South Padre 10-Hour Advanced Angler Charter

Published Date: July 18, 2025
Fishing

South Padre Island, TX
$500 - $1,000 price range
Updated Date: October 4, 2025

Summary

Ready for a serious day of fishing on South Padre Island? This 10-hour private charter with Captain Chris is tailored for experienced anglers who want to make the most of their time on the Lower Laguna Madre. You'll be targeting Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook, and other inshore species from sunrise to afternoon. It's a technical, high-effort trip that's perfect for honing your skills and working the flats. Whether you're into sight casting or aiming for your limit, this trip is all about performance and results. Bring your own gear if you prefer, or use the top-notch equipment provided. With room for two guests, it's an intense day of fishing designed for those who really want to push themselves. Just remember, the deposit is non-refundable, so come prepared to fish hard and make every cast count on the rich waters of South Padre.

South Padre 10-Hour Advanced Angler Charter

Laguna Madre Catches

Cast away on South Padre Island waters

Hooked on adventures at South Padre

Sunrise fishing trips in paradise

A group of 8 people fishing in Port Isabel

Reel in memories on South Padre

Full Day Pro Fishing: Snook, Flounder & More

Ready to push your angling skills to the limit on South Padre Island? This 10-hour inshore trip with Down South Fishing Charters is tailor-made for serious fishermen looking to maximize their time on the water. We're talking sun-up to sundown action, chasing everything from monster redfish to elusive snook in the rich waters of the Lower Laguna Madre. Bring your A-game and get ready for a day of technical fishing that'll put your skills to the test.

What to Expect on the Water

This ain't your average tourist fishing trip. Captain Chris runs a tight ship, designed for anglers who know their stuff and want to dial in their techniques. We'll hit the flats at first light, working topwater lures for explosive trout bites before the sun gets high. As the day heats up, we'll shift gears to sight-casting for redfish tailing in the shallows or probing deep holes for hefty black drum. The Lower Laguna Madre is a world-class fishery, and we'll cover serious ground to put you on the fish. Expect a mix of wade fishing and drifting, depending on conditions and where the bite is hot.

Techniques & Gear Breakdown

We're talking finesse fishing here, folks. Light tackle is the name of the game, with a focus on artificial lures. You'll be throwing soft plastics, topwater plugs, and maybe even fly fishing if that's your thing. Captain Chris is a master at reading the water, so be ready to switch up tactics on the fly. We might be sight-casting to tailing reds one minute, then flipping jigs under mangroves for snook the next. Bring your own gear if you've got a favorite setup, or use our top-notch equipment – we're talking St. Croix rods paired with Shimano reels spooled with braided line. Don't forget to pack plenty of water and snacks – this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Hardcore fishermen love this trip because it's all about results. We're not here to sightsee or mess around – we're here to put fish in the boat. The Lower Laguna Madre is one of the most productive inshore fisheries in Texas, and Captain Chris knows it like the back of his hand. You'll learn new techniques, dial in your presentations, and hopefully set some personal bests. Plus, the variety is unbeatable. Where else can you target snook, redfish, trout, and flounder all in the same day? It's a bucket-list trip for many, and a yearly pilgrimage for others.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Snook: These hard-fighting bruisers are the crown jewel of South Padre inshore fishing. Snook love to hang around structure, so we'll be working mangrove shorelines and dock pilings with precision casts. They're ambush predators, so be ready for explosive strikes and drag-screaming runs. The biggest snook in Texas are caught right here, with fish over 40 inches not unheard of. Spring and fall are prime times, but we can target them year-round.

Redfish: The bulldogs of the flats, redfish are a staple of Texas inshore fishing. We'll be sight-casting to schools of reds tailing in skinny water, or working deeper channels for the bigger bulls. These copper-colored beauties put up a great fight and are delicious on the grill. The fall "bull red run" is legendary, but we catch quality fish all year long.

Speckled Trout: Don't let the name fool you – these aren't your average "specks." The Lower Laguna Madre is famous for producing gator trout, with fish over 5 pounds common and 8-10 pounders possible. We'll target them with topwater lures early in the morning for heart-stopping surface strikes. As the day warms up, we'll switch to soft plastics worked along grass lines and drop-offs.

Black Drum: Often overlooked, black drum can provide great action when other species are slow. These bottom-feeders love crustaceans, so we'll use shrimp imitations or cut bait to entice them. The smaller ones (under 10 pounds) are excellent eating, while the big ones (30+ pounds) put up a great fight. We often find them in deeper holes and channels.

Flounder: These flatfish are ambush predators that require a different approach. We'll work jigs and soft plastics slowly along drop-offs and around structure, feeling for that distinctive "thump" when a flounder inhales the bait. Fall is prime time for flounder as they migrate to the Gulf, but we can catch them year-round. They're one of the best-eating fish in the sea, so be sure to keep a few for dinner!

Time to Book Your Spot

Listen, if you're the type of angler who measures success by sore arms and a bent rod, this is the trip for you. Captain Chris doesn't mess around – he's here to put you on fish and help you become a better angler in the process. The Lower Laguna Madre is fishing at its finest, and this full-day adventure lets you experience it all. From topwater trout at dawn to sight-casting for reds in the afternoon heat, it's a non-stop fishing marathon that'll leave you exhausted and grinning. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait. Grab your fishing buddies, pack your sunscreen, and get ready for a day you'll be talking about for years to come. The fish are waiting – are you ready to meet them?

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black drum are the big bruisers of our inshore waters. These powerful fish can reach over 50 pounds, though most are in the 5-30 pound range. Look for them in shallow, muddy areas near oyster beds - their sensitive barbels help them root out crabs and shellfish. Spring is spawning time when big schools gather, making them easier to target. Black drum put up a stubborn, bulldogging fight. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with a sweet, firm flesh. Bigger ones get tough and wormy, so we usually release those. For best results, use fresh crab or shrimp on a Carolina rig. Fish it slow on the bottom and be patient - when a big drum takes it, you'll know! Just hang on tight and enjoy the battle.

Redfish

Redfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here. These bronze bruisers typically run 20-30 inches, but bigger bulls over 40 inches aren't uncommon. You'll find them tailing in shallow water, often so shallow their backs are out of water. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangroves. Fall is prime time as they school up to spawn. Redfish are known for powerful runs and dogged fights. They're also excellent eating, with a sweet, firm flesh. For best results, try sight-casting with gold spoons or soft plastics. My top tip: when you see a tail waving, cast well beyond it and work your lure past the fish. Redfish have great eyesight and spook easily. Get it right, though, and hang on - when a big red takes off, it's an arm-wrenching rush!

Sea Trout

Speckled trout are one of our most popular inshore species here on South Padre. These silvery, spotted fish typically run 14-24 inches and put up a great fight on light tackle. You'll find them over grass flats and around structure in 3-6 feet of water. Fall and spring are prime seasons when big schools gather. Trout are known for their soft, delicate bite - you've got to pay attention. They're also excellent eating, with a mild, flaky white meat. For best results, try working soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. My top tip: fish the tide changes, especially the last of the outgoing and first of the incoming. That's when trout get most active chasing bait. Just be ready for some fast action when you find a school!

Snook

Snook are a prized catch here on South Padre Island. These sleek, powerful fish typically run 1-3 feet long and put up an amazing fight. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, oyster bars, and other structure in the shallow flats and estuaries. Fall is prime time as they fatten up before winter. Snook are ambush predators, so work your lures tight to cover. They're known for explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. The meat is excellent - firm, white, and mild. For best results, try free-lining live bait like mullet or pinfish near mangrove edges during incoming tides. Just be ready when they hit - snook are notorious for busting anglers off in the roots. Challenging to catch but well worth the effort.

Summer Flounder

Summer flounder, also called fluke, are a blast to catch here in the Lower Laguna Madre. These crafty ambush predators lie camouflaged on the bottom, waiting to pounce on prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but bigger ones over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. Look for them on sandy or muddy flats, often near deeper channels. Fall is prime time as they fatten up before winter. Flounder put up a unique fight - instead of running, they use their flat bodies to stick to the bottom. The meat is excellent - tender, white, and mild. To catch them, try drifting live bait or soft plastics along drop-offs. My top tip: when you feel the bite, don't set the hook right away. Give them a few seconds to fully take the bait, then reel down and lift. It's all about the right timing with these guys.

About the Shallow Sport

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 40

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 150

Ready to put your skills to the test? Captain Chris offers a hardcore 10-hour inshore fishing trip on South Padre Island for experienced anglers looking to maximize their time on the water. This private charter takes you to the productive flats and fishing grounds of the Lower Laguna Madre, where you'll target prized species like Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook, and more. It's all about technical fishing, putting in the effort, and aiming for results. From sunrise to afternoon, you'll be working hard to perfect your tactics, whether sight casting or going after limits. Bring your own gear if you prefer, or use the high-quality equipment provided. With room for two guests, this trip is ideal for a pair of dedicated anglers ready to fish intensively and improve their game. Just keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so come prepared to make the most of this serious fishing adventure.

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