Heading out for a day of redfish fishing in Texas is an exciting experience. Nothing beats the thrill of testing your skills against these powerful and delicious fish.
With its 350 miles of diverse coastline, Texas offers an abundance of opportunities for anglers to target these hard-fighting gamefish. Whether you’re wading in the surf or chartering a boat offshore, this guide provides all the information you need to have a successful fishing trip.
From the best times and locations to target them, to lures and baits that are proven effective, this guide has it all! So get ready for some serious fun on the water – with redfish fishing in Texas, you won’t be disappointed!
Where to Find Redfish in Texas
As a redfish enthusiast, I’m always looking for the best places to catch these hard-fighting fish.
One of my personal favorites is Galveston Bay, where I can find plenty of clear waters and marshy areas full of redfish. Sabine Lake, Victor Braunig Lake & Calaveras Lake, Port O’ Connor, South Padre Island, East Bay, Aransas Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Laguna Madre are also great spots to try my luck with a rod and reel!
Fishing for Redfish in Galveston Bay
The sprawling Galveston Bay is a fish-filled paradise, glistening like a diamond in the sun as anglers try their luck at hauling in some hefty catches.
With its diverse habitat offering wide-open bays, lagoons, islands, and estuarine lakes, it’s no wonder that this Texas coast redfish hotspot draws so many anglers.
Redfish can be found lurking around structures such as jetties and rocks and oyster reefs. Live bait such as shrimp or finger mullet can be effective in catching them while a white-bodied lure with a chartreuse tail is recommended for jetty fishing to catch some monster fish.
The bay also offers plenty of family activities, historical architecture, fresh Gulf seafood, and unforgettable cruises to make your fishing experience even more enjoyable.
It’s an adventure waiting to happen!
Fishing for Redfish in Sabine Lake
Sabine Lake is a 90,000-acre saltwater wonderland on the Texas-Louisiana border, where anglers can find plenty of slot redfish, sheepshead, drum, and flounder in its murky depths.
All year round you’ll have opportunities to fish for these species using live shrimp with popping cork or Carolina rigs over shell and mud. The best time to target Redfish in Sabine Lake is during the high season from August to November. But don’t forget that January to July and December often hold good fishing too!
With the right knowledge and skills, Sabine Lake offers a wealth of potential for keen anglers looking to land some big catches.
Next up: Victor Braunig Lake & Calaveras Lake – two more great spots for Texas redfish fishing!
Fishing for Redfish in Victor Braunig Lake & Calaveras Lake
An angler’s paradise, Victor Braunig Lake & Calaveras Lake beckon with their fish-filled waters. They promise a treasure trove of secrets and surprises to those who dare explore them.
Red drums are plentiful in these reservoirs, making them a popular destination for sport fishing enthusiasts. Hybrid striped bass and catfish are also found in abundance here. Largemouth bass can be caught too, although they may not always reach trophy size.
Stinkbaits, tilapia, chicken liver, and shad are all effective baits to use when trying to land one of these catches. March through August is the best time to visit if you’re looking for redfish specifically; however, any time of year is a great time to try your luck at Victor Braunig Lake & Calaveras Lake!
From the calm waters of the lake to the sweeping views of the countryside beyond, there’s something special about this place that will make you never want to leave. Onward now then to Port O’Connor…
Fishing for Redfish in Port O’ Connor
You’ll find a unique and beautiful oasis on the Gulf Coast in Port O’Connor – boasting some of the best fishing around, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience!
On weekends, visitors can boat out to the refurbished 1852 Matagorda Island Lighthouse, now part of Matagorda Island State Park. The waters here are teeming with diverse species such as redfish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum, and striped bass.
Here are some tips for catching redfish at Port O’Connor:
- Oversized redfish are good on blue crabs or dead shrimp on the outside of the jetties.
- You can also wade in Grass Island in winter for trout fishing hot spots.
- Stick close to rocks where true monsters will be hiding while jetty fishing
- Don’t get too close to the shoreline when wading as the bottom tends to get muddy and soft
Port O’Connor offers a wide variety of opportunities for experienced anglers looking for their next big catch – so why not make this your destination and discover what all the fuss is about?
Now that you’ve read up on Port O’Connor, let’s move onto South Padre Island.
Fishing for Redfish in South Padre Island
South Padre Island is an absolute paradise for anglers, boasting amazing waters with a plethora of incredible species to catch – it’s almost too good to be true! Redfish fishing in South Padre Island varies moderately throughout the year.
The high season is August to November and the low season is January to February and June, making the island a great destination for all types of anglers. The waters are teeming with tarpon, snook, redfish, speckled trout, flounder, mangrove snapper, lookdowns, and jack crevalle which can all be caught off its shores.
With such diverse and plentiful fish to be found here, you can experience some truly memorable catches if you’re willing to take the time and put in the effort.
Taking into consideration the historical relics that lie deep at the bottom of South Padre Island’s local waters from its past as well as its beautiful beaches and outdoor activities that make it a perfect vacation spot – this Texas island should definitely not go unnoticed by any fisherman looking for his or her next big catch! Moving on eastward down the coast we have East Bay…
Fishing for Redfish in East Bay
Leaving South Padre Island, I headed east along the Texas coast to East Bay in Chambers County.
Here, I was hoping to find some of the large redfish that call this area home.
East Bay is known for having plenty of good speckled trout and flounder, as well as black drum and redfish.
To catch these fish, you’ll need a saltwater reel and a 9 or 10-weight rod, as well as lures that are big and bright enough for them to see in the murkier waters where they swim.
With the right setup, I knew I had a chance at landing some monster redfish lurking around East Bay!
Fishing for Redfish in Aransas Bay
If you’re looking for an exciting fishing adventure, look no further than Aransas Bay in the Texas Coastal Bend!
With its wide-open bays, lagoons, islands, and estuarine lakes, this is a prime spot to catch some of the biggest fish around.
Jetty fishing is an excellent way to target redfish here and anglers can expect to find monster fish hiding close to the rocks. The high tides in these parts make it difficult to locate fish but once you do, chances are good that they will be hungry and ready to bite!
Redfish Bay specifically offers great opportunities for popping cork and shrimp rigs as these waters are known for holding large concentrations of redfish and black drums.
There’s no better feeling than reeling in your catch after hours spent scouring the mangroves – so why not give Aransas Bay a try?
Moving on from here leads us right into Matagorda Bay where there is even more potential awaiting anglers!
Fishing for Redfish in Matagorda Bay
Matagorda Bay offers a wealth of angling potential, providing an exciting opportunity to seek out your next big catch. Whether you’re fishing from the beach or jetty, or wading in shallow waters, there’s plenty of opportunities to reel in some redfish.
Fishing with crustaceans such as shrimp and blue crab can attract redfish, sea trout, pompano, Spanish mackerel, and tarpon. Jetty fishing is also an excellent option for targeting larger fish that are hiding close to the rocks.
The Gulf of Mexico side provides a great chance for surf fishing during redfish season when they migrate from the bay into the gulf late fall. Be sure to check conditions before heading onto Matagorda Beach as swimming near jetties, piers and passes can be dangerous due to rip currents and undertow in that area.
With these tips in mind, any angler should have no problems finding success at Matagorda Bay. Onward then to Laguna Madre!
Fishing for Redfish in Laguna Madre
Heading to Laguna Madre, you’ll find a unique hypersaline lagoon with great potential for fly fishing and catching your next big catch!
The Laguna Madre is a long, shallow, hypersaline lagoon along the western coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Nueces, Kenedy, Kleberg, Willacy, and Cameron. With an average depth of four and a half feet, it’s ideal for redfish anglers looking to capitalize on the shallow grass flats.
The Intracoastal Waterway that runs through the Laguna Madre offers spoil islands created from dredging which can provide excellent structures for hiding redfish. As such this area offers some of the best chances for catching big fish without having to travel far.
With its unique environment and abundant wildlife, Laguna Madre is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a good spot to cast your line!
So what’s next? Let’s explore when’s the best time and season for redfish in Texas!
Best Time and Season for Redfish in Texas
The best time to catch redfish in Texas is during the fall season when they’re migrating from bay systems into the Gulf – so don’t miss out on this prime opportunity! August and September are the most productive months for anglers looking to land a big one, as this is when many of them move up onto shallow flats or nearshore reefs.
December, January, March, and April are not ideal times since these fish have gone deep into the water. Different locations in Texas may have different peak times for catching redfish; however, no matter where you’re fishing in Texas during the fall season, you should be able to find some success.
Beach fishing can be especially fruitful during this time of year as there will likely be massive schools of redfish running along the shoreline. Jetty fishing is also an excellent way to score some monster fish without having to travel too far; just make sure you stay close to rocks where larger specimens can often be found lurking.
Redfish migration patterns differ slightly depending on location but overall they tend to migrate outwards towards deeper water through late fall and early winter before returning back later in spring or summertime. It’s important to keep track of tide cycles when it comes to catching redfish in Texas because their movements can depend heavily on tidal flow.
Knowing when and where they’ll be at any given moment can give anglers a major advantage over their competition and lead them straight towards plenty of fish-filled fun!
Best Baits and Lures When fishing for Redfish in Texas
For anglers looking to land a monster redfish in Texas, the right bait or lure can make all the difference – and with so many options available, there’s sure to be something that fits any fishing style.
Here are some of the best baits and lures for Texas redfish:
- Topwater plugs such as the Heddon Super Spook Jr. and Rebel Jumpin’ Minnow are excellent for open bays, along jetties, and in the surf.
- The Cotton Cordell Jointed Red Fin is a great subsurface lure that should be used with a jerk-jerk-jerk retrieve.
- Gulp! Saltwater lures work well in both clear and murky water, with their Jerk Shad in New Penny color being especially effective.
- For murkier waters like Tybee Island, try using mullet, whiting, croaker or even live mud minnows for bait. Small blue crabs can also do wonders when fishing for Redfish, snook, and black drum alive.
Using the right bait or lure will make your chances of landing that dream fish much higher – but it’s also important to know where they’re feeding at any given time.
Knowing this will help you target them more accurately without wasting time casting around aimlessly hoping to get lucky. With this knowledge under your belt you’ll soon be wading through Texas waters searching for those elusive redfish!
Wade Fishing for Redfish in Texas
Wade fishing for redfish in Texas is an exhilarating and rewarding experience – even if you’re a beginner, it’s easy to learn the basics with a little research and preparation.
From Galveston Bay complex and Sabine Lake on the upper coast, to East and West Matagorda bays in the middle part of the state, down south to Baffin Bay or Laguna Madre, there are plenty of wader-friendly bodies of water to explore.
Port O’Connor is one of the most popular spots and here you can expect to find both trout and redfish. You’ll want to use smaller presentations like paddle tails or shrimp when targeting redfish while larger baitfish should be used for trout.
Winter wade anglers need to make sure they have the proper clothing, tools, and plan before setting out as these elements will help maximize results. Knowing what kind of lures or baits work best for each species will also improve your chances of success when fishing from shore.
With this knowledge in hand, you’ll be ready for a fun-filled day spent searching for that elusive monster redfish!
Charter Fishing Redfish in Texas
Exploring the hidden depths of Texas’ waterways and uncovering its treasures can be an exciting adventure, and charter fishing for redfish is the perfect way to do it. Hiring a guide in the cities like Galveston, Rockport, or Corpus Christi can make your trip even more enjoyable and successful as they know all the best spots to go.
Chartering a boat also allows you to enjoy a safe and comfortable fishing experience with all the necessary equipment provided. You can have access to areas that are difficult to reach by foot and get help from experienced guides who understand where and when redfish may be found. Plus, spending time on the water without having to worry about packing up or getting lost is a great perk.
Chartering a boat can take out much of the hassle associated with traditional angling trips, allowing you more time to focus on catching some of these prized game fish. Many charters offer customized packages, so you can tailor your trip according to your budget and needs. With expert guidance at hand, anglers of all skill levels are sure to have an unforgettable time while reeling in big catches!
Texas Redfish Limits and Regulations
You’re sure to have an epic fishing trip when you abide by Texas’ redfish limits and regulations – they’ll help you reel in some gigantic catches!
When fishing for redfish in the Lone Star State, it’s important to remember that it must be at least 20” but no more than 28” in length to be legally harvested. Additionally, the daily bag limit for redfish is three per person. If you happen to catch a bigger one though, don’t fret: One redfish over the maximum length can be kept each year with a red drum tag that comes with a fishing license.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is proposing some changes to the state’s saltwater fishing regulations for the 2023-24 season as well. These modifications include setting new size limits on spotted seatrout, changing creel limits on several species, modifying open/closed areas for certain species, and adjusting recreational possession limits of greater amberjack.
In other words, anglers should stay abreast of these updates if they wish to maintain compliance with Texas law while out on their next fishing trip.
When venturing out into the Gulf coast waters off of Texas’ coast make sure your tackle box is stocked with all necessary permits and licenses as well as knowledge of any recent changes or updates in local laws – this will ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience while abiding by all applicable laws and regulations.
With all of these tips taken into account, you’ll soon find yourself having caught a massive Texas-sized Redfish that was worth every bit of effort put into it!
Conclusion
At the end of the day, redfish fishing in Texas is an experience like no other. Whether you’re wading in shallow waters or chartering a boat for deep sea fishing, you’re sure to have a great time.
Redfish are strong fighters and always put up a good fight, making them incredibly fun to catch. Plus, they taste delicious!
If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure full of adrenaline-pumping excitement and delicious eats, then redfish fishing in Texas is definitely worth checking out.
Maria is an experienced writer and avid fisherwoman who has been passionate about fishing for as long as she can remember. With her extensive knowledge of fishing and its related equipment, she has become an authority in the industry. Maria regularly goes on fishing trips and explores popular fishing destinations across the US, such as Florida, to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques.
Maria’s love for fishing is evident in her writing. She writes blogs and articles that provide valuable insights and practical tips for beginners and seasoned fishermen alike. Her articles are widely read by fishing enthusiasts and are highly regarded for their depth of knowledge and engaging writing style. Maria’s favorite hobby when she’s not writing is fishing, and she spends as much time as possible on the water, learning new things and enjoying the beauty of the sea.
Maria’s dedication to fishing and her craft make her a trusted authority in the industry. Her commitment to staying up to date with the latest developments in fishing and sharing that knowledge with her readers is evident in the quality of her writing. Whether you’re a beginner looking to get started in fishing or an experienced angler seeking to improve your skills, Maria’s writing is a valuable resource that you won’t want to miss.
