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Nighttime Gigging Adventure in Matagorda Bay
- Published Date: July 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Matagorda
- $450 - $4,800 price range
- Updated Date: November 5, 2025
Summary
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Night Gigging Action
Great day of flatfish action at the cleaning station! Multiple techniques paid off.
Solid flatfish action today! Clear skies made for perfect fishing conditions.
Great day of jigging and drift fishing - flatfish adventure in Matagorda!
Night Gigging Magic in Matagorda Bay
Get ready for a totally different kind of fishing adventure on the Matagorda flats! Captain Joe Guerra's 5-hour night gigging trip is all about spotting and spearing fish in the shallows after dark. It's an awesome way to target flounder, black drum, and sheepshead without ever casting a line. We'll cruise the back lakes and flats in two boats, using bright LED lights to spot fish right under our feet. It's like underwater hunting, and once you try it, you'll be hooked!
What's the Deal with Night Gigging?
Picture this: You're standing on the front of a flat-bottomed boat, gig in hand, as we slowly glide through knee-deep water. Our LED lights cut through the darkness, illuminating every fish, crab, and stingray within reach. When we spot a keeper flounder or drum, it's your job to stick 'em! It's a totally different rush from hook-and-line fishing, and you'll be amazed at how many fish are out there once the sun goes down. This trip runs year-round, except for November when flounder gigging is closed to protect the spawning run. We can take up to 6 people split between two boats, so bring your buddies and make it a friendly competition!
Gig 'Em and Stick 'Em
Night gigging is all about stealth and a quick hand. We use specialized boats designed for super-shallow water, letting us access spots where big fish come to feed after dark. Your main tool is a multi-pronged gig – basically a long pole with a trident on the end. When you spot a fish, you've gotta be quick and accurate with that gig. Don't worry if you've never done it before; Captain Joe will show you the ropes. We provide all the gear, including powerful lights that make fish practically glow in the dark water. It's wild how many critters you'll see once your eyes adjust – from scurrying crabs to huge rays gliding by. Just remember to watch your step, those stingrays aren't fans of being stepped on!
Top Catches on the Flats
Our main targets on these trips are southern flounder, black drum, and sheepshead. Each one offers a different challenge when it comes to gigging. Flounder are masters of camouflage, blending in perfectly with the sandy bottom. Half the fun is training your eye to spot their distinctive outline and eyeballs. Black drum are easier to see but can spook quickly, so a smooth approach is key. Sheepshead, with their funky stripes, stand out like zebras under the lights. They're quick though, so you'll need to be on your toes. The best part? You're not limited by a bite or finicky fish – if you can see 'em, you can stick 'em!
Why Night Owls Love It
There's something special about being out on the water at night. The bay takes on a whole new personality after dark. You'll hear the slosh of mullet, see bioluminescent plankton glowing in our wake, and maybe even spot an owl swooping down for a midnight snack. It's peaceful out there, with just the hum of the boat and the lapping of waves. Plus, the cooler night air is a welcome break from the Texas heat. Many folks tell me gigging is way more exciting than they expected – it's like a real-life video game, trying to spot and spear fish before they dart away. And let's be honest, there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of bringing home a cooler full of fish you stuck yourself!
Species in the Spotlight
Southern Flounder: These flatfish are the stars of any gigging trip. They lie perfectly still on the bottom, using their speckled brown topside as camouflage. Flounder can grow up to 25 inches long, but a good eating-size is 14-18 inches. They're most active in the fall as they start their migration to the Gulf, but we can find them year-round (except November). Flounder have both eyes on one side of their head, which is pretty wild to see up close!
Black Drum: These bruisers can get huge – over 30 pounds! – but for gigging we target the smaller "puppy drum" in the 14-24 inch range. They've got a distinctive downturned mouth perfect for rooting out crabs and shrimp from the bottom. Black drum make a croaking sound by vibrating their swim bladder, which you can sometimes hear on really quiet nights. They're abundant year-round but seem to school up more in the cooler months.
Sheepshead: With human-like teeth and black-and-white prison stripes, sheepshead are some of the weirdest-looking fish in the bay. They use those chompers to crush barnacles and crabs right off the pilings. Sheepshead usually hang around structure, so we'll often find them near oyster reefs or docks. They're craftiest in the winter months when they move into the shallows to spawn. A decent-sized sheepshead is 3-5 pounds, but they can grow up to 15 pounds!
Time to Get Your Gig On
If you're looking for a fishing trip that's way off the beaten path, this night gigging adventure is it. It's a totally different way to experience Matagorda Bay, and you'll come away with some epic stories (and hopefully a few fish for the fryer). Captain Joe knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on the fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or trying fishing for the first time, gigging is an awesome equalizer – if you can see it, you can stick it! So grab your friends, pack some snacks, and get ready for a night on the water you won't forget. Book your spot now before the prime dates fill up!
Learn more about the animals
Black Drum
## Black Drum (Pogonias Cromis) ## Black Drum Description The Black Drum is a fish in the Sciaenidae family. The Black Drum is also the largest fish of that family, including almost 300 species, including their popular cousin, the Redfish. They are known as drums or croakers due to the repetitive drumming or croaking sounds they make. They are black and or grey and have powerful jaws with strong teeth capable of crushing prey like shellfish and oysters. ## Black Drum Size The Black Drum's typical weight range varies considerably from 5 to 30 pounds but can reach a weight of up to 90 pounds. If you intend to eat your catch, you may want to release Black Drum over 15 pounds. As they grow larger, the meat is tough and more comparable to chicken than a flaky texture. Also, the flavor of the older fish is not as tasty as the smaller-sized fish. ## Black Drum Spawning Black Drum have mating calls that they use to seek out others during the spawning season, capable of producing tones that reach 100 to 500 Hz. Black Drum grow rapidly and reach maturity within the first 2 years of their lives and live to 50 years. The females can lay eggs every three days during the spawning season. Their spawning seasons vary due to location, spawning occurring in February and March in southern areas like Texas, and April to June farther north. ## Black Drum Habitat Black Drum typically prefers brackish waters and estuaries. The adults live closer to the saltier areas near the ocean. They can be found around an oyster bed and other areas with plentiful food sources. The juveniles prefer the less salty areas of the same estuaries with sandy bottoms. Black drum are extremely adaptable when it comes to temperatures and salinity and can be attracted to freshwater creek openings and extremely shallow water, but are also found in depths of up to 100 feet. ## Black Drum Fishing You will find the best Drum fishing is on shallow water, muddy flats, and oyster beds, but they can also be found near inlets, pier pilings, creeks and estuaries that make way inward. Most anglers also fish for the Black Drum in the spring around the spawning season. At this time, the fish school up and are easier to target. After the spawning season, the fish disperse and become much harder to target. ## ## Black Drum Bait and Lures The best bait an angler can use for Drum fishing is live bait because they are bottom-feeders. Live bait such as fresh soft crabs, mollusk, peelers crabs, sea clam, or crushed mussels are the preferred bait. Anglers like to use crab because it does not tend to get eaten by catfish and other bait stealers. If you are not using live bait, then choose very slow-moving jigs like bucktail jigs. It is also vital to use the correct weighting for the conditions to ensure that your bait is on the bottom. When fly fishing, most anglers prefer to use a 7- or 9-weight fly rod, leaning towards a 9-weight for throwing heavier flies and a little extra strength when pulling on fish that may be more than 20 pounds. You will want to present your fly on the bottom, and weighted black flies that get to the bottom quickly are best such as the Redfish Worm, Merkin, and Clouser Minnow. ## Distribution and Range The Black Drum has a wide range and extends as far north as Nova Scotia, down the whole Atlantic coast of the United States, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. ## Black Drum Regulations Check the state you are fishing in as they each have their own regulations, but you will find most at 5 fish per day between 14 and 24 inches long, with one allowed over 24 inches.
Sheepshead
Sheephead Fish (Archosargus Probatocephalus) Description
The Sheepshead is a beautiful fish with a deeply compressed grey body. They have five to seven dark bars on the sides of its body, giving it the nickname of convict fish. They also have sharp dorsal spines, but what they are really famous for are their human-like teeth.
Size
Sheepshead are common at 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches. However, if you are lucky, you could come across one at 20 pounds, 35-inches. They live a relatively long life, about 20 years.
Spawning
Sheepshead form spawning groups of up to 10,000 fish. They migrate to structures at channel passes and offshore reefs, jetties, and oil platforms. They primarily spawn in the early spring from February through April.
Interesting Facts
- Sheepshead fish are nicknamed convict fish for their gray and black stripes.
- Sheepshead Bay in New York got its name from these fish there were once abundant. However, the bay's popularity caused water pollution, and the Sheepshead have all but disappeared from the bay.
- The delicate white flesh and delicious mild flavor of the Sheepshead make it excellent table fare, but their tough scales and strong fin spines make this species difficult to clean or fillet. Because of this, it is sometimes passed over in favor of other food fish.
Habitat and Distribution
You will find these fish around structures of any kind, docks, bridges, petroleum rigs, and reefs. Any barnacle-covered pilings make for great places to catch some big Sheepshead fish. Although they usually stay near cover, occasionally, they will also come closer to shore to feed on sand fleas (a type of crab).
Sheepshead are found along the entire east coast of the United States and around Florida to the Gulf of Mexico. The highest concentrations are found in south Florida to the Gulf of Mexico. Because of the large number of artificial structures and pier pilings in northwest Florida, you will also find large concentrations. They can also be found as far north as Nova Scotia.
Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Sheepshead
If your fishing from a boat, pull up to the structure without dropping an anchor, if possible, as it will startle the fish. They seldom go after baits too far from their cover, so get as close as you can. Anglers on land can still catch the big one off the dock or seawall. Just as the boat angler would do, cast your bait as close to the pilings as possible. Using light tackle, let the bait hit bottom, then slowly bring the bait up in 1-foot increments to determine where the fish are suspended in the water as they are pelagic. They may lurk near the bottom or hover in any depth. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers. They will nibble on the bait in an attempt to loosen it from the hook, so always have it set up firmly. They also have powerful mouths and jaws, so once you feel the fish's weight nibbling at the bait, set the hook aggressively.
Look for these King-of-the-Reef fish around structures where they love to feed on barnacles, small stone crab, and fiddler crab. They also eat shrimp, mollusks, minnows, clams, and squid. When choosing a bait, a natural one is the best way to go. However, if you are looking for a jig to use, consider a shrimp-tipped jig. The heavier weight helps keep the bait down and from being dragged with the current. If your local laws allow, you may even scrape barnacles off the pilings with a rake to create a seeping area of meat pieces in the water. The Sheepshead will quickly hone in on the scent, and you will have them come to you.
Sheepshead Good to Eat?
Sheepshead is an excellent choice for those who love delicious, sustainable seafood options. This fish has a mild flavor that makes it suitable for any palate. Its white, sweet and succulent flesh is a perfect complement to any dish. Sheepshead is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making it a healthy choice for anyone looking to maintain a well-balanced diet. It is also low in mercury, which means you can enjoy it without worrying about any potential health risks. A diet rich in Sheepshead fish can help in improving heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart diseases. It can also support brain function, boost immunity, and aid in muscle growth and repair. Whether grilled, baked, or fried, Sheepshead fish is an excellent addition to any meal. So, if you have not tried this fish yet, it is time to do so and discover its exceptional taste and health benefits.
Southern Flounder
Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) Fish Description
A Southern Flounder is a flat, oval fish and is a part of the Paralichthyidae family. It is known for having both of its eyes on the left side of its head. It has an underdeveloped pectoral fin or has none at all. It also does not have any spines on its fins, and its caudal fin is separate.
The Southern Flounder is often mistaken as a Summer Flounder but one of its distinguishing factors among other flounders is its numerous light and dark blotches and spots on their dark side. Other flounders have oscillated spots, which is absent in a Southern Flounder.
It is a known predator, and it ambushes its prey from the bottom, camouflaging itself under sand or mud. It feeds on worms, shrimp, blue crabs, and smaller fishes like anchovies, menhaden, and mullets.
Interesting Facts About Southern Flounder
- A female Southern Flounder can lay up to 9,000 eggs at once.
- It can change its color and mimic the substrate they are in. This helps help hide from predators and also hunt for prey.
- Flounders are anguilliform swimmers. They swim using their bodies and caudal fin.
- Its eyes are both found on one side – also called their ocular side.
- Most Southern Flounders are 'left-handed' (both eyes on the left side), but there are also 'right-handed' Southern Flounders in rare cases.
- A male Southern Flounder's life is shorter than its female counterpart. It can live for at most three years only.
Size
A Southern Flounder typically ranges from 15 to 18 inches and can grow as long as 33 inches. Typically, they weigh around 5 lbs. but it recorded an all-tackle weight of 20 lbs—9 oz.
Habitat and Distribution
The Southern Flounder is found in the waters along the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. It is commonly found in sandy, rocky, or muddy bottoms of shallow waters of coastal marine areas, bays, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. This makes it easier to catch and feed on prey. Most adult Southern Flounders prefer staying offshore during the winter season.
Southern Flounder - Fishing Techniques
The best technique to catch a Southern Flounder is still fishing or drift fishing since they settle at the water's bottom. Anglers can use live fish and artificial lures as bait. It is best to use a single-hooked, slip lead, or free-line rig with heads ranging from 1/4 "- 3/8". It is advised to use light-to-medium lines with reels that can spool 150 yards per 10 lbs. Anglers can also fly fish using medium lines.
Bull minnows, mullets, and shrimps are the best baits to catch flatfish like flounders.
