Top-Rated South Padre Fishing: 5-Hour AM Charter

Half Day Guided Fishing on South Padre Island

When you're ready to get serious about inshore fishing, South Padre Island delivers some of the most consistent action on the Texas coast. This half-day charter with Captain Steven Hillary puts you right in the heart of productive bay systems where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout stack up along grass lines. You'll fish the calmer waters of the Laguna Madre and connected bays, where light tackle techniques shine and every cast has potential. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or looking to dial in your skills, this trip gives you four solid hours to work proven spots with a captain who knows exactly where fish hold throughout the seasons.

What to Expect on the Water

Your morning starts at the boat launch where Captain Steven has everything prepped and ready to roll. The bay waters around South Padre stay protected from Gulf swells, making this perfect for anglers who want action without the rough ride. You'll spend your time drift fishing over structure and working productive grass beds with light tackle setups. The approach here focuses on reading water and understanding how fish move through these systems. Expect to cover several spots during your four hours, from shallow flats where reds tail in two feet of water to deeper edges where trout suspend over oyster bars. This isn't a sit-and-wait kind of fishing – you'll stay active, moving between techniques as conditions and fish behavior dictate.

Techniques That Work Here

South Padre's inshore fishing revolves around mastering a few key approaches that consistently produce fish. Drift fishing lets you cover water efficiently, working soft plastics and live bait through areas where trout school up. You'll learn to feel the subtle difference between a trout pickup and bottom contact, essential skills for consistent success. Bottom fishing comes into play around structure where black drum and sheepshead hang out, requiring a different touch and patience. Captain Steven keeps the boat positioned perfectly for each technique, whether that's holding over a specific piece of structure or managing drift speed across a flat. The light tackle gear makes every fish feel substantial while giving you the sensitivity needed to detect those soft bites that separate good anglers from great ones.

What Anglers Are Saying

"This is our second trip with Captain Steven Hillary and won't be our last. Steven does not disappoint and put us on fish right away. We hit on some nice Reds and Trout and had a great time. Steven is very patient and accommodating, helping with bait and artificial lure selection. His knowledge of the bay system ensures a great trip. The equipment and boat are very well maintained and modern. Steven also is a great conversationist and we enjoy talking with him about a multitude of outdoor subjects. Thanks again." - Richard

"Captain Steve is the real deal! From the moment we hit the water, he had us on the trout. We reached our limit of speckled trout by 9:30 AM, and the action was nonstop. He clearly knows the waters around South Padre like the back of his hand. The boat was clean, comfortable, and well-outfitted. Steve was friendly, professional, and made the entire experience fun and stress-free. He was great with everyone on board, patient, helpful, and always working to keep us on fish. If you're booking a trip through Fishbooker, stop scrolling and book Captain Steve and you won't regret it. We'll definitely be back for another trip!" - Todd

"I was looking for a last minute, spur-of-the moment fishing trip in South Padre Island. I've used other guides before but Captain Steve gets the gold medal. I saw that he was available, read a few reviews on him (thank you past clients, you were spot on), messaged him from the App, and he replied within a few minutes. Within 15 minutes we had the trip planned, paid for, and instructions ready on where to meet him the next morning. Like clockwork, Captain Steve was there at the boat launch, boat in the water, ready to go. From the beginning Steve was extremely informative and talkative about conditions, what to expect, and what we hoped to accomplish. Within 30 minutes we were out at his first spots drifting and fishing. Had some good trout with a few keepers and one larger 21" trout we couldn't keep. Moved spots and Captain Steve had us on some big Reds. Even pulled in a nice 28.5" Red, then a 26.5 Red, then a 21" Red. I know that doesn't happen all the time, but both of us were excited and had a great time. After we returned to the launch he even cleaned and filleted all the fish for me to take home. Fish Tacos for everyone! As a testament to Captain Steve's services, I have a luxury condo in SPI that I rent and I don't refer anyone to my clients unless I've tried and tested them first. Captain Steve has made it on my list as a highly recommended fishing guide to my clients. I will use him again in the near future. Thank You Captain Steve for a great morning fishing." - Jeremy

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish represent the crown jewel of South Padre's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow flats year-round, though fall and winter months often produce the most consistent action. Reds between 20-28 inches fight with bulldogging power that tests your drag system, while smaller slot fish provide excellent table fare. What makes redfish special here is their willingness to eat both artificial lures and live bait, giving you multiple ways to target them depending on conditions and your skill level.

Speckled trout form the backbone of most successful South Padre trips, schooling up in predictable patterns throughout the bay system. Spring and fall typically offer the best numbers, with fish ranging from 14-inch schoolies to trophy-class specimens over 25 inches. Trout require more finesse than reds, rewarding anglers who master the subtle art of working soft plastics through