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FISHING CALENDAR · TEXAS
Texas Fishing Calendar
Texas has 367 miles of Gulf coast: bays and the Laguna Madre for redfish, trout and flounder, jetties, and blue water off Port Aransas and Port O'Connor. Limits and closures come from the 2026–27 TPWD Outdoor Annual and the Gulf Council's 2026 calendar. Best months come from TPWD fish pages, Port Aransas tourism, and a Game & Fish magazine calendar.
Government fish & wildlife updates
- TPWD News Releases — Rule changes, closures and red snapper season updates
- Gulf Council – Federal Fishing Regulations — Federal Gulf seasons and the yearly calendar
Month by month
| Fish | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inshore saltwater | |||||||||||||
| Redfish (red drum) | 3 a day, 20–28 in. One fish over 28 in. allowed with the Red Drum Tag, plus one with the Bonus Tag. TPWD says reds spawn mid-Aug to mid-Oct near passes and beaches. Months (magazine — not official): Port O'Connor flats in Jun, Bessie Heights marsh in Jul, Port O'Connor jetties in Aug, McFadden refuge in Sep, Sabine Lake under the birds in Nov, Laguna Madre in Dec.[2][17][28] | ||||||||||||
| Speckled trout (spotted seatrout) | 3 a day, 15–20 in. One over 28 in. allowed with the Spotted Seatrout Tag, plus one with the Bonus Tag. Port Aransas tourism: Feb–Apr and Jun–Aug. TPWD: most common in shallow bays in spring and summer, then deeper water in fall. Extra months (magazine — not official): Jan, Mar, Sep, Nov and Dec.[3][18][26][28] | ||||||||||||
| Southern flounder | 5 a day, 15 in. minimum. Closed Nov. 1–Dec. 14 (bag limit 0), so only the second half of December is open. TPWD: the best time is the fall run to the Gulf, usually Oct–Dec, in channels and passes. Port Aransas tourism also says Oct–Dec.[4][5][19][26] | ||||||||||||
| Black drum | 5 a day, 14–30 in.; you may keep one over 52 in. TPWD: big 'bull' drum gather and are caught in February and March in deep bays, jetties and channels.[2][16][30] | ||||||||||||
| Sheepshead | 5 a day, 15 in. minimum. TPWD says they spawn in Feb–Mar in the Gulf near jetties, rock piles and reefs. No official best months found.[14][15] | ||||||||||||
| Tarpon | 1 a day, 85 in. minimum (release is the norm). Port Aransas tourism: Jul–Oct. TPWD: tarpon visit Texas in summer.[12][13][26] | ||||||||||||
| Tripletail | TPWD: tripletail move to the nearshore Gulf and bays from April to October; spawning peaks in July.[20] | ||||||||||||
| Offshore | |||||||||||||
| Red snapper | State waters (out to 9 nautical miles): open all year, 4 a day, 15 in. minimum, circle hooks with natural bait. Federal waters: opened May 22, 2026, 2 a day, 16 in.; still open on Oct. 5, closing date to be announced. Port Aransas tourism: Jun–Aug, peak Jun–Jul. Month (magazine — not official): Port Mansfield in Oct.[6][26][27][28] | ||||||||||||
| Gray triggerfish | TPWD lists a 16 in. minimum. Federal waters: 1 a day, 15 in. fork length, closed Jan–Feb and Jun–Jul. No official best months found.[8][25] | ||||||||||||
| Greater amberjack | TPWD: 1 a day, 38 in. minimum. The 2026 federal season opened Sep. 1 and closes Oct. 14. Gulf Council: federally closed Jan–Aug and after the fall season.[7][25] | ||||||||||||
| King mackerel (kingfish) | 3 a day, 27 in. minimum. Port Aransas tourism: year-round, running strong from late spring to early fall, with the best big-game fishing Jun–Sep. Port Mansfield in Oct (magazine).[9][26][27][28] | ||||||||||||
| Cobia (ling) | 1 a day, 40 in. minimum. TPWD: most common off Texas June through September; they go to tropical waters in winter.[10][11] | ||||||||||||
| Yellowfin tuna | Federal HMS rules apply offshore. Port Aransas tourism lists tuna as year-round; its deep-sea guide says tuna are most active in fall and winter but also abundant Jun–Sep. Sources differ, so no peak is shown.[26][27] | ||||||||||||
| Wahoo | Port Aransas tourism: year-round, best with other big game in Jun–Sep.[26][27] | ||||||||||||
| Mahi (dolphin) | Port Aransas tourism: Jul–Sep; its deep-sea guide says Jun–Sep is the best big-game window.[26][27] | ||||||||||||
| Sailfish | Port Aransas tourism: Jul–Sep; best in the warm summer months. Federal HMS rules apply.[26][27] | ||||||||||||
| Blue marlin | Port Aransas tourism: marlin are best in summer, June to September. Federal HMS rules apply; release is the norm.[27] | ||||||||||||
| Freshwater | |||||||||||||
| Largemouth bass | 5 a day (all black bass combined), 14 in. minimum statewide; many lakes have their own rules. TPWD: spawning starts when water reaches about 60°F, from February to May depending on the area. Months (magazine — not official): Choke Canyon in Feb, Lake Raven beds in Apr, Lake LBJ in May, Neches River in Jun, Canyon Lake in Oct.[21][24][28][31] | ||||||||||||
| Crappie (white & black) | 25 a day combined, 10 in. minimum. TPWD: they nest in spring when water reaches about 60°F. Months (magazine — not official): Toledo Bend in Jan and at the end of the spawn in May, the Angelina River in Mar, Lake Fork in Aug, Sam Rayburn brushpiles in Sep.[21][28][29] | ||||||||||||
| Catfish (blue, channel, flathead) | Blue and channel: 25 a day combined, only 10 of them 20 in. or longer, no minimum. Flathead: 5 a day, 18 in. minimum. Months (magazine — not official): Toledo Bend blue cats in Apr, Choke Canyon in Oct, Lake Conroe in Dec.[21][28] | ||||||||||||
| White bass | Months (magazine — not official): the spawning run on the Nueces River in Feb and the Sabine River above Toledo Bend in Mar.[28][32] | ||||||||||||
| Alligator gar | 1 a day statewide, and every one you keep must be reported within 24 hours. Trinity River: only fish under 48 in. may be kept. TPWD may close areas for up to 30 days when floods and warm water (68–82°F) make good spawning conditions. No official best months found.[22] | ||||||||||||
| Crabs | |||||||||||||
| Blue crab | No bag limit; 5 in. minimum across the shell, point to point. No egg-bearing (sponge) crabs. All crab traps must be out of coastal waters Feb. 19–28, 2027. No official best months found.[23] | ||||||||||||
Never keep: Never keep: Goliath grouper and Nassau grouper (harvest prohibited in federal Gulf waters); red drum from federal waters (closed).[25]
Bait & rig for each fish
Redfish (red drum)
Bait: Live or cut mullet, pinfish, blue crab pieces, and live or fresh dead shrimp.
Lures: Gold spoons, paddle-tail soft plastics on a 1/8–1/4 oz jig head, topwater walking baits, and shrimp imitations.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, 2–3 ft.
Speckled trout (spotted seatrout)
Bait: Live shrimp under a popping cork, live pilchards or pinfish.
Lures: Soft-plastic jerkbaits and paddle tails, suspending twitchbaits, and topwater walking baits at dawn.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, 2–3 ft.
Southern flounder
Bait: Live mud minnows, finger mullet and shrimp.
Lures: Soft plastics on a jig head dragged slowly on the bottom; Gulp! swimming mullet.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, 2–3 ft.
Black drum
Bait: Texas Parks & Wildlife documents cut fish, squid and shrimp, with peeled shrimp tails especially common.
Lures: Rarely; a slow jig tipped with shrimp.
Rig: A conventional bottom rig with a sinker and one or more single-hook drops is documented; a single drop with little or no weight is also described.
Leader: 10–30 lb fluorocarbon/mono is a common flats/inshore start; move to 40–80 lb around abrasive mouths, structure or large tarpon/snook.
Sheepshead
Bait: Fiddler crabs, live shrimp, sand fleas, oysters and barnacles.
Lures: Rarely; a small jig tipped with shrimp or fiddler.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon, 2–3 ft.
Tarpon
Bait: Live crabs, mullet, pinfish, threadfin herring and large shrimp.
Lures: Swimbaits, soft-plastic jerkbaits, plugs and flies; small jigs for baby tarpon.
Rig: A documented tarpon option is a live-line/live-bait rig using main line, leader, a circle hook and live bait without added weight. Component strength and size must match the fish and local rules.
Leader: A strong monofilament leader helps resist contact with the gill plate and tail.
Tripletail
Bait: Live shrimp under a cork.
Lures: Small jigs and shrimp imitations.
Leader: 30–40 lb fluorocarbon (add light wire for mackerel and bluefish).
Red snapper
Bait: Cut bait, squid and live pinfish or cigar minnows.
Lures: Vertical jigs.
Rig: A knocker, fish-finder, dropper or simple jig setup are common choices; use only enough weight to hold the strike zone.
Leader: 30–80 lb abrasion-resistant mono/fluorocarbon is a common starting range; increase around sharp reef or very large fish.
Gray triggerfish
Bait: Florida FWC documents squid or cut bait for gray triggerfish.
Lures: Small jigs, soft plastics, spoons or micro-jigs are common choices; use the smallest lure that reaches the zone.
Rig: Simple dropper, knocker or light jig rig; keep hardware small and use only enough weight to maintain contact.
Leader: 12–30 lb abrasion-resistant mono/fluorocarbon is a common start.
Greater amberjack
Bait: Live blue runners, pinfish and large baitfish.
Lures: Heavy vertical jigs and big poppers.
Rig: A knocker, fish-finder, dropper or simple jig setup are common choices; use only enough weight to hold the strike zone.
Leader: 30–80 lb abrasion-resistant mono/fluorocarbon is a common starting range; increase around sharp reef or very large fish.
King mackerel (kingfish)
Bait: Live blue runners, goggle-eyes, menhaden and threadfin herring; frozen cigar minnows.
Lures: Spoons, diving plugs and duster-rigged baits.
Rig: Use a clean trolling or live-bait rig with minimal hardware, a strong swivel where needed and a leader long enough to protect against abrasion.
Leader: Wire or monofilament leader is documented; material choice, strength and length are not universally established.
Cobia (ling)
Bait: Live eels, pinfish, croakers, crabs and menhaden.
Lures: Big bucktail jigs (1–3 oz) with a long soft-plastic tail, and large soft eels.
Leader: 30–40 lb fluorocarbon (add light wire for mackerel and bluefish).
Yellowfin tuna
Bait: Live baits (blue runners, bonito) and chunks.
Lures: Spreader bars, skirted lures, poppers and stick baits.
Rig: Use a clean trolling or live-bait rig with minimal hardware, a strong swivel where needed and a leader long enough to protect against abrasion.
Leader: 40–100 lb mono/fluorocarbon is a common starting range; toothy species may need heavier abrasion-resistant or wire bite protection.
Wahoo
Bait: Rigged ballyhoo and live baits on wire.
Lures: High-speed trolling lures and lipped diving plugs on wire.
Rig: Use a clean trolling or live-bait rig with minimal hardware, a strong swivel where needed and a leader long enough to protect against abrasion.
Leader: Use heavy abrasion/bite leader; many wahoo anglers add short wire or cable because of the teeth.
Mahi (dolphin)
Bait: Ballyhoo, flying fish, squid and cut bait to keep a school near the boat.
Lures: Skirted trolling lures, small feathers and bucktail jigs.
Rig: Use a clean trolling or live-bait rig with minimal hardware, a strong swivel where needed and a leader long enough to protect against abrasion.
Leader: 30–60 lb mono/fluorocarbon is a common mahi start; increase for abrasion or mixed wahoo water.
Sailfish
Bait: Live goggle-eyes, pilchards, threadfin herring and ballyhoo.
Lures: Small trolling lures and rigged ballyhoo.
Leader: 40–100 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Blue marlin
Bait: Rigged ballyhoo, mackerel and live tunas.
Lures: Large skirted trolling lures.
Rig: Use a clean trolling or live-bait rig with minimal hardware, a strong swivel where needed and a leader long enough to protect against abrasion.
Leader: 40–100 lb mono/fluorocarbon is a common starting range; toothy species may need heavier abrasion-resistant or wire bite protection.
Largemouth bass
Bait: Live wild shiners.
Lures: Plastic worms, swimbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater frogs and crankbaits.
Rig: Float rig, Carolina/bottom rig, jig head or simple lure setup depending on depth and species.
Leader: Often 6–15 lb mono/fluoro; heavier leader is useful around abrasive cover or toothy fish.
Catfish (blue, channel, flathead)
Bait: Fresh cut shad, skipjack herring or other oily fish.
Lures: —
Leader: 25–50 lb mono, 18–24 in.
Alligator gar
Bait: Large cut carp, mullet or buffalo.
Lures: —
Leader: Wire or heavy mono — the teeth are sharp.
Blue crab
Bait: Freshly dead fish is documented as blue-crab trap bait by Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Lures: Not applicable.
Rig: Crab traps are a documented blue-crab capture method. Use only locally legal gear.
Leader: Not applicable.
Local fishing reports — what’s biting now
- TPWD Weekly Fishing Report — TPWD's weekly lake and coast reports, searchable by region
- Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine — Monthly bay, surf and offshore forecasts by Texas guides
- Texas Fish & Game — Texas fishing news and seasonal tips, fresh and salt
Sources
- TPWD – Saltwater bag & length limits (2026–27)
- TPWD – Drum bag & length limits
- TPWD – Seatrout bag & length limits
- TPWD – Flounder bag & length limits
- TPWD – Flounder Fishing in Texas
- TPWD – Snapper bag & length limits (red snapper 2026)
- TPWD – Amberjack bag & length limits (2026 federal season)
- TPWD – Triggerfish bag & length limits
- TPWD – Mackerel bag & length limits
- TPWD – Cobia bag & length limits
- TPWD – Cobia species page
- TPWD – Tarpon bag & length limits
- TPWD – Conservation Genetics of Tarpon
- TPWD – Sheepshead bag & length limits
- TPWD – Sheepshead species page
- TPWD – Black drum species page
- TPWD – Red drum species page
- TPWD – Spotted seatrout species page
- TPWD – Southern flounder species page
- TPWD – Tripletail, A Weirdly Wonderful Fish
- TPWD – Freshwater bag & length limits (2026–27)
- TPWD – Alligator gar special restrictions and reporting
- TPWD – Crab & ghost shrimp regulations
- TPWD – Largemouth bass species page
- Gulf Council – 2026 Recreational Fishing Season Calendar (PDF)
- Port Aransas Tourism – Port Aransas Fishing (species seasons)
- Port Aransas Tourism – Deep Sea Fishing in Port Aransas
- Game & Fish – Texas Fishing Calendar 2019
- TPWD – Black crappie species page
- Black Drum (Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine, March 2022)
- Best Months for Catching Big Bass Revealed (Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine)
- Discover the Excitement of the White Bass Run (Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine)
Checked October 2026. BigJoe does not invent facts: every month on this calendar comes from the sources above. Empty boxes mean no official source gives those months. Rules change — check the agency page before you keep a fish.
On the bay, in the mangroves or on the ocean, the everyday struggles get left at the dock — for those few hours it’s just you, the water and peace.