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Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.
Looking to get your feet wet in the fishing world? Captain Steven's got you covered with this 5-hour inshore adventure that's perfect for anyone picking up a rod for the first time. Based out of South Padre Island, this top-rated beginner trip takes the intimidation factor right out of fishing. You'll launch from Pompano Park in Port Isabel and spend your day learning the ropes in some of the most productive inshore waters along the Texas coast. With a maximum of just 2 guests, you get personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great one.
This isn't your typical sink-or-swim fishing experience. Captain Steven specializes in making newcomers feel comfortable and confident from the moment you step aboard. The 5-hour trip gives you plenty of time to get comfortable with the basics without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. You'll start early to take advantage of the best fishing windows, and the relaxed pace means there's time to learn proper technique, understand what you're feeling on the line, and actually enjoy the process. The boat stays in protected inshore waters, so you won't deal with rough seas or long runs that can make beginners seasick. Everything's included – rods, reels, tackle, bait, plus water and Gatorade to keep you hydrated. Just grab some snacks and show up 15 minutes early, and you're set for a world-class learning experience on the water.
Captain Steven keeps things straightforward with two proven methods that consistently produce fish: drift fishing and bottom fishing. These light tackle approaches are perfect for beginners because they're easy to learn but still give you that authentic fishing experience. Drift fishing means letting the current carry your bait naturally while you learn to feel the difference between a fish bite and the bottom. Bottom fishing puts your bait right where hungry fish are feeding, and you'll quickly pick up on reading your rod tip for those telltale taps and tugs. The light tackle setup means you'll actually feel every fish you hook, making even smaller catches exciting. No complicated techniques or heavy gear that wears you out – just simple, effective methods that have been putting fish in the boat for decades.
The waters around South Padre Island are home to some fantastic inshore species that are perfect for beginners to target. Redfish are the crown jewel of these flats – these copper-colored fighters typically run 20-30 inches and put up a memorable fight without being too overwhelming for new anglers. They're most active during cooler parts of the day and love structure like oyster reefs and grass flats. What makes reds special is their aggressive strike and the way they pull drag, giving you that authentic "fish on" experience that hooks people on the sport.
Speckled Trout are another customer favorite, especially during spring and fall months when they school up in the shallows. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots are excellent table fare and typically range from 14-20 inches. They're subtle biters, so you'll learn to detect light taps and quick strikes – a skill that translates to all kinds of fishing. Trout teach you patience and line watching, two fundamentals every angler needs.
Black Drum are the gentle giants of the flats, often weighing 10-40 pounds but fighting with surprising strength. These bottom feeders are perfect for beginners because they bite consistently and don't require precise presentations. You'll find them around structure and muddy bottoms, especially during warmer months. Their steady, powerful runs teach you how to work a fish without rushing the fight.
Sheepshead are the tricksters of the bunch – these black and white striped fish are notorious bait thieves with small mouths and quick strikes. They hang around pilings and structure, picking at crabs and small baits. Landing a sheepshead is a real accomplishment for any angler because they require quick hook sets and steady pressure. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters.
Crevalle Jack round out the target species list as the ultimate fun fish. These silver bullets fight way above their weight class and will test your drag system and arm strength. Jack Crevalle are aggressive predators that often hit baits hard and fast, giving beginners that heart-pounding moment when the rod doubles over. They're catch-and-release fish that provide pure entertainment and teach you how to handle a serious fight.
This trending half-day trip fills up fast because word gets around when you find a captain who truly cares about making newcomers successful. Whether you're planning a family outing, want to try something new, or need a relaxed introduction to saltwater fishing, this beginner-friendly adventure delivers exactly what you're looking for. Captain Steven's hands-on approach and the intimate 2-person maximum ensure you get the attention and instruction that makes the difference between just going fishing and actually becoming an angler. The 5-hour format gives you enough time to really learn without the fatigue that can come with longer trips. With all gear provided and launching from the convenient Pompano Park location, there's never been an easier way to discover why so many people fall in love with inshore fishing along the South Padre Island coast.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 50+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths where they cruise around crushing crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're perfect for beginners because they're not picky eaters and give a steady, strong fight without crazy runs. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom, and don't set the hook too quick - let them really take it before you pull. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat.

Crevalle Jacks are the ultimate workout fish - these brassy, golden bruisers typically run 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but don't let the size fool you. They fight like fish twice their weight with non-stop runs that'll burn your arms. Look for diving birds offshore or around structure - that's where schools of jacks are pushing baitfish to the surface. They're found both inshore around grass flats and offshore near oil rigs, active year-round in our warm Gulf waters. Guests love the pure excitement these bullies provide, though they're not great eating. The trick is to work your bait fast and aggressive - silver spoons, swimbaits, or live mullet retrieved quickly over the schools. Cast past them and rip it back through - they can't resist the chase.

Redfish are the crown jewel of our South Padre flats - these copper-colored fighters with the distinctive black eyespot near their tail typically run 18-35 inches and 3-15 pounds. They love super shallow water, often cruising grass flats and oyster bars in just 1-4 feet where you can see their backs breaking the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall months are absolutely lights-out when they school up. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything and that powerful, bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. They're also excellent table fare when kept at legal size. Here's a guide secret: when you spot one tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where it's moving and work your bait slowly back - these fish spook easily but hit hard when presented right.

Speckled Trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here at South Padre. These silver beauties with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, perfect for light tackle action. You'll find them over grass flats and in shallow bays, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. They're most active early morning and late evening, making our half-day trips perfect timing. What guests really love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - tender, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Local secret: work your bait slowly over the grass beds and don't horse them in - their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook if you get too aggressive.

Sheepshead are the convict fish of South Padre - those black and white stripes make them easy to spot around any structure with barnacles. They run 1-8 pounds typically, though we occasionally see 15+ pounders that'll really test your skills. These guys live around docks, bridge pilings, and jetties where they pick barnacles and crabs off the structure with their human-like teeth. Spring months from February through April are peak season when they're most active and feeding heavily. Guests love them because they're great eating - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They're notorious bait thieves though, so here's the trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait tight to the structure, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight.

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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 70
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300