The 5 Best Fishing Destinations Along Texas' Dazzling Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast of Texas has long drawn visitors keen to dive into some fresh seafood or kick back on its breezy, sandy beaches. From underrated islands surrounded by pristine waters to some of the oldest cities in southern Texas, you'll find no shortage of alluring destinations along the nearly 370 miles that make up the Lone Star State's coastline. While many flock to these shores for all kinds of water adventures — including swimming, kayaking, and even surfing — plenty come to cast a line as well.

The waters off of Texas offer some of the best saltwater fishing in the U.S., with opportunities to hook into Gulf Coast species such as redfish, black drum, speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead, and larger fish such as king mackerel, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, and tarpon — which can reach sizes of up to 280 pounds. Whether you're casting from the beach, jigging from a pier, or hunting lunkers on a boat in the open water, Texas' Gulf Coast offers myriad opportunities to land a monster. The only question is where to go.

While the possibilities for saltwater fishing in Texas may seem endless, not every destination is created equal. Some places, due to factors including location, infrastructure, and local expertise, are much hotter fishing spots than others. Choosing just where to cast a line is half of the battle, so here are five destinations where you may have the best luck.

Situated on Mustang Island, the site of a mesmerizing state park with miles of beach, Port Aransas is often described as the "Fishing Capital of Texas" — and for good reason. The surrounding waters are rich in gamefish, including snook, speckled trout, and redfish, alongside big boys such as king mackerel, grouper, and red snapper. However, what makes Port Aransas such a terrific fishing destination is the fact that the fishery operates year-round. This means there are chances to hook into trophies 12 months a year, though what's available depends on when you come.

Port Aransas offers several types of fishing depending on the preference (and budget) of the angler. For easy access, there are several jetties and piers open for fishing, including the family-friendly Horace Caldwell Pier, which, as the town's longest, stretches 1,240 feet into the Gulf. "My kids caught 11 red and black drum in about an hour using dead shrimp we purchased at the pier," remarked one user on Tripadvisor. "This is a great place to take kids fishing." With 18 miles of beach on Mustang Island, surf fishing from shore is also popular, as is fishing from a kayak.

Charter fishing remains king, however. And while there are scores of professional operators to choose from, Just 1 More Outfitter (with Captain Frankie) is especially well-regarded. "We had an extremely successful fishing trip with Captain Frankie today. He quickly put us on a school of fish where we could fill our quota," said one reviewer on Tripadvisor. Meanwhile, another raved: "Fished with Frankie for a half day last week and we loaded up! Caught more red fish in that time than I've ever caught. Very knowledgeable guide and a great person to spend the day with."

A narrow bay situated about 70 miles south of Corpus Christi, Baffin Bay is one of the Texas Gulf Coast's most under-the-radar destinations, which is probably what helps make it so special. According to a blog post on Fishing Booker, "The bay isn't as well known as some of the other Texan fisheries, at least to out of state anglers. But no matter where you're from, this place has all the ingredients for an unforgettable day on the water."

Anglers can expect to get into plenty of redfish and flounder in Baffin Bay, though speckled trout are the star of the show. Most of the state's record trout have been pulled from its waters, which makes it popular with fly fishers who come to cast a line while sight-fishing. While you can head out to fish from a boat, wading tends to be the best method for hooking a big trout. Springtime is most productive, especially on warm afternoons after a chilly morning, when the fish swim into shallower water.

When it comes to guides, outfitter Fly Fish Rockport offers fully guided trips to Baffin Bay. There is also Baffin Bay Rod and Gun, a full-service, all-inclusive lodge on the waters of the bay that will undoubtedly get you into fishing. However you choose to cast a line, Baffin Bay will likely make a big impression —  even if you don't manage to land a monster.

As the name suggests, South Padre Island sits at the southern end of the 113-mile-long Padre Island, which is the largest in Texas. Known for its tropical charm, stunning wildlife, and miles of white sand beaches, South Padre Island is also considered not only one of the best places in Texas to fish, but perhaps the whole country. Deep-sea anglers flock there in hopes of landing a bucket-list species such as king mackerel, mahi-mahi, sailfish, or even blue marlin, while fly fishers wade the shallows in search of reds. Surf fishers can also get into plenty of feisty species, including speckled trout and the sought-after tarpon.

Fishers have plenty to say about the action on South Padre Island. "We reached our limit of speckled trout by 9:30 a.m., and the action was nonstop," wrote reviewer Todd Hayne on Fishing Booker. Similarly, fellow charter client Richard Clayton remarked: "We hit on some nice reds and trout and had a great time."

For an easier, family-friendly fishing experience, check out Pirate's Landing Fishing Pier, the longest in Texas. Complete with a tackle and bait shop, snack bar, a restaurant that will cook up your catch, and gear for rent, this facility has everything you need for a good day of angling — especially when it comes to fish in the water. "I always pull out at least 4 trout," wrote one user on Tripadvisor. Another reviewer had a similar experience, reporting, "Had a blast! Very friendly atmosphere! Caught whiting and several other fish."

Lying on the shoreline between Houston and Corpus Christi, Port O'Connor may be the best-kept secret on the Texas Gulf Coast. Once named "Alligator Head," this historic fishing village on the edge of Matagorda Bay offers a relaxed atmosphere, unspoiled nature, and terrific fishing. It's especially known for its speckled trout, flounder, and redfish, which can be targeted on foot, via kayak, or on a charter. The best time of year to cast a line in Port O'Connor is fall, when baitfish are abundant, fish are feeding, and the flounder and bull reds (big redfish) are on the move.

However, it's still possible to catch these behemoths in late spring and summer if you hit the water during certain lunar phases. "What's the biggest redfish you've ever landed? Does a 30-pound 40-incher sound exciting? What if I told you of an almost surefire guarantee to land a dozen or more this size and larger in a single morning?" wrote Everett Johnson in Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine. "It happens at Port O'Connor's Matagorda Ship Channel Jetties several days during new and full moon periods — May through October."

While Port O'Connor is most famous for its fishing, the area is also home to the Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area. This 56,688-acre reserve was once a state park but has since been turned back to nature, making it an essential habitat for alligators, coyotes, and deer, alongside a host of migratory bird species. Primitive camping is allowed on the island, and while you're there, it wouldn't hurt to unpack your rod and reel, as the waters surrounding Matagorda happen to be teeming with fish found up and down the Texas Gulf Coast.

Separating Galveston Island from the mainland, West Bay is home to bayous, canals, islets, bridges, and structures that fish just love, making the waters rich for fishing. Local species include the ever-present redfish, along with black drum, spotted trout, sheepshead, crevalle jack, and flounder, all of which can be caught on a fly rod. These fish are drawn into West Bay by the sheer amount of food available. The waters contain an abundance of biomass, mainly in the form of baitfish, crab, and shrimp, and this, plus the variety of natural and human-made features, leads to some good fishing.

Fishing writer Robert Sloan confirmed this in an article in Texas Outdoors Journal. Sloan wrote that, "Then as we approached a major feeding time, I got the first blow up. For the next couple of hours the two of us strung solid trout with three reds mixed in. Once again West Bay had not disappointed us. In fact, that early summer morning was just about as fine as fishing gets along the upper Texas coast." 

While the fishing can get hot in West Bay, it can be tricky to navigate due to shallow water and under-the-surface obstacles such as shell reefs. Because of this, it's best to hire a knowledgeable local guide who not only knows where the fish are but also how to find them without damaging their boat.

To determine which spots made the cut of the top five best fishing destinations along Texas' dazzling Gulf Coast, we looked at a number of factors. First, we considered stories online, as well as sportfishing industry media that compiled collections of places and discussed where to go fishing on this stretch of coastline. 

We then looked at ratings and reviews for charter fishing outfitters, guide services, fishing piers, and specific locations on sites such as Tripadvisor and Google to get a good picture of what people can realistically expect to catch. Along with this, we also reviewed fishing reports from different times of the year and combined them with all of the other information to make a well-rounded, fair decision with regard to which destinations to include.