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Ready to test your skills against Corpus Christi's finest fish? Captain Fil's tournament-style charter is your ticket to stepping up your game. We're not just fishing here - we're on a mission to land the big ones that'll make other anglers green with envy. This isn't your average day on the water; it's a chance to fish like the pros, learn insider techniques, and maybe even walk away with bragging rights. So grab your lucky hat and let's hit the hotspots where the real action happens.
Look, this ain't no leisurely drift along the coast. We're talking serious fishing from the get-go. Captain Fil knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's all about putting you on the fish. You'll be working prime spots for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder - the holy trinity of Corpus Christi inshore fishing. Expect to cover a lot of water, switch up tactics on the fly, and really dial in your presentation. It's just you and a buddy on this trip, so there's plenty of one-on-one time to pick the captain's brain and fine-tune your approach.
Alright, let's talk shop. We'll be using a mix of live bait and artificial lures, depending on what's hot that day. You might find yourself sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows, working a topwater for explosive trout strikes, or finessing a soft plastic for those sneaky flounder. Captain Fil's boat is decked out with top-notch gear, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one. We'll cover everything from reading the water to perfecting your hookset. By the end of the day, you'll have a whole new bag of tricks to take to your next tournament.
Corpus Christi's inshore waters are teeming with gamefish that'll put your skills to the test. Let's break down what you're up against:
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the crown jewels of Texas inshore fishing. They'll test your drag and your patience, often tailing in skinny water or crushing bait in the grass flats. Fall is prime time for bull reds, but you can tangle with slot-sized fish year-round. There's nothing quite like the pull of a big red - it's why anglers come from all over to chase 'em.
Speckled Trout: Don't let the name fool you; these spotted speedsters are anything but delicate. Known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights, specks are a blast on light tackle. They're most active in the cooler months, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. The thrill of a topwater trout bite at dawn is hard to beat.
Flounder: The masters of camouflage, flounder require a bit more finesse to target. These flatfish lie in wait to ambush their prey, and they're prized for both their fight and their flavor. Fall brings the famous flounder run, where big females head to the Gulf to spawn. Hooking into a doormat-sized flounder is a real accomplishment.
Black Drum: Often overlooked, black drum can grow to monster sizes and put up a stubborn fight. They love crustaceans, so a well-placed crab or shrimp bait can lead to some serious pulling power. The bigger ones can top 50 pounds, earning them the nickname "Big Uglies" - but there's nothing ugly about the fight they give.
Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes and teeth that look like they belong in a human mouth, sheepshead are unique catches. They're notorious bait stealers, so hooking one takes skill. But man, are they fun to catch and great eating too. Winter and early spring are prime time for these convict fish.
Alligator Gar: Now we're talking prehistoric. These massive, armor-plated fish can top 100 pounds and put up a fight like you wouldn't believe. They're not for the faint of heart, but if you're up for a real challenge, targeting gar is as exciting as it gets in freshwater. Just be ready for a battle royale when you hook into one of these monsters.
Listen, if you're serious about upping your inshore game, this is the trip for you. Captain Fil's got the know-how to put you on fish and the skills to make you a better angler. Whether you're gearing up for a real tournament or just want to fish like you're in one, you'll come away from this trip with new techniques, insider knowledge, and probably a few fish stories to tell. The waters around Corpus Christi are some of the best in Texas, and they're calling your name. So what are you waiting for? Grab your spot on the boat, and let's show those fish who's boss. Just remember, the deposit's non-refundable - but trust me, this is one investment in your fishing future you won't regret. See you on the water!
Alligator Gar are the dinosaurs of our waters, stretching 4-6 feet and weighing up to 160 pounds. These prehistoric-looking fish hang out in rivers, bayous, and backwaters. Late summer's your best bet when it's hot and dry. They're not the easiest to catch, but that's part of the appeal. You can use rod and reel or try bowfishing if you're up for a challenge. Carp or shad make good bait - rig 'em on a big treble hook below a bright bobber. Gar can breathe air, so you might spot them gulping at the surface. They're not the best eating, but the fight is incredible. Local tip: look for them in deep river bends next to shallow pools. And heads up - it's catch and release only for these guys. The prehistoric look and sheer size of an Alligator Gar make for one heck of a photo op.

Black Drum are bruisers, typically weighing 5-30 pounds but can reach a whopping 90. You'll find 'em around oyster beds and muddy flats in brackish waters. These guys are bottom-feeders, so live bait like crabs or clams is your best bet. They put up a great fight and make a distinctive drumming sound. Spring's prime time when they school up to spawn. Look for 'em in shallow water, but they can hang in depths up to 100 feet too. If you're after table fare, stick to smaller ones under 15 pounds - the big boys get tough and lose flavor. Fly anglers, try a 9-weight with weighted flies like Clousers. One local trick: use a crab-tipped jig and work it slowly along the bottom. The drum's powerful jaws can crush oysters, so set the hook hard when you feel that telltale thump.

Redfish are the rockstars of Corpus Christi flats. These copper-colored beauties usually run 28-33 inches, but can grow much bigger. Look for them in super shallow water, sometimes with their backs out of water. They love hanging around oyster reefs, grass flats, and manmade structures. Fall's the prime time when they school up. Redfish will hit just about anything when they're hungry - topwater lures, jigs, or live bait all work well. They put up a helluva fight and are great eating too. That signature black spot near the tail? It's actually a fake eye to fool predators. Local tip: on calm days, look for their tails sticking up as they root around for crabs in the shallows. Quietly position yourself upwind and make a long cast just past them. The thrill of watching a red chase down your lure is hard to beat.

Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are a favorite here in Corpus. They typically run 14-24 inches and put up a great fight on light tackle. You'll find 'em in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. Winter's prime time when they school up in deeper channels. These fish are suckers for artificial lures - try topwater plugs early morning or jerk baits throughout the day. They've got a soft mouth, so go easy on the hookset. Sea Trout are known for their mild, delicate flavor, making them popular table fare. One local trick: troll slowly along grass edges if you're having trouble locating them. And keep an eye out for birds diving - that's often a dead giveaway for feeding trout. Just remember, they're sensitive to overfishing, so practice catch and release when you can.

Sheepshead are the oddballs of inshore fishing, with those human-like teeth and convict stripes. Most run 1-8 pounds, but the big boys can hit 20. You'll find 'em around any structure with barnacles - docks, bridges, jetties. Spring's the ticket when they school up to spawn. These guys are notorious bait stealers, so bring your A-game. Use light tackle and set up close to pilings. Let your bait hit bottom, then work it up slowly to find where they're suspended. Fiddler crabs are candy to sheepshead, but shrimp work too. The fight's scrappy, and they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. Pro tip: scrape some barnacles off the pilings to chum 'em up. Just watch those teeth when you're unhooking - they'll make you bleed if you're not careful.

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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 45
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 250