Captain Jerry and his crew are ready to take you out for a full 10-hour day of fishing in the rich Texas waters. You'll be using light tackle and spinning techniques to target a variety of prized fish, including Snook, Black Drum, Sheepshead, Redfish, and Speckled Trout. The trip is split into two parts, with a midday break back at the marina for lunch. This gives you a chance to recharge before heading back out for more action. The flats fishing style means you'll be in shallower waters, perfect for sight-casting and getting up close to your targets. With a small group size of just two guests, you'll get plenty of personal attention and guidance from the experienced crew. Remember, the deposit is non-refundable, so make sure you're ready for a full day of coastal fishing adventure when you book. It's a great opportunity to improve your skills and hopefully land some impressive catches in the diverse ecosystem of the Texas coast.

Best Texas Flats Fishing | Jerry's Full-Day Charters

Coastal Catches

Angler bundled in a hoodie smiles at the bow while chatting with friends on a calm day fishing with Jerry’s Fishing Charters in South Padre Island.

Perfect conditions for an adventure on the water at South Padre Island!

Teen angler proudly holds a Redfish at the rail during a sunny day on the water with Jerry’s Fishing Charters in South Padre Island.

Nice redfish today! Partly cloudy conditions made for an exciting adventure on the water.

Teen angler holding a Redfish at sunrise on a calm South Padre Island bay trip with Jerry’s Fishing Charters.

Great catch on the water today! Perfect conditions for an exciting fishing adventure.

Two teens relaxing on the boat with fishing rods and a wake behind during a trip with Jerry’s Fishing Charters in South Padre Island.

Great day on the water with the rods ready to go!

Texas Waters: Full-Day Fishing Adventure

Hey there, anglers! Ready for a real Texas-sized fishing trip? Captain Jerry here, and I'm itching to get you out on the water for a full 10 hours of non-stop action. We're talking light tackle, spinning reels, and some of the best inshore fishing you'll find this side of the Gulf. From redfish tailing in the shallows to sheepshead crushing crabs around the pilings, we've got a little bit of everything on this extended morning trip. So grab your hat and let's hit the flats!

What to Expect on the Water

This ain't your average half-day charter, folks. We're going all-in with a 10-hour fishing marathon that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. We'll kick things off bright and early, meeting at the marina while the roosters are still snoozing. After a quick safety rundown and gear check, we'll point the bow towards some of my favorite honey holes. Now, I can't give away all my secrets, but let's just say we'll be hitting a mix of grass flats, oyster bars, and maybe even a few deep channels if the bite is on. Around noon, we'll swing back to the marina for a quick lunch break – perfect time to swap some fish tales and recharge for the afternoon session. Then it's back out for more action until we're hauling in our limits or the sun starts to dip, whichever comes first!

Rigging Up for Success

On my boat, we keep things simple but effective. We'll be using light tackle setups – think 7-foot medium-action rods paired with 2500-3000 size spinning reels. I'll have all the gear you need, spooled up with 10-15 pound braid and ready to go. For most of our fishing, we'll be tossing soft plastics, topwater lures, and live bait when the situation calls for it. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – I'll show you the ropes, from how to work a popper for speckled trout to the subtle twitch that drives redfish crazy. And when those sheepshead are being stubborn around the pilings? I've got a few tricks up my sleeve that'll have you pulling in fish after fish.

Top Catches This Season

Let me tell you, the fishing has been on fire lately. Just last week, we had a father-son duo out here that absolutely crushed it on the redfish. The old man hooked into a 30-incher that had him hollering like a kid on Christmas morning. And speaking of kids, had a 12-year-old girl out here not too long ago who showed up the adults by landing a gorgeous 24-inch speckled trout – on her first cast, no less! But it's not just about the big ones. We've been seeing consistent action on black drum in the 5-10 pound range, perfect for a fish fry. And those sheepshead? They've been thick around the bridges, giving everyone a chance to feel that distinctive 'tap-tap' before setting the hook.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Alright, let's break down the all-stars you'll be chasing on this trip: Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the pride of Texas flats. They'll test your drag and your nerves, especially when they're tailing in skinny water. Look for them cruising the edges of grass flats or pushing wakes in less than a foot of water. Fall is prime time for big bulls, but we catch 'em year-round. Sheepshead: Don't let those funky teeth fool you – these striped bandits are smart and tough to hook. They love structure, so we'll target them around pilings, jetties, and oyster bars. Winter is when they really gang up, but we can find them most of the year. Pound-for-pound, they're one of the best fighting fish in the bay. Speckled Trout: The bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing. These spotted beauties are suckers for topwater lures at first light, and there's nothing quite like seeing one explode on your plug. They move with the bait, so we might find them over grass flats, near drop-offs, or around bait schools. Black Drum: The redfish's cousin might not be as flashy, but they pull like a freight train. We target them around deeper holes, channel edges, and oyster reefs. Spring is fantastic for big spawners, but the smaller "puppy drum" are around all year and make for great eating. Snook: These line-sides are the ghosts of the flats. They're not as common as some of our other targets, but when we find them, hold onto your rod! They love to ambush prey around mangroves, docks, and current rips. Fall and spring are your best bets for hooking into one of these bucket-list fish.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

You know, I've been running these waters for over two decades now, and I still get a kick out of watching folks' faces light up when they hook into a big one. There's something special about fishing these Texas flats – the way the sun paints the sky at dawn, the sight of tailing reds in gin-clear shallows, or the sudden chaos when a school of jacks blows up on bait. But what really keeps people coming back is the variety. One minute you're sight-casting to redfish, the next you're dropping baits for sheepshead, and then you might be drifting for trout. It's never the same trip twice, and that's what makes it exciting.

Time to Book Your Spot

Alright, folks, here's the deal – this extended full-day trip is the real deal for serious anglers or anyone looking to max out their time on the water. We've got room for two, so grab your fishing buddy and let's make it happen. Remember, the deposit's non-refundable, but trust me, once you're out here hauling in fish after fish, you won't be thinking about anything else. Whether you're a seasoned pro or it's your first time wetting a line, I'll put you on the fish and make sure you have a blast doing it. So what are you waiting for? The fish are biting, the boat's ready, and Captain Jerry's itching to show you the best fishing Texas has to offer. Book your trip now, and let's make some memories on the water!

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, with some topping 90 pounds. Most you'll catch are in the 5-30 pound range though. Look for them in shallow, muddy areas and around oyster beds. They use those sensitive barbels to root out crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn. Drum put up a stubborn, bulldogging fight - it's like reeling in a Volkswagen. They're not known for their looks, but smaller ones under 15 pounds are good eating. Here's a tip: use fresh crab or shrimp for bait and fish it right on the bottom. When you feel that telltale thump, give them a second to get the bait in their mouth before setting the hook. Get ready for some rod-bending action!

Redfish

Redfish are one of our most popular inshore targets. They typically run 20-30 inches, but bull reds over 40 inches aren't uncommon. Look for them tailing in shallow water, often less than 2 feet deep. They love hanging around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangroves. Fall is prime time as they school up for spawning. Reds put up a hard, bulldog fight and are excellent eating. Anglers love sight-casting to tailing fish - it's a rush when you see that copper back appear and inhale your lure. Here's a local tip: on calm mornings, cruise the flats and look for push water or wakes. When you spot some, quietly position upwind and make a long cast ahead of them. A gold spoon is hard to beat for redfish. Get ready for some drag-screaming action when they realize they're hooked!

Sea Trout

Speckled trout are a staple of inshore fishing here. Most run 14-20 inches, but gator trout over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. Look for them over grass flats and around oyster bars, especially early morning or evening. They're ambush predators, so work your lure with twitches and pauses. Fall and spring are great seasons as the water cools. Specks put up a good fight on light tackle and taste fantastic. Anglers love targeting them for both the action and the eating. Here's a local trick: on calm mornings, look for subtle v-wakes moving across shallow flats - that's often a trout chasing bait. Cast a topwater plug ahead of them and hold on tight. There's nothing like an explosive surface strike to get your heart racing.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are the convict-striped oddballs of inshore fishing. They typically run 1-8 pounds but can reach 20. You'll find them around pilings, jetties, and other barnacle-covered structure. Spring is prime time as they gather to spawn. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers with those human-like teeth, so you've got to be quick on the hookset. They put up a decent fight and make excellent table fare. Anglers love the challenge of catching these clever fish. Here's a local tip: use a small, sharp hook with fiddler crab or oyster for bait. Lower it right next to structure and wait for that slight tap. Set the hook immediately - if you feel the weight of the fish, you've already missed it. It takes practice, but landing a big sheepshead is super satisfying.

Snook

Snook are a hard-fighting fish that'll give you a run for your money. They typically range from 20-40 inches, with some monsters pushing 50. Look for them around mangroves, docks, and other structure in shallow coastal waters. They love ambushing prey, so cast your lure close to cover. Spring and fall are prime seasons when water temps are right. Snook put up an acrobatic fight and taste great, making them a favorite target. Live bait like pilchards or pinfish works well, but artificial lures can be deadly too. Here's a local tip: on incoming tides, work the edges of mangrove islands where snook wait to ambush bait being pushed in. Keep your drag set light - these guys make blistering runs and you don't want to lose one to a broken line.

About the 25' Port Mansfield

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 40

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Hop aboard for a full day of fishing fun in the Texas waters! Captain Jerry and his crew will take you out for 10 hours of reeling in some great catches. We'll use light tackle and spinning techniques to target popular species like snook, black drum, sheepshead, redfish, and speckled trout. Around midday, we'll head back to the marina for a lunch break before getting back out on the water for more action. With room for two guests, you'll have plenty of personal attention from the experienced crew to help you land those trophy fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to fishing, this extended trip gives you ample time to soak in the coastal scenery and test your skills against some hard-fighting Texas gamefish. Just remember to bring your sense of adventure - the fish are waiting!