Know what’s biting around Aransas Bay before you leave the dock.

Sciaenops ocellatus

Year-round availability. Bull reds (30-40+ inches) pack the Aransas Pass jetties in fall during the spawn run. Spring offers excellent slot red action on shallow flats.

Cynoscion nebulosus

Most popular inshore gamefish. Trophy trout (28+ inches) hold in deep guts in winter. Spawn bite is outstanding on shallow flats at dawn. Fall offers aggressive topwater action.

Pogonias cromis

Most consistent in cooler months. Excellent table fare when under 10 lbs. Large drum (30-50+ lbs) are common around the jetties in winter.

Paralichthys lethostigma

Famous 'fall run' in October-November when flounder migrate to Gulf passes to spawn. Excellent table fare. Gigging is popular in shallow water.

Archosargus probatocephalus

Peak fishing during cooler months when they spawn around hard structure. Infamous bait stealers — use small sharp hooks. Excellent eating.

Caranx hippos

Powerful fighting fish that travels in aggressive schools. Will blow up on topwater plugs. Not considered table fare by most anglers.

Elops saurus

Acrobatic leapers, great fun on light tackle. Not edible — mushy flesh. Abundant in warmer months.

Bagre marinus

Common bycatch in summer. Surprisingly good eating despite being a catfish. Handle carefully — venomous dorsal and pectoral spines.

Trachinotus carolinus

Excellent table fare — considered one of the best-eating fish. Winter surf fishing can be outstanding. Feeds on sand fleas and small crustaceans.

Menticirrhus littoralis

Year-round surf fishing staple. Uses chin barbel to find prey in sand. Excellent eating — firm, white, mild flesh.

Cynoscion arenarius

Good eating but softer flesh than speckled trout. Often found in sandy areas vs. grass flats where specks hold. No bag limit makes them great for fish tacos.

Scomberomorus maculatus

Fast, aggressive predators that follow bait schools. Excellent on the grill. Use wire leaders to prevent bite-offs.

Pomatomus saltatrix

Voracious predator with sharp teeth. More common in cooler months. Good fighter on light tackle. Use wire leaders.

Ariopsis felis

Extremely common year-round bycatch. Notorious bait thief. VENOMOUS spines — handle with extreme care. Not edible.

Lutjanus campechanus

Texas' most popular offshore species. Federal season typically opens early June. State waters (inside 9 nautical miles) are open year-round with different limits.

Lutjanus griseus

Excellent eating. Often found around structure. Can be targeted at the jetties in summer.

Scomberomorus cavalla

Premier nearshore pelagic. Follows bait schools and shrimp boats in summer. Fast strikes, long runs. Excellent smoked or fresh.

Rachycentron canadum

Curious fish that often hangs around surface structure. Aggressive eater and powerful fighter. Excellent table fare.

Megalops atlanticus

Ultimate sportfish. Acrobatic jumps and long runs. migratory along Texas coast in summer months. Sight-casting along beachfront is premier experience.

Multiple (Carcharhinus, Sphyrna spp.)

Blacktip, spinner, bull, hammerhead, and others common in summer. Often found around shrimp boat culling. Strong fighters.

Seriola dumerili

Powerful fighters — nicknamed 'reef donkey.' Often closed seasonally for spawning. Check federal season status.

Epinephelus / Mycteroperca spp.

Gag, red, and scamp grouper are all available. Deep-water species requiring longer offshore runs. Excellent eating.

Balistes capriscus

Good eating with unique texture. Closed season in summer months for spawning. Use stout gear — they pull hard and go to structure.

Coryphaena hippurus

Beautiful, fast-growing fish. Often found around floating debris and weed lines. One of the best-eating fish. Acrobatic on light tackle.

Thunnus atlanticus

Smallest tuna species in Gulf. Excellent sashimi grade. Winter bite can be outstanding around deep rigs. Fast and powerful for their size.

Thunnus albacares

Premier offshore gamefish. Requires long-range trips. Summer and fall offer best shots. World-class sashimi. Schools under shrimp boats and around rigs.

Acanthocybium solandri

One of the fastest fish in the ocean. Winter run (Oct-Feb) is legendary along Texas coast. Solitary hunters but multiple hookups possible. Excellent eating.

Istiophorus platypterus

Acrobatic billfish. Rare but present in summer months. Catch-and-release is standard practice. Incredible aerial displays.

Lobotes surinamensis

Unique-looking fish that floats on its side near surface structure. Excellent table fare. Often overlooked but highly sought after by knowledgeable anglers.

Sphyraena barracuda

Ambush predator around structure and rigs. Not commonly targeted but caught incidentally. Not recommended to eat due to ciguatera risk.

Chaetodipterus faber

Distinctive disk-shaped fish. Often found in schools around structure. Good eating. Fun on light tackle.

Makaira nigricans

Ultimate offshore big-game fish. Extremely rare from Port Aransas. Requires multi-day long-range trip to blue water. Catch-and-release standard.

Euthynnus alletteratus

Common around offshore structure. Often mistaken for baby tuna. Edible but not highly regarded. Great sport on light tackle.

Cynoscion nothus

Primarily found in offshore Gulf waters. Shows up near Aransas Bay passes during spring and fall migrations. Similar to sand trout but smaller.