Premier Weekday Fishing Charters in Matagorda Bay

Half Day Guided Fishing Trip In Matagorda Bay

If you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer, Matagorda Bay should be at the top of your list. This massive bay system stretches for miles along the coast, creating perfect habitat for redfish, speckled trout, and plenty more. Captain Joe knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish during this action-packed 5-hour adventure. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, this trip delivers the goods every single time.

What to Expect on the Water

This half-day trip gives you the perfect taste of what Matagorda Bay fishing is all about. You'll meet Captain Joe bright and early, and he'll have everything ready to go - from tackle to bait to his well-equipped boat that's built for these shallow coastal waters. The beauty of a 5-hour trip is that you get serious fishing time without burning your whole day. Captain Joe runs weekday trips by appointment only, which means you're getting his undivided attention and access to spots that aren't getting hammered by weekend crowds. The bay offers everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in just a couple feet of water, to deeper channels where big trout hang out waiting to ambush baitfish. With a maximum of just 2 guests, you'll have plenty of room to cast and won't be fighting for space or the captain's guidance.

Techniques and Tackle

Captain Joe comes prepared with top-quality gear, but the real magic happens with his local knowledge and fishing techniques. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might be throwing soft plastics on jig heads for trout in the deeper cuts, or working topwater lures over shallow grass beds where redfish like to feed. When the black drum are around, you'll likely be using heavier tackle and natural baits like shrimp or crab. The beauty of Matagorda Bay is its diversity - you've got everything from oyster reefs that hold sheepshead to sandy bottoms where flounder lay in wait. Captain Joe reads the water, wind, and tides to put you in the right spot with the right technique. He'll teach you how to work lures properly, when to set the hook, and how to fight these hard-pulling inshore species without losing them at the boat.

What Anglers Are Saying

"Capt. Joe was hands down the best most attentive captain our family has ever had. His patience and knowledge was top notch. Did some driving around on a beautiful morning and put us on the fish quickly. Limits of trout and 2 Black drum of a lifetime we will never forget. Cannot go wrong if you use his services. Will definitely use him again soon. Thanks for the wonderful memories Capt. Joe." - Ryan

"Capt. Joe did an excellent job. Very personable and knowledgeable. He has nice equipment and put us on fish. Best guided trip I've ever been on." - Adam

"We had a fun trip. Fishing was tough, but Capt Joe worked his rear end off getting us on them. I would definitely book again." - ADAM

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the crown jewel of Matagorda Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can be found year-round, though fall and early winter offer some of the best action when they school up in massive numbers. Reds in the bay typically run anywhere from slot-size keepers around 20-25 inches up to monster bulls that can stretch past 40 inches. What makes them so exciting is their fighting ability and the variety of ways you can catch them - sight fishing in shallow water, blind casting grass flats, or working them around structure. They hit hard and make blistering runs that'll test your drag and your nerves.

Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are another bay favorite that provides consistent action throughout much of the year. Spring and fall are prime time, when these spotted predators move into the shallows to feed aggressively. A good Matagorda Bay trout will run 15-20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing 5-6 pounds or more. They're incredibly fun on light tackle, jumping and tail-walking when hooked. Trout are also excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite for anglers who want to take dinner home.

Black Drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs that'll give you a workout. These bottom-dwellers can grow huge - we're talking fish that can weigh 30, 40, even 50 pounds or more. They're most active during cooler months, and when you hook into a big drum, you'll know it immediately. They don't jump, but they'll pull straight down and sideways with incredible power. Finding schools of drum is like hitting the jackpot, as they tend to travel in groups.

Sheepshead are the bay's most finicky biters, but also some of the most rewarding to catch. These black-and-white striped fish hang around oyster reefs and other hard structure, where they use their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and crabs. They're notorious bait thieves, so catching them requires skill, patience, and quick reflexes. Sheepshead are fantastic eating and provide a fun challenge that keeps even experienced anglers on their toes.

Southern Flounder are the bay's ambush predators, lying buried in sand and mud waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and can be tricky to locate, but Captain Joe knows the sweet spots where they like to hang out. Fall is prime flounder time, when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning run. A nice bay flounder will run 15-18 inches