Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

The Texas Gulf Coast offers excellent fishing opportunities for saltwater fishing. Here are some of the popular fishing spots and target species you can find in the area

1. Galveston Bay: Known for its diverse fishery, Galveston Bay offers opportunities to catch speckled trout, redfish, flounder, black drum, sheepshead, and more. The bay has plenty of fishing piers, jetties, and marshes, making it accessible for both boat and shore fishing. From East Bay to West Bay there are great fishing opportunities. Look for local guides that know the area you are interested in fishing for the best results.

2. Corpus Christi: Located on the southern Texas Gulf Coast, Corpus Christi offers great fishing options in both the bay and the nearby nearshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Popular species include redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder, and tarpon. The Packery Channel, Bob Hall Pier, and Corpus Christi Bay are well-known spots.

3. Port Aransas/Port O'Connor: These coastal towns provide access to excellent fishing in the bays, flats, and offshore waters. Inshore anglers can target redfish, trout, flounder, sheepshead, and black drum. Offshore fishing charters can take you after kingfish, red snapper, dorado, tuna, and billfish, depending on the season. Port O’Conner is home to one of the largest offshore fishing tournaments annually.

4. Rockport: Known as the "Fishing Capital of Texas," Rockport offers fantastic angling opportunities in Aransas Bay and nearby waters. Besides speckled trout, redfish, and flounder, you can also catch blacktip and bull sharks around the jetties. Rockport has been an annual family vacation spot for years with a nice pier to fish off of.

5. South Padre Island: Located near the southernmost tip of Texas, South Padre Island provides ample angling opportunities in the Laguna Madre and the Gulf of Mexico. Popular catches include redfish, speckled trout, flounder, snook, sheepshead, and drum. You can also go deep-sea fishing for mahi-mahi, snapper, grouper, and billfish.

Make sure to check local regulations, obtain the necessary licenses, and be mindful of fish size and bag limits. Hiring a local fishing guide or charter is a great way to maximize your fishing experience and learn more about the area. I personally love to wade fish the Texas City Dike area. I have had some great fishing experiences along the dike and at Moses Lake. Remember, never wade fish alone. Let friends and family know where you plan to fish, what time you plan to exit the water, and stick to it.