South Padre Island Fishing

South Padre Island Fishing Ins and Outs

Fishing in South Padre Island provides a great number of options for new and old fisherman. Its beautiful landscape and exotic list of fish provides a tempting environment for even the most seasoned fisherman. Currently, there are well over 500 different species that can include red fish, trout, flounder, drum, kingfish, wahoo, tuna and many others. This wide assortment of fish lends itself to two types of fishing (1) Bay fishing and (2) Deep Sea Fishing.

Bay Fishing

Bay Fishing is a popular form of fishing which lets you fish with rod and tackle in the wonderful Laguna Madre Bay. Here, you will be able to enjoy fishing at a discounted rate as there are a large number of charter services which provide Bay Fishing options. The two main options are: (1) fishing on a party boat or (2) private charter trip. The main difference deals with the number of people and individualized attention. Fishing party boats can have well over 10 people whereas a private charter trip is reduced to your party. Fishing on a party boat is cheaper in comparison with a cost of roughly $20 to $30 per fisherman. Private charter trips tend to begin at $350 for 2 people. Again, the main benefit of the private charter trips is their privacy and individualized attention. Most bay fishing trips are done in 3 to 5 hour intervals and go throughout the day.

Deep Sea Fishing

This is the type of fishing that most people come away with really enjoying. The opportunity to see a wide assortment of aquatic life from sting rays to sharks is a rare treat. Generally, most of the deep sea fishing is focused on catching fish like red snapper, mackerel, and pompano. With Deep Sea Fishing, most of the charters offer half day and full day options. The half day options usually run four hours and the whole day options run anywhere from 8 to 10 hours depending on the charter company. The private charter trip costs begin at $350 for 2 people for a half day trip and $500 for a full day trip. Party boat costs for deep sea fishing range from $50 to $80 a person depending on the number of hours. Spectators who are not fishing can generally get a reduced price as well. To find out about charters and to get some deep sea fishing tips, check out Deep Sea Fishing South Padre Island.

Canyon Fishing

There is also even canyon fishing or deep-deep sea fishing. Different charter groups call this different things; however, you would be essentially fishing over 40 miles off the Texas coast. Fishing in this region allows you to fish large fish, such as tuna, wahoo, and kingfish. The cost of these trips begins at roughly $1,000 for 2 people. Most of the Deep Sea Fishing trips begin early in the morning and some charters have afternoon half day trips.

Additional Fishing Tips & Advice

Determine whether you will need a fishing license. The best way to figure this out is to talk to either the captain of the charter or the state. If a state license is needed, you can call 1-800-895-4248 to purchase one.

To help you decide which charter group to go with, we have included a few things you should keep in mind:

- Captain’s number of years training: You want to have a captain who has several years of guiding tours under his/her belt. This will increase your chances of having a knowledgeable guide and one who will know what to do if a problem should occur.
- Age and Upkeep of the boat: The concern here isn’t really that the ship will be seaworthy. The concern is over whether you will run into any engine difficulties while on the sea. Your best bet here is to go with charters that have newer boats and appear to be in tip-top shape.
- Can you cook your catch at the pier: A number of charter places will let you cook your catch on the pier. Find out whether they do because eating your catch can be a rare treat after a long day fishing.
- What supplies are needed: Most places for deep sea fishing and private trips will provide you with rods and tackle free of charge. However, it is still a good idea to find out beforehand on whether you will have to pay extra. Also, a number of charters let you bring refreshments with you; however, some do not allow glass and some other materials. It is best to find out what you can’t bring before you get to the pier.

All and all, fishing at South Padre Island is a can’t miss experience. For those who have never gone deep sea fishing, you definitely want to check it out. Even if you will not be fishing, just going as a spectator would be well worth it. The chance to see exciting aquatic wildlife and the battles for the big catch could create a memory that can be shared with family and friends for years to come. If you are looking for something more fast paced, check out South Padre Island Kiteboarding.