Port Mansfield Kayak Fishing | 956 Salty Waders

5-Hour Kayak Fishing Adventure in Port Mansfield

There's something special about getting on the water in a kayak – you're quiet, you can slip into spots bigger boats can't reach, and you feel every bite like it's coming right through your hands. Captain DLS with 956 Salty Waders has this dialed in perfectly. This top-rated 5-hour adventure puts you right in the heart of the Lower Laguna Madre's shallow flats, where redfish and speckled trout cruise around looking for their next meal. You'll launch from Port Mansfield and spend your day either drifting the flats or getting out to wade when you find fish holding in the perfect spots. It's just you, the captain, and some of the best inshore water Texas has to offer.

What to Expect on the Water

This isn't your typical guided trip where you're crammed on a boat with a bunch of other folks. With a guest capacity of just one, you get Captain DLS's full attention and can really dial in your technique. The Lower Laguna Madre around Port Mansfield is famous for its crystal-clear shallow water and grass flats that hold fish year-round. You'll spend the morning getting oriented with your kayak setup and then head out to where the captain knows fish are hanging out. The beauty of kayak fishing here is the flexibility – if you mark fish on the sonar, you can drift over them and work the area thoroughly. When the bite gets hot in the shallows, you'll beach the kayaks and wade the flats, sight-casting to tailing redfish and cruising trout. The whole experience runs smooth from launch to the cleaning station, where Captain DLS will get your catch ready to take home.

Techniques & Tackle

You'll be throwing Wicked Paddle Tails soft plastics most of the day – these baits are absolutely deadly on Lower Laguna Madre fish and Captain DLS knows exactly how to rig them for the conditions. The technique is pretty straightforward but takes some finesse to master. You'll work these soft plastics with a steady retrieve, letting them bounce along the bottom or swim just above the grass. When you're wading, the captain will teach you to read the water and spot fish before they see you. The flats around Port Mansfield are perfect for this style of fishing because the water clarity lets you see redfish tailing and trout busting bait from a good distance. Your kayak will be rigged with everything you need – rod holders, tackle storage, and a good fishfinder to mark structure and bait schools. The whole setup is designed to keep you fishing efficiently while staying comfortable during the full 5-hour adventure.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Redfish are the bread and butter of Lower Laguna Madre fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and can be found here year-round. They typically run 20 to 28 inches in this system, with plenty of slot fish that make great table fare. What makes redfish so fun to target is their aggressive nature – when they want to eat, they'll absolutely crush a soft plastic. The best action usually happens in 2 to 4 feet of water where they root around in the grass looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall and winter months are particularly productive as the fish school up and feed heavily before cold fronts push through.

Speckled trout are the other main target and they're what keep most anglers coming back to these flats. These spotted beauties are incredibly popular because they fight hard, taste great, and can be caught consistently when you know where to look. In the Lower Laguna Madre, specks typically range from 15 to 22 inches, with trophy fish over 25 inches always a possibility. They love to hang around structure like shell pads, grass edges, and drop-offs where they can ambush baitfish. Spring and early summer produce some of the best trout fishing as they move shallow to spawn, but skilled guides like Captain DLS know how to find them throughout the year by adjusting techniques and locations based on weather patterns and bait movements.

Time to Book Your Spot

This customer favorite kayak fishing adventure offers everything you need for a world-class day on the flats – expert guidance, prime fishing locations, quality tackle, and even fish cleaning service. Captain DLS brings years of experience as a veteran guide who knows these waters inside and out. The personalized attention you get with the single-guest format means you'll learn techniques that will make you a better angler long after the trip ends. Whether you're new to kayak fishing or looking to step up your inshore game, this 5-hour adventure delivers the real deal. The Lower Laguna Madre's reputation as one of Texas's best fishing destinations isn't just hype – it's backed up by consistent action and the kind of clear water that makes every cast feel like you're fishing in an aquarium. Don't wait to experience what has anglers talking about 956 Salty Waders – book your spot now and get ready for some serious flats fishing.