1. Overview
Texas offers a remarkable year-round saltwater fishing experience. This article explores the best fishing destinations along the Gulf Coast, perfect for anglers looking to catch trophy fish.
2. Sabine Pass
Located on the Texas/Louisiana border, Sabine Lake hosts schools of trophy speckled trout and an abundance of redfish. However, the lake is particularly renowned for its flounder. The Texas State Record flounder was caught in the marshes surrounding Sabine Lake. Moreover, the brackish environment nurtured by the Sabine and Trinity rivers is home to black bass and bluegill alongside traditional saltwater species. For those planning a visit, accommodations can be found in the nearby towns of Port Arthur and Orange.
3. Galveston
Galveston Island is enveloped by waters brimming with speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. As the largest bay system in Texas, the Galveston Bay system features numerous access points, including walking and wading areas in various bays, jetties along the beachfront, fishing piers, the famed San Luis Pass, and Galveston Island State Park. Consequently, there are numerous lodging and dining options available, making it convenient for visitors.
4. Matagorda Bay System
The East and West Matagorda bays each possess unique characteristics. East Matagorda Bay, although relatively smaller, is abundant in oyster beds and hosts Texas-sized speckled trout. Conversely, West Matagorda Bay features a blend of deep holes and shallow grassy flats, making it a prime destination for anglers seeking redfish. Visitors can find accommodations in either Matagorda, near East Matagorda Bay, or Port O’Connor, located at West Matagorda Bay.
5. Rockport
Rockport is celebrated for its substantial populations of redfish, which are prevalent in the numerous small bays surrounding this charming coastal village. In recent years, both Rockport and nearby Aransas Pass have emerged as favored spots for fly fishers aimed at stalking redfish in the shallow waters or pursuing speckled trout, black drum, and flounder throughout the bay.
6. Upper Laguna and Baffin Bay
Baffin Bay is famous for its trophy trout catches, with the last two state record fish originating from this challenging bay. However, the Upper Laguna Madre, which connects to Baffin, is equally productive. Unlike Baffin, which features diverse fish-holding structures, Upper Laguna primarily consists of shallow grass and sand flats ideal for casting to redfish, trout, sheepshead, and black drum. Anglers can access these bay systems conveniently from either Corpus Christi or Port Aransas.
7. Port Mansfield
The small South Texas town of Port Mansfield has long been a hotspot for dedicated saltwater anglers. Although nightlife options are limited, if your focus is on catching trophy trout or targeting tailing redfish in shallow waters, Port Mansfield is the ideal destination.
8. Lower Laguna Madre
The narrow and shallow stretch of the Lower Laguna Madre, located between Port Isabel and South Padre Island, marks the southernmost saltwater area in Texas and remains one of the state’s most overlooked fisheries. Alongside good numbers of speckled trout and redfish, this segment of the Lower Laguna Madre supports a fishable population of snook, tarpon, and mangrove snapper. Anglers interested in offshore fishing will find some of the best opportunities just off South Padre Island.
