Full Day Inshore Fishing Code 3 Guide Services

Corpus Christi Full Day Inshore Fishing

Looking for a proper day on the water? This full-day inshore trip puts you right where the action is in some of Texas' most productive shallow waters. We're talking about 8+ hours of casting to redfish cruising the flats, working the grass beds for trout, and targeting those structure-loving black drum. Code 3 Guide Services keeps it simple – we supply all the tackle, bait, and basic refreshments so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat. Small groups only, max 4 anglers, which means more shots for everyone and personalized guidance when you need it.

What to Expect on the Water

This isn't your typical half-day rush job. We're talking sunrise to sunset fishing in Corpus Christi's legendary back-country waters. You'll start early when the bite is hot, work through different spots as conditions change, and stay out there until we've found what's biting. The boat's equipped with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle box full of proven baits, plus we keep you hydrated and fed with snacks and water. Bring your own grub if you've got favorites, and yeah, a cold beer or two is fine by us, just keep it reasonable. We're here to fish, after half all. The real beauty of a full day is we can chase the bite – if the trout shut down on the grass flats, we'll slide over to some structure for drum, or hunt the shorelines for reds.

Techniques and Tackle

Inshore fishing down here is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We'll be throwing everything from soft plastics on jig heads to live bait under popping corks, depending on what the fish want. In the shallows, we're sight-fishing to cruising reds with weedless spoons and paddle tails. Deeper grass beds call for slower presentations – maybe a gulp shrimp on a light jig head, working it just above the vegetation. For the drum around structures like docks and pilings, we'll drop live or cut bait right to the bottom and let them find it. All the gear is top-shelf stuff that can handle these fish, from 7-foot medium-action spinning rods down to 2500-series reels spooled with 15-pound braid. We've got the tackle dialed in for each technique, and if you're new to any of it, we'll walk you through the setup and retrieve that gets results.

Target Species You'll Hook

Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise around here, laying flat against sandy bottoms near drop-offs and channel edges. These guys are ambush predators that can grow over 20 inches, and they hit hard when a bait drifts by their hiding spot. Fall and winter are prime time for doormat flounder, but you'll find keeper-sized fish year-round if you know where to look. What makes them special is the fight – they don't jump like trout, but they pull hard and shake their heads like crazy trying to get back to the bottom.

Black Drum are the bulldogs of the flats, ranging from puppy drum around 14 inches up to massive bulls that can top 30 pounds. You'll find them around any kind of structure – docks, pilings, oyster reefs – where they root around for crabs and shrimp. Spring brings the big spawning fish into shallower water, but smaller drum are catchable all year. They're not the prettiest fish, but man do they fight. Once a big drum gets its head down and starts pulling, it's like being tied to a truck.

Sea Trout, or speckled trout as most folks call them, are the bread and butter of Corpus Christi inshore fishing. These spotted beauties love grass beds, drop-offs, and anywhere baitfish are schooling up. They're most active in spring and fall when water temps are in that sweet spot, but you can catch them year-round if you adjust your tactics. A good trout will jump clear out of the water when hooked, and they've got those vampire teeth that'll remind you to handle them carefully. Fish in the 18-24 inch range are common, with occasional 25+ inch gator trout that make your day.

Redfish are the crown jewel of Texas inshore fishing, and Corpus has some of the most consistent red fishing on the coast. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallows in singles, pairs, or small schools, tailing and feeding in water so skinny you can see their backs. They range from slot-sized fish around 20-28 inches up to bull reds over 30 that'll test your drag system. Fall is absolutely prime time when big schools of reds stack up, but honestly, there's never a bad time to target them here. When a red eats your bait, there's no mistaking it – they hit hard and immediately head for the deepest water they can find.

Time to Book Your Adventure

A full day on Corpus Christi's inshore waters gives you the best shot at multiple species while really learning the fishery. Instead of rushing through a few spots, you get to see how conditions change throughout the day and how fish behavior shifts with tides, sun angle, and weather. Whether you're after that first redfish or trying to land a personal best trout, having 8+ hours means we can really work for the fish you want. Code 3 Guide Services has the local knowledge and quality gear to make it happen, plus we keep the group small so everyone gets hands-on attention. These Corpus Christi waters have been producing world-class fishing for decades – come see what all the talk is about.