Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI

Fishing trips aboard Rio Fishing Guide Service will take you exploring the flats and backcountry waters of South Padre Island. With a consistent stock of fish throughout the year, these waters offer superb Texas inshore fishing. Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Black Drum, Sheepshead – you name it, they’re all biting around here.

Your guide for the day is Capt. Ruben who has been fishing for the past 20 years and has worked as captain for nearly a decade. He knows these waters well and will make sure you have a nice day out. One look at the photos of his fishing trips, and you’ll understand why so many repeat customers come fishing with him over and over again.

Captain Ruben will welcome you aboard his 21’ Shallow Sport Boats center console. She is powered by a 150 HP Yamaha engine and comes equipped with navigational electronics. There is an ice box onboard, as well as a live well, safety gear, and an assortment of rods, reels, and tackle. The vessel can take up to five anglers, which means you and your friends will have enough room for fishing.

Trip rates include all the fishing gear and catch cleaning. You need to purchase and bring along a valid Texas saltwater fishing license. If you want to fish with kids, come along! When packing for the trip, remember to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, food and drinks, as well as a camera to take a nice shot of your catch.

You can try a variety of techniques: sight casting, which is interesting to both novice anglers and those with more experience, light tackle fishing, using artificial or live bait, you can learn a lot and have fun while you’re at it. Get your friends and hop onboard!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    $425
    Spend the morning fishing out of South Padre Island where numerous flats produce solid fishing year round. You can get Redfish, Trout, Snook, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Pompano, Flounder, or Mangrove Snapper. The captain will furnish all the fishing gear. You must bring a valid saltwater Texas fishing license, snacks, drinks, a hat, sunglasses, sun protection, and a camera. This is a great introduction to fishing for novice anglers and families with kids.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    $425
    This afternoon trip will see you getting the best of Texas inshore fish. Reds, Black Drum, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, and many more can end up in your bag. If you manage to reel them in, that is. All the gear is waiting for you onboard, just remember to bring along a valid saltwater Texas fishing license. Prepare food and drinks, bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera. If you've just started fishing, this trip is the perfect choice.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    $550
    On this full day trip, you will have a lot of time to explore all the riches of South Padre Island fishing. You can chase Redfish, Trout, Flounder, Black Drum, and many other species. All the gear is provided onboard, but you need to bring a valid Texas saltwater fishing license. Pack some sandwiches, bring refreshments, and pack sunscreen.
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FAQs about Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI

Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI offers the following trips to customers:
  • $425 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • $425 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (5 hours)
  • $550 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Snacks
  • Drinks

Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Flats Fishing

Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Popping
  • Drift Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI include:
  • Black Drum
  • Flounder
  • Pompano
  • Redfish
  • Sheepshead
  • Snook
  • Speckled Trout

Meet the Captain

Ruben Riojas
South Padre Island, Texas, United States
8 Fishing Reports
141 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since April 2015
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
I am licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and Texas Park and Wildlife Department for the past 12 years. As a child I grew up fishing and learning from my father and grandfather. Since then I have developed a passion for fishing. I wanted to share my experience on the water with other people.

About this listing

Targeted species

Black Drum Black Drum
Flounder Flounder
Pompano Pompano
Redfish Redfish

Boat specs

Shallow Sport Boats (Center console) originally built in 2022. Powered by a 250HP Suzuki engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 45 knots.

Length
24 ft
Capacity
5 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Flats Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Popping
Drift Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Snacks
Drinks

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
4+
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

South Padre Island fishing calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 123 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (241)
A great morning on the bay.
A great morning on the bay.
A great morning on the bay.
+238
Angler rating
114
6
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
98%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
93%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 123 reviews
Charles K.
Canyon Lake, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Morning Trip with Rio Guide Service

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 13, 2023
Ruben took my two teenage daughters and myself out for a bay trip.  Ruben was super patient, and helped my daughters fish...
Charles K. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
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Charles K. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
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Jonathan D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in June

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on June 7, 2023
Jonathan D. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
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Jonathan D. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
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David S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

A great morning on the bay.

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (AM) on November 20, 2023
Had a great trip, while not ideal conditions, Captain Ruben kept us in position to catch fish and enjoy our morning. My son...
David S. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
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  Ruben Riojas Captain replied

Allison L.
New Berlin, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Ruben

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on April 30, 2023
what a great experience with Ruben as our guide through Rio Fishing guide service. Ruben was especially patient with our 10...
Allison L. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
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  Ruben Riojas Captain replied

Charles T.
Grand Rapids, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Trip with Captain Ruben

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on July 5, 2023
Had an amazing time with Captain Ruben.  We did a half day afternoon trip and it was the highlight of our vacation!  Captain...
Charles T. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
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  Ruben Riojas Captain replied