Fishing Tips & Stories

Local knowledge, fishing guides, and tales from the bay — straight from Captain Kevin.

Fishing South Padre Island in December — Winter Texans, Trophy Trout, and Bull Reds
Trip Planning

Fishing South Padre Island in December — Winter Texans, Trophy Trout, and Bull Reds

December fishing at South Padre Island is seriously underrated. The crowds are gone, the water is clear, trophy speckled trout are in their prime, bull redfish are stacked on the flats, and massive black drum arrive in the Laguna Madre. Here is exactly what to expect.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Beginner's Guide to Redfish Fishing at South Padre Island
Species Guides

Beginner's Guide to Redfish Fishing at South Padre Island

Never caught a redfish before? South Padre Island is one of the best places in the world to start. Captain Kevin walks you through everything a first-timer needs to know — gear, tactics, seasons, and what to expect on the water.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
What to Bring on a Fishing Charter at South Padre Island — Complete Packing Guide
Trip Planning

What to Bring on a Fishing Charter at South Padre Island — Complete Packing Guide

Booked a fishing charter at South Padre Island and not sure what to pack? Captain Kevin covers exactly what to bring, what to wear in every season, what NOT to bring, and what the charter already provides — so you show up ready.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Trophy Redfish at South Padre Island — Bull Reds, Oversized Fish, and How to Catch Them
Species Guides

Trophy Redfish at South Padre Island — Bull Reds, Oversized Fish, and How to Catch Them

The Laguna Madre produces trophy redfish year-round, but most anglers never specifically target them. Captain Kevin breaks down what qualifies as a trophy, where the big bulls hold, the best seasonal windows, and the tackle and tactics that land oversized fish.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Fishing South Padre Island in November — The Best Month on the Laguna Madre
Trip Planning

Fishing South Padre Island in November — The Best Month on the Laguna Madre

November is arguably the single best month to fish South Padre Island. The flounder migration peaks, redfish are at their largest and most aggressive, speckled trout are feeding hard before winter, and the crowds are gone. Here is exactly what to expect.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Inshore Fishing Techniques for South Padre Island — How to Fish the Laguna Madre
Fishing Tips

Inshore Fishing Techniques for South Padre Island — How to Fish the Laguna Madre

The Laguna Madre rewards anglers who understand how to read it. Captain Kevin breaks down the five core inshore techniques that catch fish year-round on South Padre Island — sight fishing, popping cork, jig fishing, topwater, and reading the flats.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Winter Fishing South Padre Island — Cold-Water Tactics, Species & Gear Guide
Fishing Tips

Winter Fishing South Padre Island — Cold-Water Tactics, Species & Gear Guide

Winter on the Laguna Madre is not a slow season — it is a different season. Speckled trout stack in deep holes, redfish school on warm mud flats, and black drum move into the bay in numbers. Captain Kevin breaks down exactly how to fish South Padre Island from December through February.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Meet Fred Rodriguez: Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors
Fishing & Outdoors

Meet Fred Rodriguez: Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors

Fred Rodriguez of Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors connects hunters and anglers with world-class whitetail, waterfowl, hog, and fishing experiences across the Lone Star State.

Captain Kevin Nicholls
Complete Gear Guide for Winter Fishing at South Padre Island
Fishing Tips

Complete Gear Guide for Winter Fishing at South Padre Island

First time fishing the Lower Laguna Madre this winter? Captain Kevin breaks down exactly what to pack — rods, reels, terminal tackle, clothing, and everything in between — so you show up ready to fish, not scrambling at the bait shop.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Winter Texan Fishing Guide: What to Expect on the Water at South Padre Island
Fishing Tips

Winter Texan Fishing Guide: What to Expect on the Water at South Padre Island

Spending the winter in the Rio Grande Valley? The Lower Laguna Madre is one of the best inshore fisheries in the country this time of year. Captain Kevin breaks down the gear, the species, and the tactics every Winter Texan needs before stepping on the boat.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Best Fishing Spots Near South Padre Island in Winter
Fishing Tips

Best Fishing Spots Near South Padre Island in Winter

Winter on the Lower Laguna Madre is not a slow season — it is a different game. Captain Kevin maps out the specific locations where speckled trout, redfish, and black drum stack up from December through February, and explains exactly why each spot produces when the water gets cold.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Black Drum Fishing South Padre Island — Late Fall & Winter Guide
Fishing Tips

Black Drum Fishing South Padre Island — Late Fall & Winter Guide

Black drum are the most underrated fish in the Laguna Madre. From November through February, they stack up in predictable spots and hit hard. Captain Kevin breaks down the seasonal patterns, best tides, tackle, and Texas regulations for targeting big drum on South Padre Island.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Snook Fishing South Padre Island — Season, Techniques & Tackle Guide
Fishing Tips

Snook Fishing South Padre Island — Season, Techniques & Tackle Guide

Snook are one of the most exciting inshore fish in Texas, and South Padre Island sits at the northern edge of their range. Captain Kevin breaks down the season, the best spots on the Laguna Madre, and exactly how to target them before the water cools.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Flounder Fishing South Padre Island — October & November Season Guide
Fishing Tips

Flounder Fishing South Padre Island — October & November Season Guide

October and November are the best weeks of the year to catch flounder on the Laguna Madre. Captain Kevin breaks down the fall migration, best techniques, tide timing, and exactly where to find them before they disappear offshore for winter.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
South Padre Island vs Corpus Christi Fishing — Which Texas Bay Is Better?
Trip Planning

South Padre Island vs Corpus Christi Fishing — Which Texas Bay Is Better?

Both are world-class Texas bay fisheries, but they are not the same. Captain Kevin compares South Padre Island and Corpus Christi fishing across species, access, crowds, and the overall experience — and explains why the Lower Laguna Madre is in a class of its own.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Best Time to Fish South Padre Island — Month-by-Month Guide
Trip Planning

Best Time to Fish South Padre Island — Month-by-Month Guide

South Padre Island offers year-round fishing, but some months are better than others depending on what you are chasing. Captain Kevin breaks down every season on the Laguna Madre so you can plan the perfect trip.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Speckled Trout Fishing in the Laguna Madre — South Padre Island Guide
Fishing Tips

Speckled Trout Fishing in the Laguna Madre — South Padre Island Guide

Spotted seatrout are one of the most sought-after fish in the Laguna Madre. Captain Kevin breaks down where to find them, when to go, and the techniques that consistently put speckled trout in the boat at South Padre Island.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Best Redfish Fishing in South Padre Island Bay
Fishing Tips

Best Redfish Fishing in South Padre Island Bay

Redfish are the heartbeat of the Laguna Madre. Captain Kevin breaks down seasonal patterns, the best spots on the flats, tackle that works, and techniques that catch fish year-round on South Padre Island.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
Watch SpaceX Launches While Fishing South Padre Island Bay
South Padre Island

Watch SpaceX Launches While Fishing South Padre Island Bay

South Padre Island sits directly across the water from SpaceX Starbase. Here is how to time your fishing charter with a Starship launch — and why the bay is the best seat in Texas.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing
The Best Family Fishing Experience on South Padre Island
Fishing Tips

The Best Family Fishing Experience on South Padre Island

Discover why Big Mother Bay Fishing is the top choice for families and first-time anglers on South Padre Island — Coast Guard certified, beginner-friendly, and unforgettable.

Captain Kevin — Big Mother Bay Fishing