Ready for some serious fishing action on South Padre Island? This private 6 to 10-hour trip is tailored for anglers who want to reel in a variety of fish. Depending on the season, you might land Cobia, Red Snapper, or Kingfish. If you're up for a longer day on the water, the 8-hour option gives you a shot at Wahoo and King Mackerel. For the ultimate deep-sea challenge, go for the full 10 hours to try your luck with Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, or even Marlin. The crew at What's On Fishing knows these waters inside out, so you're in good hands whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your sea legs. Remember to ask about any fuel charges for those longer offshore runs. With room for up to 6 guests, it's a perfect day out with friends or family. Just bring your gear, some snacks, and get ready to fish!
Hey there, fellow angler! Ready to reel in some serious action on the Gulf Coast? Our 6 to 10-hour private fishing trip off South Padre Island is the real deal. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with tasty Red Snapper or chase after trophy fish like Sailfish and Marlin, we've got you covered. Let's dive into what makes this trip a must-do for any fishing enthusiast visiting Texas.
Picture this: You're cruising out of South Padre as the sun rises, the salt air in your face and the promise of a great day ahead. Our seasoned captains know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're all about putting you on the fish. For the 6-hour trip, we'll target inshore and nearshore hotspots where Cobia, Red Snapper, and Kingfish hang out. Bump up to 8 hours, and we'll push further out for a shot at Wahoo and King Mackerel. And if you're game for the full 10-hour experience, hold onto your hat – we're talking deep blue water action with the chance to tangle with Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, and maybe even a Marlin. Just keep in mind, the further we go, the more likely a fuel surcharge might apply, so chat with the captain about that before we shove off.
South Padre's fishing scene is hot year-round, but what's biting depends on when you drop your line. In the warmer months, Cobia and Kingfish are tearing it up near the surface, while Red Snapper are the stars of the show in late spring and summer. If you're here in the fall, you might hit the jackpot with some yellowfin tuna. And for the real adrenaline junkies, winter can bring some monster Wahoo into striking distance. We use a mix of techniques to keep the rods bent – from bottom fishing with live bait for snappers to trolling for pelagics. The crew will get you dialed in on the right technique for whatever's running, so don't sweat it if you're new to offshore fishing.
"Captain J.W. and AJ were absolutely on top of things when it came to making sure me and my group had a great time out on the waves. Ended up going home with a ton of fish and great stories, and if we find ourselves down in south padre again to do some fishing, we know who we're going to try to book first. Thanks for the great experience!" - Shea "Our half day trip with Captain JW and his mate AJ was outstanding. They were especially good with our 7 year old, helping her to hook and catch many fish throughout the day. Both JW and AJ were extremely helpful for all of us, and we would highly recommend booking with them. We will definitely be back next summer." - Steven "JW called starting three days out to keep us updated on sea conditions. AJ was our deck hand and let me say this guy was awesome. They put us on the fish and one thing that impressed my wife and I, was that JW came down to help our son. Words can't express how these guys made use feel. Two of the most friendly people I've had the privilege of fishing with. We were treated wonderful and I just can't thank them enough. I'm looking forward to booking with them next year. Truly a wonderful experience." - David
Mahi Mahi (Common Dolphinfish): These colorful acrobats are a blast to catch and even better to eat. Known for their stunning blue-green and yellow hues, Mahi Mahi put up a heck of a fight, often leaping clear out of the water. They're most common here in the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall. Mahi love to hang around floating debris, so keep your eyes peeled for weed lines or floating pallets – that's where the action is.
Wahoo: If you're after speed, Wahoo is your fish. These streamlined predators can hit speeds of up to 60 mph, making for some of the most exciting strikes you'll ever experience. They're seasonal visitors to our waters, with the best action typically in the cooler months from late fall through early spring. When a Wahoo hits, hold on tight – their initial run can smoke a reel if you're not ready!
Cobia: Also known as ling or lemonfish, Cobia are the bulldogs of the sea. They're curious fish that often shadow the boat, giving you a chance to sight-cast to them. Cobia season here kicks off in spring and runs through fall. These bruisers can grow over 100 pounds and will test your stamina with long, powerful runs. Plus, they're excellent table fare – firm, white meat that's great on the grill.
Yellowfin Tuna: For many anglers, yellowfin are the holy grail of offshore fishing. These powerful fish can weigh well over 100 pounds and are known for their blistering runs and deep dives. We typically target them in the fall months when they move closer to shore. The thrill of watching your spool empty as a yellowfin screams off into the deep is something you'll never forget. And let's not forget – fresh yellowfin makes for world-class sashimi right on the boat!
Red Snapper: The poster child of Gulf fishing, Red Snapper are prized for both their fight and their flavor. These ruby-red beauties hang out near structure on the seafloor, so we'll be dropping baits down to depths of 60 to 200 feet. The season is tightly regulated, usually opening in late spring or early summer for a limited time. When it's on, the action can be fast and furious. There's nothing quite like the feeling of muscling a big snapper up from the depths, and trust me, your arms will feel it the next day!
Alright, let's wrap this up. Whether you're a seasoned salt or it's your first time wetting a line in the Gulf, our South Padre Island fishing trips have something for everyone. With flexible trip lengths, a variety of target species, and a crew that's passionate about putting you on fish, you're in for a day you won't soon forget. The boat's prepped, the gear's ready, and the fish are waiting. All we need now is you. So what do you say? Ready to make some waves and create some fish tales of your own? Don't let this opportunity slip away – spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Grab your sunscreen, your lucky hat, and let's get out there and bend some rods! Book your trip now and get ready for some South Padre Island fishing action that'll have you hooked for life.
June 17, 2024
Our half day trip with Captain JW and his mate AJ was outstanding. They were especially good with our 7 year old, helping her to hook and catch many fish throughout the day. Both JW and AJ were extremely helpful for all of us, and we would highly recommend booking with them. We will definitely be back next summer.
August 5, 2024
My birthday was this past May 2022, my wife’s gift was a fishing trip to South Padre. Captain JW and First Mate AJ were awesome! There were a total of four of us, Three Adults and one 11 year old. We did the 5 hour trip and every minute was worth it. When we got to our first spot, as soon as we dropped lines we were getting bites and catching fish. Captain JW knew exactly where to go and when the fish were biting. I would definitely recommend Captain JW and the 5 hour (or longer trip). On our trip we caught all Red Snapper. We caught total of 16 Red Snapper. Due to size we had to release 6, so we brought home 10 good sized Red Snapper.
May 28, 2024
J.W. and A J. were awesome. We didn’t have a good experience the previous year with a different company as there were about 40 people all fishing from one boat and we didn’t catch anything big enough to keep. This year’s trip with Captain J. W. was a far different outcome and a very satisfying experience. He put us on the fish and when we drifted away, he moved the boat back on them. We caught a lot of fish but many were too small to keep. It was a little early in the season for the Red Snapper although we did catch one big enough to keep. A. J. was always right there to take the fish off and rebait our hook so we could drop it back in the water. I would highly recommend J. W. for your private charter. His communication was excellent about the weather leading up to our trip and it was a beautiful day on the water. Thank you J. W. and A. J.
March 26, 2024
JW rearranged his schedule and took us out a different day due to the windy forecast. The weather was perfect. He and AJ put us onto some large red snapper right away. They were encouraging and never upset if you missed hooking the fish when you were getting bites. This was the highlight of the trip hands down!! Shout out to Tom and Jerry’s, their recommendation to cook some of our catch. So delicious!
February 13, 2024
JW called starting three days out to keep us updated on sea conditions. AJ was our deck hand and let me say this guy was awesome. They put us on the fish and one thing that impressed my wife and I, was that JW came down to help our son. Words can’t express how these guys made use feel. Two of the most friendly people I’ve had the privilege of fishing with. We were treated wonderful and I just can’t thank them enough. I’m looking forward to booking with them next year. Truly a wonderful experience.
August 10, 2024
Even though it was heavy fog we made it out to the reef. The captain knew where the fish were and when we weren’t getting hits he moved the boat and found more fish. He seemed to know right where to go. The first mate Tyler did a great job of taking our fish off and keeping our hooks baited...even fixing a backlash or two. JW and Tyler are both super friendly guys and made us feel at home and also gave us great fishing tips. Overall a great experience had by all of us. Thanks again JW and Tyler.
January 15, 2024
We had a great time on our five hour morning trip ! For most of us on the trip it was out first time deep sea fishing and they were very knowledgeable. They taught us the basic and kept everything running smoothly. There were some rough waters so it made it difficult for us to fish for red snapper. JW and Tyler got us set up for trolling and we were able to catch 4 King fish! When we finished one of the places they recommended to get the fish cooked wasTom & Jerry’s . We had them fry half and the other half was blackened and all turned out delicious.
June 24, 2024
We celebrated my Dad’s 80th birthday with a fishing trip. These gentlemen were so respectful and helpful with my dad. Our family had an amazing trip and we had so much fun. I highly recommend these gentlemen and this trip.
March 26, 2024
My father and I had an awesome time hanging out with captain JW and deck hand AJ. Although the troll wasn’t as great as anticipated they were still able to put us on some decent fish and we ended up with a great haul for the day. I highly recommend them if you are looking for a private charter and will certainly fish with them again next time I am in the area.
August 13, 2024
JW our captain made our trip an excellent experience. He knew where fish were. We caught red snapper limit in about 1.5 hours. 5 persons About 100 lbs. He and his crew hand cleaned , fillet and bagged our fish and even gave us some ice. We had lots of fun. The captain keeps you updated with any changes if needed.
April 10, 2024
We had a wonderful time. didn’t get our limit in red snapper but caught alot of smaller ones. thankyou jw for a good day.
May 16, 2024
Cobia are odd-looking fish that pack a punch. They average 3-4 feet and 30-50 pounds but can top 100. You'll spot them near buoys, wrecks, and other structure in 30-70 feet of water. Spring and early summer are best as they migrate through. Folks enjoy sight fishing for them - it's a rush when you see that big brown shape cruising by. They fight hard and taste great too. My go-to rig is a bucktail jig, 4-8 ounces depending on current. Cobia are curious, so if you see one, cast well past it and retrieve across its path. They often come inspect the lure, giving you a perfect shot.
Mahi Mahi are real showstoppers out here. These colorful fish usually run 15-30 pounds and put up an acrobatic fight. We find them near floating debris or weedlines, often in the upper 200 feet of water. They're most active in summer and fall months. Folks love targeting Mahi for their beautiful colors, aerial leaps, and delicious meat. To land one, I like to troll with ballyhoo or squid, making the bait skip on the surface to mimic flying fish. That really gets their attention. Just be ready for some serious runs once they're hooked - these guys are strong swimmers. If you see frigate birds working an area, that's a good sign Mahi are below.
Red snapper are the Gulf's signature fish for good reason. Most run 5-15 pounds, but 20+ pounders aren't rare. You'll find them around reefs and wrecks in 60-300 feet of water. They're open in summer, usually June and July. Folks love the fight and world-class table fare. To land big ones, use heavy weights to get through smaller fish. I like to use whole squid or big live baits. Let it sit on bottom, then reel up a few cranks. The biggest snapper often hold slightly off the structure. Just be ready when you hook up - they'll try to dive back into the rocks fast.
Wahoo are speed demons, hitting up to 60 mph. They average 3-5 feet long but can reach over 8 feet. You'll find them near oil rigs and floating debris, usually in the top 300 feet of water. Late summer through fall is prime Wahoo time here. Anglers love the thrill of hooking into one of these rockets - the initial run is like nothing else. Their meat is top-notch too. For the best shot, I recommend high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders. These guys have razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through mono in a heartbeat. If you see one following a lure, speed up instead of slowing down. That often triggers a strike.
Yellowfin tuna are powerhouses, built for speed and endurance. Most we catch run 30-100 pounds, but they can top 200. You'll find them in the open Gulf, usually in the top 300 feet of water. Late spring through fall is prime time. Anglers love battling these freight trains - be ready for long, blistering runs. The sushi-grade meat is a bonus. For the best shot, I like to chum them up, then cast poppers or stick baits into the frenzy. When jigging, sometimes pausing your retrieve triggers more strikes than constant motion. Just watch for birds working - that often means yellowfin are pushing bait to the surface.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Caterpillar
Maximum Cruising Speed: 24
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 320
Ready for an epic day of fishing off South Padre Island? This private trip gives you 6 to 10 hours to reel in some serious catches. Whether you're after Cobia, Red Snapper, and Kingfish in the shorter trips, or want to test your skills against Wahoo and King Mackerel in the 8-hour option, there's something for every angler. For the truly adventurous, the 10-hour deep-sea journey could have you battling Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, or even Marlin. Just remember to check with the captain about any extra fuel costs for those longer offshore runs. With room for up to 6 people, it's the perfect way to spend a day on the water with friends or family, chasing the big ones and making memories that'll have you coming back for more.
Captain J.W. and AJ were absolutely on top of things when it came to making sure me and my group had a great time out on the waves. Ended up going home with a ton of fish and great stories, and if we find ourselves down in south padre again to do some fishing, we know who we’re going to try to book first. Thanks for the great experience!