Premier Rio Hondo Fishing | True Story Adventures

Published Date: July 18, 2025
Fishing

Rio Hondo
$475 - $700 price range
Updated Date: October 20, 2025

Summary

Captain Steven's half-day fishing charters in Rio Hondo and Arroyo City offer a fantastic shot at the Texas Slam. Over five hours, you'll target redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and flounder in the rich coastal waters. The trip comes fully equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle, so you can focus on the fishing. Drinks are provided to keep you refreshed, and Captain Steven takes care of cleaning and filleting your catch at the end. It's an ideal setup for both seasoned anglers and newcomers looking to experience some of South Texas' best inshore fishing. With a two-person capacity, you'll get plenty of one-on-one guidance to improve your technique and land more fish. Whether you're after a specific species or just want to enjoy a morning on the water, this trip delivers a genuine taste of Texas coastal fishing.

Premier Rio Hondo Fishing | True Story Adventures

South Texas Catch Showcase

12/29 Solo Scouting Trip

5 black drum and redfish caught in Rio Hondo

12/22 Father and Son Action

Cast for Texas Glory: Rio Hondo Half-Day Fishing

Get ready to hit the water with True Story Adventures Charter for some of the best inshore fishing South Texas has to offer. Captain Steven knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's itching to put you on the fish in Rio Hondo and Arroyo City. This 5-hour morning trip is your shot at landing the coveted Texas Slam – Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and Flounder. We've got top-notch gear, cold drinks, and even throw in fish cleaning at the end. It's time to make some memories on the coast!

What to Expect on the Water

When you step aboard with Captain Steven, you're in for a treat. We'll cruise out into the rich estuaries and bays around Rio Hondo, where the fish are always biting. This half-day trip is perfect for both seasoned anglers looking to add to their catch list and newcomers wanting to learn the ropes. We provide all the gear you need – quality rods, reels, and tackle that'll give you the edge when battling those big reds or sneaky flounder. And don't worry about staying hydrated; we've got refreshing drinks on board to keep you cool under that Texas sun. Captain Steven's not just here to put you on fish; he's a wealth of local knowledge and fishing tips. By the time we're done, you'll be reeling them in like a pro.

Techniques for Texas Trophies

Fishing these waters isn't just about dropping a line and hoping for the best. We use a mix of techniques to target different species. For redfish, we might be sight-casting in the shallows or working the edges of grass flats. When we're after speckled trout, we could be drifting over deeper holes or working topwater lures at dawn. Flounder require a bit of finesse – we'll slow things down and work soft plastics along channel edges. And for those hard-fighting black drum, we might set up near structure with natural baits. Captain Steven will read the water, check the tide, and adjust our approach to maximize your chances of a banner day. It's all about adapting to what the fish are doing, and that's where local know-how really pays off.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the rockstars of Texas inshore fishing. These copper-colored beauties can grow over 40 inches long and put up a fight that'll test your arms and your drag. They love to cruise the flats, often revealing their location with their trademark tailing behavior. Spring and fall are prime times, but you can catch them year-round in Rio Hondo.

Speckled Trout, or "specks" as we call 'em, are another prized catch. These silvery fish with their distinctive spots are known for their delicate flavor and their willingness to hit artificial lures. They school up in the cooler months, making for some fast action when you find them.

Black Drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're a blast to catch. These cousins of the redfish can grow to over 30 pounds in our waters. They've got a soft spot for crustaceans, so we often use crab or shrimp to entice them. Look for them around structure and in deeper holes.

Southern Flounder are the ninjas of the flats. These flat fish are masters of camouflage, blending in perfectly with the bottom. But when they strike, hold on tight! Flounder fishing heats up in the fall when they start their migration to the Gulf. If you're lucky enough to hook one, you're in for some of the best eating fish in the sea.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Folks who fish with True Story Adventures Charter don't just come for the fish – they come for the experience. Captain Steven's got that perfect mix of skill and personality that turns a good fishing trip into a great one. He's always got a story to tell or a local tip to share. Plus, the convenience factor is off the charts. We provide all the gear, so you don't have to lug anything with you. And at the end of the day, Captain Steven will clean and fillet your catch, so all you have to do is fire up the grill when you get home. It's fishing made easy, the way it should be.

Time to Book Your Spot

Listen, the fish are out there waiting, and Captain Steven's ready to put you on 'em. This half-day trip in Rio Hondo is your ticket to some of the best inshore fishing Texas has to offer. Whether you're chasing that Texas Slam or just want to bend a rod and make some memories, True Story Adventures Charter has got you covered. We're talking quality gear, local expertise, and the chance to tangle with some serious game fish. And remember, with only room for two guests, these trips fill up fast. So don't let this opportunity slip away like a big red breaking your line. Give us a call, book your trip, and get ready for a morning of fishing that'll have you coming back for more. The water's calling – let's go catch some fish!

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, growing up to 90 pounds. Most catches run 5 to 30 pounds, with the sweet spot for eating being under 15 pounds – bigger ones can get tough. You'll find these cousins to redfish around oyster beds, mudflats, and brackish areas. They use their strong jaws to crush shellfish, making a distinctive drumming sound in the process. Spring's your best bet, as they school up for spawning. Anglers dig 'em for their powerful fights and good eating when smaller. To hook one, try using fresh crab or clams on the bottom. Here's a local tip: if you're sight-fishing, look for their tails sticking up as they root around in shallow water. It's a dead giveaway and a fun way to target these bruisers.

Redfish

Redfish, or Red Drum, are the rockstars of our flats. You'll spot 'em by their copper color and trademark black spot near the tail. Most run 28 to 33 inches, but they can grow over 45 inches and 50 pounds. Look for 'em in super shallow water, sometimes with their backs out of water, around oyster reefs and grass flats. They love to root around in 1 to 4 feet of water, especially over mud bottom. Fall's prime time as they school up, but you can catch 'em year-round. Anglers love Redfish for their hard fights and excellent eating. To hook one, try topwater lures early morning or gold spoons worked slowly. Here's a local tip: watch for their tails sticking up as they feed in shallow water – it's called "tailing" and it's a sight-fishing dream.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout, also called Speckled Trout, are a staple in our waters. These silvery, spotted beauties usually run 14 to 24 inches and 1 to 5 pounds. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night. They love to hang around structure and drop-offs. Winter sees them schooling in deeper waters up to 164 feet. Anglers prize Sea Trout for their mild, delicate flavor and the fun fight they put up. They're suckers for artificial lures – try topwater plugs early morning or jigs worked slowly along the bottom. Best fishing's usually spring through fall when they're most active. Here's a local secret: on calm mornings, listen for their distinctive "popping" sound as they feed on the surface. It's a dead giveaway to where they're feeding.

Southern Flounder

Southern Flounder are a prized catch in our shallow waters. These flat, oval fish typically range from 15 to 18 inches, but can grow up to 33 inches and 20 pounds. You'll find them camouflaged on sandy or muddy bottoms, often in coastal areas, bays, and estuaries. They're ambush predators, lying in wait for smaller fish and crustaceans. Fall is prime time for flounder as they move to deeper waters for spawning. Anglers love 'em for their tasty, mild white meat and the challenge of hooking these masters of disguise. To up your chances, try drift fishing with live bait like mullet or shrimp. A local trick: when you feel a bite, wait a few seconds before setting the hook. Flounder often grab prey and reposition it before swallowing, so patience pays off.

About the True Story Adventures

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 42

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 200

Captain Steven's fishing boat is ready to take you out on the waters of Rio Hondo and Arroyo City for a morning of inshore angling. This compact but capable vessel comfortably fits 2 guests, with plenty of deck space for casting lines and reeling in your catch. The boat is equipped with all the gear you'll need, including quality rods, reels and tackle suited for targeting redfish, speckled trout, flounder and other local species. There's storage for your personal items and an ice chest stocked with refreshing drinks to keep you hydrated. The boat's shallow draft allows Captain Steven to navigate the bays and flats where the fish are biting. With years of experience on these waters, he'll put you right on the hotspots for a productive 5-hour trip chasing that prized Texas Slam.

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