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Top-Rated Laguna Madre Bay Fishing with Capt. Marc
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- South Padre Island
- Updated Date: January 9, 2026
Summary
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Captain Marc's Best Catches
Quick Cast Afternoon Fishing in South Padre
Captain Marc has been guiding anglers through the shallow waters of Laguna Madre Bay for years, and he knows exactly where the fish are hiding. This top-rated afternoon trip puts you right in the heart of some of Texas's best inshore action, targeting black drum, redfish, and speckled trout in waters that consistently produce. You'll fish the flats, work the grass beds, and hit the drop-offs where these species love to feed. With just two guests max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to cast without bumping elbows. The base cost covers two people at $375, with additional anglers welcome for $100 each up to four total.
What to Expect on the Water
Your afternoon starts with Captain Marc picking the spots based on current conditions – tide, wind, and recent fish activity all play into where you'll be casting. The Laguna Madre system is perfect for sight fishing when conditions align, but Marc also knows the structure and grass beds that hold fish even when visibility isn't perfect. You'll be wade fishing some spots and casting from the boat in others, depending on what the fish are telling you. The beauty of this trip is its flexibility – if the reds are schooling in three feet of water over grass, that's where you're headed. If the trout are hitting topwater along a drop-off, Marc will position you perfectly for those explosive strikes. Bring your camera because nothing beats the sight of a bull red tailing in skinny water or a solid trout coming to the surface.
Techniques and Tackle Setup
Marc provides all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. You'll be throwing both live and artificial baits depending on what's working. Soft plastics rigged on jigheads are a staple for trout and reds, while cut bait often produces the bigger black drum. When the fish are aggressive, topwater plugs create some of the most exciting action you'll find in shallow water. The techniques vary from slow-rolling soft plastics along the bottom to working topwaters with a walk-the-dog retrieve. Captain Marc will teach you how to read the water – looking for color changes, baitfish activity, and subtle signs that fish are in the area. The relatively shallow depths of Laguna Madre mean you're always connected to the action, whether you're feeling the thump of a drum or watching your line move off with a redfish.
Top Catches This Season
Black drum are the workhorses of this fishery, and Captain Marc consistently puts clients on fish ranging from small puppy drum perfect for dinner to larger specimens that test your drag system. These fish love structure and are often found around shell beds and deeper pockets in the bay. Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and the Laguna Madre system holds some beautiful specimens. You'll encounter both schooling reds in shallow water and larger single fish cruising the edges of grass beds. The copper-colored sides and distinctive black spot make them unmistakable, and their fighting ability keeps anglers coming back. Sea trout, locally called speckled trout, are abundant and aggressive feeders that hit both live bait and artificials with authority. Summer flounder add another dimension to the fishing, often surprising anglers who are targeting other species along sandy bottoms and transitions.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Black drum are perhaps the most underrated fighters in these waters. They range from small "puppy" drum that are perfect table fare to bull drum that can exceed 20 pounds and provide serious battles on light tackle. These fish are most active during moving tides and are often found in slightly deeper water than reds and trout. Their powerful runs and dogged fighting style near structure make them a favorite among anglers who appreciate a fish that won't give up easily. The best months are typically spring through fall, with larger specimens more common in cooler weather.
Redfish are the signature species of Texas coastal fishing, and for good reason. These bronze-backed fighters are aggressive, beautiful, and found year-round in the Laguna Madre system. Slot-sized fish (20-28 inches) are common and provide excellent action on medium tackle. What makes reds special here is the sight fishing opportunities – watching a red's back break the surface as it feeds in shallow water gets your heart pumping every time. They're most active during moving water and often school up in large numbers during certain times of the year.
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are the bread and butter of many successful trips. These spotted predators are aggressive feeders that respond well to both live bait and artificial lures. They average 14-18 inches but can reach well over 20 inches in these waters. Trout are most active during dawn and dusk, making this afternoon trip perfectly timed for the evening bite. They love grass beds and drop-offs, and when you find one, there are usually more in the area. Their delicate mouths require a steady hand, but their willingness to bite makes them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Summer flounder add variety to the mix and are often caught while targeting other species. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and provide a different type of challenge. They're typically found along sandy bottoms and channel edges, and their subtle bites require attention to detail. When hooked, they make powerful runs and are excellent table fare, making them a welcome addition to any day's catch.
Time to Book Your Spot
Captain Marc's quick cast afternoon trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its best. The personalized attention you get with just two anglers makes this a customer favorite among both beginners and experienced fishers. You'll leave with a better understanding of inshore fishing techniques, knowledge of productive areas, and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fish. The memories of watching redfish cruise in shallow water or feeling the solid thump of a black drum are what keep people
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These bottom-feeders love cruising the oyster beds and muddy flats around Laguna Madre, especially during spring spawning when they school up tight. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - that's how they got their name. They're built like tanks with crushing jaws perfect for crabs and oysters. Spring months give you the best shot at multiple hookups when they're grouped up for spawning. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare, but the big bulls are pure sport. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and keep it right on the bottom - they won't chase bait up in the water column.
Redfish
Redfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing here in Laguna Madre. These copper-colored beauties typically run 18-28 inches, with that distinctive black spot near their tail that fools predators. They love cruising the flats in 1-4 feet of water around oyster reefs and grass beds, sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings some of the best action when they're feeding heavily. What makes them special is their power - they'll strip drag and make long runs that test your gear. The smaller "slot" fish are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. Plus, they'll hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. Local trick: look for nervous water and baitfish activity - redfish push waves when they're feeding shallow, and that's your cue to make a cast.
Sea Trout
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of our Laguna Madre trips, running 14-20 inches on average with some beauties pushing 5 pounds. These spotted fighters love the grass flats in 2-4 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and baitfish. Spring through fall gives you consistent action, but cooler months can be fantastic when they school up in deeper holes. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're aggressive feeders with a great fight for their size. The meat is top-notch: white, flaky, and sweet. Just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Best local tip: work your lure slow and steady through the grass. When you feel that telltale "tick-tick" of a trout mouthing your bait, wait a beat before setting the hook.
Summer Flounder
Summer flounder aren't common in our Texas waters - you're thinking of the East Coast fluke fishing up north. Here in Laguna Madre, we focus on southern flounder instead. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 12-18 inches around South Padre, though some doormat-sized fish push 4-5 pounds. Fall and winter months are prime time when they're fattening up before heading to deeper water. They love live finger mullet or shrimp dragged slowly across sandy bottoms near structure. What makes them fun is the way they slam bait and then try to bury back into the sand. The meat is outstanding - white, flaky, and mild. My go-to trick is using a Carolina rig with just enough weight to feel bottom, then slow-dragging it through likely spots.
