Beginner-Friendly Inshore Fishing | Arroyo City

Published Date: August 19, 2025
Fishing

Arroyo City
$500 price range
Updated Date: October 9, 2025

Summary

Join Captain Smiley Yanez for a top-notch 4-hour fishing trip in the Lower Laguna Madre near Arroyo City, TX. This private charter is perfect for anglers with some experience under their belts looking to step up their game. You'll be targeting redfish, speckled trout, and black drum using local techniques that really produce. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will have you on the fish in no time. He'll share pro tips to help you land more catches. All the gear is provided – just remember your Texas fishing license. The trip is set up for 2 anglers, but there's room for up to 5 if you want to bring friends (extra $100 per person). It's a great chance to fish one of the best spots on the Texas coast with a real local expert guiding you every step of the way.

Beginner-Friendly Inshore Fishing | Arroyo City

Laguna Madre Hotspots

Fisherman standing by the water in Arroyo City

Hooked up in Arroyo City!

Three fishing rods with a scenic background of Arroyo City

Good times, great catches, and plenty of smiles.

From sunrise to sunset, we’re fishing.

Arroyo mornings start with bent rods.

Half-Day Redfish Action in Arroyo City

Get ready to hit the flats with Captain Smiley Yanez for some serious inshore fishing in the Lower Laguna Madre. This 4-hour trip is perfect for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to tangle with some of Texas' most sought-after gamefish. We're talking redfish, speckled trout, and black drum – the trifecta of Lone Star State inshore fishing. Captain Smiley's been putting clients on fish here for years, and he's got all the local knowledge to make sure your half-day on the water is time well spent.

Trip Overview

This ain't no beginner's cruise – we're here to fish hard and smart. Captain Smiley's got his finger on the pulse of where the reds, trout, and drum are holding, and he'll have you on them quick. You'll be working proven local techniques, so come ready to learn some new tricks. The beauty of the Lower Laguna Madre is you can be sight-casting to tailing reds one minute, then drifting for trout the next. It's fast-paced fishing that'll keep you on your toes. The trip's set up for two anglers, but there's room for up to five if you want to bring the crew. Just remember, it's $100 extra per additional angler beyond the first two.

Techniques on the Flats

Forget about just soaking bait – we're talking active fishing here. Depending on conditions, you might be working topwater lures for explosive trout strikes, or sight-casting soft plastics to cruising redfish. Captain Smiley's a pro at reading the water, so he'll have you set up with the right tackle for the job. You'll be using light to medium spinning gear, perfect for making those precise casts when you spot a fish. And when it comes to black drum, we might switch it up to some natural bait on the bottom. The captain's got all the rods, reels, and tackle covered – your job is just to bring a valid Texas fishing license and be ready to put some fish in the boat.

Target Species

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the stars of the show in the Lower Laguna Madre. They love to cruise the shallow flats, often with their backs out of the water – a sight that'll get any angler's heart racing. Reds in this area can range from rat reds up to bull reds over 40 inches. They're known for their powerful runs and stubborn fights. Fall is prime time for redfish, but you can catch them year-round here.

Speckled Trout: Also called spotted seatrout, these fish are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing. They're aggressive feeders and will readily hit artificial lures, making them a blast to catch on light tackle. The Lower Laguna Madre is famous for producing big trout, with fish over 5 pounds not uncommon. Spring and fall are typically the best seasons for trophy trout, but summer can be red hot for numbers.

Black Drum: Often overlooked by visiting anglers, black drum can provide some serious pull on light tackle. These cousins of the redfish tend to school up, so when you find them, you can often catch several. They're bottom feeders, so we'll use natural baits like shrimp or crab to target them. The great thing about drum is they're reliable year-round, with the biggest fish (called big uglies) showing up in late winter and early spring.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Folks who fish with Captain Smiley tend to book again – and for good reason. The Lower Laguna Madre is a unique ecosystem that offers some of the best sight-fishing opportunities in Texas. The water's so clear here, you can often see the fish before you cast. It's a shallow-water paradise that stretches for miles, giving you plenty of productive water to explore. And with Smiley's local know-how, you're not just fishing, you're getting an education in how to read the water and find fish on your own. Plus, the chance at a Texas inshore slam – catching a red, trout, and drum all in one trip – keeps anglers coming back for more.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, if you're after a half-day of serious fishing with a guide who knows his stuff, this is your trip. Captain Smiley Yanez isn't just going to put you on fish – he's going to help you become a better angler. Whether you're looking to bend a rod on some hard-fighting reds, outsmart a gator trout, or pull on some bulldogging drum, the Lower Laguna Madre's got it all. And with only a 4-hour commitment, you can still make it back in time for lunch and bragging rights at the local seafood joint. Don't let this opportunity slip by – the fish are biting, and Captain Smiley's ready to put you on 'em. Book your spot now and get ready for some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer. Trust me, your only regret will be not booking a full day!

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black drum are hefty fighters you'll find prowling the shallows. These cousins of redfish typically run 5-30 pounds, with some monsters pushing 90. Look for them around oyster beds, mudflats, and brackish areas. They use those powerful jaws to crush shellfish, so crab makes great bait. Spring's the prime time as they school up to spawn. That's when you can really get into them. Black drum put up a solid fight and make good eating when smaller. The meat gets tough in bigger ones, so we usually release those. For the best action, fish slow on the bottom with a Carolina rig. And listen close - you might hear their distinctive croaking sound underwater.

Redfish

Redfish are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers love skinny water - we're talking 1-4 feet deep. Look for them tailing on mud flats, around oyster reefs, or busting bait in the grass. Most run 28-33 inches, but big bulls over 40 inches aren't uncommon. They put up a great fight, often making long runs when hooked. Redfish are also excellent eating, with a mild, sweet flavor. Fall's prime time as they school up to spawn. For best results, work topwater lures or gold spoons over shallow flats early morning. And keep an eye out for that distinctive black tail spot - it's a dead giveaway when sight-fishing.

Sea Trout

Speckled trout are one of our most popular inshore targets here. These silvery beauties usually run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. You'll find them hanging around grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They love to chase bait, so we often sight-cast to them. Winter's great for big schools in deeper channels. Trout fight hard with lots of head shakes and jumps. They're also fantastic eating - mild, flaky meat that's hard to beat. To land more trout, work your lures with a steady retrieve and slight twitches. Soft plastics like shrimp imitations are deadly. Just remember not to set the hook too hard, or you'll pull it right out of their soft mouths.

About the Call Me Fishing

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5

Manufacturer Name: Suzuki

Maximum Cruising Speed: 50

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Captain Smiley Yanez's custom fishing boat is perfectly set up for inshore angling in the Lower Laguna Madre. The stable, shallow-draft vessel easily navigates the flats and channels where redfish, trout, and drum lurk. With ample deck space for two anglers to cast comfortably, plus room for additional guests, you'll have plenty of elbow room to reel in the big ones. The boat is equipped with top-notch electronics to find the fish fast, and a large live well keeps your bait fresh all day. A shaded area provides relief from the Texas sun when needed. Captain Smiley keeps the deck stocked with quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for the local species and techniques. This well-maintained craft offers a smooth, dry ride to the fishing grounds, letting you focus on the action instead of getting soaked.

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