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Expert 8-Hour Port Mansfield Fishing Trips
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- South Padre Island
- $450 - $675 price range
Summary
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Coastal Catches
Bold catch! Hard-fighting red drum in hand.
Heavy stringer! Red drum stacked up.
Diverse catch! Red drum, trout, and sheepshead.
Strong pair! Red drum and speckled trout.
Big day with redfish and speckled trout lined up.
Big speckled trout under bluebird skies.
Coastal catch on a clear day.
Big redfish haul and laid-back vibes.
Big day with redfish and speckled trout lined up.
Perfect day to chase redfish and trout.
Bold catch! Hard-fighting red drum in hand.
Heavy stringer! Red drum stacked up.
Diverse catch! Red drum, trout, and sheepshead.
Strong pair! Red drum and speckled trout.
Big day with redfish and speckled trout lined up.
Big speckled trout under bluebird skies.
Coastal catch on a clear day.
Big redfish haul and laid-back vibes.
Big day with redfish and speckled trout lined up.
Perfect day to chase redfish and trout.
Bold catch! Hard-fighting red drum in hand.
Heavy stringer! Red drum stacked up.
Diverse catch! Red drum, trout, and sheepshead.
Strong pair! Red drum and speckled trout.
Port Mansfield: 8 Hours of Inshore Gold
Ready to hit the flats and channels of Port Mansfield for some serious Texas inshore action? Captain Ruben Riojas of Slick Fin Charters has you covered with this full-day fishing adventure. Whether you're after bull reds or trophy trout, Ruben knows exactly where to put you on the fish. With over a decade of experience in these waters, he'll make sure your 8 hours on the boat are packed with bent rods and screaming drags.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early at the docks, where Captain Ruben will greet you with a steaming cup of coffee and a game plan for the day. As you cruise out into the Laguna Madre, you'll see why Port Mansfield is known as one of Texas' best-kept fishing secrets. The crystal-clear shallows and grass flats are prime habitat for redfish, trout, and more. Ruben's state-of-the-art bay boat is rigged for everything from sight-casting to bottom fishing, so you're ready for whatever the fish are doing that day. And with only two guests max, you'll get plenty of one-on-one instruction to dial in your technique.
Tactics for Texas Trophies
Depending on the season and what's biting, you might start by drifting live shrimp across grass beds for trout, or poling silently along mangrove shorelines to sight-cast at tailing reds. Captain Ruben is a master with artificial lures too, so if you want to throw topwaters or work soft plastics, he'll put you right where you need to be. As the day heats up, you might switch to jigging deeper channels for black drum and flounder. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is you've got time to try it all and really dial in what's working.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish: The bruisers of the flats, Port Mansfield reds can top 40 inches. They love to cruise the shallows, tailing as they root for crabs. That golden-red flash when one picks up your bait is unforgettable. Fall and winter are prime time for big bulls.
Spotted Seatrout: AKA speckled trout, these are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing. They've got razor-sharp teeth and love to smash topwater lures at dawn. The 'gator' trout over 25 inches are prized trophies. Spring and early summer are your best bet for the big ones.
Black Drum: Often overlooked, but man can they pull! These cousins of the redfish can grow over 30 pounds in Port Mansfield. They love crustaceans, so a fresh crab bait is hard to beat. Winter is prime time when they school up in the deeper holes.
Flounder: The flatfish ninjas of the coast. They're masters of camouflage but absolutely delicious on the table. Drifting live bait along channel edges is a great way to target them. Fall is the best time when they migrate to spawn.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Port Mansfield isn't just another fishing spot – it's a slice of old Florida right here in Texas. The lack of development means the fishing pressure is low and the catches are consistently good. Captain Ruben's local knowledge is second to none, and he's always learning new spots and techniques to keep his clients on fish. Plus, with everything provided except your license, it's a hassle-free way to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Time to Book Your Spot
An 8-hour trip with Slick Fin Charters is your ticket to Port Mansfield's inshore bounty. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to tangle with some big reds or a novice wanting to learn the ropes, Captain Ruben will tailor the day to your goals. With only two spots available per trip, these charters fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. The flexible cancellation policy (up to 7 days out) makes it easy to plan ahead. Just remember, you'll need a valid Texas fishing license – everything else is covered. So what are you waiting for? Those redfish aren't going to catch themselves. Get in touch with Slick Fin Charters and lock in your date for some world-class Texas inshore action!
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Redfish are a favorite around here, with their distinctive copper color and black spot near the tail. You'll find them in shallow waters, often just 1-4 feet deep, hanging around oyster beds and grassy flats. They typically grow to 28-33 inches, but can get much bigger offshore. Fall is prime time for redfish as they school up to spawn. Anglers love 'em for their strong fight and great taste on the table. To catch one, try working a topwater lure or jig slowly across shallow flats early in the morning. When you see their backs breaking the surface, that's your cue to cast. Just remember, they spook easy, so a stealthy approach is key. If you're looking for a real challenge, sight-casting to tailing reds in super skinny water is hard to beat.
Redfish
Black drum are the bulldogs of the bay. They're hefty fish, often 5-30 pounds, with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish. You'll find them around oyster reefs and in channels, usually in 3-30 feet of water. Spring is prime time as they gather to spawn, but you can catch them year-round. Drum aren't the prettiest fish, but they put up a great fight and the smaller ones are good eating. To target them, use fresh crab or shrimp on a fish-finder rig. Fish it right on the bottom and be ready for some heavy pulling when they bite. Here's a local trick: Listen for their distinctive grunting sound – it can lead you right to a school of big drum. Just be ready to upgrade your tackle if you hook into one of the real giants.
Sea Trout
Summer flounder, or fluke, are odd-looking fish with both eyes on one side. They're masters of camouflage, blending right into sandy or muddy bottoms. Most run 15-20 inches, but big ones can top 20 pounds. Look for them near inlets and in deeper holes of the bays, especially as waters warm up in late spring. Flounder fishing peaks in summer and early fall. Anglers love the challenge of hooking these sneaky bottom-dwellers, plus they're excellent eating. For best results, try drifting with live bait or bouncing a bucktail jig tipped with a strip of squid along the bottom. When you feel that distinctive thump, give 'em a second to get the bait in their mouth before setting the hook. Patience is key with flounder fishing, but the reward is worth it.
Summer Flounder
Sea trout, also called speckled trout, are a staple in these parts. They're sleek, silvery fish with spots all over and usually run 14-24 inches. You'll find them in grass flats and around structure in the bays. They're most active at dawn and dusk, especially on moving tides. Spring and fall are peak seasons when water temps are just right. Anglers prize sea trout for their aggressive strikes and delicate flavor. To up your odds, try working a soft plastic shrimp imitation under a popping cork. The splash draws them in, then they can't resist that lifelike bait. Just remember to set the hook quick – they've got soft mouths and can throw the hook easily. Nothing beats a limit of fresh trout for dinner after a day on the water.
About the Slick Fin Charters
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 17
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 150
