Ready to wet a line in some of the best inshore waters Texas has to offer? Captain Paco Hinojosa's 6-hour South Padre Bay fishing charter is your ticket to hooking into monster Redfish, hefty Black Drum, and tasty Speckled Trout. With room for up to 4 anglers, this trip is perfect for small groups looking to experience the thrill of South Padre's legendary fishery. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, Captain Paco's got you covered with all the gear, bait, and local know-how to put you on the fish.
From the moment you step aboard Captain Paco's well-equipped boat, you'll know you're in for a treat. We'll cruise the calm, fish-rich waters of South Padre Bay, targeting productive spots where the big ones like to hang out. Live Croaker and fresh-cut Mullet are on the menu for our finned friends, and these baits are like ringing the dinner bell for hungry gamefish. Don't worry about bringing drinks - we've got you covered with ice-cold water and sports drinks to keep you hydrated while you're reeling in the big ones. And when the day is done, Captain Paco will clean and bag your catch, so all you have to do is fire up the grill and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
We'll be using light tackle techniques that are both effective and beginner-friendly. Expect to do some drift fishing, where we'll let the boat drift naturally with the current while we present our baits to waiting fish. You might also try some sight casting if conditions are right - there's nothing quite like the rush of seeing a big Redfish tail in shallow water and dropping your bait right in front of its nose. Captain Paco will show you the ropes, from how to work your bait to setting the hook when a fish strikes. It's all about finesse and feeling the bite, and with a little practice, you'll be hauling in fish like a pro.
"Cpt. Paco did a great job changing up bait, location and species to get us on the bite. We had a great trip!" - S
"100% Recommend. Family of 5 went out with Captain Paco. Experience was amazing, kid friendly with our youngest (6 yrs old), professional, explained everything in detail and patient. We will be back! Thank you!" - Krystina
"Captain Paco is great! This was our 2nd trip since 2020 with him. Kids were super excited to see him again. Paco is very knowledgeable with great patience. Everyone had a blast and we will be back for sure!" - Tony
Redfish: The crown jewel of South Padre Bay, Redfish are known for their powerful runs and distinctive spot near the tail. These copper-colored beauties can grow to over 40 inches, with the "bull reds" providing an epic battle on light tackle. Spring and fall are prime times to target Reds, but they're available year-round. Anglers love them for their hard-fighting nature and excellent table fare.
Speckled Trout: Also known as Spotted Seatrout, these fish are a favorite among light tackle enthusiasts. They're known for their delicate bite and acrobatic jumps when hooked. Specks tend to school up, so when you find one, you've often found many. Early morning and late evening are the best times to target them, especially around grass flats and oyster beds. Their flaky white meat makes them a prized catch for the dinner table.
Black Drum: Often overlooked but never disappointing, Black Drum are the bulldogs of the bay. These fish can grow to massive sizes, with some specimens topping 50 pounds. They're bottom feeders, so we'll target them with baits near structure or over mud flats. The smaller "puppy drum" are excellent eating, while the larger ones provide a worthy challenge for any angler. Spring is the peak season for Black Drum, but they can be caught year-round.
Southern Flounder: Masters of camouflage, Flounder are ambush predators that lie in wait on the bottom. Catching them requires a keen eye and a delicate touch, as their bite can be subtle. Fall is the prime time for Flounder, as they move to deeper waters for spawning. Anglers prize them for their firm, white flesh and the challenge of hooking them.
Snook: A bit of a bonus species in South Padre Bay, Snook are at the northern edge of their range here. These hard-fighting fish are known for their acrobatic leaps and powerful runs. They love structure, so we'll target them around mangroves, docks, and other cover. Snook are catch-and-release only in Texas, but the thrill of hooking one is reward enough for most anglers.
Look, folks, South Padre Bay is a fisherman's paradise, and Captain Paco knows every nook and cranny where the big ones hide. Whether you're looking to bend a rod with your buddies, teach the kids how to fish, or just want to experience some of the best inshore action Texas has to offer, this trip is your golden ticket. With all gear provided, species-specific expertise, and a guide who's as passionate about putting you on fish as you are about catching them, you're in for a day you won't forget. So what are you waiting for? Grab your spot on the boat, and let's go make some fishing memories that'll have you coming back year after year. Just remember, those deposits are non-refundable, so when you book, be ready to fish!
August 19, 2024
100% Recommend. Family of 5 went out with Captain Paco. Experience was amazing, kid friendly with our youngest (6 yrs old), professional, explained everything in detail and patient. We will be back! Thank you!
October 23, 2023
Captain Paco is great! This was our 2nd trip since 2020 with him. Kids were super excited to see him again. Paco is very knowledgeable with great patience. Everyone had a blast and we will be back for sure!
May 2, 2023
Captain Paco is very knowledgeable about the area and is a fantastic teacher. We were visiting SPI on vacation and originally booked an offshore charter with SPI Fish Killer Charters. Paco contacted me a few days before the charter and let me know that the weather was going to be unfavorable for offshore fishing but offered to take us on the bay instead. We happily accepted and had a blast! He has a very well laid out boat with plenty of room for casting and moving around. Paco had us try multiple locations and baits. He also took the time to teach us techniques to use and how to read the water to know where to cast. I would gladly book another fishing trip with Captain Paco!
October 17, 2022
Great day with Captain Paco. Will do this again when ever we go to SPI. Very well done. Perfect day on the water.
September 19, 2022
Black Drum are the hefty cousins of Redfish, often hanging out in the same spots. They're easily identified by their dark color and whisker-like barbels under the chin. Most run 5-30 pounds, but they can top 90 pounds in deeper water. You'll find them in brackish areas, often around oyster beds and other structure. Spring is prime time as they school up to spawn. Anglers enjoy targeting them for their strong fights and good table fare, especially the smaller ones under 15 pounds. They're bottom feeders, so use fresh crab, shrimp, or cut bait on a fish-finder rig. Here's a local trick: listen for their distinctive drumming sound to locate schools, especially during spawning season.
Redfish, or Red Drum, are one of our most popular targets here in South Padre Bay. They're easily spotted by their coppery color and black tail spot. Most inshore reds run 20-30 inches, but they can grow much larger offshore. You'll find them in shallow flats, around oyster reefs, and near mangroves, often tailing in water so shallow their backs are exposed. Fall is prime time as they school up, but they're catchable year-round. Anglers love their powerful runs and excellent table fare. Try sight-fishing with gold spoons or soft plastics, or use live bait like mullet or crab. Here's a local tip: on calm mornings, look for their wakes or tails breaking the surface in shallow water – it's an exciting way to spot and cast to individual fish.
Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are a favorite target in South Padre Bay. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches long. You'll find them in grass flats, around oyster reefs, and near drop-offs in the bay. They're most active in cooler months, especially fall and spring. Anglers love their aggressive strikes and delicate, flaky meat. Live shrimp under a popping cork is a classic setup, but soft plastics and topwater lures can be deadly too. One local tip: fish the edges of grass flats on a moving tide, when trout often set up to ambush bait. Remember, bigger trout are usually solitary, so if you catch a bunch of small ones, try moving to find the trophy fish.
Snook are prized gamefish here in South Padre Bay, known for their hard-fighting spirit and tasty flesh. These sleek predators typically run 1-3 feet long, with a distinctive black lateral line and protruding lower jaw. You'll find them around mangroves, oyster bars, and other structures in shallow estuaries and coastal waters. Spring and fall are prime seasons as snook move between inshore and nearshore areas. Anglers love targeting them for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps when hooked. Live bait like mullet or pinfish works well, but artificials like soft plastics and topwater plugs can be deadly too. One local tip: fish the edges of mangrove shorelines on an outgoing tide, when snook often ambush bait getting swept out with the current.
Southern Flounder are odd-looking fish with both eyes on one side of their flat, oval body. They're masters of camouflage, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Most are 15-18 inches long, but they can reach over 30 inches. Spring and fall are prime seasons, as flounder move to spawn. Anglers love targeting them for their tasty white meat and the challenge of detecting their subtle bites. To catch one, try drifting or still fishing near the bottom with live bait like mullet or shrimp. A local trick is to use a Carolina rig with a circle hook - when you feel weight, wait a few seconds before setting the hook to let the flounder fully take the bait.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
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Cpt. Paco did a great job changing up bait, location and species to get us on the bite. We had a great trip!