You may qualify for a Loyalty Program discount with Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI. To check if you can use a Loyalty Program discount for your selected dates, please sign in.

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!



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 3 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Price for 2 persons
    US $400
    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)
    In demand! Last booked: 2 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    Price for 2 persons
    US $400
    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
    Price for 2 persons
    US $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.
There are 11 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 137 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (281)
High winds Fish On
High winds Fish On
High winds Fish On
+278
Angler rating
127
7
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
94%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 137 reviews
Jeremy H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Putting us on fish even with a storm brewing

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on January 1, 2025
I’m reeling in the praise for our guide Ruben - he’s the “catch” of the day! We set out on a morning boat ride, and...
Jeremy H. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Jeremy H. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Jason K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Making memories

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on September 22, 2024
We had an incredible time on our recent bay fishing trip! The day was filled with excitement, and we ended up catching 5 keepers,...
Jason K. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Jason K. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Bryan P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great with Kids

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on March 29, 2024
Took my 2 sons, 5 and 9, out with Captain Rubin.  He was very patient with my very active boys and helped them to catch and...
Bryan P. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Bryan P. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Brent P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

High winds Fish On

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on November 28, 2024
Captain Reuben put is on trout and reds all day and during the front that blew in Thanksgiving day. His gear was top...
Brent P. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Brent P. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Roger D. J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best Trip Ever

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on November 10, 2024
Captain Ruben was amazing on this trip. Every where he took us we caught fish from the start of the trip to the very end. My...
Roger D. J. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Roger D. J. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

FAQs about Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI

Rio Fishing Guide Service - SPI offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $400 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $400 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (5 hours)
  • US $550 per group, additional US $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

Your captain

Ruben Riojas
South Padre Island, Texas, United States
12 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
159 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since April 2015
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.

The fish you can target

Black Drum Black Drum
Flounder Flounder
Pompano Pompano
Redfish Redfish

What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
5 persons
Boat length
24 ft
Year built
2022
Boat manufacturer
Shallow Sport Boats
Boat type
Center console

Engine model
Suzuki
Powered by
1 x 250HP
Max cruising speed
45 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Flats Fishing

Which fishing techniques will you try?

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Popping
Drift Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Ice Box

What’s included in the trip price

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

How cancellations work

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.

What the listing policies are

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

How you can pay

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% 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.

What’s biting in South Padre Island right now

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...