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Zach Dagel
Captain

Zach Dagel

Port Isabel, United States
25+ reviews
After spending four years in the United States Marine Corps, I returned back to Northern Minnesota to pursue my passion for fishing and hunting. After running a successful Guide Service in northern Minnesota, I sold it and started up Laguna Madre Guide Service in South Texas. My wife, Jill and I built a house in Port Isabel, right on the channel where I have the boat sitting right in the backyard. I enjoy shallow water fishing and putting customers on as many fish as possible in an outing.
Jill D.
Jill D.
First mate

Charter

Rating

5.0
26 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

All reviews (26)

Showing 1 – 5 of 26 reviews
  • Jessica Garcilazo
    Jessica Garcilazo
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    best last min trip

    4 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing pm • 2 adults

    the captain was amazing me and boyfriend had so much fun!

    Reported catch:
    Tarpon
    Response from Captain

    thank you very much guys it was a great time beautiful weather

  • Garrett Cole
    Garrett Cole
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Zach

    2 hr dolphin cruise 6 per • 2 adults
    Response from Captain

    👍

  • Chad Dickerson
    Chad Dickerson
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2024
    5.0
    Verified

    AWESOME GUIDES

    4 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing pm • 2 adults

    My son and I recently visited S.P.I and booked laguna madre guides to gobbay fishing and let me tell you the fishing and the guides a top notch...we were originally supposed to fishing with Zach bit due to a lower unit problem he couldn't go but he set us up with his partner John Martinez for a 4 hr morning trip. Day started out beautiful we were on the water and fishing by day break and within 30 minutes we had our limit of speckled trout.....we caught more but because of the size we had to throw them back...after our limit of trout we cruises around the bay and tries for some red fish. My son caught one small red and had another on but it snapped the line at the boat.....we had a blast and we will fish with John and Zach when we visit S.P.I again....no more capital Murphys for this guy ..the real fishing is with laguna madre..

    Reported catch:
    Redfish
    Speckled Trout
  • Anna Bosch
    Anna Bosch
    Repeat angler
    us
    Minnesota, US
    Member since 2024
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Successful trip

    8 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing (AM) • 5 adults • 1 child

    Zach took us out for a full day. We wanted to bring home fish to eat and he delivered. We caught enough sheepshead to feed the whole family many times over. He was very accommodating of my mobility limited father, as well as providing fishing guidance for my two kids. His equipment was all in great shape.

    Reported catch:
    Black Drum
    Sheepshead
    Response from Captain

    Thank you very much. I had a blast with you guys. Hope to see you in the future.

  • Cody Burgett
    Cody Burgett
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Great day on the water!

    4 Hour Trip – Bay Fishing pm • 4 adults • 2 children

    Captain Zach showed us a great time on the water. He put us right on the sheep head and within a couple hours we had almost limited out. Helpful & good with our boys. Our youngest, at 10 years old, had an absolute amazing time!… And usually he gets bored lol Definitely recommend

    Reported catch:
    Sheepshead
    Response from Captain

    I had a blast, Cody thank you very much

Real catches shared by our community

  • Laguna Madre Guide Service
    Laguna Madre Guide ServicePort Isabel, TX
    A young angler proudly displaying a striped fish while standing on a fishing boat, enjoying a day out on the water.
    Fish 1
    Sheepshead
    Cody B.
    Cody B.
    Captain Zach showed us a great time on the water. He put us right on the sheep head and within a couple hours we had almost limited out. Helpful & good with our boys. Our youngest, at 10 years old, had an absolute amazing time!… And usually he gets bored lol Definitely recommend
  • Laguna Madre Guide Service
    Laguna Madre Guide ServicePort Isabel, TX
    Two adult anglers pose beside a long display of multiple saltwater fish arranged on a wooden dock.
    Fish 1
    Sheepshead
    A steady school of sheepshead and redfish have been biting out by the jetties. We are catching limits of beautiful size sheepshead and chasing schools of big ole' bull redfish. I'm finding schools of fish using Garmin live scope. Live shrimp dropped into their face and you've got a bite!
  • Laguna Madre Guide Service
    Laguna Madre Guide ServicePort Isabel, TX
    An angler proudly displaying a large Speckled Trout during a sunset fishing trip, showcasing the vibrant colors of the fish against the evening sky.
    Andres M.
    Andres M.
  • Laguna Madre Guide Service
    Laguna Madre Guide ServicePort Isabel, TX
    Angler proudly displaying a Speckled Trout against a stunning sunset backdrop while fishing from a boat.
    Chad D.
    Chad D.
    My son and I recently visited S.P.I and booked laguna madre guides to gobbay fishing and let me tell you the fishing and the guides a top notch...we were originally supposed to fishing with Zach bit due to a lower unit problem he couldn't go but he set us up with his partner John Martinez for a 4 hr morning trip. Day started out beautiful we were on the water and fishing by day break and within 30 minutes we had our limit of speckled trout.....we caught more but because of the size we had to throw them back...after our limit of trout we cruises around the bay and tries for some red fish. My son caught one small red and had another on but it snapped the line at the boat.....we had a blast and we will fish with John and Zach when we visit S.P.I again....no more capital Murphys for this guy ..the real fishing is with laguna madre..
  • Laguna Madre Guide Service
    Laguna Madre Guide ServicePort Isabel, TX
    An angler reeling in a Blacktip Shark while fishing from a boat, showcasing an exciting moment on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Jack Crevalle
    Duke G.
    Duke G.
  • Laguna Madre Guide Service
    Laguna Madre Guide ServicePort Isabel, TX
    Dolphin leaping above choppy coastal water beside a moving boat.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Sheepshead
    The fish are biting! Sheepshead for dinner tonight! Bonus: dolphin fun!
  • Laguna Madre Guide Service
    Laguna Madre Guide ServiceRiviera, TX
    Solo angler proudly holding a large fish aboard a recreational boat on calm coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Black Drum
    Tynika B.
    Tynika B.
    We had an amazing time with Captain Zach. He was so informative and helpful. The boat was very nice and comfortable. Great for families or friends. We will definitely book again. Captain Zach made sure that we had a fun time and caught some big fish😀
  • Laguna Madre Guide Service
    Laguna Madre Guide ServicePort Isabel, TX
    Family group posing aboard a boat with a young angler displaying a large redfish over calm coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Black Drum
    Fishing on the tri-toon? Made this family fishing trip a success!! Lots of fish and smiles ? !
  • Laguna Madre Guide Service
    Laguna Madre Guide ServicePort Isabel, TX
    An angler proudly displaying a Speckled Trout while fishing on a Sun Tracker boat in open waters.
    Fish 1
    Black Drum
    The fish put the pressure on Captain Zach today. A little moving around and he found the boys from Wisconsin just what they came for. Limiting out on speackled sea trout, and added black drum.
  • Laguna Madre Guide Service
    Laguna Madre Guide ServiceRiviera, TX
    Adult angler proudly holding a large drum fish aboard a recreational fishing boat in calm coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Black Drum
    Kevin C.
    Kevin C.

What's biting with Laguna Madre Guide Service in Port Isabel

The weather is getting colder, but fishing is still hot. November is all about fishing inshore for Reds or offshore for Yellowfin Tuna – just choose your game, and anything's possible. 

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Close-up of a pelican's head, showcasing its distinctive features against a water backdrop.

Fishing in South Padre Island has been f

May 4, 2025 • Port Isabel
Catching speckled trout and redfish up shallow in the beautiful Laguna Madre, fishing bait and plastic. After the rain we had the last couple days Fishing should be on fire. The croaker bite is gonna start pretty soon. and we are looking forward to catching a ton of trout.
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A young angler proudly displaying a Redfish while seated on a boat, enjoying a sunny day on the water.

Yes I think they are biting

Apr 13, 2025 • Port Isabel
50 fish in the boat yesterday two different groups it’s wide open
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Two anglers proudly posing in front of a catch board displaying a variety of fish at Pirates Fishing Pier in Port Isabel, Texas.

Lights out

Mar 12, 2025 • Port Isabel
I had the pleasure of hosting a family from Minnesota, specifically Brainerd, which is adjacent to my former residence in Grand Rapids, MN, for an exceptional day on the water. This morning's fishing excursion at South Padre Island was outstanding, yielding a diverse array of fish. Although strong winds prevailed, my 26-foot Shallow Sport X3 ensured a comfortable experience, and the weather was beautiful. If you are interested in booking a trip, please do not hesitate to contact me at **hidden content**. I don’t go fishing. I go catching. Uscg #**hidden content** Tpwd **hidden content**
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Two adult anglers pose beside a long display of multiple saltwater fish arranged on a wooden dock.

Crushing big sheephead

Feb 19, 2025 • Port Isabel
A steady school of sheepshead and redfish have been biting out by the jetties. We are catching limits of beautiful size sheepshead and chasing schools of big ole' bull redfish. I'm finding schools of fish using Garmin live scope. Live shrimp dropped into their face and you've got a bite!
Show more
Angler proudly displaying a large Black Drum caught during a fishing trip, with a scenic coastal backdrop.

Crushing big sheep head in South Padre

Feb 17, 2025 • Port Isabel
We’re catching big sheep head on the jetties in South Padre Island with spring break coming give me a call. Let’s go catching.
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An angler proudly displaying a large Redfish while fishing from a boat in calm waters.

Giant redfish

Feb 8, 2025 • Port Isabel
Redfish bite has been off the hook at the jetties tons of oversized fish anywhere from 30 to 40 inches quite a few keepers mixed in and lots of sheephead. The bite has been fantastic. I’m running a trip this afternoon. Also, stay tuned.
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