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Fishing Assistance for Texas Gulf Coast Saltwater Fishing

This page provides fishing information for the Texas Gulf Coast.  For the most part, these tips are based on first hand knowledge and personal experience.  They aren't gospel as far as catching fish goes but I've had pretty good luck using these tips.  The best way to learn is to observe others fishing that are catching fish.  Ask questions, but be polite and listen.  Not everyone is willing to share information but most local fishermen do.  Tight lines -Scott

When to fish:
It is generally best to fish during tidal changes, from the end of low tide through high tide and back.  When the tide is moving, fish that feed will become more active because bait fish are on the move.  As for weather, low pressure patterns will spurn feeding as well.  If you watch the weather-people, and they talk about high pressure, the larger fish will feel that atmospheric pressure, and are less likely to move.  Unless you can throw bait in front of their nose, you aren't likely to catch any large fish.

Black drum will spawn in the Spring, generally from March to April, and Red Drum, or Redfish, will spawn in the Fall, from late September to early November.  You can expect to catch very large fish during these spawning runs.  Bulls, or large males will run rampant through the Galveston complex and along the jetties feeding as much as possible before the spawn.  Flounder will do the same in November, and when the waters begin to cool before the winter.  Trout are plentiful almost year round, unless a serious cold front hits the area.  From May through September, you can catch almost anything throughout the Gulf Coast complex.

How to fish for the "Big Three":
Redfish: The surf provides excellent red drum fishing. The best artificial baits are the heavier spoons and slow sinking fish shaped plugs. Plastic worms are also effective bounced along the bottom. "Bull" reds are best caught with natural bait. Fresh cut mullet, larger live mullet (6-8 inches long) and blue crab are the best baits. Both single and double-drop bottom rigs are good. A heavy grabbing sinker is needed to keep baits stationary on the surf bottom. Tackle varies according to angler preference. Surf and pier fishers for "bull" reds prefer rods more than 10 feet in length and stiff enough to handle a heavy terminal tackle. Reels should be large enough to handle several hundred yards of 25-40 pound test line and reels should have a good drag system. For smaller fish (less than 10 pounds), the best rod to use should be 6 1/2 to 8 feet long, has a medium action, and has a two-handed grip to help the anglers in long distance casting. Reels should be able to hold at least 100 yards of line. Line strength will vary depending on what type of habitat is being fished. Heavier line (17-25 pounds) is needed when fishing around oyster shell, rocks, or pilings. Lighter line (8-15 pounds) is favored when fishing the grass flats. Leaders are optional, depending on line weight and where the fishing occurs.

Anglers must remember that there are bag and possession limits and minimum-maximum size limits on red drum. Be sure to be familiar with the regulations each year when fishing on the Texas Gulf coast.

Specks: Any light to medium action rod and reel combination is appropriate since most spotted seatrout caught are in the 2-3 pound range. The most popular terminal tackle for spotted seatrout is the popping cork rig. Best results are achieved by popping the cork periodically to simulate live action. By varying the retrieve, frequency of popping, and the depth of bait, the best action for the catching trout can be found. The best bait for catching trout is live shrimp. Live fish such as mullet or pinfish (especially croaker) and dead shrimp can also be effective. Spoons are very effective, particularly during the warmer months. Silver is probably the best color. Vary the speed and depth of the retrieve, as well as the weight and size of the spoon. A bucktail fastened to the spoon with the hook or a bucktail and hook trailed to 12 to 18 inches behind the spoon is often successful. Try the fish-like lures during the cooler months, although they can be effective anytime. They are especially good fished very slowly, during cold weather. When fishing shallow water during cold weather, some anglers move the point of line attachment from on top of the lure head to the snout tip to permit slower retrieval while keeping the lure off the bottom. Again, vary the retrieve, size, color, and weight. Floating lures have recently become popular with fishers stalking large trout in shallow water during the warm months. The movement of the lure at the surface may be especially enticing to trout.

Flounder: Flounder are taken by rod and reel or by gig. When fishing with rod and reel, light tackle offers both the greatest sport and best chance for catching flounder. Both artificial lures and natural bait can be used. Over barren bottoms, leaded plastic worms (worm jigs) are often very effective. In heavily vegetated areas, shallow-running spoons are best.   Flounder prefer live to dead bait. Live shrimp retrieved slowly along the bottom often produce excellent results. Killifish (referred to locally as mud minnows) fished in a similar fashion, is good bait. These fish can often be taken in large numbers with the cast or minnow seine.

What bait & tackle to use in the Texas Gulf Coast shore - Tell me what works for you!

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