%2Ffit-in%2F250x250%2Fguide_websites%2F37201%2Fimages%2F1753864605677chatgptimagejul30202504_36_27pm.png&w=1200&q=100)
Elite South Padre Bay Fishing with SPI Charters
- Published Date: October 17, 2025
- Fishing
- South Padre Island
- $575 - $800 price range
Summary
%2F%2Fusers%2F2c0c8086-1446-4134-9185-d33831e5f60b%2Fratecard%2F480598387_1201133458683702_2002703526224103344_n-mgs4s1tu.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Bay Fishing Action
null
Lively South Padre Island catch!
Rewarding trout haul, SPI style!
Awesome South Padre Island Redfish!
null
Fun SPI trout fishing success!
null
null
Awesome South Padre trout haul!
Proud South Padre Speckled Trout Catch!
null
Lively South Padre Island catch!
Rewarding trout haul, SPI style!
Awesome South Padre Island Redfish!
null
Fun SPI trout fishing success!
null
null
Awesome South Padre trout haul!
Proud South Padre Speckled Trout Catch!
null
Lively South Padre Island catch!
Rewarding trout haul, SPI style!
Awesome South Padre Island Redfish!
Reel in the Fun: 5-Hour SPI Bay Fishing
Ready to wet a line in some of the best inshore waters Texas has to offer? Captain Paco Hinojosa's 5-hour bay fishing charter on South Padre Island is your ticket to a killer day on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trip is tailor-made for fun, fish, and memories that'll have you hooked on SPI.
What to Expect on the Water
Picture this: you're cruising the calm, fish-rich waters of South Padre Bay, rod in hand, with the sun on your face and the promise of a bent rod just a cast away. This private charter kicks off with two anglers for $575, and you can bring up to four more buddies for just $100 each. Captain Paco's got you covered with all the essentials - ice, drinks, bait, and even fish cleaning at the end of the day. All you need to bring is your game face and maybe a lucky hat.
Fishing Know-How & Gear
On this trip, we're not messing around with fancy lures or complicated setups. We're going old school with live bait fishing - the tried-and-true method for consistently putting fish in the boat. When available, we'll be using live croaker, which is like candy to the big trout and reds. Fresh mullet is our backup, and it's a close second in the fish-catching department. Captain Paco will show you the ropes on how to rig up and present your bait for maximum effect. Whether you're a pro at setting the hook or it's your first time holding a rod, he'll make sure you're dialed in and ready to rumble with whatever swims by.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Speckled Trout: These spotted beauties are the bread and butter of South Padre Bay fishing. Known for their delicate white flesh and willingness to hit topwater lures, specks can range from 14 to 25 inches, with gator trout pushing 30 inches not unheard of. They're most active in the cooler months, but can be caught year-round if you know where to look.
Redfish: The bulldogs of the flats, redfish will test your drag and your biceps. These copper-colored bruisers can be found tailing in shallow grass flats or prowling deeper channels. They're suckers for a well-presented live bait and put up a fight that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. The slot size is 20-28 inches, but bulls over 40 inches are out there waiting to make your reel scream.
Southern Flounder: Masters of camouflage, flounder are the ninjas of the bay. These flatfish lie in wait, ambushing prey that swims too close. While they might not win any beauty contests, they more than make up for it on the dinner plate. Fall is prime time for flounder as they move towards the passes for their annual spawn run.
Black Drum: Often overlooked, black drum are the unsung heroes of inshore fishing. These cousins to the redfish can grow to massive sizes, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon. They love crustaceans, so a piece of crab or shrimp on the bottom is your best bet. The smaller ones, called "puppy drum," are excellent eating and put up a great fight on light tackle.
Snook: The ghost of the coast, snook are the holy grail for many inshore anglers. These wily predators are known for their acrobatic jumps and blistering runs. They're at the northern edge of their range in South Padre, making them a special catch. Snook love structure and moving water, so fishing around jetties and passes can produce some heart-pounding action.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
South Padre Island isn't just another fishing spot - it's a angler's paradise that keeps 'em coming back for more. The diversity of species, the year-round fishing opportunities, and the chance to tangle with some real giants make it a top-notch destination. And let's be real, there's something special about fishing with a local pro like Captain Paco. He knows these waters like the back of his hand and can put you on fish when others are coming up empty. Plus, with everything taken care of - from bait to fish cleaning - you can focus on what matters: catching fish and having a blast.
Time to Book Your Spot
Look, we all know fishing stories tend to get bigger with time, but this is one trip that lives up to the hype. Whether you're looking to bend a rod with the family, show your buddies who the real angler is, or just escape the grind for a day, Captain Paco's 5-hour bay charter is your ticket to South Padre Island fishing glory. The fish are biting, the boat is ready, and the only thing missing is you. So what are you waiting for? Grab your spot before someone else does, and get ready to make some waves (and maybe break some personal bests) on the waters of SPI. Just remember, those deposits are non-refundable, so when you book, you're locked and loaded for an epic day on the bay. Let's go fishing!
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are the bulldogs of our bays, with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish. You'll find them in brackish waters from 1 to 100 feet deep, often around oyster beds. While they average 5-30 pounds, trophy "bull" drum can top 90 pounds. Spring is prime time as they school up to spawn. Anglers love drum for their strong, dogged fights and good eating (stick to smaller ones under 15 pounds for the best taste). To catch them, use fresh crab or shrimp on a bottom rig. Here's a local secret: black drum make a distinctive croaking sound. Listen for it to pinpoint schools in murky water. When you feel that telltale thump, be ready for a battle - these fish don't give up easily!
Redfish
Redfish, or red drum, are the rockstars of our flats. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches but can grow much larger. You'll spot them tailing in super shallow water, often less than 2 feet deep. Look for them around oyster reefs, grass flats, and mangroves. Fall is prime time as they school up before heading offshore to spawn. Anglers love reds for their powerful runs and excellent table fare. To catch one, try sight-casting with live bait or lures in clear shallows. Here's a local trick: on calm days, scan for pushes of water or mud boils. That's often a red rooting for crabs on the bottom. Cast ahead of the disturbance and hang on tight - when a big red hits, you'll know it!
Sea Trout
Speckled Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are a staple in our bays. These silvery, spotted fish typically run 14-24 inches but can reach over 30. Look for them over grass flats and around structure in 3-6 feet of water. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially on moving tides. Anglers prize sea trout for their aggressive strikes and delicate, flaky meat. To catch them, try live shrimp under a popping cork or work a soft plastic jig slowly along the bottom. Here's a tip: when you locate a school, they'll often hit topwater lures like nobody's business. It's some of the most exciting fishing you'll ever experience. Just remember to set the hook with a sideways sweep instead of jerking up - trout have soft mouths.
Snook
Snook are the ultimate inshore gamefish here on South Padre. These sleek predators average 1-2 feet but can reach over 4 feet. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, oyster bars, and dock pilings, especially in warmer months. Snook are legendary for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights. Their firm, white flesh makes great eating too. To land one, focus on tide changes and use live bait like mullet or pinfish. Artificials work well too - try walk-the-dog topwaters at dawn or dusk. Here's a pro tip: when a snook hits, don't set the hook right away. Let it run for a few seconds, then reel fast to drive the hook home. These wily fish have hard mouths, so a solid hookset is key.
Southern Flounder
Southern Flounder are masters of camouflage, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms in our bays. They typically range from 15-18 inches but can grow up to 33 inches. Look for them in shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and river mouths. Fall is prime time as they move to spawn. Anglers love targeting flounder for their delicate, white meat and the challenge of detecting their subtle bites. To catch one, try drifting or still fishing near drop-offs using live bait like mullet or shrimp. A local trick: when you feel a bite, resist the urge to set the hook immediately. Give the flounder time to fully take the bait, then reel steadily to hook it. Patience pays off with these ambush predators.
About the Panga Imemsa
%2F%2Fusers%2F2c0c8086-1446-4134-9185-d33831e5f60b%2Fvehicle_picture%2Fimage49.png&w=1200&q=75)
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Mercury
Maximum Cruising Speed: 45
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 200
