Damn Good Black Drum Fishing Charters In Matagorda

Check real-time availability and compare rates on Matagorda black drum fishing trips. Confidently book your next day on the water.

Choose a Date
4.5/5 Average Rating

Damn Good Guides

Experts Available 24/7

100% Weather Guarantee

Recently Booked Black Drum Fishing Charters In Matagorda, Tx

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Jetty, Flats Fishing Charter in Matagorda

Matagorda E/W Bay Half Day

100% (1)
25 ft 1 - 10 People From $500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Flats Fishing Charter in Matagorda

Your Fly Fishing Guide & Instructor

100% (1)
18 ft 1 - 2 People From $600
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing Charter in Matagorda

Matagorda Bay Catch And Release

100% (1)
24 ft 1 - 4 People From $550
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Flats Fishing Charter in Matagorda

Matagorda "Texas Trio"

100% (2)
24 ft 1 - 4 People From $600
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Jetty Fishing Charter in Matagorda

Matagorda E/W Bay Half Day Pm Trip

100% (1)
25 ft 1 - 10 People From $500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing Charter in Matagorda

Matagorda Fishing Adventures

100% (1)
24 ft 1 - 4 People From $500

Top Types of Black Drum Trips in Matagorda

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and look forward to getting you out on the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

Target Species in Matagorda

View Full Species Seasonality Chart »
  • Get it while it's HOT!
  • This species is in play.
  • You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
  • Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

More Black Drum Fishing Charters In Matagorda, Tx

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing Charter in Matagorda

Gettin' On 'Em Down In Matagorda

NEW
24 ft 1 - 4 People From $500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Flats Fishing Charter in Matagorda

Fly Fishing East & West Matagorda

NEW
17 ft 1 - 2 People From $600
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing Charter in Matagorda

Matagorda Gigging Adventure

67% (3)
20 ft 1 - 4 People From $650
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Flats Fishing Charter in Matagorda

Gator Trout Trip

NEW
24 ft 1 - 4 People From $765
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing Charter near Matagorda

Full Day Fishing - 25’ Dargle

67% (3)
25 ft 1 - 6 People From $750
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Flats Fishing Charter near Matagorda

East/West Matagorda Bay

NEW
1 - 6 People From $550
See All Black Drum Trips in Matagorda

Need a Place to Stay?

Everything to Know About Booking a Matagorda black drum fishing charter

What are the best black drum fishing charters in Matagorda?

Why should I book a black drum fishing charter in Matagorda with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 15 black drum trips in Matagorda, and the most popular trips in the area are Matagorda E/W Bay Half Day guided by Jeff, Gator Trout Trip guided by Gary, and Matagorda Gigging Adventure guided by Joe.

Our guides in Matagorda are rated a 4.5 out of 5 based on 3716 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly black drum guides / fishing lessons in Matagorda? Check out our beginner and family friendly black drum guides in Matagorda.

What types of black drum fishing charters are common in Matagorda?

Inshore fishing is the most popular type of fishing for black drum in Matagorda as well as flats fishing, jetty fishing, and nearshore fishing.

The most common fishing techniques in Matagorda are light tackle fishing, wading, and artificial lure fishing but drift fishing and live bait fishing are popular as well.

How much do Matagorda black drum fishing charters cost?

Prices for black drum in Matagorda can range anywhere from about $550 to $1,200, but the average price for a half day trip for black drum in Matagorda is $789. The average price for a full day trip for black drum in Matagorda is $889.

Is booking a fishing guide worth the money?

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

What month is best for black drum fishing in Matagorda?

The most popular season for black drum fishing in Matagorda is spring, and most anglers book their trips 20 days in advance.

Do I need a Matagorda fishing license for black drum and what are the bag limits for black drum in Matagorda?

See here for more information on fishing licenses in Matagorda, bag limits for target species, and fishing season regulations in Matagorda. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right rules and regulations in Matagorda.

What is black drum fishing in Matagorda all about?

Black drum fishing in Matagorda, Texas, provides anglers with a rewarding and exciting angling experience amidst the scenic beauty of the Gulf Coast. These sizable fish, known for their powerful runs and hard-hitting strikes, inhabit the bay waters and nearshore areas, offering anglers ample opportunities for successful catches. Black drum can be targeted year-round in Matagorda, although they are most abundant during the warmer months when water temperatures are optimal for their activity.

Anglers targeting black drum in Matagorda often find success using a variety of techniques and baits. One popular method is bottom fishing with natural baits such as shrimp, crab, or cut bait. Black drum are known for their bottom-feeding behavior, making them susceptible to these offerings presented along channel edges, oyster reefs, and other structure-rich areas where they congregate to feed. Additionally, anglers can use artificial lures like soft plastics and jigs to entice black drum into striking, particularly when fishing in shallower waters or targeting actively feeding fish.

One of the highlights of black drum fishing in Matagorda is the sheer size of these fish, with specimens weighing over 30 pounds not uncommon. Landing a trophy-sized black drum requires patience, skill, and strong tackle capable of handling their powerful runs. Catch-and-release practices are encouraged to ensure the sustainability of black drum populations and preserve the thrill of future encounters for anglers in Matagorda. With their impressive size and formidable fighting ability, black drum fishing in Matagorda promises an unforgettable angling experience that keeps enthusiasts coming back for more.

What are the most popular months to fish for black drum fishing in Matagorda?

In Matagorda, Texas, black drum seasons are influenced by various factors including water temperature, spawning behavior, and bait availability. Generally, the prime seasons for black drum fishing align with the warmer months of the year, typically from late spring through early fall. During this time, water temperatures rise, triggering increased activity among black drum as they become more active feeders in the bay waters and nearshore areas.

Late spring marks the beginning of the black drum season in Matagorda, as water temperatures reach levels conducive to spawning and feeding activity. Anglers targeting black drum during this time often find success near structure-rich areas such as jetties, piers, and oyster reefs, where the fish congregate to feed and seek shelter. As summer progresses, black drum remain active in Matagorda's bay system, providing anglers with ample opportunities to target them using a variety of techniques and baits.

As the summer months transition into fall, the black drum season in Matagorda begins to wind down. While some fish may still be present in the area, their numbers and activity levels tend to decrease as water temperatures cool and the fish begin to migrate to deeper offshore waters. Nevertheless, dedicated anglers who venture out during the offseason may still encounter black drum, along with a variety of other species that inhabit Matagorda's productive fishing grounds, ensuring that there's always something biting no matter the season.

What techniques are popular for catching black drum in Matagorda?

Black drum fishing in Matagorda, Texas, requires anglers to employ specific techniques to increase their chances of success. One effective method is bottom fishing with natural baits such as shrimp, crab, or cut bait. Black drum are bottom feeders and often forage for food along channel edges, oyster reefs, and other structure-rich areas. Anglers can use sturdy rigs with heavy sinkers to keep their bait anchored to the bottom, where black drum are likely to find and strike it.

Another popular technique for black drum fishing in Matagorda is using live bait, particularly shrimp or crab. Anglers can present live bait either by bottom fishing or by suspending it beneath a popping cork to attract fish in shallower waters. Live bait mimics natural prey and can be particularly effective in enticing black drum into striking. Additionally, anglers can use artificial lures such as soft plastics, jigs, or spoons to target black drum, especially when fishing in shallower areas or targeting actively feeding fish.

Patience and persistence are key when targeting black drum in Matagorda. These fish can be selective feeders at times, so anglers may need to experiment with different baits, presentations, and fishing locations to find success. By employing the right techniques and adapting to changing conditions, anglers can enjoy productive black drum fishing outings in Matagorda's scenic waters.

What other species are popular in Matagorda?

While black drum fishing in Matagorda offers an exciting angling experience, there's a diverse array of other species waiting to be caught in these productive waters. One popular catch among anglers is the redfish, also known as red drum, which thrives in Matagorda's marshes, flats, and channels. These hard-fighting fish are renowned for their strength and willingness to strike a variety of baits, including live shrimp, mullet, and cut bait. Anglers often find success targeting redfish near oyster reefs, grass beds, and along the edges of channels, where they can be enticed with both natural and artificial presentations.

Speckled trout is another prized species that anglers can pursue in Matagorda's bay waters. These voracious predators are abundant in the bay, particularly during the warmer months, when they gather around seagrass beds, sandbars, and other productive feeding grounds. Anglers commonly use live shrimp, mullet, or artificial lures like topwater plugs and soft plastics to entice speckled trout into striking. With their strong fights and delicious flavor, speckled trout provide anglers with plenty of excitement and satisfaction on the water.

For anglers seeking a unique challenge, flounder fishing in Matagorda offers a rewarding pursuit. These flatfish inhabit sandy bottoms, channels, and nearshore areas, where they lie in wait to ambush passing prey. Anglers often target flounder using live bait such as mud minnows, mullet, or finger mullet, as well as artificial lures like jigs and soft plastics bounced along the bottom. Flounder fishing requires patience and finesse, but the opportunity to hook into one of these elusive and tasty fish makes it a favorite pursuit among anglers exploring the diverse fishing opportunities in Matagorda.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    Capt. Jeff put us on some fish!! Took us to a few places that each produced. I’d definitely go fishing with Jeff in the future.

    Saul M. | October 28, 2024

    Trip: Matagorda E/W Bay Half Day

  • ★★★★★
    Never use Captain Experiences for booking a fishing trip. They keep a huge sum of money up front-- money that I would prefer to go those who actually do the work- the fishing guide.

    Phyllis P. | September 25, 2024

    Trip: Palacios Angling Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Ron was very pleasant and worked hard to put us on fish. Unfortunately, the fish were hard to come by today. Tough weather conditions made for a challenging day. I would like to go out with him again.

    Tom W. | March 31, 2024

    Trip: Your Fly Fishing Guide & Instructor

  • ★★★★★
    Terry was by far the best guide we’ve had in Matagorda! It’s obvious he knows the bay & where the fish are, in addition to being very personable and attentive to our team. A++++

    Julia B. | October 8, 2023

    Trip: Full Day Fishing - 25’ Dargle

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Reyes did an outstanding job. My son and I had planned to meet him in Matagorda and fish East Matagorda Bay. A few days before the trip, he texted suggesting that we meet him in Palacios and fish West Matagorda Bay because he’d had several days of good catches there. We agreed and had a great day on the water. We caught our limit of speckled trout and had a good haul of black drum. He was very attentive and hardworking. I highly recommend him.

    Tom N. | May 30, 2023

    Trip: Matagorda "Texas Trio"

  • ★★★★★
    Great guide on a very slow day he got us on fish. None of them were keepers but that’s not Captain Stans fault

    Don D. | May 17, 2022

    Trip: Matagorda Bay Catch and Release

  • ★★★★★
    Amazing experience! Captain Chad drove 50 miles to the next city just so we’d have good live bait for our trip. With that being said we caught 40 fish and 20 keepers. Even managed to get on some Reds in late January weather. We will definitely be booking another trip with Captain “Chappy”. If you’re looking to catch fish in a relaxed setting with someone who knows there stuff, look No Further.

    Chris R. | January 27, 2022

    Trip: Matagorda Fishing Adventures

Other Fishing Species in Matagorda

What's biting in Matagorda?

View Black Drum Fishing Reports from our damn good guides.

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?

Our guides are Damn Good Guides, which means they’re vetted by our team of outdoor experts who know them on a first-name basis. We hand pick each and every one of them, and our network spans all across the US and beyond.

The proof is in the pudding, and we’re incredibly proud of our 4.9 / 5 average review score. Hit the button below to see more trip options:

See All Black Drum Trips in Matagorda