San Antonio Bay Fishing Charters & Guides

San Antonio Bay Fishing Charters

San Antonio Bay is located slap in the middle of one of the most popular stretches of saltwater fishing paradise that you can imagine. As part of the Texas Gulf Coast, it is located just south of Victoria, Texas. The bay connects with two other large bays, the Hynes Bay to the northwest and the Espiritu Santo Bay to the east. All three bays are protected from the Gulf by Matagorda Island. But they are also fed by the rich waters of the gulf and two large rivers, the San Antonio and Guadalupe rivers. The bay is, in fact, located at the mouth of the Guadalupe. That mix of waters makes it one of the richest and best fishing spots around. If you are looking for the bright lights and sights of San Antonio, don’t be confused. That city is 130 miles to the north. In contrast, the area around San Antonio bay is mostly pristine and is one of the major state estuary areas on the coast. An estuary is a mostly enclosed coastal body of water consisting of brackish water with freshwater rivers flowing into it, but also including a free-flowing connection to the open Gulf. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and a larger body of water. The San Antonio Bay area is mostly devoid of any developments and the natural area draws many anglers there not just for the catches, but for the “getting away from it all” appeal. The bay system is mostly shallow, averaging about seven feet deep. It covers about 205 square miles. Fishing is available mostly by boat, and it’s a popular area on the outer reaches for kayak and canoe fishermen and other small boat enthusiasts.

San Antonio Bay Inshore Fishing

The good thing about booking a fishing trip from the San Antonio Bay area is that you’ll get to focus on what you came for — good fishing. There are guides that you can book you on a group charter trip or customize a trip just for you. Among the things you can catch include flounder, sheepshead, speckled trout, snapper, red and black drum and occasionally a few other fish migrating through the bay areas. A popular technique to fish for trout in the bay areas is to fish shrimp or other live bait like small croaker under a popping cork. When the tide comes up, the baitfish move back into the shallower flats and the fish follow them. A prime bait here is also small blue crabs.That’s when you’ll find them concentrated and they’ll hang out near the mouths of inlets and runouts. A good charter boat captain will know right where to take you, how to rig up the bait for the most bites, and how to fish the bait. You can also stay a few extra days and enjoy some of the great fishing from the shoreline and still catch fish. There are areas that offer good wade fishing for specks and reds and for the lucky ones, you can land what’s known as the “Texas Triple Crown” around here — trout, flounder and redfish. It’s a good bet you can do that from a boat and an extra challenge to do it from shore. Numerous oyster beds and spoil banks provide excellent habitat for this kind of fishing. Find one near some spotted grass patches along a shoal and the fish can’t be far away.

San Antonio Bay Offshore Fishing

If you’re heading offshore, get out your fish identification card, bait your hook, and get ready for some adrenaline-filled adventures. The summer months offer charter trip opportunities just off the Texas coast for fabulous fishing for amberjack, cobia, Jack Crevalle, snapper, redfish, bonita and speckled trout. You can also catch dolphin, tarpon, black drum and even tuna. Check with a charter boat captain to find out what the specifics are for catching each type of fish, including how you’ll fish and how long a trip it will be to find the big ones. A good rule of thumb is that the longer you are willing to go and the further you are willing to go out, the bigger and the more varied the catches.

Book A San Antonio Bay Fishing Charter

There are plenty of sights and sounds to keep you busy in the town of San Antonio if you choose to make the drive, but don’t get that confused with San Antonio Bay. The bay has the same name, but it’s a two hour plus drive south from the big city. There’s no reason not to go visit the city, but if it’s fishing you have in mind, you’ll want to book a charter and spend your time on the Bay. There are lots of options for fishing techniques and trophies. Take some time and pick the one that is just right for you and book a charter with FishAnywhere and one of our proven guides. Whether you decide to stay in the bay itself or venture on the short trip offshore, you’ll be glad you did. And don’t forget to enjoy the boat ride and view as well.