Fishing guide

Overview

Fishing on the Coastal Bend comes in four flavors: from a pier, from a jetty or the surf, from a boat in the bays, and on an offshore charter. You can do the first two without a boat at all.

The Rockport-Fulton visitor bureau says the nearby bays, Aransas, Copano and St. Charles, are well known for redfish, speckled trout and flounder, especially over the grassy flats and oyster reefs. Port Aransas has been officially designated the Fishing Capital of Texas, according to the town's tourism bureau. The bureau says bay fishing around Mustang Island commonly produces redfish, flounder, black drum and trout.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) says recreational anglers need a Texas fishing license with a saltwater endorsement to land fish in state or federal water. The exception is inside a Texas state park, where TPWD runs a free fishing program for fishing from the bank or a pier, and for wading in the surf at coastal parks. Park entry fees still apply, and bag and length limits still apply.

South of Aransas Pass, Lighthouse Lakes Trails Park - Kayak Launch opens onto the Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail. TPWD calls it the very first Texas paddling trail and describes outstanding fishing for red drum, spotted seatrout and flounder in the tidal channels and flats. TPWD also says a state law makes it illegal to uproot seagrass anywhere on the Texas coast.

What to do

Rockport & Fulton

The Rockport-Fulton visitor bureau says the Fulton Fishing Pier has bright LED lighting for night fishing, and is known for speckled trout, redfish and flounder. The bureau also lists the lighted Rockport Beach Breakwater Pier on the south side of the beach, and the lighted Rockport Pier at the end of Market Street.

Beacon Bait Stand
Fulton bait stand with live shrimp and the morning's fishing report.
First Light Fishing Charters
Captain Jared runs bay charters for redfish, trout and black drum, and moves spots quickly when the bite dies.
Fly Fish Rockport
Guided shallow-water skiff trips for redfish and trout with Captain Jeff Gibson and crew, fly or conventional tackle.
Fulton Fishing Pier
A 1,200-foot lighted pier into Aransas Bay, open 24 hours, with an attendant and bait available on site.
Rockport Bay Fishing Charters
Captain Brad runs bay trips for redfish, black drum, trout and the occasional small shark, and cleans the catch on return.
Rockport Beach Breakwater Pier
The fishing pier along Rockport Beach's breakwater, an easy walk-on option with the beach right behind you.

All places in Rockport & Fulton All Fishing & Birding

Lamar & Goose Island

Goose Island State Park has a 1,620-foot fishing pier. TPWD says you do not need a fishing license to fish from shore or pier in a Texas state park.

Sea Gun Bait
Bait stand on the Lamar side near the old Sea Gun site, handy before a Copano morning.

All places in Lamar & Goose Island All Fishing & Birding

Aransas Pass

Capt. Cady's 1 Bait Shop
Aransas Pass bait shop with live shrimp and tackle before the causeway.
Captain Joe's Seafood Bait And Tackle
Aransas Pass stop selling bait, tackle, and fresh seafood off the boats.
Capts' Bait Shack
Aransas Pass bait shack with live shrimp and honest fishing advice before you hit the causeway.
Fin and Feather Bait
Aransas Pass bait house on the causeway, a longtime first stop for live shrimp before a bay morning.
Ransom Road Bait and Tackle
Bait and tackle stop on Ransom Road in Aransas Pass, on the way to the flats.

All places in Aransas Pass All Fishing & Birding

Ingleside & Portland

The Corpus Christi visitor bureau describes Indian Point Pier as a long pier into the bay, suited to black drum, redfish and trout.

Anne's Bait House On The Bay
Bayside bait house between Ingleside and Portland with live bait and local fishing intel.
Corpus Christi Free Fishing Pier
Free public fishing pier off the causeway over Nueces Bay, lighted and open without a boat or a fee.
Indian Point Pier
Lighted fishing pier off the causeway between Portland and Corpus, with wide bay views and steady action for trout and drum.

All places in Ingleside & Portland All Fishing & Birding

Port Aransas

The Port Aransas tourism bureau lists several piers and the south jetty for casting. The south jetty is the Port Aransas South Jetty, and the city says you can fish from the granite jetties that mark the harbor or from the bulkhead around Roberts Point Park. For offshore trips, the bureau lists Deep Sea Headquarters, Port Aransas Fisherman's Wharf and Dolphin Dock Inc. among the offshore and deep-sea charters. It says charters may travel anywhere from 20 to more than 100 miles offshore, depending on trip length, the fish sought and the weather. Mustang Island State Park invites visitors to fish in the surf or kayak to fishing spots in the bay.

Blue Water Excursions
Private offshore charters with Captain Chad on a fast catamaran, plus dolphin and sunset tours.
Come And Take It Sport Fishing
Private offshore charters on a 45-foot Cabo with air conditioning and couches below deck, plus bay trips.
Deep Sea Headquarters
The main party-boat operator on the island, running 4, 5, 8 and 12-hour offshore trips plus a 3.5-hour bay trip.
Dolphin Dock Inc.
Party-boat deep sea trips of varying lengths with an air-conditioned store on site.
Island Tackle
Port A tackle shop with gear and rigging for the jetties and surf.
North Jetty (San Jose Island)
The jetty on the San Jose Island side of the channel, reached by the Port A jetty boat.

All places in Port Aransas All Fishing & Birding

Corpus Christi & Padre Island

The Corpus Christi visitor bureau lists piers you can fish without a boat. Cole Park Pier has shaded seating, lighting, fish cleaning stations and rod holders. Philip Dimmitt Municipal Fishing Pier has LED lighting, benches and fish cleaning stations. Red Dot Pier calls itself a lighted fishing pier and bait shop in Corpus Christi. Bob Hall Pier gives access to Gulf fishing from Padre Island, and Clem's Marina has submerged green lights for night fishing. Padre Island National Seashore offers surf fishing along the Gulf beach.

Bait Bucket
Corpus bait stand with live shrimp and croaker on the way to the water.
Billings Bait Stand
Old-school bait stand on the causeway with live shrimp and the day's fishing intel.
Bob Hall Pier
A 1,240-foot Gulf pier at Padre Balli Park, rebuilt after Hurricane Hanna and reopened in February 2026 with wider walkways and full ADA access.
Breakaway Tackle
Surf-fishing tackle maker and shop known among serious beach anglers for its casting gear.
Cole Park Pier
Fishing pier off Cole Park on the Corpus bayfront, free to walk and steady for trout and drum under the lights.
Cos Way Bait & Tackle
Causeway bait stand stocking live shrimp and tackle on the way to the island.

All places in Corpus Christi & Padre Island All Fishing & Birding

When to visit

Flounder rules deserve a look before any fall trip. TPWD says the daily flounder bag is five fish, except from November 1 through December 14, when the fishery is closed. Rules change, so read the current limits on the TPWD flounder page before you go.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to NOAA. Storms sometimes form outside those dates. Check the forecast from the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi and follow local officials.

When to visit the Coastal Bend

Getting around

The city of Port Aransas says fishing in its parks is governed by TPWD, and that all fishing in Port Aransas requires the proper license issued by TPWD.

The National Park Service says a valid Texas fishing license package, a license and an endorsement, is required to fish at Padre Island National Seashore, although exceptions may apply, and that licenses are not sold inside the seashore. The service says 2WD vehicles are only allowed on the seashore's northern beach and on its southern beach from mile marker 0 to 5, and that four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for driving on the beach.

The Corpus Christi visitor bureau lists jetty fishing at South Packery Channel Beach. The city says beach parking permits are required for designated areas of its Gulf beaches.

To reach Port Aransas from the mainland, the Texas Department of Transportation runs a ferry on State Highway 361 across the Corpus Christi Channel between Aransas Pass and Mustang Island.

Where to stay

Salty Breeze Cottage

Rockport & Fulton, TX

See the cottage