Shallowrun Guide Service 

4.9/5 (334 reviews)
 
State licensed
 189 County Road 213, Matagorda, TX 77457, United States

Book a trip with Shallowrun Guide Service and come explore the waters of Matagorda Bay, Texas. You may qualify for a Loyalty Program so give Chad a call if your a repeat customer. Captain Chad works hard to provide his customers with service that is second to none. You will find him on Matagorda Bay fishing every day of the week – join him and bring home a catch to remember!

Step aboard a 24’ Transport SVT. Powered by a 300 HP Suzuki engine, this craft boasts a maximum cruising speed of 45 knots. Her sleek design allows you to navigate inshore waters with ease. There’s room on board for up to 4 passengers and children are welcome to hop aboard.

Capt. Chad fishes both the east and west Matagorda bays, allowing you to experience this magnificent bay complex to the fullest. Here you can chase after the Texas Trio of Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder. A variety of other popular fish inhabits these waters, too, such as Sheepshead, Black Drum, and small sharks.

While fishing Matagorda Bay, you will have a chance to try various methods such as back lake fishing, wadefishing, and drift fishing. Capt. Chad supplies top-notch gear, including Shimano or Penn reels matched with medium to light action rods. Fly fishermen are welcome to bring their own gear for some great fly fishing action, as well. You may also have fun fishing the jetties and surf & are always an option in these waters.

If looking to maximize your time on the historical waters of Matagorda, then book now. These trips will be a great day on the water and consist of cruising the bays, fishing and enjoying the stunning views.

Shallowrun Fishing Adventures provides bait 1qrt & all the gear you need. Just be sure to bring a Texas state fishing license with a Red Drum tag. If you plan to keep your catch, bring an icechest.

Come aboard and spend the day on Matagorda Bay fishing for some of the most sought-after game fish in Texas!

Chad Kraft

Captain

Chad Kraft

9 years of experience
 ID & credentials verified
 responds within an hour

Highlights

 Live Bait
 You Keep Catch
 Catch cleaning & filleting
 Child Friendly
 Ice Box
 Rods, reels & tackle

Plan your trip

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Almost there...
Fishing 5 Hour Shared Trip
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip (Sat, Sun)
Price for 2 people
US $340 
Fishing 5 Hour Trip – (AM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
Price for up to 3 people
US $500 
Fishing 5 Hour Trip (PM)

 In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago

FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 3:30 PM
Price for up to 3 people
US $500 
Fishing 7 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
7 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
Price for up to 3 people
US $600 
Fishing with rv hookup
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
2 Day Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
Overnight stay, liveaboard
Price for up to 4 people
US $750 
Fishing & Crabtrap Cruise
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
7 Hour Trip, starts at 6:45 AM
Price for up to 4 people
US $750 
There are 15 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 334 reviews
Boat
4.8/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (315)

Great fishing trip!
Great fishing trip!
CPT Chad is a true professional
+312

Angler rating

306
22
3
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

98%

Appropriate for children

98%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

98%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

93%

Showing 1 - 5 of 334 reviews
Shawn B.
Shawn B.
4.7/5

Experience:

4.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Got us on the fish

VERIFIED

Fishing & Crabtrap Cruise on May 22, 2025

Captain Chad did a great job getting us on the fish. He was also friendly and gave history lessons about Matagorda. We didn't get many keepers but had tons landed that were just a little short. Still a good day. The 9 hour trip with checking crab traps was nice, but by the end we all agree (including Chad) that it's too long of a day on flat bottom boat. He said the 9 hour + crab may not be offered in the future, but if it is I want to share that we did get 11 blue crab and 3 stone crab claws. I would definitely use Captain Chad's services again, and might even do so this fall, but it would be a 5-7 hour trip.

Captain Chad did a great job getting us on the fish. He was also friendly and gave history lessons about Matagorda. We didn't get many keepers but had tons landed that were just a little short. Still a good day. The 9 hour trip with checking crab traps was nice, but by the end we all agree (including Chad) that it's too long of a day on flat bottom boat. He said the 9 hour + crab may not be offered in the future, but if it is I want to share that we did get 11 blue crab and 3 stone crab claws....  

 Shawn B. recommends Shallowrun Guide Service

Emmanuel S.
Emmanuel S.
4.7/5

Experience:

4.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Rough Conditions But Great Captain

VERIFIED
NEW

Fishing 7 Hour Trip on June 21, 2025

Conditions were rough, water was super muddy, and there was a massive tournament in town. All of this resulted in a pretty slow day of fishing. However, Captain Chad worked his butt off to try to put us on the fish. He’s knowledgeable about the Bays, easy to communicate with, and really helped make the best of a bad situation. Will be reaching back out in October to try another trip with Chad!

Conditions were rough, water was super muddy, and there was a massive tournament in town. All of this resulted in a pretty slow day of fishing. However, Captain Chad worked his butt off to try to put us on the fish. He’s knowledgeable about the Bays, easy to communicate with, and really helped make the best of a bad situation. Will be reaching back out in October to try another trip with Chad!  

 Emmanuel S. recommends Shallowrun Guide Service
Chad Kraft
Chad Kraft (The Captain)
Replied on July 3, 2025
Tuff day with all the flood waters coming down and making the bays fresh. Thank you for the favorable review. Also, I have no idea why fishingbooker has featured this review. Just give me a call next time.

Clint K.
Clint K.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great day on the water

VERIFIED

Fishing 5 Hour Trip – (AM) on June 1, 2025

Capt Chad was fantastic. We had a great time on the water. I think we caugh every species of fish in the bay. We caught our limit of Specs and he made sure we had pics to carry the memories home. The few times the bite was slow he shared his knowledge of the area and the fisheries, before moving us to another hot spot. We'll definitely give him a call the next time we're in town.

Capt Chad was fantastic. We had a great time on the water. I think we caugh every species of fish in the bay. We caught our limit of Specs and he made sure we had pics to carry the memories home. The few times the bite was slow he shared his knowledge of the area and the fisheries, before moving us to another hot spot. We'll definitely give him a call the next time we're in town.  

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 Clint K. recommends Shallowrun Guide Service

Angie M.
Angie M.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great fishing trip!

VERIFIED
NEW

Fishing 5 Hour Trip – (AM) on June 25, 2025

Captain Chad was great. We limited out on trout. He even provided some pictures which was an unexpected bonus. If we are back in this area we will definitely book another trip with him. Highly recommend booking with him!

Captain Chad was great. We limited out on trout. He even provided some pictures which was an unexpected bonus. If we are back in this area we will definitely book another trip with him. Highly recommend booking with him!  

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 Angie M. recommends Shallowrun Guide Service
Chad Kraft
Chad Kraft (The Captain)
Replied on July 3, 2025
This trip was fantastic. And thank you Angie for the great review

Kevin R.
Kevin R.

Carrollton, TX

5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Matagorda Bay fishing trip with Capt Chad

VERIFIED

Fishing 5 Hour Trip – (AM) on May 14, 2025

Very, very windy day for our morning trip. We fished multiple locations trying to locate keeper fish. Redfish (5) all missed the slot cutoff length by 1”, but we caught limits on black drum and even a couple sheepshead. Croakers, a blue crab and a ladyfish were also caught. Catching about 30 fish, with the weather against us, is not a bad morning of fishing.

Very, very windy day for our morning trip. We fished multiple locations trying to locate keeper fish. Redfish (5) all missed the slot cutoff length by 1”, but we caught limits on black drum and even a couple sheepshead. Croakers, a blue crab and a ladyfish were also caught. Catching about 30 fish, with the weather against us, is not a bad morning of fishing.  

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 Kevin R. recommends Shallowrun Guide Service

...

FAQs about Shallowrun Guide Service

What are the trip rates for Shallowrun Guide Service?

Shallowrun Guide Service offers the following trips to customers:

  • US $170 per person - Fishing 5 Hour Shared Trip (5 hours)
  • US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Fishing 5 Hour Trip – (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Fishing 5 Hour Trip (PM) (5 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $50 per person after 3 guests - Fishing 7 Hour Trip (7 hours)
  • US $750 per group - Fishing & Crabtrap Cruise (7 hours)
  • US $750 per day per group - Fishing with rv hookup (2 days)
Which amenities are available onboard with Shallowrun Guide Service?

When you book a trip with Shallowrun Guide Service, you can expect the following amenities onboard:

  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box
  • Radar
What's included in the trip price with Shallowrun Guide Service?

Trips booked with Shallowrun Guide Service include:

  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (Shrimp when available. 1 quart)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Help is appreciated )
What types of fishing does Shallowrun Guide Service offer?

Shallowrun Guide Service offers the following types of fishing:

  • River Fishing (Colorado river)
  • Lake Fishing
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing (If conditions are great then I fish the surf)
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing
What fishing techniques does Shallowrun Guide Service offer?

Shallowrun Guide Service offers the following fishing techniques:

  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing (BYO fly gear)
  • Drift Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Shallowrun Guide Service?

Top targeted fish species with Shallowrun Guide Service include:

  • Black Drum
  • Flounder
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Sheepshead
  • Speckled Trout
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tripletail

Meet your captain

Chad Kraft

Matagorda, Texas, United States

ID & license verified
334 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since November 2017
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.

Captain Chad has been fishing the waters of Matagorda his whole life. You will find him on the water seven days a week. He offers his customers affordable rates and top-notch service.

Fish you can target

Black Drum
Black Drum
Flounder
Flounder
Redfish
Redfish
Blacktip Shark
Blacktip Shark
Sheepshead
Sheepshead
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout
Spotted Seatrout
Spotted Seatrout
Tripletail
Tripletail

Your boat

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
24 ft
Year built
2013
Boat manufacturer
Transport Cat 240 SVT
Boat type
Center console

Engine model
Suzuki
Powered by
1 x 300HP
Max cruising speed
44 knots

Where you can fish

River Fishing

Colorado river

Lake Fishing

Inshore Fishing

Nearshore Fishing

Offshore Fishing

If conditions are great then I fish the surf

Reef Fishing

Wreck Fishing

Flats Fishing

Backcountry Fishing

How you can fish

Light Tackle

Bottom Fishing

Spinning

Jigging

Popping

Fly Fishing

BYO fly gear

Drift Fishing

What's on board

GPS

Fishfinder

Live Bait Well

Wireless Trolling Motor

Ice Box

Radar

Included in the price

Rods, reels & tackle

Live Bait

Shrimp when available. 1 quart

Lures

Catch cleaning & filleting

Help is appreciated

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 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

Age 6 and above

You Keep Catch

Catch and Release Allowed

How to 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% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Matagorda right now

Black DrumBlack Drum
FlounderFlounder
RedfishRedfish
Shark (Blacktip)Shark (Blacktip)
SheepsheadSheepshead
Speckled TroutSpeckled Trout
15 people are looking at this charter.