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Specialized Bay Fishing on South Padre Island
- Published Date: August 19, 2025
- Fishing
- South Padre Island
- Updated Date: December 20, 2025
Summary
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Bay Fishing Action
Advanced Bay Fishing for Sheepshead & Flounder
Looking to skip the beginner stuff and get straight to some serious bay fishing? Captain Andrew's half-day advanced trip is built for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to target the trickier species that make South Padre Island legendary. This 5-hour afternoon charter focuses on the big three – Sheepshead, Flounder, and Black Drum – with some bonus opportunities for Sea Trout and Redfish when they're cooperative. Starting at 2 PM gives you that perfect window when these fish are most active, and with just 2 anglers max, you'll have Captain Andrew's full attention on the productive spots he's been working for years.
What to Expect on the Water
This isn't your typical sit-in-the-boat fishing trip. Captain Andrew takes this charter to the shallow flats and structure-rich areas where these species love to hang out, and you'll be getting your feet wet – literally. Bring your own waders because you'll be stepping into knee-deep water for some serious sight fishing and gigging action. The afternoon timing is crucial here; as the sun starts to angle down, Sheepshead become more aggressive around the pilings and jetties, while Flounder start moving up onto the flats to ambush baitfish. Captain Andrew knows every oyster bar, every drop-off, and every piece of structure where these fish stack up. He'll position you in the prime spots and coach you through the techniques that separate the pros from the weekend warriors. All your gear is included, plus he'll clean your fish, keep them iced, and make sure you've got cold drinks and snacks to keep you going strong all afternoon.
Advanced Techniques & Prime Spots
The beauty of this charter is that Captain Andrew tailors the approach based on what's working best that day. For Sheepshead, you'll be working around the concrete structures, bridge pilings, and rock jetties with live shrimp and fiddler crabs – these fish are notorious for their light bite, but Captain Andrew will teach you to feel that subtle tap and set the hook before they spit it out. Flounder fishing means moving to the sandy flats and drop-offs, where you'll be drift fishing with live bait or working soft plastics along the bottom. The real excitement comes with the gigging – stalking through clear water with Captain Andrew guiding you to the fish lying camouflaged in the sand. Black Drum action happens around the deeper channels and oyster reefs, where these bruisers can pull drag like freight trains. Captain Andrew provides all the specialized tackle, from the light wire hooks for Sheepshead to the heavier gear for those bull Drum. He'll also have you rigged up for Sea Trout and Redfish since they're often mixed in with your target species – especially around the grass flats where the ecosystem is most diverse.
Top Catches This Season
South Padre's Southern Flounder are the ultimate challenge for any serious angler. These masters of camouflage can grow over 20 inches and provide some of the best table fare in the Gulf. They're most active during the cooler months from November through March, when they're staging for their offshore spawning runs. What makes them so exciting is the sight fishing aspect – watching Captain Andrew spot a fish that's completely invisible to you, then guiding your cast to within inches of where it's lying. The take is often so subtle you'll miss it if you're not paying attention, but once hooked, they fight with surprising strength and make multiple runs before coming to the net.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the bay, with mature fish reaching 30-40 pounds and providing arm-burning fights that test your tackle and technique. Peak season runs from March through October, when they're feeding aggressively on crabs and shrimp around the oyster reefs. These fish are smart and spooky – they'll test your drag system and use every piece of structure to try and break you off. Landing a big Black Drum requires patience, proper technique, and the kind of heavy tackle that Captain Andrew provides. They're also excellent eating when properly prepared, with firm white meat that's perfect for blackening or frying.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as the "convict fish" both for their black stripes and their thieving ways with bait. These 2-4 pound fighters are found year-round around South Padre's structures, but they're most cooperative during the spring and fall months. What makes Sheepshead so challenging is their incredible ability to steal bait – they can strip a hook clean without you feeling a thing. But when you do connect, they fight with surprising strength for their size and make excellent table fare with their sweet, flaky meat. Captain Andrew knows exactly how to rig for these bait thieves and will teach you the subtle techniques that consistently put them in the cooler.
Sea Trout add variety to your day, especially during the warmer months when they're feeding aggressively in the grass beds. These 14-18 inch fighters are beautiful fish with distinctive spotted patterns, and they provide steady action when the other species are being finicky. They hit both live bait and artificials, making them a favorite for anglers who like to mix up their techniques. Redfish round out the species mix, with their copper-bronze sides and powerful runs providing some of the most exciting moments on the bay. These 18-25 inch fish are incredibly strong for their size and will test your drag when they make their signature head-shaking runs toward the nearest structure.
Time to Book Your Spot
Captain Andrew's advanced half-day trip delivers exactly what experienced anglers are looking for – challenging species, proven techniques, and the kind of personalized attention you can only get with a 2-angler maximum. The 2 PM start time puts you on the water during prime feeding hours, the wade fishing adds that extra element of excitement, and Captain Andrew's local knowledge ensures you're fishing the most productive spots on the bay. With gear, fish cleaning, drinks, and snacks all included, you just need to bring your waders, your skills, and your appetite for some serious bay fishing. This charter fills up fast during peak season, so don't wait to secure your spot for what could be your best day on South Padre's waters.
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, easily recognized by their dark coloration and the drumming sounds they make underwater. Most fish we see run 5-30 pounds, but these bruisers can hit 90+ pounds. They've got crushing jaws built for cracking oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and structure in 2-20 feet of water. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning - that's when we target the big ones. They're powerful fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller fish (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The bigger ones get tough and stringy. Best tip I can give you is to use fresh crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom. They're not going to chase anything - bring the bait to them where they're feeding.
Redfish
Redfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They run anywhere from slot-sized fish around 20-28 inches up to massive bull reds pushing 40+ inches and 30-50 pounds. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are out of the water - around grass flats, oyster bars, and muddy shorelines. Fall brings the best action when they school up for their spawn migration. What makes them special is their power and the visual aspect of sight-fishing in clear, shallow water. They're also excellent eating in the slot size range. The thrill is watching them cruise the flats and making that perfect cast. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing or cruising, cast well ahead of where they're going, not where they are. Let them come to the bait naturally.
Sea Trout
Spotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with some reaching much larger sizes. These fish love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during dawn and dusk, and cooler months bring the best action when they school up in deeper holes. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make strong runs. The meat is tender and flaky with a mild flavor that's perfect for the table. Just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. They're also great on light tackle, making every fish feel bigger. My go-to trick is working topwater plugs early morning over grass flats. When you see them busting bait on the surface, that's your window for fast action.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth that can crush barnacles and crabs. Most fish run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but 20-pounders swim these waters. They're structure lovers - docks, pilings, reefs, anywhere barnacles grow. Spring is prime time, especially around the spawn in February through April. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are notorious bait thieves with light, nibbling bites that'll clean your hook before you know it. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the table. They're also surprisingly strong fighters for their size. Here's the key: get your bait tight to structure and when you feel them picking at it, don't rush the hookset. Let them commit, then hit them hard - their bony mouths require a solid hookset to stick.
Southern Flounder
Southern flounder are masters of disguise - flat, oval-shaped fish that bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. They're ambush predators that feed on shrimp, crabs, and smaller fish. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, but you can find them up to 33 inches. They love shallow bay waters, especially around grass flats and channel edges. Fall and winter are prime time when they're staging for their offshore spawn. What makes them special is their incredible camouflage ability - they can actually change color to match the bottom. The meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating in the bay. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them take it and start moving before you strike - they're notorious for just mouthing the bait.
