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Matagorda Bay Wading Redfish Trout Guide Service
- Published Date: January 15, 2026
- Fishing
- Matagorda
- Updated Date: January 18, 2026
Summary
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Wading Trip Highlights
Full Day Matagorda Bay Redfish and Trout Wading Trip
Get ready for an authentic Texas coast wading adventure that'll have you knee-deep in some of the most productive shallow waters along the Gulf. This isn't your typical boat trip – we're talking about an 8-hour foot pursuit through Matagorda Bay's prime flats, where the fish are aggressive and the action stays hot from dawn to dusk. Starting at 6:30 AM, you'll experience what makes wading so special: complete stealth, precision casting, and that up-close connection with the bay that only comes when you're moving through the water on your own two feet. The $1,000 rate covers up to three anglers, and trust me, splitting that cost between friends makes this top-rated adventure an absolute steal for a full day of world-class inshore action.
What to Expect on the Water
Matagorda Bay delivers the kind of wading experience that keeps anglers coming back year after year. We'll position ourselves on productive flats where the water runs 18 to 30 inches deep – perfect depth for sight fishing and working lures through the strike zone. The bay's grass beds and shell bars create natural ambush points where reds and trout stage up to feed, especially during those early morning hours when the bite is most consistent. You'll be covering water methodically, reading the subtle signs that reveal where fish are holding: nervous bait, slicks on the surface, and those telltale pushes that get your heart racing. The beauty of wading is the mobility – when we find active fish, we can work an area thoroughly without spooking anything with boat noise or motor wash. Families are welcome on this trip, though kids need to wear USCG-certified life jackets for safety. The guide handles all the standard tackle, ice for your catch, and photography, but you'll need to bring your own wading boots and personal gear.
Wading Techniques & Gear
Successful wade fishing is all about moving quietly and reading the water like a book. We'll be using light tackle setups that let you feel every bump and tick – typically spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound braid paired with fluorocarbon leaders. The lure selection focuses on proven bay performers: soft plastics rigged on jigheads for working grass lines, topwater plugs for those explosive morning strikes, and spoons for covering water when fish are scattered. Your wading technique makes all the difference – shuffle your feet to avoid stepping on stingrays, move slowly to minimize disturbance, and always keep your rod tip up when moving between spots. The sandy bottom and scattered shell make for solid footing, but watch for those deeper pockets and channels that can catch you off guard. A $50 bait charge covers live shrimp when conditions call for natural offerings, particularly effective when targeting bigger trout around structure. Don't forget to pack non-spray sunscreen and plenty of water – eight hours under the Texas sun demands proper preparation.
Top Catches This Season
Speckled Trout remain the bread and butter of Matagorda Bay, with fish running 14 to 20 inches providing consistent action throughout the warmer months. These spotted beauties love to cruise the grass beds in two to three feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish that seek cover in the vegetation. Early morning produces the most explosive topwater strikes, with trout absolutely crushing surface plugs worked over shallow flats adjacent to deeper channels. As the sun climbs higher, switching to soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom becomes the winning technique. The best trout action typically runs from late spring through early fall, with summer months offering the most reliable bite for waders willing to start early and beat the heat.
Redfish are the true stars of the wading show, with these copper-colored bruisers providing some of the most visual and exciting fishing along the entire Texas coast. Matagorda Bay's reds typically range from 20 to 28 inches, with plenty of upper-slot fish that'll test your drag and your wading balance. These fish cruise the shallow flats year-round, though spring and fall offer the most consistent action when water temperatures are optimal. Sight fishing for tailing reds in skinny water represents the pinnacle of inshore angling – watching that telltale wake approaching your lure never gets old. Redfish are notorious for their powerful runs and bulldog fighting style, often heading straight for the nearest oyster bar or grass bed to try breaking you off.
Southern Flounder add an element of surprise to every wading trip, with these flatfish masters of camouflage lying in wait along channel edges and sandy potholes. Most flounder caught while wading run 14 to 18 inches, though doormat-sized fish exceeding 20 inches are always possible. These ambush predators prefer cooler months, with fall migration periods producing some fantastic action as fish stage up before heading to deeper Gulf waters. Working soft plastics slowly along the bottom near drop-offs and current breaks gives you the best shot at connecting with a quality flounder. The fight might not match a redfish's power, but the table fare is absolutely unmatched.
Time to Book Your Spot
This full-day wading adventure represents everything that makes Matagorda Bay special – productive waters, diverse fishery, and that authentic Texas coast experience you can't get anywhere else. The comprehensive 8-hour format gives you maximum time to dial in techniques, work different areas, and truly understand what makes this bay system so renowned among serious inshore anglers. Whether you're looking to introduce family members to wading or want to spend quality time with fishing buddies pursuing trophy trout and reds, this trip delivers the goods. Remember to secure your Texas fishing license ahead of time and come prepared for a full day of action that'll have you planning your return trip before we even head back to the dock. Contact Matagorda Guide Service to lock in your dates – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak season when the bite
Learn more about the species
Redfish
Redfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing here. These copper-colored fish with their signature black spots near the tail typically run 20-30 inches in our bay, though we see plenty of bigger bulls. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy bottoms. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring are prime time when they school up and feed heavy. What guests love is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight. Plus they're excellent table fare with firm, mild white meat. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts to tailing or cruising fish. If you spook them, wait - they often circle back to the same spot.
Sea Trout
Speckled trout are what we're really after here in Matagorda Bay. These spotted beauties typically run 14-24 inches and about 1-5 pounds, with that classic silvery body covered in black spots. They love our shallow grass flats and hang around oyster reefs where they feed on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is that light, flaky white meat - some of the best eating you'll find in the bay. They put up a decent fight on light tackle too. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady over the grass beds. These fish are spooky, so keep noise to a minimum when wading.
Southern Flounder
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy and muddy bottoms. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch some nice ones pushing 20+ inches. They bury themselves in soft bottom areas near channel edges and ambush prey like shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall is prime time when they're moving toward passes to spawn, making them more active feeders. What's fun is the challenge - they're hard to spot until they move, and that thump when they hit is unmistakable. The meat is fantastic too - sweet, white, and flaky. Best technique is slow-dragging live shrimp or soft plastics right along the bottom. Feel for that subtle tap-tap, then set the hook firm but not too hard.
About the Chapa Boat
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Mercury
Maximum Cruising Speed: 40
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
