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Premium Matagorda Bay Fishing with Capt. Shannon
- Published Date: July 18, 2025
- Fishing
- Matagorda
- $250 - $700 price range
- Updated Date: September 22, 2025
Summary
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Rods Bent, Fish On!
Ducks harvested Matagorda Bay
Hunters in Matagorda marshland setup
Matagorda Bay duck hunting morning
Sandhill crane hunt Matagorda Texas
Redfish action in Matagorda Bay
Matagorda speckled trout caught today
Duck hunting sunrise Matagorda marsh
Waterfowl hunt Matagorda Bay morning
Matagorda TX guided duck hunt day
Waterfowl hunting trip Matagorda TX
Ducks harvested Matagorda Bay
Hunters in Matagorda marshland setup
Matagorda Bay duck hunting morning
Sandhill crane hunt Matagorda Texas
Redfish action in Matagorda Bay
Matagorda speckled trout caught today
Duck hunting sunrise Matagorda marsh
Waterfowl hunt Matagorda Bay morning
Matagorda TX guided duck hunt day
Waterfowl hunting trip Matagorda TX
Ducks harvested Matagorda Bay
Hunters in Matagorda marshland setup
Matagorda Bay duck hunting morning
Sandhill crane hunt Matagorda Texas
Reel in the Big Ones on Matagorda Bay
Get ready to wet a line and land some of Texas' most prized inshore species with Captain Shannon's Charters. This 5-hour trip takes you right into the heart of Matagorda Bay's fish-rich waters, where redfish, speckled trout, and black drum are waiting to test your skills. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, Captain Shannon's got you covered with top-notch gear and the local know-how to put you on the fish.
A Day on the Flats
As soon as you step aboard, you'll feel the excitement building. Captain Shannon's boat is rigged and ready for a day of inshore action. We'll cruise through Matagorda's maze of bays and flats, hitting the honey holes where the fish are biting. You might find yourself sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water one minute, then drifting deeper channels for trout the next. The beauty of Matagorda is its variety – every trip's a new adventure.
Techniques That Land Fish
We'll use a mix of live bait and artificial lures, depending on what's working best that day. You might throw soft plastics for trout, chunk cut bait for black drum, or work a gold spoon for redfish. Captain Shannon's all about hands-on learning, so he'll show you the ropes if you're new, or swap advanced tactics if you're looking to up your game. We've got everything from light tackle to heavier setups, perfect for whatever's biting.
What Anglers Are Saying
"My wife and I had a great trip with Zack. Very knowledgeable of the bay system and put us on some targeted fish for my wife's online fishing tournament she was participating in." - Monica
"Very helpful and knowledgeable and a fantastic people person! Looking forward to the next trip" - Clayton
"High winds, muddy water, tough conditions. We still caught a bunch of fish, several keepers. Fun trip." - Michael
Target Species Breakdown
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the stars of Matagorda Bay. Known for their powerful runs and distinctive spot on the tail, redfish can range from "rat reds" of a few pounds to bull reds over 40 inches. They love to cruise the shallows, often revealing their location with subtle surface disturbances. Fall is prime time for reds, but you can catch them year-round. There's nothing quite like the thrill of a redfish stripping line off your reel.
Speckled Trout: Also called spotted seatrout, these fish are prized for both their fight and their flavor. They're ambush predators, often found around structure or in deeper holes. Specks can be finicky, but when they're on, the action can be fast and furious. Early morning topwater bites are the stuff of legend among trout anglers. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but you can catch them all year in Matagorda.
Black Drum: Often overlooked but never underappreciated, black drum are the workhorses of inshore fishing. These cousins of the redfish can grow to massive sizes, with some true giants lurking in Matagorda's waters. They're bottom feeders, so we'll target them with natural baits like crab or shrimp. Winter and early spring see big schools of drum move through, offering great opportunities for multiple hookups.
Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes and sheep-like teeth, these fish are as fun to catch as they are to look at. They're structure-oriented, so we'll find them around pilings, reefs, and jetties. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, so hooking them requires finesse and timing. Winter and early spring are prime times for sheepshead, when they gather to spawn.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Matagorda Bay isn't just another fishing spot – it's a world-class inshore fishery right in Texas' backyard. The mix of species, the quality of the fish, and the stunning coastal scenery make every trip memorable. Captain Shannon's local expertise means you're not just fishing, you're getting an insider's tour of one of the Gulf Coast's best-kept secrets. From the thrill of your first hook-up to the satisfaction of a cooler full of fish, this trip delivers experiences that'll have you planning your next visit before you even get back to the dock.
Time to Book Your Spot
Don't let another season slip by without experiencing the inshore action of Matagorda Bay. Captain Shannon's 5-hour trips are perfect for fitting a great day of fishing into any schedule. With all gear provided and expert guidance guaranteed, all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and maybe a lucky hat. Remember, the boat has room for up to 5 anglers, so grab your buddies or bring the family for a day on the water you won't forget. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait – book your Matagorda Bay fishing adventure with Captain Shannon's Charters today and get ready to make some serious fishing memories!
Customer Reviews
Zack Hooks Victory
Monica Gross
December 15, 2024
Expert Guide Delight
Very helpful and knowledgeable and a fantastic people person! Looking forward to the next trip
Clayton H
July 8, 2025
Triumph Over Waves
High winds, muddy water, tough conditions. We still caught a bunch of fish, several keepers. Fun trip.
Michael M
July 5, 2025
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black Drum are the big cousins of Redfish, typically 5-30 pounds but can get up to 90. You'll find them in brackish water, especially around oyster beds and muddy flats. They use those strong teeth to crush shellfish, so that's what we use for bait. Spring's the best time, when they school up to spawn. They make a croaking sound underwater - pretty cool to hear when you're reeling one in. Drum put up a good fight, and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are great eating. We fish for them with heavy lines and circle hooks, usually on the bottom. Here's a tip: if you're not getting bites, try crushing up some oyster shells. That scent in the water can draw them in like magic.
Redfish
Redfish, or Red Drum, are a favorite here in Matagorda. They love shallow water - sometimes you'll see their backs sticking out! Most run 28-33 inches, but they can get much bigger. Look for them around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy bottoms in 1-4 feet of water. They've got that distinctive black spot near the tail, which is fun to point out to kids. Redfish put up a great fight and are excellent eating. We catch them year-round, but fall is especially good. They'll hit all kinds of lures, but I like topwater for the exciting strikes. Here's a tip: on calm days, look for their tails sticking up as they feed on the bottom. Sneak up quietly and make a cast just past them - it's a thrill when they turn and chase down your lure.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are those striped fish with human-like teeth - we call 'em convict fish. They usually run 1-8 pounds and hang around structures like docks, bridges, and reefs. Spring's prime time when they school up to spawn. Sheepshead are tricky to catch - they're expert bait stealers. But that challenge is part of the fun, and they're delicious eating. We use light tackle and fish as close to the structure as possible. Natural baits work best - fiddler crabs are my go-to. Here's a local trick: when you feel that nibble, wait a second before setting the hook. Sheepshead like to crush the bait first, so giving them that extra moment often means the difference between a catch and a miss.
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel are speedy swimmers, usually 1-2 feet long and 8-11 pounds. You'll find 'em in schools near the surface, often around structures in open water. They're a blast to catch - put up a good fight and taste great too. Spring and fall are prime seasons when they're migrating. We look for them trolling or drifting, but you can also catch 'em from piers and jetties. Light to medium tackle works well - try a 7-8 foot rod with 12-20 lb line. They'll hit spoons, jigs, and live bait like shrimp or small fish. Here's a local tip: when you spot a school, drift in quietly instead of motoring right up. That way you won't spook 'em and can get more casts in before they move on.
About the Center console boats
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 40
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 250
My wife and I had a great trip with Zack. Very knowledgeable of the bay system and put us on some targeted fish for my wife's online fishing tournament she was participating in.