Top-Rated Full Day Fishing in Matagorda Bay

Published Date: October 4, 2025
Fishing

Matagorda, TX
$750 - $1,000 price range

Summary

Ready for a full day of fishing in Matagorda Bay? Captain Matthew's 8-hour guided trip gives you plenty of time to explore both East and West Matagorda Bay, targeting Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder. Whether you prefer drifting over expansive flats or wading in the shallows for a more hands-on approach, the captain tailors the experience to your style. With a full day on the water, you'll hit prime fishing spots, pick up local techniques, and boost your chances of landing some impressive catches. It's a great opportunity to really dig into the local fishing scene and improve your skills. The extended trip time means you can cover more ground and adapt to where the fish are biting. Perfect for anglers looking to make the most of their time in Matagorda and get a true taste of Texas coastal fishing.

Top-Rated Full Day Fishing in Matagorda Bay

Bay Fishing Action

Four people enjoying fishing adventure in TX

"Fishing vibes and big catches with No Slack team!

No Slack Guide Service at its finest!

Angler enjoying a day of fishing and hunting at Matagorda

Sunset over Matagorda Bay

Big fish caught in Matagorda while fishing and hunting

Hooked! Reeling in a trophy Redfish

Full Day Fishing: Matagorda's Triple Threat

Ready for a full day chasing the big three in Matagorda Bay? Captain Matthew's got you covered with this 8-hour trip targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. Whether you're itching to drift the flats or wade the skinny water, we'll tailor the day to your style. With both East and West Matagorda Bay on the menu, we've got plenty of prime spots to hit. Grab your favorite rod, and let's get after 'em!

What to Expect on the Water

This ain't no quick hit-and-run fishing trip. We're talking a full 8 hours on the water, giving us time to really dial in the bite. Captain Matthew knows these bays like the back of his hand, so we'll start where the fish have been showing up and adjust as needed. Expect to cover some serious water, switching up tactics to match what the fish are doing. We might start off drifting the grass flats for trout, then sneak into the back marshes for redfish, and finish up working some deeper drops for flounder. It's all about reading the water and adapting to give you the best shot at a mixed bag.

Techniques & Terrain

Matagorda Bay's a fisherman's playground, and we've got all the toys. Depending on conditions and your preference, we'll either be drift fishing from the boat or hopping out to wade. If we're drifting, we'll use the wind to our advantage, covering large areas of promising water. Think popping corks for trout over grass beds or slow-rolling soft plastics along drop-offs. When we wade, it's all about stealth. We'll ease into skinny water areas where the big boys like to hunt, fan-casting to cover water methodically. For you artificial enthusiasts, we'll have a mix of topwaters, soft plastics, and maybe even some fly gear if that's your thing. Live bait's always an option too if the bite's tough. Captain Matthew's always got a few tricks up his sleeve, so don't be surprised if we break out some unorthodox tactics to get those fish fired up.

Target Species

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the bulldogs of the bay. Redfish in Matagorda can range from rat reds up to bull reds over 40 inches. They love to cruise the shallows, tailing in mere inches of water as they root for crabs and baitfish. The sweet spot for most anglers is that 20-30 inch range – perfect for both a good fight and the dinner table. Redfish are year-round residents, but the fall run is something special when schools of bulls come crashing through the bays.

Speckled Trout: Specks are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing. These spotted speedsters are known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. In Matagorda, we see trout from schoolie-sized 14-inchers up to gator trout pushing 30 inches. They're suckers for a well-worked topwater, especially in the early morning or late evening. While you can catch trout all year, the spring and fall tend to be prime time when water temperatures are just right.

Southern Flounder: The ninjas of the bay, flounder are ambush predators that lie flat on the bottom waiting to pounce. They're not the hardest fighters, but they more than make up for it on the dinner plate. Matagorda flounder typically run from 14 to 20 inches, with some doormats pushing 25 inches or more. Fall is the golden season for flounder as they stage for their annual migration to the Gulf. That's when we target them around passes and deeper holes, often using a slow-bounced jig right on the bottom.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Matagorda Bay's got that perfect mix of accessibility and wilderness that keeps fishermen coming back for more. It's close enough to Houston for a day trip but feels worlds away from the city grind. The diversity of fishing opportunities is hard to beat – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds in gin-clear water, the next you're working a deep channel for monster trout. And with a full day on the water, you've got time to really dial things in and put together a solid game plan. Plus, Captain Matthew's always tweaking his approach based on what he's seeing day to day, so even regulars often learn something new each trip.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, if you're serious about putting some bent rods in the boat and maybe even some fillets in the cooler, this full-day Matagorda trip is your ticket. We've got the time, the know-how, and the prime fishing grounds to make it happen. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in your technique or a newcomer wanting to learn the ropes, Captain Matthew's got you covered. The bay's calling, and the fish are waiting. Don't let another season slip by – get your crew together and let's get after those reds, trout, and flounder. Book your spot now and get ready for a day on the water you won't forget. Tight lines!

Learn more about the animals

Redfish

Redfish are the rockstars of Matagorda Bay. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 28-33 inches but can push 45 inches and 50 pounds. Look for them tailing in skinny water - sometimes so shallow their backs are out of the water. They love hanging around oyster reefs, marsh edges, and mud flats. Fall is prime time when they school up to spawn. Reds put up a hell of a fight and taste great too. To land one, try working a gold spoon or topwater plug along grass lines early morning. If you see them cruising, a well-placed soft plastic shrimp can do the trick. One local tip - on calm days, look for their V-shaped wakes and cast ahead of them. Just be ready when they hit - these guys can strip line in a hurry. There's nothing quite like the thrill of a big red on light tackle in shallow water.

Sea Trout

Speckled trout are a favorite target in Matagorda Bay, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. These silvery fish put up a good fight and taste great too. In winter, they school up in deeper channels. For the best action, try topwater lures at dawn or dusk. Artificials like jerk baits and plastic shrimp work well. If you're having trouble spotting them, try slow-trolling the flats. Sea trout love structure, so focus on oyster reefs and drop-offs. The bite is usually best in spring and fall when water temperatures are mild. One local trick - a popping cork rig with live shrimp is hard to beat. Just remember not to set the hook too quickly - give them a moment to take the bait. With some patience, you'll be reeling in specks in no time.

Southern Flounder

Southern flounder are the ninjas of Matagorda Bay. These flat ambush predators blend right into sandy or muddy bottoms, waiting to pounce on passing prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but trophy fish can hit 30 inches and 20 pounds. Look for them around drop-offs, channel edges, and pier pilings. Fall is prime time as they migrate to spawn offshore. Flounder fishing takes patience, but it's worth it for their sweet, flaky meat. To catch 'em, try slow-dragging a bull minnow or mullet on a Carolina rig along the bottom. Another good bet is working a jig tipped with shrimp. Here's a local trick - when you feel a bite, don't set the hook right away. Give the flounder time to turn the bait in its mouth. Once you feel weight, reel down and lift. It's a unique challenge, but landing a big doormat is always satisfying.

About the

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 45

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 250

Hop aboard Captain Matthew's boat for a full day of fishing fun on Matagorda Bay. This 8-hour trip gives you plenty of time to explore both East and West Matagorda, targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. Whether you prefer drifting the open flats or wading in shallow waters, the captain will tailor the experience to your fishing style. With a whole day at your disposal, you'll have ample opportunity to try different spots, learn local fishing tricks, and hopefully reel in some impressive catches. The extended time on the water means more chances to land that trophy fish you've been dreaming about. Grab your gear and get ready for a full day of angling action in one of Texas' prime fishing destinations.

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