Damn Good Mangrove Snapper Fishing Charters In South Padre Island

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Recently Booked Mangrove Snapper Fishing Charters In South Padre Island, Tx

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore, Jetty Fishing Charter in South Padre Island

Bottom Fishing And Jigging SPI

NEW
33 ft 1 - 12 People From $650
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Jetty, Flats Fishing Charter in South Padre Island

AM And PM Private Bay Fishing Trips

NEW
24 ft 1 - 8 People From $500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Jetty, Flats Fishing Charter in South Padre Island

Laguna Madre Hookfest

NEW
21 ft 1 - 8 People From $500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing Charter in South Padre Island

Primetime Fishing Family-friendly

NEW
21 ft 1 - 8 People From $475
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Jetty, Flats Fishing Charter near South Padre Island

Port Isabel 5-Hour - 25’ Majek

100% (9)
25 ft 1 - 6 People From $500
Veteran Operated
This trip is managed by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Jetty, Flats Fishing Charter near South Padre Island

South Padre Island Fishing

NEW
26 ft 1 - 12 People From $450

Top Types of Mangrove Snapper Trips in South Padre Island

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Target Species in South Padre Island

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 Mangrove Snapper Fishing Charters In South Padre Island, Tx

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Flats Fishing Charter near South Padre Island

Laguna Madre Shallows Trip

89% (9)
26 ft 1 - 6 People From $475
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter near South Padre Island

Half-day - 21’ Shallow Stalker

100% (1)
21 ft 1 - 6 People From $575
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Jetty, Flats Fishing Charter near South Padre Island

5 Hour Pro Flats

100% (6)
24 ft 1 - 12 People From $600
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore, Jetty Fishing Charter near South Padre Island

Bottom Fishing And Jigging SPI

NEW
33 ft 1 - 12 People From $650
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Flats Fishing Charter near South Padre Island

Full Or Half Day Inshore

100% (8)
25 ft 1 - 6 People From $425
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Flats Fishing Charter near South Padre Island

SPI's Most Popular Trip

100% (1)
24 ft 1 - 12 People From $475
See All Mangrove Snapper Trips in South Padre Island

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Everything to Know About Booking a South Padre Island mangrove snapper fishing charter

What are the best mangrove snapper fishing charters in South Padre Island?

The best mangrove snapper fishing charters in South Padre Island are:

Why should I book a mangrove snapper fishing charter in South Padre Island with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 13 mangrove snapper trips in South Padre Island, and the most popular trips in the area are Bottom Fishing and Jigging SPI guided by Jerrid, Laguna Madre Hookfest guided by Kevin, and AM and PM Private Bay Fishing Trips guided by Tim.

Our guides in South Padre Island are rated a 4.86 out of 5 based on 3679 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 mangrove snapper guides / fishing lessons in South Padre Island? Check out our beginner and family friendly mangrove snapper guides in South Padre Island.

What types of mangrove snapper fishing charters are common in South Padre Island?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing for mangrove snapper in South Padre Island as well as inshore fishing, jetty fishing, and flats fishing.

The most common fishing techniques in South Padre Island are light tackle fishing, bottom fishing, and live bait fishing but drift fishing and artificial lure fishing are popular as well.

How much do South Padre Island mangrove snapper fishing charters cost?

Prices for mangrove snapper in South Padre Island can range anywhere from about $565 to $3,200, but the average price for a half day trip for mangrove snapper in South Padre Island is $986. The average price for a full day trip for mangrove snapper in South Padre Island is $2,473.

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 mangrove snapper fishing in South Padre Island?

The most popular season for mangrove snapper fishing in South Padre Island is summer, and most anglers book their trips 15 days in advance.

Do I need a South Padre Island fishing license for mangrove snapper and what are the bag limits for mangrove snapper in South Padre Island?

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

What is mangrove snapper fishing in South Padre Island all about?

Mangrove snapper, known for their delicious flavor and strong fighting ability, are a prized catch for anglers visiting South Padre Island, Texas. These sleek and cunning fish inhabit the shallow reefs, mangrove-lined shorelines, and nearshore waters surrounding the island. Anglers often target mangrove snapper using a variety of techniques, including bottom fishing with live or cut bait such as shrimp, mullet, or squid. Additionally, artificial lures like jigs and soft plastics can be effective when targeting these wary predators, especially around structure-rich areas where mangrove snapper are known to congregate.

One key aspect of successful mangrove snapper fishing in South Padre Island is understanding their behavior and preferred habitats. Mangrove snapper are notorious for seeking refuge in and around submerged structure such as mangrove roots, rocky outcroppings, and artificial reefs. Anglers often find success by focusing their efforts around these structures, where mangrove snapper hide in ambush, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting prey. Patience and precise presentation are crucial when targeting mangrove snapper, as they can be skittish and selective feeders.

The mangrove snapper fishing season in South Padre Island typically peaks during the warmer months, from late spring through early fall, when water temperatures are ideal and mangrove snapper are most active. However, they can be caught year-round, with anglers adapting their techniques and strategies based on seasonal changes and weather patterns. Whether fishing from a boat, kayak, or the shore, anglers visiting South Padre Island have ample opportunities to hook into some impressive mangrove snapper, making it a must-visit destination for any avid angler.

What are the most popular months to fish for mangrove snapper fishing in South Padre Island?

In South Padre Island, Texas, the mangrove snapper season is influenced by various factors, including water temperature, currents, and spawning patterns. Generally, the best time to target mangrove snapper in South Padre Island is during the warmer months, from late spring through early fall. During this time, water temperatures rise, and mangrove snapper become more active and move into shallower waters, making them more accessible to anglers.

Spring marks the beginning of the mangrove snapper season in South Padre Island, with fish transitioning from deeper offshore waters to nearshore reefs, mangrove-lined shorelines, and other structure-rich areas. As water temperatures continue to climb into the summer months, mangrove snapper fishing reaches its peak, with anglers experiencing excellent action both during the day and at night. During this time, mangrove snapper feed aggressively, providing ample opportunities for anglers to hook into these prized fish.

In the fall, as water temperatures begin to cool, mangrove snapper fishing in South Padre Island can still be productive, although fish may start to move into deeper waters as they prepare for the winter months. However, with the right techniques and strategies, anglers can still find success targeting mangrove snapper well into the fall season. Overall, understanding the seasonal patterns and behaviors of mangrove snapper is essential for maximizing success and enjoying a rewarding fishing experience in South Padre Island.

What techniques are popular for catching mangrove snapper in South Padre Island?

Mangrove snapper fishing in South Padre Island, Texas, requires a combination of patience, skill, and knowledge of effective techniques to successfully hook these elusive and delicious fish. One popular method for targeting mangrove snapper is bottom fishing with live or cut bait. Anglers often use small live baitfish such as pilchards, pinfish, or finger mullet, as well as cut bait such as shrimp or squid. Rigging these baits with a small hook and a weight to keep them near the bottom allows anglers to present the bait in areas where mangrove snapper are known to congregate, such as around reefs, wrecks, and submerged structure.

Another effective technique for mangrove snapper fishing in South Padre Island is jigging with artificial lures. Vertical jigging with metal jigs or soft plastic jigs mimics the movement of injured baitfish, enticing mangrove snapper to strike. Anglers can vary the speed and depth of their jigging to find where the fish are feeding, often targeting drop-offs, ledges, and other underwater features where mangrove snapper are likely to be lurking. This technique requires finesse and precise presentation, but can yield rewarding results for anglers looking to hook into some hard-fighting snapper.

Additionally, chumming can be a successful tactic for attracting mangrove snapper to the area and stimulating their feeding activity. Anglers deploy a mixture of ground-up baitfish, fish parts, and other scent attractants into the water to create a chum slick, drawing mangrove snapper in from a distance. Once the fish are attracted to the area, anglers can present their bait or lures to entice them into striking. Chumming requires careful timing and attention to detail, but can be highly effective for increasing the chances of success when targeting mangrove snapper in South Padre Island's waters.

What other species are popular in South Padre Island?

While targeting mangrove snapper in South Padre Island offers anglers an exciting challenge, there's a diverse range of other fish species to pursue, ensuring a varied and rewarding fishing experience. One popular species to target is the red snapper, known for its delicious flavor and impressive fighting ability. These prized fish inhabit the deeper offshore waters around South Padre Island and are often targeted using bottom fishing techniques with live or cut bait. Red snapper season in the Gulf of Mexico typically runs from June to August, providing ample opportunities for anglers to hook into some impressive catches.

Another sought-after species in South Padre Island is the speckled trout, also known as spotted seatrout. These predatory fish can be found in the shallow flats, grass beds, and estuaries throughout the area, offering anglers plenty of opportunities for exciting light tackle action. Using live bait such as shrimp or finger mullet, as well as artificial lures like soft plastics or topwater plugs, anglers can target speckled trout with great success. Speckled trout are prized for their acrobatic leaps when hooked, adding an extra thrill to any fishing excursion in South Padre Island.

In addition to mangrove snapper, red snapper, and speckled trout, South Padre Island offers opportunities to target a variety of other species, including king mackerel, snook, flounder, and tarpon, among others. Whether fishing from shore, a pier, or a boat, anglers visiting South Padre Island can enjoy the thrill of targeting a diverse array of fish species in the rich and fertile waters of the Gulf of Mexico. With its abundance of fish species and diverse fishing environments, South Padre Island is a prime destination for anglers looking to experience the excitement of saltwater fishing in Texas.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    Ruben was amazing! He knew the areas to go to catch fish, but we got so much more. We saw dolphins swimming, learned more about the area, and caught so many fish! His recommendations for where to take our fish for dinner was also great! We will book another trip with him!

    Stan A. | October 27, 2024

    Trip: Laguna Madre Shallows Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had an amazing time fishing with Captain Cliff in South Padre Island! He was incredibly patient and helpful throughout the trip, ensuring we were comfortable and had a great experience. The boat was spacious and well-maintained, giving us plenty of room to enjoy our time on the water. Captain Cliff was friendly, timely, and took us to some fantastic fishing spots. We highly recommend him for anyone looking for a fun and successful fishing adventure!

    Lance K. | October 7, 2024

    Trip: 5 hour pro flats

  • ★★★★★
    Arturo is a great guide - knows his spots but also reads the area to move to the fish.

    Brody T. | October 5, 2024

    Trip: Full or Half Day Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    Arturo was great. He was patient in explaining all kinds of things and teaching us about casting, reeling, and filleting - if you want to learn some things, you can’t go wrong with Arturo!

    David M. | July 29, 2024

    Trip: Full or Half Day Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    Ladies loved the trip and caught big fish. One trout was 24" and was released due to conservation rules. One of our reds needed a tag to keep. Highly recommend Alana as a fun and knowledgeable fishing guide in SPI.

    Rick J. | July 15, 2024

    Trip: Lower Laguna Madre Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Alana was a joy to fish with. She’s knowledgeable and fun. Highly recommend.

    Kory U. | June 16, 2024

    Trip: Lower Laguna Madre Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great time with Cliff. We requested to catch Trout and he put us on them right away. Very knowledgeable and willing to share information on how to catch the target species.

    John C. | May 4, 2024

    Trip: 5 hour pro flats

  • ★★★★★
    Rueben did a great job!!! He put us on fish. You should try him out.

    Brian P. | February 24, 2024

    Trip: Laguna Madre Shallows Trip

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Alana was awesome! Very professional, had the boat clean and gear ready to go as soon as we got to the dock we were off. Boat was good size had plenty of room for everyone to walk around. Even took us close to the launch site to see the Space X Starship. She was constantly on the phone with other guides trying to find the best bite possible. We caught Speckled Trout, large Catfish and saw a bunch of large red drums but even hitting them in the head with the bait they wouldn't bite... Had a weather change and rockets going off in the area so may have had something to do with it. But we were the only boat that day really catching anything. I would highly recommend Captain Alana. Will decently book her for future visits to go Tarpon Fishing!!!

    Bret S. | November 28, 2023

    Trip: Lower Laguna Madre Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Juan was great and we had a fun day on the boat! It was grandparents, parents and 8 year old twins so great for all ages. Juan was so patient with the kids and very attentive to making sure everyone was always baited and having fun fishing. We are complete beginners and he was super informative on what we were catching and teaching the boys how to fish. There’s no shade or restroom on the boat so plan accordingly with sunscreen and proper clothes and a bathroom break before the trip. We brought snacks and drinks with us which was great to have on hand. We caught a variety of fish even if not all were keepers. All in all it was a perfect day out on the water.

    Tiffany H. | July 26, 2023

    Trip: Half-day - 21’ Shallow Stalker

  • ★★★★★
    The trip was great and Arturo did a great job getting us out on fish! Our trip was cut short due to a storm but that was out of our captains hands! Highly recommend Arturo's services! Can't wait to go back!

    Francisco A. | June 1, 2023

    Trip: Full or Half Day Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    Great guide! We had a wonderful time, nearly limited out. Arturo moved us to a few different spots, ended up on the edge of a channel on a pretty hot spot. Caught a lot of near keepers and a few extra species as well. Great trip, a lot of fun and will definitely use Arturo again!

    Eric A. | May 22, 2023

    Trip: Full or Half Day Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    Alana was most helpful. She took good care of us and put us on a lot of good spots! Unfortunately, there was not much fishy participation. She handled the boat like a pro!

    David P. | April 12, 2023

    Trip: Lower Laguna Madre Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    Captain did a great job at working the fish. Great time and great conversation

    William R. | February 22, 2023

    Trip: Full or Half Day Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    I can't recommend Capt. Alana enough! Great clean boat. Room enough for 6, perfect for 4 or 2. Her gear is new and well maintained. She took us to the Port of Brownsville. Lots of structure to fish including the decommissioned aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. We caught lots of fish including mangrove snapper, sheepshead, black drum and others. Capt. Alana is from a commercial and sport fishing family and knows where to find fish. I HIGHLY recommend her. I will be booking her again next time I'm in SPI.

    Jason H. | February 9, 2023

    Trip: Lower Laguna Madre Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    Capt Arturo’s courtesy, knowledge and equipment are all spot on. Highly recommend him for any skill level angler.

    Don J. | February 9, 2023

    Trip: Full or Half Day Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    Great fun. Captain Walter was great! Fish weren't biting too much, but we did catch some.

    Shawn A. | October 10, 2022

    Trip: Port Isabel 5-Hour - 25’ Majek

  • ★★★★★
    Great trip; one of the best days out on the water for us. Really experienced Captain, knows some really good spots. Wonderfull with my two boys, he made sure they had the best time! Got us on the fish quickly and then took us dolphin watching for a nice break that the Kids really enjoyed. Will definitley book with him again.

    Marcelo G. | September 17, 2022

    Trip: Full or Half Day Inshore

  • ★★★★★
    We had a Great time fishing with Capt. Walter! You could tell he, Really, enjoys helping fisherman enjoy a good day fishing! My son is 12 and Capt. Walter helped him and my son caught the most fish between the 3 of us in our group.

    Charles F. | August 15, 2022

    Trip: Port Isabel 5-Hour - 25’ Majek

  • ★★★★★
    Reuben was a very nice guy, but his view of guiding clients needs to change, l guess he fishes only go reds and specks. We only fished shipping channels with croakers on bottom. We caught a few specks, no redfish and spent most of the time cleaning seaweed off line. I mentioned to him I wanted to catch reds and mangrove snapper in the beginning. The only bait we had was croaker and I have been fishing the island many years and several other guides and we always caught a lot of the snapper, specks and redfish. He may be a good fisherman but having clients catch a lot of fish is the most important thing or at least trying, we did not, used only one type of bait, one location just different parts of it spaced out a little. I would have rather traveled 10 more miles and caught no more fish than staying in the same place catching gafftops and few specs mixed in, boring morning and in his defense we would have had a few more keepers maybe 4 or 5 if they had not raised length limit from 15 to 17”. We wound up the day with 3 keeper trout out of group of 4 on boat. Should have paid more attention to other review. Sorry will not.be using this service again

    Bryan B. | August 8, 2022

    Trip: Laguna Madre Shallows Trip

What's biting in South Padre Island?

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