Best Laguna Madre Fishing Charters | CL Guide

Published Date: July 18, 2025
Fishing

Corpus Christi
$300 - $850 price range
Updated Date: October 20, 2025

Summary

Ready for a full day of fishing action in the Laguna Madre? This guided trip puts you right where the fish are biting, without wasting time motoring offshore. Your experienced local captain knows all the prime spots for redfish, trout, and other inshore species. They'll set you up with quality gear and share tips to help you land more fish. The shallow, crystal-clear waters of the Laguna Madre are perfect for sight-casting to tailing reds or drifting for speckled trout. You might even spot some of the area's abundant wildlife like osprey or roseate spoonbills while you're out there. With room for up to 3 guests, it's a great way to spend a day on the water with friends or family. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to fishing, CL Guide Service will tailor the trip to your skill level and make sure you have a blast chasing fish in this beautiful Texas coastal ecosystem.

Best Laguna Madre Fishing Charters | CL Guide

Laguna Madre Fishing Action

Redfish, 23 inches, caught in Corpus Christi

Redfish fishing in Corpus Christi, TX

A photo of a spotted weakfish caught in Texas while fishing.

Trout in Corpus Christi, TX

Sea Trout Fishing in Corpus Christi, TX

Bay Fishing For Trout in Corpus Christi

Reel In the Big Ones: Laguna Madre Full-Day Fishing

Get ready to wet a line in one of Texas' most productive fisheries! This full-day trip on the Laguna Madre is your ticket to hooking into some serious inshore action. We're talking redfish tailing in the shallows, trout busting bait, and maybe even a trophy black drum if Lady Luck's on our side. No need to worry about gear or know-how – our seasoned guides have got you covered with top-notch equipment and local intel that'll put fish in the boat.

What to Expect on the Water

Picture this: You're gliding across crystal-clear flats, the sun warming your face as your guide points out a school of reds pushing water. That's the kind of day you're in for on the Laguna Madre. We'll hit prime fishing spots from Port Mansfield to South Padre, adapting our tactics to what the fish are doing. Might be drifting grass lines for trout one minute, then sight-casting to tailing reds the next. With room for up to three anglers, it's the perfect setup for a group of buddies or some quality family time. And the best part? No long runs offshore – we're fishing as soon as we leave the dock.

Techniques & Tackle Talk

Leave your rusty old rod at home, folks. We're rigged up with top-of-the-line gear that'll give you the edge when that big mama red decides to test your drag. Depending on conditions, we might be slinging soft plastics, working topwaters, or soaking live bait. Your guide's got a few tricks up their sleeve – ever heard of a Laguna Shake? It's a local retrieve that drives the trout wild. We'll show you how it's done. And for you fly fishing fanatics, just give us a heads up. Nothing beats watching a redfish crush your fly in gin-clear water.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the rock stars of the Laguna Madre. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats, often revealing their location with a tell-tale tail waving above the surface. They'll test your tackle and your patience, but man, are they worth it. Spring and fall are prime time, but you can tangle with a bull red year-round here.

Speckled trout, or "specks" as the locals call 'em, are the bread and butter of Laguna Madre fishing. These spotted speedsters love to ambush bait in the grass beds and along drop-offs. They're suckers for a well-presented lure, and they're tasty to boot. Summer sees big schools of trout, but the true giants show up in winter.

Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they'll give you a run for your money. These bottom-feeders can grow to monster sizes in the Laguna Madre. We're talking 30-pounders that'll make your arms burn. They love hanging around structure and oyster beds, and they can't resist a fresh crab or shrimp bait.

Southern flounder are the ninjas of the flats. Masters of camouflage, they lie in wait to ambush unsuspecting prey. Fall is the prime time to target these flatfish as they make their way to the Gulf to spawn. A slow-dragged jig or live mullet is like ringing the dinner bell for these tasty ambush predators.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

The Laguna Madre isn't just another fishing spot – it's a slice of angler's paradise. Where else can you sight-cast to tailing reds in the morning, battle trophy trout at midday, and maybe even tangle with a doormat flounder in the afternoon? The diversity of fishing opportunities here is off the charts. Plus, with our shallow-draft boats, we can get into skinny water that bigger boats can't touch. That means less pressure on the fish and more shots at the big ones for you.

Time to Book Your Spot

Listen, the fish are out there waiting, and the boat's gassed up. All we need is you. Whether you're a seasoned pro looking to put a bend in your rod or a newbie hoping to land your first big catch, this Laguna Madre full-day trip is your ticket to some serious inshore action. We've got the local know-how, the right gear, and the passion to make sure you have a day on the water you won't forget. So what are you waiting for? Grab your hat, slap on some sunscreen, and let's go stick some fish. The Laguna Madre is calling, and trust me, you're gonna want to answer. Book now and get ready for a fishing adventure that'll have you plotting your return trip before we even hit the dock.

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black Drum are the heavyweight champions of the drum family, often reaching 30-50 pounds in the Laguna Madre. These big boys love hanging around oyster beds and mudflats in 3-6 feet of water. Spring's the prime time to target them, as they school up to spawn. Black Drum put up a stubborn fight, using their size to their advantage. Smaller ones under 10 pounds make great table fare, with a sweet, firm meat. For the best shot at landing one, use fresh crab or shrimp on a bottom rig. Here's a tip: listen for their distinctive drumming sound – it's a dead giveaway to their location. Just remember, the bigger ones over 15 pounds tend to be tough and wormy, so it's best to release those trophy-sized fish.

Redfish

Redfish, or Red Drum, are the rockstars of Texas flats fishing. These copper-colored beauties, with their trademark tail spot, typically run 20-30 inches in the Laguna Madre. You'll find them year-round in shallow water, often tailing in less than 2 feet. They love cruising over grass flats, around oyster reefs, and along shorelines. Redfish are famous for their powerful runs and bulldogging fights. They're also excellent eating, with a mild, sweet flavor. To catch 'em, try sight-casting with soft plastics or live bait. Here's a local secret: on calm mornings, look for push water – the V-shaped wakes Redfish make as they swim in shallow water. That's your chance to get in front of them and make the perfect cast.

Sea Trout

Also known as Speckled Trout, these fish are a staple in the Laguna Madre. They typically run 14-20 inches and love to hang out in grass flats and around structure. Sea Trout are most active in the cooler months, from fall through spring. Anglers love 'em for their aggressive strikes and tasty, mild-flavored meat. They're not the biggest fighters, but they make up for it in numbers – when you find one, you've usually found a school. To catch Sea Trout, try working soft plastics or topwater lures over grass beds early in the morning or late evening. Pro tip: on calm days, look for their distinctive V-shaped wakes as they cruise the shallows. That's your cue to make a precise cast right in front of them.

Southern Flounder

These flat fish are masters of camouflage, blending into sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow coastal waters. Typically 15-18 inches long, they're ambush predators that lie in wait for small fish and crustaceans. You'll find them year-round in the Laguna Madre, but they're most active in fall as they move to deeper waters to spawn. Flounder are prized for their delicate, white meat and put up a good fight when hooked. To catch 'em, try drifting or still fishing near drop-offs or structure using live bait like mullet or shrimp. A local trick: when you feel a bite, wait a few seconds before setting the hook. Flounder often grab prey sideways before repositioning it to swallow. That pause can make the difference between landing one and missing out.

About the Everglades

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 37

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 150

Ready for some serious fishing action in Laguna Madre? Hop aboard for a full day of chasing redfish, trout, and more in these rich Texas waters. Our experienced guide knows all the local hotspots and will put you on the fish. No need to worry about gear - we've got you covered with quality rods, reels, and bait. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, you'll pick up new techniques to improve your catch. Soak in the stunning coastal scenery as you cast your line. With room for up to 3 guests, it's perfect for a small group or family outing. Get ready to reel in some memories on this hands-on fishing adventure in one of Texas' premier inshore fishing destinations. The fish are biting in Laguna Madre - come see what you can hook!

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