Private Bay Fishing Charter — South Padre Island
Anglers from Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and across the entire US make the trip to fish with Captain Kevin Nicholls on the Laguna Madre.
Call 956-433-7287The Drive Is Part of the Adventure
South Padre Island sits at the southern tip of Texas — and anglers from across the entire United States make the trip every season. From Austin and San Antonio to Oklahoma City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Little Rock, Memphis, Denver, Minneapolis, Albuquerque, Phoenix, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and everywhere in between, Captain Kevin Nicholls of Big Mother Bay Fishing has guided guests from all over the country. The Lower Laguna Madre is one of the most productive inshore bay systems in the country — shallow, clear water loaded with redfish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum, and snook. You won't find this quality of private, one-on-one fishing anywhere closer to the middle of the country. Most guests say it's the best fishing trip they've ever taken.
Winter Is Prime Time on the Laguna Madre
While the rest of the country is shoveling snow and watching frozen lakes, South Padre Island is 70 degrees and the redfish are stacked in the shallows. Winter is one of the best times to fish the Laguna Madre — less boat traffic, cooler water that concentrates fish on the flats, and some of the clearest sight-fishing conditions of the year. Captain Kevin runs trips all winter long. Snowbirds from Minnesota, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and beyond make South Padre their annual escape — and a private fishing charter with Captain Kevin is the perfect way to kick off the trip.
Book a Winter Trip: 956-433-7287Drive Times from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado & Minnesota
Corpus Christi, TX
~2.5 hoursThe closest major city to South Padre Island. A quick 2.5-hour drive puts you on the Laguna Madre with Captain Kevin — perfect for a day trip.
San Antonio, TX
~4 hoursA 4am departure gets you on the water by 8am for a full morning of bay fishing. Easy day trip or stay a night on the island.
Austin, TX
~5 hoursLeave Austin by 4am, fish all morning, and be back by dinner. Or stay a night at one of Captain Kevin's beachfront rentals on the island.
Houston, TX
~5 hoursHouston anglers make this run regularly. Plan a weekend trip — fish Saturday morning with Captain Kevin and spend Saturday night on the island.
Texas Hill Country
~4–5 hoursNew Braunfels, Kerrville, Fredericksburg — Hill Country anglers are some of Captain Kevin's most loyal repeat customers.
El Paso, TX
~8 hoursEl Paso anglers take I-10 East straight to South Padre. Eight hours of West Texas highway ends at one of the best inshore bay fisheries in the country.
Lubbock, TX
~7 hoursWest Texas anglers from Lubbock make the run down US-84 and US-77. A long day's drive, but the Laguna Madre is a world away from the South Plains.
Amarillo, TX
~9 hoursAmarillo to South Padre is a classic Texas road trip. Drive down Friday night, fish Saturday morning with Captain Kevin, and explore the island before heading back.
Waco, TX
~6 hoursWaco to South Padre is an easy overnight. Make it a long weekend — fish Friday and Saturday, explore the island, and drive back Sunday.
Dallas / Fort Worth, TX
~8 hoursDFW anglers often fly into Brownsville (BRO) for a quick turnaround trip, or make the drive for a full weekend on the island.
Oklahoma City, OK
~9 hoursOklahoma City anglers make the overnight drive and turn it into a full weekend. Fish Friday and Saturday, stay on the island, and drive back Sunday.
Tulsa, OK
~10 hoursTulsa to South Padre is a classic road trip. Fly into Brownsville or drive straight through — either way, the Laguna Madre is worth it.
Little Rock, AR
~10 hoursArkansas anglers from Little Rock head south on I-30 and I-45. A 10-hour drive that pays off big — the Laguna Madre is nothing like any freshwater fishing back home.
New Orleans, LA
~9 hoursLouisiana anglers know good fishing — and the Laguna Madre is a different world from the bayou. New Orleans to South Padre is a straight shot west on I-10.
Baton Rouge, LA
~9.5 hoursBaton Rouge anglers make the run west on I-10 to South Padre. The shallow, clear Laguna Madre is a completely different fishing experience from Louisiana coastal waters.
Kansas City, MO/KS
~12 hoursKansas City anglers fly into Brownsville (BRO) or make the road trip south. A 12-hour drive is worth it for a private bay fishing trip on the Laguna Madre.
St. Louis, MO
~13 hoursSt. Louis to South Padre is a serious road trip — or a quick flight into Brownsville (BRO). Missouri anglers who make the trip always say the Laguna Madre was worth every mile.
Memphis, TN
~12 hoursMemphis anglers head south on I-55 and I-10 or fly into Brownsville. The Laguna Madre redfish and trout are a long way from the Mississippi River — in the best possible way.
Albuquerque, NM
~11 hoursNew Mexico anglers from Albuquerque and Santa Fe make the drive east on I-10 to South Padre. Landlocked all year — the Laguna Madre is a total escape.
Tucson, AZ
~10 hoursTucson anglers take I-10 East straight to South Padre — a 10-hour run through the desert that ends at crystal-clear bay water. Arizona snowbirds make this trip every winter.
Phoenix, AZ
~12 hoursPhoenix anglers fly into Brownsville (BRO) — a 2-hour flight — or make the I-10 road trip east. Arizona snowbirds who winter in South Texas make Captain Kevin's charter an annual tradition.
Las Vegas, NV
~18 hoursLas Vegas anglers fly into Brownsville (BRO) via Dallas/Fort Worth — a 4-hour trip total. The Laguna Madre is about as far from the Strip as you can get, and that's exactly the point.
Denver, CO
~14 hoursColorado anglers fly into Brownsville or drive down. Captain Kevin has guided guests from Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins who come back year after year.
Minneapolis, MN
~18 hoursMinnesota anglers fly into Brownsville (BRO) — a 3-hour flight — and book a multi-day trip. The Laguna Madre in winter is a world away from a frozen lake.
Why Private? Because You Deserve the Whole Boat.
Captain Kevin runs private charters only. No strangers, no crowds, no party-boat chaos. When you book Big Mother Bay Fishing, you get the entire boat — just your group, Captain Kevin, and the Laguna Madre. That means the captain focuses 100% on putting your group on fish, not managing 20 strangers.
Call 956-433-7287- 100% private — your group only, no shared trips
- Captain Kevin personally guides every trip
- All tackle, bait & bottled water included
- Up to 4 guests — perfect for families & friend groups
- USCG Licensed & Texas Registered Fishing Guide
- Fillet & packaging service available after the trip
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Call or text Captain Kevin directly at 956-433-7287. A $100 PayPal deposit holds your date. Trips fill up fast — especially in winter when the snowbirds arrive.