Charter Operator
Crystal Flats Guide Service

Member since September 2018 Port Isabel, United States
Background
Experience Premier South Padre Island Fishing with Captain Cliff Fleming Hello! I'm Captain Cliff Fleming, and my life is defined by the water. I grew up fishing the rich waters of the Rio Grande Valley, and by 8th grade, I was already guiding anglers to big saltwater fish. Decades later, my passion is just as strong—I'm still compelled to fish every single day. My mission is simple: To share this incredible experience with you! I am thrilled to teach seasoned anglers, vacationing families, and absolute beginners how to fish, all while feeding your minds with local knowledge along the way. Why Choose Captain Cliff? When you book a trip, you’re not just hiring a boat; you’re joining one of the most experienced guides in the area. Unmatched Experience: I am a US Coast Guard (USCG) Licensed Master100 ton/grt Charter Captain with decades of hands-on angling expertise in these specific South Texas waters. Top-Tier Gear: I provide state-of-the-art equipment and a high-quality vessel to ensure your bay fishing trip is comfortable and productive. Your Guide & Teacher: I'm known for being easy-going, friendly, and fun. I love teaching and providing informative commentary on the area, the ecosystem, and the best fishing techniques. Fishing the bountiful Texan waters with Captain Cliff Fleming is an adventure you'll never forget! What We're Catching South Padre Island offers incredible diversity! Our targeted species include both classic Texas game redfish, trout, Flounder and Drum.
Techniques
When the fish bites best? That’s a question the captain hears a lot. In general, some conditions are better for fishing than others. Here’s an overview of the best times to fish: Sunrise/Sunset: The times just after the sun rises and just before the sun sets (and for about an hour after) are among the best times to fish; The one hour before/after rule: The hour before and the hour after high and low tides; Keep your eye on the barometer: When the barometer is steady or rising, fishing conditions are generally good. If a storm is present, you can still catch fish because it still needs to hunt despite the poor; The captain's most common fishing techniques are spin fishing off light tackle using braided line in a 30 lbs shock leader of monofilament. Other ways are swimbaits, bottom fishing, humping, popping cork in live shrimp, sometimes by request Croaker can be arranged, sight fishing with plastics, topwater lures, and occasionally fly fishing, one of the captain's best-kept secrets.

Hey, we're Crystal Flats Guide Service

Port Isabel, United States
Background
Experience Premier South Padre Island Fishing with Captain Cliff Fleming Hello! I'm Captain Cliff Fleming, and my life is defined by the water. I grew up fishing the rich waters of the Rio Grande Valley, and by 8th grade, I was already guiding anglers to big saltwater fish. Decades later, my passion is just as strong—I'm still compelled to fish every single day. My mission is simple: To share this incredible experience with you! I am thrilled to teach seasoned anglers, vacationing families, and absolute beginners how to fish, all while feeding your minds with local knowledge along the way. Why Choose Captain Cliff? When you book a trip, you’re not just hiring a boat; you’re joining one of the most experienced guides in the area. Unmatched Experience: I am a US Coast Guard (USCG) Licensed Master100 ton/grt Charter Captain with decades of hands-on angling expertise in these specific South Texas waters. Top-Tier Gear: I provide state-of-the-art equipment and a high-quality vessel to ensure your bay fishing trip is comfortable and productive. Your Guide & Teacher: I'm known for being easy-going, friendly, and fun. I love teaching and providing informative commentary on the area, the ecosystem, and the best fishing techniques. Fishing the bountiful Texan waters with Captain Cliff Fleming is an adventure you'll never forget! What We're Catching South Padre Island offers incredible diversity! Our targeted species include both classic Texas game redfish, trout, Flounder and Drum.
Techniques
When the fish bites best? That’s a question the captain hears a lot. In general, some conditions are better for fishing than others. Here’s an overview of the best times to fish: Sunrise/Sunset: The times just after the sun rises and just before the sun sets (and for about an hour after) are among the best times to fish; The one hour before/after rule: The hour before and the hour after high and low tides; Keep your eye on the barometer: When the barometer is steady or rising, fishing conditions are generally good. If a storm is present, you can still catch fish because it still needs to hunt despite the poor; The captain's most common fishing techniques are spin fishing off light tackle using braided line in a 30 lbs shock leader of monofilament. Other ways are swimbaits, bottom fishing, humping, popping cork in live shrimp, sometimes by request Croaker can be arranged, sight fishing with plastics, topwater lures, and occasionally fly fishing, one of the captain's best-kept secrets.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(26 reviews)
Port Isabel
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $125

Fishing Reports

Great SPI Action Cap Cliff Fleming
Great SPI Action Cap Cliff Fleming
Jan 19, 2026 Port Isabel
South Padre Island is experiencing ideal weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 70 degrees and clear skies, making it perfect for fishing. Recently, anglers have had outstanding success targeting redfish and trophy trout over soft bottom grass beds with mixed potholes, Additionally, cut bait and live bait fishermen have reported steady action on redfish and drum east of Three Islands. The surf fishin is great. Shorelines with soft mud bottoms good, large schools of black drum have been the highlight of the week, with dead shrimp coated in garlic or fish bites proving effective. However, finding them becomes challenging when winds exceed 15 mph, making calm mornings before the cold front the most productive time. Speckled trout near the Intercoastal Waterway have been biting soft plastics, yielding keeper-sized fish. The Intercoastal Waterway is also filled with undersized speckled trout that can provide action with soft plastics or live shrimp on popping corks. Redfish and trout can be found up north along the ICW and into the flats from marker 13 to the mouth of the Arroyo Colorado. Bottom fishing on the gas well flat with cut bait has also yielded redfish when black drum are not present, requiring patience for extended periods. Live shrimp, although scarce, have been occasionally available; it is advisable to procure them a day in advance due to high demand on weekends. The South Bay Channels have also produced catches of black drum, as reported by Captain Cliff Fleming of Crystal Flats Guide Service.
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 26 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (88)
Will Fish any Time with Captain Clif
Capt Cliff
Capt Cliff
+85
Angler rating
22
3
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
95%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
92%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
92%
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5 of 26 reviews
Angela M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fish catching adventure with Capt Cliff

VERIFIED   5 hr Flats trip AM or Mid Afternoon on April 24, 2025
Capt Cliff greeted in the morning with a smile! Capt CIiff is laid back and keeps a level of professional skill in his trade....
Angela M. recommends Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF
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Jose E. D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Will Fish any Time with Captain Clif

VERIFIED   4 hr trip Am or Mid Afternoon on November 15, 2025
We Had a Great get away Time, My wife, Daughter and i had a great time Fishing! Captain Clif was Very Patient Teaching...
Jose E. D. recommends Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF
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Christopher L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Capt Cliff

VERIFIED   5 hr Flats trip AM or Mid Afternoon on October 13, 2025
Captain Cliff was a great guide for us.ย  He did wonderfully with my 11 year old.ย  We hooked in several fish and brought quite...
Christopher L. recommends Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF
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Sidney S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome

VERIFIED   5 hr Flats trip AM or Mid Afternoon on August 16, 2025
My kids and I had an excellent time. Definitely will be back.
Sidney S. recommends Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF
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Shane G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Iowa comes to South Padre Island

VERIFIED   5 hr Flats trip AM or Mid Afternoon on February 18, 2025
I had the best experience with my two twenty something sons.ย  We caught our limit in 2 hours, what an awesome day!ย  Captain...
Shane G. recommends Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF
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