If you want to explore some of Port Isabel’s hottest fishing grounds, including the world-famous South Padre Island, then join Captain Lou Austin and get ready to learn some impressive techniques! Capt. Lou prides himself on introducing guests to his unique “drift popping” method, so if you’re looking to reel ‘em in local style, come aboard Austin Fishing Services.

Capt. Lou has spent most of his life fishing the Lower Laguna Madre Bay system, and 40 years working as a professional guide. He’s proud to say he’s USCG-licensed, and loves using his knowledge and experience to help his guests have fun and catch fish. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a brand-new fisherman, his main purpose is to help you reel in the catch of your dreams. He loves teaching little ones how to land a catch they can be proud of, so bring the kids along!

You’ll be traveling to plentiful fishing grounds aboard a 24’. Shallow Master flats boats are perfectly built to tackle the waters you’ll be targeting, including jetties, shallow water bays, and the flats of South Padre Island. She can accommodate up to 4 guests, so bring the family along, or hold a friendly competition with your angling buddies! She’s decked out with all the necessary safety and navigational gear, as well as a wireless trolling motor so you can sneak up on your dream catch.

When it comes to the type of fishing you’ll be doing, Capt. Lou is well known for his “clickinpopping” technique. He perfected this method, which involves drifting and throwing a baited “clicking” popping cork into the water, in 1982, and loves teaching his guests the tricks of the trade. He’ll have you reeling in huge Redfish, Black Drum, Snook, Flounder, and plenty more.

You’ll be provided with top-quality rods and reels, as well as live bait and lures. Your trip also includes water and Gatorade – all this fishing is thirsty work, after all. Grab your fishing license and come aboard Austin Fishing Services for a true Texan angling adventure!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    US $475
    Usually, a 5-hour trip is all that's needed to reel in the catch of your dreams! Join Capt. Lou and head out to the productive fishing grounds around Port Isabel. You'll have the chance to reel in the "Texas Holy Trinity" – Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Flounder – as well as Black Drum, and whatever else is biting. Your trip includes live bait prepared in advance, as well as top-quality rods and reels. Anglers of all ages are welcome – Capt. Louis loves welcoming kids onboard!
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $750
    Spend a full day with your captain and get ready to cover more of Port Isabel's plentiful fishing grounds! If you want to reel in some impressively-sized Redfish, as well as Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and more, then this is the trip for you. Anglers of all ages and skill levels are welcome, so bring the kids along. You'll be provided with top-notch rods and reels, live bait that's prepared in advance, and water and Gatorade. Just bring a valid fishing license!
  • Private trip
    10 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $800
    If you're looking for the catch of a lifetime, then join Capt. Louis for this extended day trip. You'll have plenty of time out on the productive fishing grounds around Port Isabel to chase after Redfish, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Snook, and plenty more. Capt. Louis will have you trying out a variety of techniques to reel 'em in – his favorite is drift fishing using popping cork, but he'll use whatever it takes! Rods, reels, and live bait are provided, as well as water and Gatorade.

FAQs about Austin Fishing Services

Austin Fishing Services offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $475 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour Trip (5 hours)
  • US $750 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)
  • US $800 per group, additional US $150 per person after 2 guests - 10 Hour Trip (10 hours)

When you book a trip with Austin Fishing Services, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box Cooler with ice for your drinks and snacks/lunch

Trips booked with Austin Fishing Services include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Drinks ( Always bottled water and Gatorade on boat.)

Austin Fishing Services offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing (Usually in the shallow water bays also Jetties and )
  • Flats Fishing ( Lower Laguana Madre/Port Isabel-South Padre Island)

Austin Fishing Services offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Spinning
  • Popping (Using the "original Capt. Lou Austin clicking pop")
  • Drift Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Austin Fishing Services include:
  • Flounder
  • Redfish
  • Sheepshead
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Speckled Trout

Meet the Captain

Louis Austin
Port Isabel, Texas, United States
5 Customer reviews
Response time 6 hours
Member since September 2018
I grew up on the water and have been fishing since I was a youngster. As I was surrounded by water, it soon became my babysitter! I finished school, went straight into business, and still fished every time I got the chance. I've fished in Bass competitions for years, honing my skills and winning numerous tournaments. I got out of the business world and moved back to Port Isabel in 1977. I fished all of the next year and reacquainted myself with the bay. I attained my Coast Guard License in 1978 and have had 40 fantastic years on the water. I love my clients, and that I get to do what I love every day!

About this listing

Targeted species

Flounder Flounder
Redfish Redfish
Sheepshead Sheepshead
Snapper (Mangrove) Mangrove Snapper

Boat specs

Shallow Master (Flats boat) originally built in 2022. Powered by a 250HP Suzuki engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 48 knots.

Length
24 ft
Capacity
4 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Usually in the shallow water bays also Jetties and
Flats Fishing
Lower Laguana Madre/Port Isabel-South Padre Island

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Spinning
Popping
Using the "original Capt. Lou Austin clicking pop"
Drift Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box
Cooler with ice for your drinks and snacks/lunch

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Drinks
Always bottled water and Gatorade on boat.

Cancellation policy

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.

Listing policies

Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
5+ years old
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
Disabled Accessible

Payment

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
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 5% charge will apply.

Port Isabel Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.6 / 5
out of 5 stars from 5 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.4 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (2)
Fishing with Louis
Fishing with Louis
Angler rating
4
0
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
80%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Showing:
5 of 5 reviews
Lance T.
Manhattan, KS
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Louis

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip on June 1, 2023
My 3 boys and I had a great time!! Captain Louis did an excellent job showing my boys his fishing technique and was very...
Lance T. recommends Austin Fishing Services
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Lance T. recommends Austin Fishing Services
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Donald S.
Garland, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

June fishing trip

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip on June 7, 2023
Donald S. recommends Austin Fishing Services
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Donald S. recommends Austin Fishing Services
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Rudy P.
Smithville, Texas
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Louis

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip on October 3, 2020
Rudy P. recommends Austin Fishing Services
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Louis Austin Captain replied

Mike H.
Wellington, CO
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Louis

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip on September 3, 2020
Mike H. recommends Austin Fishing Services
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Mike H. recommends Austin Fishing Services
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Jesse R.
Good
3.0 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Bad
2.0 / 5
Crew
Good
3.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Louis

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip on June 21, 2021
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11 persons find this review helpful
You and 11 people found this review helpful
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11 persons find this review helpful
You and 11 people found this review helpful