What a Coastal Bend fishing trip costs
Private, group and family trips, party boats and lodges, based on the rates Coastal Bend guides published in October 2026.
Typical prices by trip type
Party boat (bay)
3.5 hours, walk-on, gear and bait included. Cheapest way to fish with a crew.
Party boat (offshore)
5 to 12 hours to Gulf reefs and rigs. Seas can be rough.
Private bay trip, half day
4 to 5 hours for 1 to 2 people. Add about $100 per extra person.
Private bay trip, full day
6 to 8 hours for 1 to 2 people. Most boats take 4 to 6.
Group of 4 on one boat
Same full day split four ways: about $175 to $240 each.
Trophy trout / Baffin Bay
Full-day wade or drift trips focused on big trout.
Lodge package
Lodging, meals and guided fishing. Prices drop with bigger parties.
Corporate / multi-boat
Guides team up boats for 4 to 20+ anglers.
Ranges come from published rates in our guide directory. Most private prices are per boat for 1 to 2 people, with about $100 for each extra person.
Private vs. group vs. family trips
Private trips are priced per boat. Two people pay the base rate, so a half day runs $500 to $600 and a full day $600 to $850. That's the best value for learning, because the captain works only with your group.
Groups split the boat. Four friends on a $850 full day pay about $213 each before the tip. Groups over 4 to 6 need a second boat; many guides team up for multi-boat trips.
Families save with a party boat (from $53 per person) or a shorter private trip. Several guides offer 4-hour family trips with reduced rates for kids, and kids under 17 don't need a license.
Costs people forget
- Licenses: $11 (resident) or $16 (non-resident) per adult per day.
- Tip: 15 to 20 percent of the trip price for the captain on a good day.
- Bait: some guides charge for live bait at cost.
- Fish cleaning: often included, sometimes $1 to $2 per fish at the dock.
- Deposit: commonly $100 or 50 percent, refundable for weather.
Ready to book? Compare guides or read how to choose a guide.