Rockport, Texas · Cedar Bayou · Est. Bechtol Outfitters
Remote surf fishing, wade flounder gigging, and bay trips at Cedar Bayou — one of Texas' most legendary and least-accessed passes.
Book a Trip Learn MoreThe Destination
Cedar Bayou is a rare, remote tidal pass separating Matagorda Island and St. Joseph Island along the Texas Gulf Coast — and it's one of the most productive fishing corridors in the state. Accessible only by boat, the pass channels nutrient-rich gulf waters into the back bays, creating an exceptional habitat where redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and bull reds congregate year-round.
As a captain who has spent years running this stretch, I know the tides, the bars, and the fish. Whether you want to wade the surf at first light, walk the beach casting into the breaks, or gig flounder after dark — this is the place, and Bechtol Outfitters will put you on fish.
"A place so wild and productive, it feels like fishing Texas used to be."
What We Offer
Wade into the rolling surf or fish from the beach at Cedar Bayou. We target bull redfish, speckled trout, and black drum where the pass meets open Gulf water. This is Texas fishing at its most raw and exciting.
Wade · Beach Cast · Gulf SurfAn iconic Texas coastal tradition — wade the flats at night with a light and gig flounder in their natural habitat. Cedar Bayou's back-bay shallows are legendary flounder territory. An unforgettable experience for all skill levels.
Night Wade · Flounder · GiggingExplore the productive back bays and grass flats surrounding Cedar Bayou. We work structure, points, and tidal drains to find speckled trout, redfish, and flounder in the calm protected waters of Aransas and San Antonio Bay.
Trout · Redfish · Bay FlatsWhy Cedar Bayou
Cedar Bayou is unique among Texas coastal passes — accessible only by boat, flanked by two undeveloped barrier islands, and fed by the rich tidal exchange between the Gulf and the back bays. No crowds. No paved roads. Just birds, fish, and the sound of the surf.
As your guide, I've spent years learning this water — the seasonal patterns, the tide windows, the exact bars where fish stack up. You bring the excitement. I'll bring the local knowledge.
On The Water
Real trips, real fish, real Cedar Bayou — straight from the reel.
On The Water
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What Anglers Are Saying
Cedar Bayou blew my mind. We waded the surf at sunrise and the captain put us on bull reds immediately. I've fished all over Texas — this is unlike anywhere else.
The flounder gigging trip was a bucket-list experience. Wading the flats at night with a light, seeing the fish light up — and then eating them the next morning. Absolutely unforgettable.
The captain knows this water inside and out. We hit the pass on a falling tide and it was non-stop action. My son caught his first bull red. We'll be back every year.
Let's Go Fishing
Ready to experience Cedar Bayou? Fill out the form below and I'll reach out within 24 hours to discuss dates, trip details, and answer any questions.
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Follow along for trip reports, fish photos, and what's biting at Cedar Bayou.