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Playin Hooky Fishing Charters 

4.8
(16 reviews)
 33256 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597, United States–
+58
+55

Playin Hooky Fishing Charters 

South Padre Island, TX, United States
–
35 ft
6
4.8
(16 reviews)
Trips & prices
Targeted species
Boat info
What's biting
What's included
Contact captain
Trips & prices
What's included
Targeted species
Boat info
Reviews
Contact captain

Sign up with Playin Hooky Fishing Charters and get ready for a heart-pumping time in the waters of South Padre Island, Texas. Captain Jeff Hartung will work hard to put you on the fish and show you a real Texan fishing experience! Anglers of all skill levels are more than welcome aboard, Capt. Jeff will show newcomers how it all works.

You'll be fishing from a 30' Pursuit boat that runs on a pair of 170 HP Yanmar engines, and has plenty of room for up to 5 anglers. This versatile vessel is a great choice for both nearshore and offshore fishing. She's equipped with all the necessary safety and navigation gear, as well as a toilet below deck.

Depending on what kind of trip you're looking for, the fish species you can go after range from Cobia and Kingfish to the likes of Mahi Mahi, Marlin, Sailfish, and Tuna. Of course, if you're here for the Tarpon bite, Capt. Jeff will be more than happy to oblige and have you dancing with the Silver King.

You'll be provided with all the necessary fishing gear, including quality Pen reels, as well as Quantum and Connley rods. You just need to make sure you have a valid fishing license with you, as well as a pair of polarized sunglasses. The Playin Hooky crew will take care of the rest!

Sign up with Playin Hooky Fishing Charters and get ready for a heart-pumping time in the waters of South Padre Island, Texas. Captain Jeff Hartung will work hard to put you on the fish and show you a real Texan fishing experience! Anglers of all skill levels are more than welcome aboard, Capt. Jeff will show newcomers how it all works.

You'll be fishing from a 30' Pursuit boat that runs on a pair of 170 HP Yanmar engines, and has plenty of room for up to 5 anglers. This versatile vessel is a great choice for both nearshore and offshore fishing. She's equipped with all the necessary safety and navigation gear, as well as a toilet below deck.

Depending on what kind of trip you're looking for, the fish species you can go after range from Cobia and Kingfish to the likes of Mahi Mahi, Marlin, Sailfish, and Tuna. Of course, if you're here for the Tarpon bite, Capt. Jeff will be more than happy to oblige and have you dancing with the Silver King.

You'll be provided with all the necessary fishing gear, including quality Pen reels, as well as Quantum and Connley rods. You just need to make sure you have a valid fishing license with you, as well as a pair of polarized sunglasses. The Playin Hooky crew will take care of the rest!

Jeff Hartung
Captain
Jeff Hartung
19 years of experience
Popular features
You keep catch
Toilet
Child friendly
Air conditioning
Ice box
Popular features
You keep catch
Toilet
Child friendly
Air conditioning
Ice box

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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Almost there...
6 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
US $1,200
Entire boat: up to 4 people
8 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
US $1,500
Entire boat: up to 4 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.8
16 reviews
4.7
Boat & equipment
4.9
Captain & crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (12)

Reviews (16)

  • Jerri Hoehn
    Jerri Hoehn
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2020
    5.0
    Verified

    Half day trip with Captain Jeff

    6 Hour Trip on September 27, 2020 • 2 adults

    I had a very difficult time finding a charter online that would fish the Gulf side of South Padre Island. Jeff was an excellent catch. He specializes in deep sea fishing and is open to tayloring the trip to meet your needs. Worth every penny.

  • Matt Roth
    Matt Roth
    us
    Kansas, US
    Member since 2020
    5.0
    Verified

    6 hour trip

    6 Hour Trip on November 13, 2020 • 4 adults

    Captain Jeff was great! His gear was nice and he was great at finding the fish and rebating quickly when needed. We limited out on snapper quick and had some other great catches as well!

  • Robert Coolbaugh
    Robert Coolbaugh
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2020
    5.0
    Verified

    8 hour trip

    8 Hour Trip on July 14, 2020 • 5 adults

    We had a great time with Captain Jeff and will definitely be doing it again.

  • Tiffany Estrada
    Tiffany Estrada
    Repeat angler
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2019
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    6 Hour trip with Jeff

    6 Hour Trip on August 17, 2020 • 4 adults

    Amazing trip! Definitely would recommend!

  • Marcos Serda
    Marcos Serda
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2019
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Jeff

    8 Hour Trip – Tarpon on June 29, 2019 • 5 adults

    Great time caught lots of fish was fun will come out again

  • Levon Barragan
    Levon Barragan
    Repeat angler
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2019
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    July fishing trip

    8 Hour Trip – Deep Sea on July 10, 2019 • 2 adults
  • Adam Scott
    Adam Scott
    Repeat angler
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2020
    6 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Jeff

    6 Hour Trip on July 13, 2020 • 5 adults • 3 children

    Been on a lot of fishing trips, but this one takes the cake. Went out to catch Red Snapper came back with a great memory. After limiting early on big snapper, we went goofing off looking something else. Came across a Ling and then a Sailfish. We hooked the Sailfish and my son got to bring him. Captain Jeff made it happen. Great trip!!!

  • Jason Hooks
    Jason Hooks
    Member since 2020
    5.0
    Verified

    Half day trip with Capt Jeff

    6 Hour Trip on July 5, 2020 • 5 adults • 2 children

    Fantastic day on the water. Capt Jeff was able to get the whole family involved and we all pulled in multiple fish. Thank you for a great day.

  • Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2020
    5.0
    Verified

    August fishing trip

    8 Hour Trip on August 3, 2020 • 2 adults
  • Bryan Edgar
    Bryan Edgar
    Repeat angler
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2017
    4 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Jeff

    8 Hour Trip on July 10, 2020 • 4 adults • 2 children

FAQs about Playin Hooky Fishing Charters

Playin Hooky Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $1,200 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 6 Hour Trip (6 hours)
  • US $1,500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Playin Hooky Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Air conditioning
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live bait well
  • Outriggers
  • Ice box
  • Radar
Trips booked with Playin Hooky Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
Playin Hooky Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Offshore fishing
  • Reef fishing
  • Wreck fishing
Playin Hooky Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Jigging
  • Fly fishing
  • Drift fishing
  • Deep sea fishing
Top targeted fish species with Playin Hooky Fishing Charters include:
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Marlin (White)
  • Sailfish
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Swordfish
  • Tarpon
  • Tuna (Blackfin)
  • Wahoo

Your captain

Jeff Hartung
Jeff Hartung
South Padre Island, Texas, United States
16 Customer reviews
Typical response within 18 hours
Member since August 2018
Captain Jeff Hartung has been fishing since he was a kid, and there's nothing he'd rather be doing for a living than getting more people invested in the world of fishing. He's been fishing offshore for more than a decade now, and always aims to ensure everybody on the boat is having a good time angling!
Jeff Hartung
Jeff Hartung
16
reviews
2018
member since
~18h
response
Captain Jeff Hartung has been fishing since he was a kid, and there's nothing he'd rather be doing for a living than getting more people invested in the world of fishing. He's been fishing offshore for more than a decade now, and always aims to ensure everybody on the boat is having a good time angling!

The fish you can target

Cobia
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
Sailfish
Sailfish
Red Snapper
Red Snapper
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
Swordfish
Swordfish
Tarpon
Tarpon
Blackfin Tuna
Blackfin Tuna
Wahoo
Wahoo
Cobia
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin

Real catches by this captain

  • A group of anglers proudly posing in front of a catch board displaying an impressive haul of Red Snapper and Ling after a successful fishing trip with Playin' Hooky Fishing Charters.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Matt R.
    Matt R.
    Captain Jeff was great! His gear was nice and he was great at finding the fish and rebating quickly when needed. We limited out on snapper quick and had some other great catches as well!
  • Two women posing in front of a catch board displaying several Red Snapper after a successful fishing trip with Playin' Hooky Fishing Charters.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Jerri H.
    Jerri H.
    I had a very difficult time finding a charter online that would fish the Gulf side of South Padre Island. Jeff was an excellent catch. He specializes in deep sea fishing and is open to tayloring the trip to meet your needs. Worth every penny.
  • A vibrant display of freshly caught fish, including Snapper and Kingfish, arranged on a board at Playin' Hooky Fishing Charters, with smiling customers in the foreground.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Tiffany E.
    Tiffany E.
    Amazing trip! Definitely would recommend!
  • A group of anglers proudly posing with a display of freshly caught Snapper and Kingfish at Playin' Hooky Fishing Charters, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Tony I.
    Tony I.
  • Offshore fishing boat cockpit featuring multiple rods, heavy-duty reels, and organized rod holders, with anglers aboard in coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Robert C.
    Robert C.
    We had a great time with Captain Jeff and will definitely be doing it again.
  • July fishing trip
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Levon B.
    Levon B.
  • Adult angler holding a fishing rod aboard a center-console boat underway on open ocean, with rod holders, seating, and partial charter contact text visible near the console.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Marcos S.
    Marcos S.
    Great time caught lots of fish was fun will come out again

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Cabin cruisers
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
35 ft
Year built
1997
Boat manufacturer
TIARA
Boat type
Walkaround
Engine model
Cummins
Powered by
2 x 210HP
Max cruising speed
20 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Jigging
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
Air conditioning
GPS
Fishfinder
Live bait well
Outriggers
Ice box
Radar
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Lures

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 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.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child friendly
Ages 5 and older.
You keep catch
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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 3.5% charge will apply.

What’s biting in South Padre Island right now

CobiaCobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Marlin (Blue)Marlin (Blue)
SailfishSailfish
Snapper (Red)Snapper (Red)
Spanish MackerelSpanish Mackerel
TarponTarpon
Tuna (Blackfin)Tuna (Blackfin)
WahooWahoo

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Playin Hooky Fishing Charters
Playin Hooky Fishing Charters
4.8
(16)
35 ft
Group size 1 - 6
1 - 6
Fish 1
Fish 2
+10
6 hour trip • 6 persons
US $1,200