OK, some of you might be laughing at us. You are probably thinking South Padre Island is famous for college spring break and a bazillion t-shirt shops. What you might not know is that this area has the very best wadeable flats for redfish and seatrout in the United States. We were looking for a good location and facility to offer shorter, more affordable trips, and this location has it. Raquel and I love to walk those flats, and Raquel has a peculiar affinity for redfish. She is practicing “fish whispering” to improve her catch rates. Casting to tailing reds is nothing but fun, and you can be doing this the same day you fly into Harlingen or McAllen, Texas.

The Laguna Madre is an extensive Texas bay system protected from the gulf by a barrier island. Most of the Island itself is designated as a National Seashore. The “Laguna” is filled with flats that redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, tarpon, and snook call home. By far the most beautiful of these are located just north of South Padre Island, Texas. These “east side” hard bottom flats cover literally thousands of acres. The softer “west side” flats are enhanced by a series of spoil islands the create excellent redfish and trout habitat. Boat runs to the most productive flats are generally 20 to 30 minutes.   There are a few locations that take 45 minutes or more to reach.

 Accommodations:

Pescador Solitario has partnered with The Redfish Inn, located in the northern portion of South Padre Island. This bed and breakfast style lodge fronts on the Laguna Madre and is the only location where your flats boat is found less than 50 yards from your room, waiting at the private dock. The facility is capably managed by Kelly and Dale Fridy who purchased the property a few years ago and implemented a full scale remodel to turn it into the best fishing lodge in the region. Dale is the head guide with 15 years of guiding experience in the Laguna. It has luxury rooms for double or single occupancy. Each has a private bathroom and is equipped with central air conditioning and ceiling fans. Sunsets looking across the Laguna Madre from the dock, the private outdoor dining area, and the second story veranda are spectacular. The gulf-side beach is within easy walking distance, as are a number of excellent restaurants.

The early morning breakfasts are provided to accommodate any tastes. Lunch is on the flats, “between casts”, and dinners (not included in the package) are the clients choice from the extensive restaurant selection. Padre Island is famous for excellent seafood.