Premier Redfish Flats Fishing in South Padre

Published Date: July 22, 2025
Fishing

South Padre Island, TX
$450 - $1,300 price range

Summary

Ready for some quality flats fishing on South Padre Island? This half-day trip takes you out on the Lower Laguna Madre Bay with a local guide who knows all the best spots. You'll be targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in the shallow waters and along grassy shorelines. It's perfect whether you're new to fishing or have been doing it for years. The bay is teeming with marine life, so there's always something interesting to see. Your guide will help you find the fish and improve your technique. It's a great way to spend a morning on the water, enjoying the natural beauty of South Padre while trying to land some of the area's most popular gamefish. The peaceful surroundings and the excitement of a good catch make for a memorable outing. With room for two guests, it's an ideal trip to share with a friend or family member.

Premier Redfish Flats Fishing in South Padre

Redfish on the Flats

Three redfish caught at South Padre Island

Redfish fishing trips South Padre Island

Texas Redfish

Sea Trout Delight in TX

A fisherman with a snook fish at South Padre Island

Fishing for Snook in Texas

Redfish Morning Honeyhole Flats Fishing

Hey there, fellow anglers! Ready to hit the flats and chase some reds? I'm stoked to tell you about our top-rated Redfish Morning Honeyhole trip right here in South Padre Island. We're talking prime-time fishing in the Lower Laguna Madre Bay, where the redfish are thick and the action is hot. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet, this half-day trip is the perfect way to experience some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer.

Trip Overview

Picture this: You're gliding across crystal-clear shallows as the sun peeks over the horizon, your eyes peeled for that telltale copper flash. That's how we kick off our mornings on the flats. We'll be targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in their favorite haunts – the shallow flats and grassy shorelines of the Lower Laguna Madre. This bay is a fish factory, and I know all the sweet spots where the big boys like to hang out. We keep our groups small, just you and a buddy, so you'll get plenty of one-on-one time to dial in your technique and really make the most of your time on the water.

Sight Fishing and Skinny Water

Alright, let's talk tactics. We're not just chunking bait and hoping for the best here. Nope, we're going full-on stealth mode. We'll be poling through skinny water, eyes glued to the surface for any sign of life. When we spot a tailing red or a cruising trout, it's game on. I'll help you make the perfect cast – we're talking surgical precision here. Soft plastics, topwaters, or flies, whatever your poison, we'll match the hatch and get those fish fired up. And when that line goes tight? Man, there's nothing like feeling that first run in ankle-deep water. It's sight fishing at its finest, and trust me, once you experience it, you'll be hooked for life.

What to Expect on the Water

Listen, I've been guiding these waters for years, and every trip is a new adventure. Some days, we're on schools of reds so thick you can walk across their backs. Other days, it's a game of cat and mouse, stalking trophy trout along grass lines. But here's what I can guarantee: we're gonna put you on fish. We'll start early to beat the heat and the crowds, giving us prime time on the best spots. I'll share all my local knowledge – from reading the water to spotting fish – so you're not just catching, you're learning too. And hey, if you've never experienced a redfish tail walking across the surface or a gator trout inhaling a topwater, you're in for a treat. It's the kind of fishing that'll keep you coming back for more.

Target Species

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the stars of the show in South Padre. We target reds from 20 to 30 inches, but don't be surprised if we tangle with a bull red over 40 inches. They love to cruise the shallows, often with their backs out of the water, making for some heart-pounding sight fishing. Fall is prime time for reds, but we catch 'em year-round. When a red takes off on that first run, hold on tight – these guys pull like freight trains!

Speckled Trout: Also known as spotted seatrout, these guys are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing. We catch specks from 15 to 25 inches regularly, with the chance at a true gator trout over 30 inches. They're suckers for topwater lures, and there's nothing quite like watching a big trout explode on your plug at first light. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but we catch quality trout all year.

Southern Flounder: These flatfish might not look like much, but they're some of the tastiest fish in the bay. We target flounder up to 24 inches, with most falling in the 14 to 18-inch range. They love to ambush prey along drop-offs and channel edges. Fall is the best time for flounder as they migrate to the Gulf, but we catch them year-round. They're masters of camouflage, so spotting them is half the fun!

Snook: While not as common as redfish or trout, snook are a prized catch in South Padre. These line-sided predators can grow over 40 inches, though most we catch are in the 24 to 36-inch range. They're ambush feeders, often hiding around structure or in the shadows. Snook put up an acrobatic fight and are known for their lightning-fast runs. We see more snook in the warmer months, especially around summer.

Black Drum: Often overlooked, black drum can provide some serious pullage on light tackle. We catch them from 5 to 30 pounds, with the occasional big boy pushing 50 pounds. They love crustaceans and are often found rooting around on the bottom. Spring is prime time for big spawning drum, but we catch them year-round. They might not be the prettiest fish in the bay, but they sure know how to bend a rod!

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

You know, I've had folks from all over the country fish with me, and they always leave with the same grin on their face. It's not just about the numbers – though we do put plenty of fish in the boat. It's about that rush when you see a big red cruising towards your lure. It's about the satisfaction of outsmarting a wary trout. And it's about being out here on these pristine flats, surrounded by nothing but water and sky. Every trip is different, every fish is a new challenge, and that's what keeps my regulars coming back season after season. Plus, let's be honest – there's nothing like fresh fish tacos after a morning on the water, am I right?

Time to Book Your Spot

Alright, folks, if you're itching to get out on the flats and tangle with some of South Padre's finest, it's time to lock in your date. Our Redfish Morning Honeyhole trip books up fast, especially during peak seasons. Whether you're looking to scratch that fishing itch, learn some new techniques, or just enjoy a killer day on the water, we've got you covered. Bring your A-game, a good attitude, and maybe a camera to capture that trophy red – I'll take care of the rest. So what do you say? Ready to experience some of the best flats fishing Texas has to offer? Give us a shout, and let's make it happen. Trust me, once you fish these flats, you'll be counting down the days until your next trip. See you on the water!

Customer Reviews

We had a great trip.Lots of people warned us the fish were sparse due to the freeze this past winter.That didn't slow Brett down....he kept us on the fish,we caught Redfish,one that was 27 and 3/4"s.We would caught multiple more if our skills were a little better,but we had a good time.Big thanks to Brett for helping us out with bait and tangles and all the fishing spots

Michael Siwek

June 17, 2021

Brett put us on some good fish even though the fishing conditions were really tough...Great trip!

David Turner

August 18, 2021

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black Drum are the gentle giants of our bays. These powerful fish can weigh anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds, with some monsters pushing 90 pounds. You'll find them in shallow, muddy flats and around oyster beds in the Lower Laguna Madre. They use their strong chin barbels to root out crabs and shellfish from the bottom. Spring is prime time for Black Drum, as they school up for spawning. Anglers love targeting them for their strong fights and tasty meat, especially the smaller ones under 15 pounds. To catch Black Drum, use fresh crab or shrimp on a bottom rig. Here's a local tip: listen for their distinctive croaking sound – it can lead you right to a school of hungry drum.

Redfish

Redfish are the stars of our flats here in South Padre. These copper-colored beauties, with their distinctive black tail spot, usually range from 20 to 30 inches in our bays. You'll find them tailing in shallow water, often in just 1 to 4 feet deep. They love to cruise grass flats and hang around oyster reefs. Fall is prime time for Reds, but they're catchable year-round. Anglers can't get enough of their powerful runs and delicious meat. To hook one, try sight-casting with soft plastics or live bait like mullet. Here's a local tip: on calm mornings, look for their tails sticking up out of the water as they feed – it's an exciting way to target them.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call them here, are a favorite among South Padre anglers. These silvery fish with dark spots usually run 14 to 24 inches, but can reach up to 30 inches. You'll find them in grass flats, around drop-offs, and near structure in the Lower Laguna Madre. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially in cooler months. Anglers love Specks for their aggressive strikes and delicate, flaky meat. To catch them, try live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastics like paddle tails. Here's a local secret: on calm mornings, look for them feeding on the surface – it's a perfect time for topwater lures. Remember, these fish are delicate, so handle them carefully if you're planning to release.

Snook

Snook are the prize fighters of our local waters. These sleek, powerful fish love hanging around mangroves, dock pilings, and oyster beds in the Lower Laguna Madre. Most snook we catch are 1½ to 3 feet long, but they can grow much bigger. They're ambush predators, so look for them in areas with strong current and structure. Spring and fall are fantastic seasons for snook fishing, especially around the new and full moons. Anglers go crazy for snook because of their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. They're also excellent table fare when in season. To hook one, try using soft plastic swimbaits or live bait like mullet. Here's a local secret: focus on the tide changes, especially the outgoing tide, when snook are most active and feeding.

Southern Flounder

Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, blending perfectly with sandy or muddy bottoms. You'll find them in shallow waters, bays, and estuaries around South Padre Island. These flatfish typically range from 15 to 18 inches, but can grow up to 33 inches. They're ambush predators, lying in wait for small fish and crustaceans. Fall is prime time for flounder fishing as they migrate to deeper waters. Anglers love targeting them for their delicate, white meat and the challenge of hooking these sneaky bottom-dwellers. When fishing for flounder, patience is key. Use a slow retrieve with soft plastics or live bait like mullet or shrimp. My local tip: try drifting with the current, letting your bait bump along the bottom – that's when flounder can't resist striking.

About the Red Vision

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 35

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 140

Hop aboard for a laid-back morning of flats fishing in South Padre Island's Lower Laguna Madre Bay. We'll cruise the shallow waters and grassy edges, hunting for prized catches like redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. Whether you're new to fishing or a seasoned angler, our local guide knows all the sweet spots to help you reel in some quality fish. It's a chill half-day trip that lets you soak in the island vibes while trying your luck on these rich fishing grounds. No need to stress about gear or know-how – we've got you covered with everything you need for a fun day on the water. Just bring your sense of adventure and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing South Padre has to offer.

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