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SIGHT
FISHING THE CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS OF THE LOWER LAGUNA MADRE
FOR REDFISH AND SPECKLED TROUT SINCE 1985
Weldon
Charter Service is a south Texas saltwater fishing guide service based
in Arroyo City, Texas. Centrally located on the Lower Laguna Madre,
our charters may range from Port Mansfield to South Padre Island.
WCS offers fly fishing charters as well as lure fishing trips. Targeted
species include redfish, speckled trout and flounder.
OUR
APPROACH...
 Our
usual approach is to sight fish for redfish and speckled trout whenever
possible. Sight fishing can be done from the boat, poling, drifting
or wading the warm, shallow flats of the Lower Laguna Madre. Sight
fishing requires an angler
to spot and identify
gamefish and make an accurate cast in varying wind conditions.
We are always ready and willing to work with individual anglers with
regard to learning how to spot fish and cast to them.
Sometimes a charter includes
anglers of varying skill levels and even a mix of fly fishers and lure
fishers. We'll try to work with each angler throughout the day and combine
several different approaches in an effort to maximize everyone's opportunities.
Of course, the more people taken on one charter, the harder it is for
us to provide the individual attention that we strive for.
 From
novice to expert, the best opportunities and adventures are enjoyed
by all when an extended stay of two or three days is planned. It is
impossible to experience all of the different types of fishing the Lower
Laguna Madre has to offer in just one day.
 Early
in the morning, before the sun rises high enough for sight fishing --
and on days where cloud cover prevents us from sight fishing -- we'll
turn to other fishing techniques, such as stalking tailing fish, working
topwater lures and soft plastics over potholes and or flounder fishing.
These alternative techniques are usually done on the west side of the
bay system, which has a grassy bottom.
 Later
in the day we may have time to experience sight fishing at its best,
Florida or Bahamas style on the white sands of the east bank. The
Lower Laguna Madre offers over sixty miles of pure white sand flats
along the backside of the Padre Island National Seashore. The water
depth on the white sand seldom exceeds 12" to 14". This strip of heavenly
waters varies in width from several hundred yards to about a mile
wide. Most of our clients have never experienced
anything as beautiful and productive as the white sand flats of Padre
Island. It is the only place in Texas where one can experience the
combination of gin clear water over a white sandy flat.
Many times while fishing the white sand, we've seen grown men, experienced
fishermen, fall completely apart at the sight of an approaching trout
in the 25" to 30" range. They always describe it as being similar
to buck fever!
Sight fishing can be so exhilarating that we still get just as excited
over the last fish caught as we did over the first fish so many years
ago. Again, due to changing weather conditions, ever-moving fish,
and time constraints, it is always best to book at least two days
in a row. Of course, if you can only get away for one day, the possibility
of experiencing a perfect day in paradise is always worth it.
OUR
FISHING GUIDE POLICY...
 Once
you book a trip with us, we will attempt to contact you two or three
days in advance of your scheduled trip. At this time, we can go over
the current weather forecast and determine where we will be meeting
on the morning of your charter. If the weather forecast is not acceptable,
we can re-schedule your trip if you wish. Once you have elected to go
out with us, then we are both committed to following through with whatever
agreement we have made. We cannot control the weather, the behavior
of fish or the fisherman's abilities. Some days turn out to be windy,
sometimes the fish are extra spooky and won't hit but, fortunately,
many days are absolutely perfect! We feel badly when a client doesn't
catch a fish or when the wind and weather unexpectedly turn on us but
we cannot afford to give discounts or compensate you for any difficulties
you may face. No matter what Mother Nature throws at us, we will always
do the best we can to make sure you catch fish and have a good time.
GUIDED TRIP RATES
HALF DAY - 5 HOURS DOCK TO DOCK
ONE TO TWO PERSONS.................................$350.00
ADDITIONAL PERSON(S) ADD....................$ 50.00
EXTENDED HALF DAY - 6 1/2 HOURS DOCK TO DOCK
ONE TO TWO PERSONS ...................................$450.00
ADDITIONAL PERSON(S) ADD.......................$ 75.00
MAXIMUM FOUR ANGLERS PER
BOAT
DEPOSIT REQUIRED ON ALL CHARTERS........$100.00
A deposit is required to confirm your date!
Please note that we
no longer accept credit cards.
Corporate Trips and Larger Groups Welcome!
We often have requests
for large groups or corporate outings. Most any place you stay
on the Arroyo offers a lighted fishing pier for night fishing
and bar-b-que pits for cookouts. Please contact us for lodging
information. Also, there are some great golf courses not far
away for those who would like to add a round of golf to their
itinerary.
We
also offer cast and blast trips during dove season. Dove hunting
fields are so close to Arroyo City that we can easily fish in
the morning and hunt the entire afternoon.
When we need extra guides
to help us with larger groups, we have many good guide friends
to help us out. With advance notice, we can add as many guides
and boats as you need. Please contact us for more information.
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Things
you should bring with you
- Current fishing license
with saltwater stamp
- Good polarized sunglasses
(I use copper and vermillion colors)
- A hat or baseball cap,
- Rods & reels (spinning
reels work far better than baitcasters, 8 to 10 lb. test is
plenty),
- If using a fly rod,
seven or eight weight is normal,
- Wading accessories
(if you like to wade) may include wading or stingray boots
& wading belt with stringer and pliers,
- Tackle might include
a small assortment of your favorites (don't sink the boat
with stuff!),
- Sunscreen,
- Food & drinks (We'll
have an ice chest with ice for your food & drinks and
another in case you want to keep some fish),
- We always have plenty
of lures on the boat that we know will work for the type of
fishing we'll be doing,
- We also try to keep
an extra wading net on board as well as a few stringers, a
pair of wading boots, stingray leggings and sunglasses - just
in case someone forgets something,
- As for loaner rods
and reels, we offer our clients the use of 7' spinning rods
and spinning reels. We also have fly rods and reels in 6,
7, and 8 weights.
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Weldon Charter
Service - Our Boats
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The 21-foot Dargel
Skout is the original tunneled boat designed and built in the Rio
Grande Valley specifically for the Lower Laguna Madre. Powered by
the new Suzuki 140 h.p. Four-stroke engine, the Skout 210 is considered
the most sought after fishing package in South Texas. It's fast,
comfortable, and best of all--it's shallow!
Both of our Skouts are equipped with forward casting platforms,
center casting platforms, dual rear casting/poling platforms and
lots of deck space. Our boats are rigged for serious sight fishing! |
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