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, Verenigde Staten
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

Uitstekend
4.9 / 5
(32 beoordelingen)
Port Isabel
 Last booking: 4 days ago
 Directe bevestiging
Trips vanaf US $425

Fishing Reports

Jetty fishing is hot right Sheepshead ar
Jetty fishing is hot right Sheepshead ar
Feb 14, 2026 Port Isabel
Fishing Report - February 14th, Valentine's Day 2026. Lower Laguna Madre bay water temperatures 67ยฐ. Large sheepsheads are being caught in considerable numbers at both the North and South jetty, with live shrimp proving to be the most effective bait, although dead shrimp can also yield positive results. For optimal results, employ a bottom rig with a weight on the bottom; a 2 oz weight is recommended to maintain proximity to the bottom in strong currents. The Intercoastal Waterway, both North and South of Dunkins Bay, is home to an abundance of speckled trout in the clean, green waters. Purple worms with white squiggle tails are attracting considerable attention from the trout population. Additionally, thousands of puppy drum have been observed congregating just east of Duncan's house in approximately two feet of clean water. Large schools of substantial black drum have been located south of the gas well flat, roughly a mile off the Intercoastal Waterway, identifiable by the significant rumbles on the water's surface during calm conditions. Weather conditions have intensified, with winds reaching approximately 25 miles per hour on Valentine's Day. A weak front is forecasted to approach, but pleasant conditions are expected to return by Monday morning. Anglers are encouraged to capitalize on the current fishing conditions. During our recent excursion, we successfully caught numerous fish; however, our clients opted to retain only the trout. It is essential to practice responsible catch-and-release fishing to conserve our marine resources for future generations. This report is provided by Captain Cliff Fleming of Crystal Flats Guide Service.
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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

Beoordelingsoverzicht
Uitstekend
4.9 / 5
van de 5 sterren op basis van 32 beoordelingen
Boot
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4.9 / 5
Crew
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4.9 / 5
Ervaring
Uitstekend
4.8 / 5
Foto's & video's door recensenten (99)
Great Captain
the excellent fish cleaner the great blue heron
Speckled trout beautiful fish
+96
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96%
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100%
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Angela M.
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Algemeen

Fish catching adventure with Capt Cliff

GECONTROLEERD   5 hr Flats trip AM or Mid Afternoon op 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. raadt Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
je vond deze beoordeling nuttig
  Crystal Flats Guide Service Het charterbedrijf heeft geantwoord

Dan L.
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5.0 / 5
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5.0 / 5
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5.0 / 5
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5.0 / 5
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Port Isabel bay fishing

GECONTROLEERD   NIEUW  5 hr Flats trip AM or Mid Afternoon op Maart 4, 2026
Captain Cliff did an outstanding job today! Nice boat and tackle. Moved around to find the fish. Speckled trout and Red Drum....
Dan L. raadt Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
je vond deze beoordeling nuttig
Dan L. raadt Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
je vond deze beoordeling nuttig

Anna K.
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5.0 / 5
Ervaring:
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5.0 / 5
Boot
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5.0 / 5
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5.0 / 5
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Great Captain

GECONTROLEERD   NIEUW  4 hr trip Am or Mid Afternoon op Maart 1, 2026
Cliff was great to spend time with.ย  He was knowledgeable, low-key, and friendly.ย  We had a great day on the water and caught...
Anna K. raadt Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
je vond deze beoordeling nuttig
  Crystal Flats Guide Service Het charterbedrijf heeft geantwoord

Todd S.
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5.0 / 5
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5.0 / 5
Boot
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5.0 / 5
Crew
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5.0 / 5
Algemeen

On fish all day, great trip

GECONTROLEERD   NIEUW  5 hr Flats trip AM or Mid Afternoon op Februari 26, 2026
Fished multi species and with various tackle. Cliff was very knowledge and fun.ย  Highly recommended.
Todd S. raadt Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
je vond deze beoordeling nuttig
  Crystal Flats Guide Service Het charterbedrijf heeft geantwoord

David M.
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4.3 / 5
Ervaring:
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5.0 / 5
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4.0 / 5
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Zeer goed
4.0 / 5
Algemeen

We caught some nice black drum & trout!

GECONTROLEERD   NIEUW  5 hr Flats trip AM or Mid Afternoon op Februari 16, 2026
Capt Cliff got us on some nice keeper trout and black drum.ย  We had a nice day on the water. One note: On the main page under...
David M. raadt Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
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David M. raadt Crystal Flats Guide Service CAPT CLIFF aan
Markeer beoordeling als nuttig
je vond deze beoordeling nuttig