Rio Fishing Guide Service runs fishing trips around the Lower Laguna Madre where you can get some of the best Texas inshore fishing. Come explore these flats and target numerous species, including Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Black Drum, Pompano, Snook, and more. With year-round availability, these fisheries will have you spoiled for choice.

No matter how experienced you are, the vast flats, where crystal clear waters are just a foot deep, will have you coming back for more. You can try sight fishing, fly fishing, live, or artificial bait. These fish are real fighters! Still, even complete novices can try and get a tasty meal.

You will be fishing from a 24’ Shallow Sport Boats center console. Powered by a 250 HP Suzuki engine, she can reach speeds of up to 45 knots. The boat features GPS and a fishfinder, has an ice box, a live bait well and stores safety gear. Up to six anglers can come along and spend quality time with enough space for fishing.

Your guide for the day is Captain Ruben. He has been a fisherman for nearly a decade. He comes from a family of fishermen and has seen numerous customers catch the fish of their dreams. Ruben loves fishing and will make sure you have a nice day exploring the flats and backcountry waters.

All the fishing gear will be waiting for you onboard. You need to purchase a valid Texas saltwater fishing license. Also, pack food, drinks, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a camera. Kids are welcome to join the chase.

Invite your friends and come explore the fishing opportunities of the Lower Laguna Madre!



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
    US $425
    This morning trip will see you fishing the flats of the Lower Laguna Madre, chasing Redfish, Trout, Flounder, Snook, Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Black Drum, and Pompano. The fishing gear is waiting for you onboard, but you need to bring a valid saltwater Texas fishing license, food, drinks, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera. These trips are suitable for less experienced anglers too.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    US $425
    Come spend the afternoon chasing Redfish, Trout, Snook, Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Flounder, Black Drum, Pompano, and more. You will be fishing around the flats of the Lower Laguna Madre with Capt. Ruben. He will supply the fishing gear. You will need to bring a valid saltwater Texas fishing license, food, drinks, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera. These packages work for anglers with little experience too.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $550
    Spend the whole day around the flats of the Lower Laguna Madre, chasing Red and Black Drum, Trout, Pompano, Flounder, and more. You can fish with artificial or live bait (depending on availability). You will get all the fishing gear onboard, but need to bring along a valid Texas saltwater fishing license. These trips work the best for anglers with some experience or real fishing enthusiasts.

FAQs about Rio Fishing Guide Service

Rio Fishing Guide Service offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $425 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $425 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, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Ice Box

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

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

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

Top targeted fish species with Rio Fishing Guide Service include:
  • Black Drum
  • Flounder
  • Sheepshead
  • Snook
  • Spotted Seatrout

Meet the Captain

Ruben Riojas
Port Mansfield, Texas, United States
8 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
142 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.

About this listing

Targeted species

Black Drum Black Drum
Flounder Flounder
Sheepshead Sheepshead
Snook Snook

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
6 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.

Port Mansfield Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 19 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (11)
Great Experience and Fishing
Great Experience and Fishing
Fishing with Ruben
+8
Angler rating
17
1
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
89%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
81%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 19 reviews
Delfino D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Experience and Fishing

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (AM) on March 14, 2024
Captain Ruben is an outstanding guide and very knowledgeable of the area! He provides excellent service, care and does all...
Delfino D. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service
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  Ruben Riojas Captain replied

Daniel C.
Bryan, Texas
Very good
3.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Good
3.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Ruben

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 15, 2023
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  Ruben Riojas Captain replied

Mark L.
Corpus Christi, 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   Full Day Trip on June 4, 2021
Mark L. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Ruben Riojas Captain replied

Kimberly S.
Aurora, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Ruben

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on March 20, 2021
Kimberly S. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service
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  Ruben Riojas Captain replied

Rene C.
McAllen, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Afternoon with capt ruben

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on August 15, 2020
Capt Ruben is very knowledgeable and patient even when me and my son kept crossing lines. Capt showed us some new fishing techniques....
Rene C. recommends Rio Fishing Guide Service
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  Ruben Riojas Captain replied