flatfish through Matagorda as they head to deeper Gulf waters. What's exciting about flounder fishing is the surprise factor – you never know when that "stick" you think you're snagged on suddenly comes to life.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the bay, with fish over 30 inches being fairly common. These bottom dwellers have powerful jaws designed for crushing oysters and crabs, so when they grab your bait, you know it. They're not flashy fighters, but they're incredibly strong and will test every knot you tied. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when cooler water brings them into the shallows. Many anglers overlook drum, but they're actually fantastic eating when prepared right, and the big ones provide photo opportunities that'll make your social media followers jealous.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish in the bay to catch, but that's exactly what makes them so rewarding. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth and can steal bait faster than you can set the hook. They hang around structure like bridge pilings, boat docks, and shell reefs where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Winter is prime sheepshead season when they school up for spawning. Landing one requires patience and quick reflexes, but they're among the best eating fish in the bay. Plus, bragging rights come standard with every sheepshead you boat.
Time to Book Your Spot
This isn't the kind of trip you can book last minute. Coordinating five boats and five guides takes planning, especially during peak season. Joe's reputation for putting together world-class group charters means his calendar fills up fast, particularly for weekend slots. The beauty of this setup is that everyone gets the personal attention of an experienced guide while still being part of the larger group adventure. You're not just hiring boats – you're getting Joe's network of the best captains in
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the heavyweights of Matagorda Bay, ranging from schooling 5-10 pounders up to monsters pushing 40-50 pounds. These bottom-feeders have powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, which is exactly where we target them - around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and shallow structure. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to locate and catch. Guests love the bulldogging fight these fish put up - they're not flashy jumpers but they'll test your drag and your back. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab cut in half and fish it right on the bottom near oyster bars.
Redfish
Redfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These bruisers typically range from 18-28 inches in our bay system, with some slot fish pushing 8-10 pounds. They thrive in super shallow water - often just 1-4 feet deep around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy shorelines where their backs sometimes show above the surface. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What guests love most is watching these fish cruise the shallows and that powerful, drag-screaming fight when hooked. The meat is firm and mild, perfect on the grill. Best tip: use live shrimp under a popping cork in skinny water and be ready for explosive topwater strikes.
Sea Trout
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay, running 14-20 inches with those beautiful gold spots along their sides. These fish love grass flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall are prime times, especially on overcast days or during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for beginners since they're willing biters. My favorite technique is throwing a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds - let it sit, then give it a subtle twitch to trigger that strike.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the convict fish of the bay with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs. They typically run 1-4 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we occasionally hook into 8-10 pounders around deeper structure. You'll find them tight to any hard cover - dock pilings, bridge supports, jetties, and oil platforms where they feed on barnacles and small crabs. Winter through early spring is peak season when they're most active and easier to pattern. They're notorious bait thieves with light bites, but the challenge is part of the fun, and the reward is some of the sweetest white meat you'll taste. Pro tip: use small hooks with fresh fiddler crab and keep your bait pinned right against the structure.
Southern Flounder
Southern flounder are unique flatfish with both eyes on their left side - they're masters of camouflage, burying in sand and mud to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and 2-5 pounds, but we catch some nice doormat-sized fish over 20 inches in the deeper bay areas. They love sandy bottoms near drop-offs and channel edges, especially during fall and early winter when they're moving toward spawning areas. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they nail your bait - plus they're some of the best eating fish in the bay with sweet, white meat. My go-to trick is using live finger mullet on a Carolina rig and working it slow along the bottom transitions where sand meets shell.
