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South Padre Island, Texas
Inshore Fishing Charters in South Padre Island
12 inshore guides in South Padre Island, Port Isabel and the lower Laguna Madre that fish the bays, flats and passes, listed A to Z with their boats and published prices. Call the guide directly – we never take a commission.
The guides
South Padre Island inshore fishing guides, A to Z
Every guide here lists inshore, bay, flats or backcountry trips on its own published trip menu. Confirm the trip, the price and what is included before you book.
Always-a-Catch Fishing Trips
South Padre Island
Targets: Speckled trout, Redfish, Snook, Black drum, King mackerel, Jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel
Austins Fishing & Hunting Guide Service
Meets guests at 101 Bridge St, Port Isabel, TX 78578
Targets: Redfish, Sheepshead, Speckled trout, Flounder
Blast to Cast Guide Service
211 W Swordfish St, South Padre Island, TX 78597 (boat launch)
Bode's Bay Fishing
Pirates Landing Fishing Pier, Port Isabel, TX
Targets: Redfish, Southern flounder, Speckled trout
Breakaway Cruises
Sea Ranch Marina, 33384 State Park Rd. 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Targets: Whiting, Sand trout, Sheepshead, Shark, Black drum, Redfish, Speckled trout
Crystal Flats Guide Service
South Padre Island
Coast Guard license shown on their site checked October 2026
Targets: Redfish, Speckled trout, Flounder, Black drum, Sheepshead, Mangrove snapper, Tarpon, Spanish mackerel
Danny B Bay Fishing Charters
2305 Laguna Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597 (at Louie's Backyard)
Targets: Whiting, Sand trout, Black drum, Croaker, Sheepshead, Shark, King mackerel
Captain Jack Barton
South Padre Island
Coast Guard license shown on their site checked October 2026
Targets: Speckled trout, Redfish, Snook, Flounder, King mackerel, Tarpon
La Mosca Charters
800 Pompano Ave, Port Isabel, TX 78578 (meeting point)
Targets: Redfish, Speckled trout, Flounder, Black drum
Laguna Madre Guide Service
1471 Harbor Island Dr., Port Isabel, TX 78578
Reel Action Charter Services
South Padre Island
Targets: Red snapper, Speckled trout, Redfish
SPI Excursions
204 W Palm St, South Padre Island, TX 78597 (docks at Lobo Del Mar)
Listed alphabetically – this is not a ranking. Updated October 2026. All 17 operators: South Padre Island fishing charters.
What to expect
Inshore fishing in South Padre Island at a glance
Inshore trips fish calm bays, flats, marsh and the passes close to land. Short runs, smaller boats and steady action make them the usual pick for kids and first-timers.
- Trip lengths these guides publish: Half day (about 4 hours) – 3; Full day (8 hours or more) – 2; Three-quarter day (about 6 hours) – 1.
- Fish they list most: Speckled trout, Redfish, Black drum, King mackerel, Sheepshead, Flounder, Snook, Spanish mackerel.
- In season in October: Snook (see the South Padre Island season calendar).
- Group size: most of these boats that publish a limit take up to 6 guests (the largest up to 43).
- Coast Guard license: 2 of 12 show the captain’s US Coast Guard license on their own site.
Inshore fishing follows the tide. The South Padre Island fishing report shows today’s tide times, wind and the best fishing times, and how to read a tide chart explains what they mean.
Prices
What an inshore charter costs in South Padre Island
Calculated from the private-trip prices these guides publish, as of October 2026. Prices are for the whole boat, not per person; tips and fish cleaning can be extra.
| Trip | Median | Range | Boats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private half day (about 4 hours) | $499 | $475 – $1,200 | 3 |
More: fishing charter prices across the US · half day vs full day.
Questions
Inshore charters in South Padre Island: questions
How much is an inshore fishing charter in South Padre Island?
Among 3 guides that publish a private half-day price, the median is $499 (from $475 to $1,200). Prices are for the whole boat. Confirm the price and what is included when you book.
What fish do inshore charters target in South Padre Island?
The fish these guides list most often are Speckled trout, Redfish, Black drum, King mackerel, Sheepshead, Flounder. What bites depends on the month – see the season calendar.
Is inshore or deep sea fishing better in South Padre Island?
Inshore trips are calmer, shorter and better for kids and first-timers; offshore trips run farther for bigger fish and take more time. South Padre Island also runs offshore trips: 4 offshore boats. Inshore vs offshore explained.
Does Gone Fishing HQ take a commission?
No. You book with the captain directly by phone or on their own website, and they keep 100% of the trip price.
For captains and guides
Your boat, listed free. No commission, ever.
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