Expert-Guided Morning Fishing in South Padre Island

Published Date: July 16, 2025
Fishing

South Padre Island
$400 - $800 price range

Summary

Ready for some great fishing on South Padre Island? Join our 5-hour morning trip with Get'm Hook'd Fishing Charters. We'll take you drift fishing in the island's rich waters, where you can try your luck at catching redfish, spotted seatrout, black drum, and mangrove snapper. Our experienced guides know all the best spots and will help you make the most of your time on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to fishing, this trip is perfect for groups of two looking to reel in some Texas coastal species. We provide everything you need, so just bring yourself, some snacks, and get ready for a fun morning out on the bay. It's a great way to start your day in South Padre, combining relaxation with the excitement of hooking into some quality fish.

Expert-Guided Morning Fishing in South Padre Island

Reels and Rods

Father and Son bonding on the water

Seven black drum fish caught while fishing in TX

So much fish it don't fit on the stand anymore

5 spotted weakfish caught on a fishing trip at South Padre Island

Kid's choice of South Padre Island charter

South Padre Island never disappoints

Reel in the Best of South Padre's Inshore Action

Ready to kick off your day with some serious rod-bending action? Our 5-hour morning inshore trip is your ticket to South Padre Island's hottest fishing spots. We're not just talking about a casual day on the water – this is your chance to tangle with some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after gamefish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, our expert guides know exactly where the fish are biting and how to put you on them. So grab your hat and sunscreen, because we're about to show you why SPI is a top-rated fishing destination!

What to Expect on the Water

Picture this: The sun's just peeking over the horizon, the water's calm, and you're stepping onto one of our fully-rigged boats. Your guide's already got a game plan, based on the latest intel and years of local knowledge. We'll cruise through the Laguna Madre, hitting prime spots where redfish and trout love to hang out. Drift fishing is the name of the game here – we'll let the boat do the work while you focus on presenting your bait just right. Don't worry if you're new to this; our guides are pros at helping folks dial in their technique. And when that line goes tight? Well, that's when the real fun begins!

Casting and Catching 101

On this trip, we're all about adapting to what the fish want. Some days, they're all over soft plastics; other times, they can't resist a well-presented live bait. We'll rig you up with light tackle that's perfect for the inshore species we're after. Expect to do a mix of casting and drifting, depending on where the fish are holding. Your guide will show you how to work your lure or bait to mimic the local forage – that's the key to getting those aggressive strikes. And when a big red decides to take you for a run? Hold on tight and get ready for some of the best light-tackle action you've ever experienced!

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

"The trip was AMAZING! CPT Arturo was AWESOME! He was very professional and friendly, we had 4 adults and 2 kids. He worked his butt off the entire time and we caught a TON of fish. We had some weather roll in and he was very flexible with options and what we wanted to do. Highly recommend him, clearly knowledgeable and experienced in the area!" - Chris

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the rock stars of Texas inshore fishing. Known for their powerful runs and distinctive spot on the tail, redfish can range from "rat reds" of a few pounds to bull reds pushing 30 pounds or more. They love to cruise the shallows, often revealing their location with subtle "tailing" behavior. When a big red takes your bait, get ready for a fight that'll test your drag and your biceps!

Spotted Seatrout: Also known as speckled trout, these wily predators are a favorite among light-tackle enthusiasts. They're known for their beautiful spotted pattern and their tendency to strike topwater lures with explosive force. Trout in South Padre can grow to impressive sizes, with gator trout over 5 pounds not uncommon. Early mornings are prime time for these guys, so our trip timing is perfect for targeting them.

Black Drum: Don't let their somewhat plain appearance fool you – black drum are hard-fighting fish that can grow to massive sizes. In the spring, big spawning drum move into the shallows, offering anglers a shot at trophy-sized fish. Even the smaller ones, often called "puppy drum," put up a great fight and make excellent table fare. They're suckers for crabs and shrimp, so bottom fishing with natural baits is often the ticket.

Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes and impressive set of chompers, sheepshead are a unique target species. They're notorious bait stealers, making them a fun challenge for anglers. These structure-loving fish are often found around jetties, pilings, and oyster beds. When you hook one, be ready for a surprisingly strong fight for their size.

Snook: While not as common as some of our other species, snook are a prized catch in South Padre waters. These sleek, powerful fish are known for their acrobatic jumps and blistering runs. They love to ambush prey around mangroves and structure, making them a blast to target with both live bait and artificial lures. Landing a nice snook is often the highlight of many anglers' trips!

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, we could go on all day about the awesome fishing here in South Padre, but nothing beats experiencing it firsthand. Our 5-hour morning trip is the perfect way to get a taste of what SPI has to offer without eating up your whole day. You'll be back in time for lunch with a cooler full of fish and a boatload of stories. Whether you're looking to bend a rod with the family, impress your fishing buddies, or just escape the grind for a few hours, we've got you covered. The fish are biting, the weather's perfect, and we've got open dates – so what are you waiting for? Grab your spot now and let's get out there and make some memories on the water!

Customer Review

Fishing Frenzy Fun

The trip was AMAZING! CPT Arturo was AWESOME! He was very professional and friendly, we had 4 adults and 2 kids. He worked his butt off the entire time and we caught a TON of fish. We had some weather roll in and he was very flexible with options and what we wanted to do. Highly recommend him, clearly knowledgeable and experienced in the area!

Chris Carlstedt

June 19, 2025

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black drum are hefty bottom-feeders you'll find cruising the shallows and oyster beds around South Padre. Most run 5-30 pounds, but giants over 50 pounds aren't unheard of. Look for them in water 1-4 feet deep, especially over mud or shell bottom. Spring is prime time as big schools gather to spawn. Drum put up a respectable fight on light tackle, and smaller ones make great table fare. To catch them, use natural baits like shrimp or crab on a Carolina rig. A local trick is to scrape some barnacles off pilings to chum them up. Just listen for their distinctive croaking sound to locate a school. The bigger ones can be tough to land, so make sure your drag is set right.

Redfish

Redfish are one of South Padre's most sought-after gamefish. Most inshore reds run 3-10 pounds, but bull reds over 20 pounds cruise the passes. Look for them tailing in super shallow water or around oyster reefs and mangroves. Fall is prime time as big schools gather to spawn. Anglers love sight-casting to tailing reds in gin-clear flats. Their strong runs and excellent table quality add to the appeal. To catch them, try gold spoons or soft plastics worked slowly along bottom. Live bait like finger mullet is deadly too. One local trick is to chum them up by crushing some blue crabs. When a school moves in, it can be non-stop action. Just watch for that distinctive copper color and spot near the tail.

Sea Trout

Spotted seatrout, or "specks," are a staple of South Padre inshore fishing. Most run 1-3 pounds, but gator trout over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. Look for them around grass flats, channels, and oyster reefs in 2-6 feet of water. They're active year-round but really fire up in spring and fall. Trout are popular for their aggressive strikes and excellent eating quality. To catch them, try live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastics worked slowly along bottom. At night, topwater lures can be deadly. One local trick is to drift grass flats, casting ahead of the boat. When you find a school, anchor up and work the area thoroughly. The bite can be fast and furious when you dial it in.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are quirky inshore fish with a mouth full of human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds, but trophy fish over 15 pounds show up. You'll find them around any structure with barnacles - jetties, pilings, reefs. They're most active in cooler months leading up to the spring spawn. Anglers love the challenge of catching these bait stealers. Their light, sweet meat is delicious too. To catch sheepshead, use small hooks with natural baits like fiddler crabs or oysters. Get your bait right up against the structure - they rarely venture far from cover. When you feel the telltale nibbles, set the hook fast and hard. It takes practice, but landing a big convict fish is super satisfying.

Snook

Snook are a prized catch around South Padre Island. These silver-sided predators typically range from 5-15 pounds, with some monsters pushing 30+ pounds. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, docks, and other structures in shallow inshore waters. Spring and fall are prime seasons as snook move between their winter and summer haunts. Anglers love targeting snook for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. Their firm white meat is also excellent eating. To land a big snook, try live bait like mullet or pinfish near structure during low light periods. Just watch out for their razor-sharp gill plates when handling them. Snook can be finicky, so matching your presentation to what they're feeding on is key.

About the Get'm Hook'd Fishing Charters

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 30

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Get ready for an awesome morning of fishing in the beautiful waters around South Padre Island! Our 5-hour private trip takes you right where the action is, targeting popular catches like redfish and spotted seatrout. You might even hook some black drum or mangrove snapper while you're at it. Our experienced guides know all the best spots and will help you make the most of your time on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or trying fishing for the first time, this trip is perfect for having fun and hopefully reeling in some great catches. With just you and a friend on board, you'll have plenty of personalized attention from your guide. So grab your hat and sunscreen, and let's hit the water for a relaxed morning of drift fishing in the Gulf Coast's prime fishing grounds!

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