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Expert-Guided Inshore Fishing in South Padre

  • Published Date: July 17, 2025
  • Fishing
  • South Padre Island, TX
  • $425 - $625 price range
  • Updated Date: September 18, 2025

Summary

Ready for a full day of inshore fishing on South Padre Island? Join Captain Jaime for 8 hours of angling action on the Lower Laguna Madre. This trip is perfect for seasoned anglers looking to target Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and Black Drum. We'll adapt our strategies based on tides and seasonal patterns, hitting multiple spots to maximize your chances of landing quality fish. All gear and bait are provided, so just bring your Texas fishing license, sun protection, and food and drinks for the day. With a focus on experienced anglers, we'll work together to find the best fishing spots and techniques. Whether you're sight-casting in the shallows or working deeper channels, you'll have plenty of opportunities to test your skills against some of the area's most sought-after inshore species. It's a full day on the water, giving you time to really dial in your approach and hopefully land some impressive catches.
Expert-Guided Inshore Fishing in South Padre

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5 fish caught while fishing in Port Isabel

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A snook fish being caught in TX

Snook Alert! - Port Isabel, TX.

3 people fishing for a group of 5 fish in Port Isabel

A proud Family with their haul - Port Isabel, TX.

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Full Day Inshore Fishing: South Padre's Hotspots

Ready to spend a full day chasing some of South Padre Island's most prized inshore species? Captain Jaime of Reel Therapy Charter Service has got you covered with this 8-hour adventure on the Lower Laguna Madre. Whether you're after bull reds, gator trout, or a doormat flounder, this trip is tailored for seasoned anglers looking to put their skills to the test. We'll hit multiple spots, adapting our approach based on tides and seasonal patterns to maximize your chances of landing quality fish.

What to Expect on the Water

We'll kick things off early, meeting at the dock as the sun's just peeking over the horizon. Captain Jaime will have the boat prepped and ready to go, loaded with top-notch gear and fresh bait. As we cruise out onto the Lower Laguna Madre, you'll get a rundown of the day's game plan. We'll target redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum across various honey holes. Expect to try different techniques throughout the day, from sight-casting to reds on the flats to working soft plastics for trout along grass lines. With a full 8 hours on the water, we've got plenty of time to adjust our strategy and find where the fish are biting.

Techniques & Tackle Talk

This trip is all about versatility. We might start the morning drifting for trout, tossing soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. As the sun climbs higher, we could switch gears and pole the shallows, looking for tailing redfish. Captain Jaime's always got a few tricks up his sleeve, like using cut mullet to entice big black drum or working a jig along drop-offs for flounder. All the gear you need is provided, including quality rods, reels, and a variety of lures and bait. Just remember to grab your Texas fishing license before the trip. And don't forget to pack some snacks and drinks - a full day on the water works up an appetite!

Customer Stories

"Jaime was Excellent!

it just wasn't our day.... We didn't find a lot of fish, but Kudos for Jaime... great effort and service" - Ricardo

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish: The bull of the flats, redfish are a top target for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can be found tailing in skinny water or cruising along grass lines. In the fall, you might even hook into a bull red over 40 inches! Sight-casting to reds is an adrenaline rush like no other - watch for their tails waving above the surface as they root for crabs in the shallows.

Speckled Trout: Also known as spotted seatrout, these fish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing in South Padre. They're known for their spotted patterns and sharp teeth. Trout can be caught year-round, but the big "gator" trout over 25 inches are often caught in winter and early spring. There's nothing quite like the thump of a big trout hitting a topwater lure at dawn.

Southern Flounder: These flatfish are masters of camouflage, blending in perfectly with the sandy bottom. Flounder fishing requires finesse and patience, but the reward is some of the tastiest fillets you'll ever eat. Fall is prime time for flounder as they migrate to the Gulf to spawn. Drifting live bait or working a jig slowly along drop-offs is the ticket to landing a "doormat" flounder.

Black Drum: Often overlooked, black drum can provide some serious pull on light tackle. These cousins of the redfish can grow to massive sizes, with some specimens topping 50 pounds! While the bigger ones are usually released, slot-sized black drum make excellent table fare. They're suckers for fresh crab or shrimp fished on the bottom, especially around structure like oyster reefs.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

South Padre Island is a year-round fishing destination, but each season brings its own highlights. Spring sees the arrival of big trout and the start of the redfish action on the flats. Summer heats up with consistent action for a variety of species. Fall is prime time for bull reds and flounder runs. Even in winter, you can find some monster trout lurking in deeper holes. The diversity of the Lower Laguna Madre means there's always something biting, no matter when you visit.

What sets this full-day trip apart is the ability to really dial in on what's working. With 8 hours on the water, Captain Jaime can adapt to conditions, moving between spots and switching tactics until we find the fish. It's not just about quantity, but quality too. We're after those memorable catches - the kind that make for great photos and even better stories.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're an experienced angler looking to make the most of your time on South Padre Island, this full-day inshore trip is hard to beat. With Captain Jaime's local knowledge and a full arsenal of techniques at your disposal, you're in for a day of top-notch fishing action. Whether you're after your personal best trout, a limit of reds, or just a cooler full of mixed bag inshore species, this trip delivers.

Remember, the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Don't miss your chance to experience some of the best inshore fishing South Padre has to offer. Grab your fishing buddy (the trip is perfect for two anglers), pack your sun protection and favorite snacks, and get ready for a full day of rod-bending action. Book now and let's get you on the fish!

Customer Review

Jaime Tried His Best

quotes

Jaime was Excellent! it just wasn’t our day.... We didn’t find a lot of fish, but Kudos for Jaime... great effort and service

RD
Ricardo D.A.

August 26, 2025

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, with bulls pushing 30-40 pounds common. You'll find them cruising the flats and hanging around oyster beds, using those sensitive barbels to root out crabs and shrimp. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn, making some serious noise with their distinctive croaking. These fish put up a stubborn fight, especially the big ones - it's like pulling in a truck tire. While the smaller ones under 10 pounds are great eating, the real thrill is tangling with a monster. My go-to trick: a chunk of blue crab on the bottom is hard to beat. Just listen for that telltale thump when they pick it up.

Black Drum

Redfish

Redfish, or red drum, are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-30 inches in the bays, with bull reds over 40 inches cruising the beachfront. Look for them tailing on shallow flats, especially early mornings when the water's calm. They love to root around oyster beds and marsh edges for crabs and shrimp. Redfish put up a dogged fight, often making powerful runs when hooked. Fall is prime time as they school up for their spawning migration. They're excellent table fare, with a sweet, mild flavor. My local trick: on windy days, focus on windward shorelines where bait gets pushed up against the bank. A gold spoon or soft plastic worked slowly is deadly.

Redfish

Sea Trout

Known locally as speckled trout, these fish are a staple of our inshore waters. They typically run 14-20 inches, with gator trout over 25 inches not uncommon. You'll find them prowling grass flats, channels, and around structure, often in schools. Dawn and dusk are prime feeding times, especially on a moving tide. Trout are aggressive predators and will readily hit topwater lures, soft plastics, and live bait. They're known for their soft mouths, so a gentle hookset is key. The fight isn't spectacular, but their acrobatic leaps make up for it. As for eating, smaller trout are delicious. My local tip: focus on potholes in the grass flats - trout love to ambush bait from these sandy patches.

Sea Trout

Southern Flounder

These flatfish are masters of camouflage, blending perfectly with sandy or muddy bottoms in our shallow bays. Typically 15-18 inches long, they're ambush predators that lie in wait for passing prey. You'll find them year-round in the Lower Laguna Madre, but fall is prime time as they move towards the Gulf to spawn. Flounder fishing takes patience - work your bait slowly along the bottom near drop-offs or structure. They're not known for big fights, but the challenge of spotting and hooking them keeps anglers coming back. Plus, they're absolutely delicious. My local tip: on calm days, look for their eyes peeking just above the sand. Once you spot one, a well-placed soft plastic or live bait is hard for them to resist.

Southern Flounder

About the Dargel Boats

Company vehicle

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 40

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 250

Captain Jaime's inshore fishing boat is ready to take seasoned anglers on an action-packed day in the Lower Laguna Madre. This vessel is equipped for a full 8 hours of fishing, with all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need to target redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum. The boat is nimble enough to access prime inshore spots as conditions change throughout the day. There's room for two guests to fish comfortably, with space to move around and try different techniques. While not luxurious, the boat has the essentials for a productive day on the water - including a cooler for your drinks and snacks. Captain Jaime keeps the boat well-maintained and outfitted with quality gear to give experienced anglers the best shot at landing some impressive catches.
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Best South Padre Island Fishing

Experience angling bliss with Reel Therapy Charter Service in South Padre Island, TX. Join Captain Jaime for an exciting fishing expedition, exploring the bountiful waters of lower Laguna Madre. Your unforgettable fishing journey awaits – book now and reel in the memories of a lifetime!

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