# Aransas Bay System Seasonal Fishing Guide
## Aransas Pass, Port Aransas, Rockport, Texas

---

## AVERAGE WATER TEMPERATURES (Annual Overview)

| Season | Temperature Range |
|--------|------------------|
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | 58-67F |
| Spring (Mar-May) | 66-78F |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | 82-86F |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | 72-85F |

---

## MONTH-BY-MONTH FISHING CALENDAR

---

### JANUARY
**Water Temps:** 58-64F (coldest month)

**Top Targets:**
- Black Drum (excellent) - deep holes and channels, 5-15 lbs, hit dead shrimp/cut bait
- Sheepshead (excellent) - jetty pilings, rocks, structure; fiddler crabs and shrimp
- Trophy Speckled Trout (good) - 25+ inch fish stage over mud/shell in deeper pockets; slow-worked soft plastics
- Redfish (fair) - deeper channels and ICW edges, warmer afternoons

**Key Patterns:**
- Winter trout seek "potholes" (sandy depressions in grass flats that hold heat) and deeper guts/channels
- Fish group tightly in cold water - once you find them, stay on them
- Fish before/after cold fronts; avoid the front itself
- Slow presentations essential - fish metabolism is reduced

**Techniques:**
- Dead shrimp on bottom for drum
- Small hooks with fiddler crabs tight to structure for sheepshead
- Slow-worked soft plastics and suspending plugs for trout in deeper water
- Live shrimp under popping cork for redfish in channels

---

### FEBRUARY
**Water Temps:** 58-65F

**Top Targets:**
- Black Drum (excellent) - continues to be prime time
- Sheepshead (excellent) - peak of the spawn; heavy around jetties
- Trophy Speckled Trout (excellent) - big trout in deeper bay channels; January-February is peak trophy season
- Redfish (fair to good) - mudflats and grass lines where sun warms water

**Key Patterns:**
- Sheepshead spawn peaks this month - best jetty fishing of the year
- Trophy trout (25+ inches) hold in Lydia Ann and Aransas Bay deep pockets when water climbs into mid-60s after stable days
- Baffin Bay region known for trophy trout in winter
- Trout are relatively non-migratory but concentrate in deeper, stable water

**Environmental Triggers:**
- First warming trends get fish moving shallow
- Afternoon sun warms mudflats, drawing redfish
- Stable weather between fronts produces best bites

**Techniques:**
- Finesse presentations; lighter leaders in clear winter water
- Topwater can still work on warm afternoons
- Wade fishing deep edges for trophy trout

---

### MARCH
**Water Temps:** 62-72F (warming begins)

**Top Targets:**
- Speckled Trout (excellent) - transition from deep to shallow; very active
- Redfish (excellent) - moving onto grassy shorelines and flats
- Cobia (good) - first arrivals with warm fronts, nearshore around floating debris/rays
- King Mackerel (good) - early arrivals with bait schools
- Sheepshead (good) - still active before spawning ends
- Jack Crevalle (good) - large schools arrive with warming water

**Key Patterns:**
- Spring break bite: one of the most consistent bay bites of the year
- Bait pods move inshore as Gulf warms; predators follow
- Trout begin moving onto shell bars and grass flats as water hits 68-70F
- Redfish cruise grassy shorelines in Lydia Ann and Corpus Christi Bay systems
- Water temps climbing from low 60s to mid-70s

**Environmental Triggers:**
- Water hitting 68-70F triggers trout to move shallow
- First sustained warm fronts bring cobia and early kings
- Wind-blown shorelines concentrate bait

**Techniques:**
- Topwater lures over grass flats - early mornings
- Soft plastics over shell bars
- Sight-casting to cobia near surface
- Popping cork with shrimp for trout and reds

---

### APRIL
**Water Temps:** 68-75F

**Top Targets:**
- Speckled Trout (excellent) - full spawn mode on shallow flats; "Gator Trout" season
- Redfish (excellent) - tailing in No Prop Zones, shallow grass flats
- Cobia (excellent) - stacked between jetties and first rigs
- Flounder (good) - moving back into shallows after winter offshore spawn
- King Mackerel (good) - consistent action 5-15 miles out
- Spanish Mackerel (good) - nearshore
- Jack Crevalle (excellent) - large aggressive schools

**Key Patterns:**
- Speckled trout spawn on shallow flats over seagrass beds; this is trophy trout season (fish over 25 inches)
- Redfish tail in early morning on shallow flats (1-2 feet deep) in Redfish Bay
- Cobia peak: sight-casting to cruising fish is outstanding
- Seas remain calm, making offshore accessible

**Environmental Triggers:**
- 70-75F water = prime spawning temperature for speckled trout
- Seagrass beds become prime habitat
- Rising tides push fish onto flats to hunt
- Falling tides create "drains" where fish stack up

**Techniques:**
- Topwater for aggressive trout at dawn
- Live shrimp under popping cork
- Sight-cast to tailing redfish
- Vertical jigs for cobia around structure

---

### MAY
**Water Temps:** 74-78F

**Top Targets:**
- Speckled Trout (excellent) - still strong on flats
- Redfish (excellent) - shallow flats, tailing continues
- Cobia (good) - still around but tapering
- King Mackerel (good to excellent) - consistent action
- Flounder (good) - spring flounder bite before summer heat
- Spanish Mackerel (good) - nearshore

**Key Patterns:**
- Consistent bay bite continues; ideal for families and beginners
- Redfish still in shallow grass flats
- Trout active over shell and grass; topwater bite excellent early
- Last month of prime spring fishing before summer heat
- Prolific sheepshead run at Port Aransas jetties

**Environmental Triggers:**
- Water approaching 78F; bait abundant
- Southeast winds vs. north winds create different fishing patterns
- Bait shrimp and mullet moving inshore

**Techniques:**
- Topwater early, switch to soft plastics as sun rises
- Drift flats with live shrimp
- Troll spoons for kings
- Wading grass flats for redfish

---

### JUNE
**Water Temps:** 80-85F

**Top Targets:**
- Red Snapper (FEDERAL SEASON OPENS) - the main event
- King Mackerel (excellent) - peak numbers around shrimp boats
- Tarpon (good) - beginning to show along beachfront
- Mahi-Mahi (good) - weed lines within 25-40 miles
- Speckled Trout (good) - early morning topwater, then deeper
- Redfish (good) - slot reds in deeper channels
- Cobia (good) - still available through early summer
- Sailfish (fair to good) - 30-50 miles out

**Key Patterns:**
- Federal Red Snapper season opens June 1 (major draw for anglers)
- Summer offshore season kicks into high gear
- Inshore: early morning fishing critical before heat
- Tarpon begin migrating along beaches and channels
- Kingfish peak around shrimp boats; feeding on discarded bycatch

**Regulatory Notes:**
- Federal Red Snapper: 2 fish per person, 16-inch minimum (private anglers)
- State waters: 4 fish per person, 15-inch minimum (year-round)
- Greater Amberjack: check current federal status (closed Sept 2025-July 2026)

**Environmental Triggers:**
- Water in low 80s pushes blue water closer to shore
- Shrimp boats working offshore attract kings
- Early morning cooler surface temps encourage feeding

**Techniques:**
- Bottom fishing on reefs/rigs for snapper (60-100 ft)
- Sight-casting for tarpon in 15-40 feet of water
- Trolling for kings around shrimp boats
- Topwater at dawn for trout, then move to deeper structure

---

### JULY
**Water Temps:** 82-86F (peak summer warmth)

**Top Targets:**
- Red Snapper (excellent) - FEDERAL SEASON OPEN
- King Mackerel (excellent) - peak month; around shrimp boats
- Tarpon (excellent) - PEAK tarpon month along beachfront
- Mahi-Mahi (excellent) - July is peak month
- Cobia (good) - nearshore structure
- Speckled Trout (fair to good) - deep water, jetties, surf; early morning only
- Redfish (good) - slot reds in deeper channels
- Sharks (good) - catch and release; water above 78F

**Key Patterns:**
- Peak offshore season; tournaments begin
- Tarpon rolling in first and second guts; sight-casting prime
- Trout head to deeper water (ICW, jetties, surf) by 10 AM
- Calmest seas of the year; longest fishing windows
- Afternoon storms can build quickly

**Environmental Triggers:**
- Warmest water of the year = peak pelagic activity
- Weed lines and temperature breaks hold mahi and sailfish
- Shrimp boat activity concentrates kings

**Techniques:**
- Live bait or large artificials for tarpon
- Trolling for kings, mahi, wahoo
- Deep structure fishing for snapper
- Early morning topwater on flats for trout before heat

---

### AUGUST
**Water Temps:** 82-86F (hottest month)

**Top Targets:**
- Red Snapper (good) - FEDERAL SEASON OPEN through early August
- King Mackerel (good) - still abundant
- Tarpon (good) - still rolling along beaches
- Speckled Trout (fair) - deep water, jetties; lethargic in heat
- Redfish (good) - beginning to stage for fall spawn
- Sharks (good) - active in warm water
- Mahi-Mahi (good) - still available

**Key Patterns:**
- Maturing redfish in back bays begin ganging up, working toward Gulf passes for fall spawn
- Last month of consistent summer offshore action
- Inshore fishing slowest of the year midday; concentrate on dawn/dusk
- Some trophy trout remain in very shallow water but are lethargic

**Environmental Triggers:**
- First cooling trends toward end of month signal fall transition
- Redfish sense shortening days and begin pre-spawn staging
- Tropical systems can push fish and change patterns

**Regulatory Notes:**
- Federal Red Snapper season typically closes in early August (exact date varies yearly)
- Federal Gag Grouper season opens September 1

**Techniques:**
- Night fishing can be productive in summer heat
- Deep jetty fishing for trout
- Live croaker or shrimp for redfish staging in passes

---

### SEPTEMBER
**Water Temps:** 78-85F (beginning to cool)

**Top Targets:**
- Bull Redfish (excellent) - THE BULL RED RUN BEGINS
- Speckled Trout (excellent) - cooling water triggers aggressive feeding
- Flounder (good) - beginning to stage near passes
- King Mackerel (good) - still available nearshore
- Spanish Mackerel (good) - nearshore
- Mahi-Mahi (fair to good) - on calmer days
- Tarpon (fair) - tail end of season

**Key Patterns:**
- BULL RED RUN begins mid-September through November
- Huge adult redfish (30-40+ inches) gather for spawning migration
- They head from bays to offshore waters via passes
- Fish pack jetties, surf, and deep channels of Aransas Pass
- September brings "bull tides" (2-foot high tides) that help trigger the redfish spawn
- Cooling water triggers trout feeding frenzy - they bulk up for winter

**Environmental Triggers:**
- First strong cold fronts trigger fish movement
- Baitfish stage near passes and jetties ahead of winter migration
- Water dropping from low 80s triggers feeding response
- High tides help push redfish larvae into back bays

**Techniques:**
- Heavy tackle for bull reds at jetties (CATCH AND RELEASE - oversized)
- Cut bait, mullet, fresh shad for bulls
- Live shrimp under popping cork for trout
- Fast-moving lures for Spanish mackerel

---

### OCTOBER
**Water Temps:** 72-82F (cooling rapidly)

**Top Targets:**
- Bull Redfish (excellent) - PEAK of the bull run
- Flounder (excellent) - PEAK flounder season; staging before offshore spawn
- Speckled Trout (excellent) - aggressive fall feeding
- Spanish Mackerel (good) - nearshore
- King Mackerel (good) - 8-20 miles out
- Blackfin Tuna (good) - night jigging around rigs
- Wahoo (fair) - first strong cold fronts trigger the bite

**Key Patterns:**
- PEAK MONTH for Aransas Bay fishing overall
- Bull reds packed at jetties and surf - fish in 30-40 inch range
- Flounder staging near passes before offshore spawn
- Rod-and-reel and gigging action peaks mid-October through November
- Water drops from low 80s to mid-70s; fish feed aggressively

**Regulatory Notes:**
- Flounder gigging: 15-inch minimum (1 inch larger than rod-and-reel)
- Flounder season OPEN through October 31

**Environmental Triggers:**
- Water in the 60s to upper 70s = prime fishing temperatures
- First significant cold fronts push bait and predators
- Falling tides pull bait off back lakes into guts where predators wait

**Techniques:**
- Gigging for flounder in sandy transition zones
- Heavy tackle for bull reds at jetties
- Topwater for aggressive trout at dawn
- Live shrimp under popping cork
- Vertical jigs for blackfin around rigs

---

### NOVEMBER
**Water Temps:** 65-75F (continuing to cool)

**Top Targets:**
- Bull Redfish (good to excellent) - still running, tapering toward end of month
- Flounder (good) - through November 1-15 only, then SEASON CLOSES
- Speckled Trout (excellent) - best trout fishing of the year for numbers
- Wahoo (good) - triggered by strong cold fronts
- Blackfin Tuna (good) - night jigging
- Sheepshead (good) - returning to structure
- Black Drum (good) - beginning to show in channels

**Key Patterns:**
- Speckled trout feeding frenzy continues as temps drop
- Last of the bull reds; incoming tides best
- FLOUNDER SEASON CLOSES NOVEMBER 1 through December 14
- Wahoo move into 100-fathom curve with temperature breaks
- Fish moving toward winter patterns - deeper water

**CRITICAL REGULATORY NOTE:**
- FLUNDER SEASON CLOSED: November 1 - December 14
- NO harvest of flounder by any means during closure
- This protects flounder during their spawning migration to offshore waters
- 99% of harvested flounder in Texas are female - closure protects spawning stock

**Environmental Triggers:**
- Cold fronts becoming more frequent
- Bait migration to offshore beginning
- Water in upper 60s/low 70s = ideal trout feeding zone

**Techniques:**
- Fast-moving lures for aggressive trout
- Deep trolling for wahoo
- Heavy tackle for last of bull reds
- Structure fishing for sheepshead returning

---

### DECEMBER
**Water Temps:** 58-67F (winter settling in)

**Top Targets:**
- Black Drum (excellent) - deep holes, channels; steady action
- Sheepshead (excellent) - jetty structure, channel markers
- Speckled Trout (good) - deeper guts and channels
- Redfish (fair to good) - on warmer afternoons
- State-Water Snapper (good) - year-round in state waters

**Key Patterns:**
- FLUNDER SEASON CLOSED through December 14
- Flounder season REOPENS December 15 (check current regulations)
- Winter patterns fully established
- Fish retreat to deeper water for stable temperatures
- Reduced boat traffic = less fishing pressure
- Trophy trout stage over mud/shell on warm afternoons

**Regulatory Notes:**
- Flounder season reopens December 15 (if current regulations hold)
- Check TPWD Outdoor Annual for any changes
- Winter trout: deeper pockets in Lydia Ann and Aransas Bay systems

**Environmental Triggers:**
- Water stabilizing in upper 50s/low 60s
- Cold fronts push fish deep
- Warm afternoons between fronts can activate fish

**Techniques:**
- Cut bait on bottom for black drum
- Fiddler crabs tight to jetty rocks for sheepshead
- Slow-worked soft plastics in deep channels for trout
- Live shrimp for redfish on mudflats during afternoon sun

---

## SEASONAL MOVEMENTS - DETAILED BREAKDOWN

---

### Speckled Trout Seasonal Pattern

| Season | Location | Depth | Trigger |
|--------|----------|-------|---------|
| Spring (Mar-May) | Shallow grass flats, shell bars | 1-4 feet | Water 68-75F; spawning over seagrass beds |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Deep water - ICW, jetties, surf, channels | 6-20+ feet | Midday heat pushes fish deep; early AM only on flats |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Secondary bays, channels, bird activity | 3-10 feet | Cooling water triggers aggressive feeding; follow bait |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Deep guts, channels, potholes, offshore structure | 10-60+ feet | Cold fronts push to deeper stable water |

**Spawn Timing:** Protracted spawning season from late spring to early fall (primarily April-September). Spawning occurs inside bays over seagrass beds, dusk to dawn.

**Trophy Trout Notes:**
- Spring: Best chance at "Gator Trout" over 25 inches when they move shallow to spawn
- Winter: Trophy trout (25+ inches) stage over mud/shell substrate on warm afternoons
- Some jumbo trout remain in extremely shallow water even in summer but are lethargic and sight-fish only

---

### Redfish Seasonal Pattern

| Season | Location | Activity |
|--------|----------|----------|
| Spring (Mar-May) | Shallow grass flats (1-2 ft), No Prop Zones | Tailing in early morning light |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Deeper channels, edges of ICW | Slot reds in deeper water; beginning to stage for fall |
| Fall - THE BULL RUN (Sep-Nov) | Jetties, surf, deep channels, passes | 30-40+ inch bulls; spawning migration |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Deep guts, ICW edges, mudflats | Retreat to stable deep water |

**THE BULL RED RUN (September - November):**
- From roughly mid-September through November, huge adult redfish (27+ inches, often 30-40 inches) gather for their autumn spawning migration
- They move from bays toward Gulf waters through passes
- Peak: October and early November
- Target during incoming tides at jetties, Aransas Pass ship channel
- These oversized reds are CATCH AND RELEASE only (slot limit is 20-28 inches)
- Redfish spawn near passes and beaches; high September tides help push larvae into back bays

**Slot Limit:** 3 fish per person, 20-28 inches (one oversized allowed with proper tag)

---

### Flounder Migration Pattern

| Season | Activity | Location |
|--------|----------|----------|
| Spring (Apr-May) | Return to shallows after offshore spawn | Sandy pockets near grass lines, channel edges |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Resident in bays, scattered | Sandy bottoms, channel edges |
| Fall - THE RUN (Sep-Nov) | PEAK: Staging near passes before offshore spawn | Channels, passes, sandy transition zones |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Offshore spawning grounds | Gulf waters |

**THE FLOUNDER RUN:**
- Fall is the top season for flounder
- Fish stage near passes before their offshore spawn
- Both rod-and-reel and gigging action peak mid-October through November
- First cold front of fall triggers the run
- Target sandy transition zones where channels meet grass flats
- Fish are especially vulnerable during migration through passes

**Flounder Closure:** November 1 - December 14 (NO harvest by any means)
- Designed to protect flounder during spawning migration
- Reopens December 15
- Scientists note that with warming Gulf temperatures, peak migration may be shifting later in the year

**Flounder Sex/Temperature Relationship:**
- Flounder sex determined by water temperature when fish is 1.5-2.5 inches long
- At 68F: roughly 50-50 male/female
- Colder water = more females; warmer water = more males
- 99% of harvested flounder in Texas are female (males rarely reach 15-inch minimum)

**Regulations:**
- Rod-and-reel: 5 fish per person, 14-inch minimum
- Gigging: 5 fish per person, 15-inch minimum
- Season: CLOSED November 1 - December 14

---

### Tarpon Seasonal Pattern

| Period | Activity |
|--------|----------|
| Late Spring (May-Jun) | Early arrivals |
| Summer PEAK (Jul-Aug) | Peak tarpon season; rolling along beachfront |
| Early Fall (Sep-Oct) | Tail end of season; still catchable |

- Tarpon migrate along beaches and channels during summer
- Often spotted rolling or feeding near surface
- Fish the first and second guts in 15-40 feet of water
- Best targeted with live bait or large artificial lures
- CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY in Texas
- Port Aransas jetties and beachfront are prime tarpon waters

---

### King Mackerel (Kingfish) Seasonal Pattern

| Period | Activity |
|--------|----------|
| Spring (Mar-May) | Early arrivals with bait schools; 5-15 miles out |
| Summer PEAK (Jun-Aug) | Peak numbers; around shrimp boats |
| Fall (Sep-Oct) | Good numbers continue; 8-20 miles out |
| Winter | Available but less consistent |

- Available almost year-round off Port Aransas
- Average 10-20 lbs; Texas record 81.88 lbs
- Wire leaders mandatory (sharp teeth)
- Troll spoons or slow-troll live bait along current seams
- July and August bring peak numbers around shrimp boats

---

### Shrimp Run / Bait Migration

**Shrimp/Bait Movement Timeline:**

| Period | Activity |
|--------|----------|
| Spring (Mar-May) | Bait shrimp and mullet move inshore; bay shrimp active |
| Summer (May-Oct) | Peak bait shrimp availability; shrimp boats working offshore attract predators |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Baitfish stage near passes and jetties ahead of winter migration |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Reduced bait activity; fish switch to cut bait, dead shrimp |

**Key Notes:**
- Shrimp runs trigger predator feeding frenzies
- Commercial shrimp season in bays: Spring (May 15-July 15) and Fall (Aug 15-Nov 30)
- Shrimp boats working offshore are kingfish magnets in summer
- Fall bait staging near passes is why fishing is so good September-November
- Bird activity (diving birds) over bait schools is your best visual cue

---

## ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS - DETAILED

---

### Water Temperature Triggers

| Temperature | Effect |
|-------------|--------|
| Below 60F | Fish retreat to deepest water; very slow metabolism |
| 60-65F | Winter patterns; deep holes, slow presentations |
| 65-70F | Pre-spawn movement begins; fish start shifting shallow |
| 68-70F | Trout begin moving to grass flats |
| 70-75F | Prime spawning range for speckled trout; redfish tailing |
| 75-80F | Active feeding across all species; early morning best |
| 80-85F | Summer patterns; fish deep during day, shallow at dawn/dusk |
| Above 85F | Lethargic fish; concentrate on first light and after dark |
| 80-82F | Trout head to deeper water by mid-morning |
| 72-78F | FALL FRENZY zone - aggressive feeding |
| 65-75F | Ideal flounder temperature range |

**Critical Thresholds:**
- **68F:** Trout move shallow
- **70F:** Redfish begin tailing on flats
- **80F:** Trout retreat to deep water by mid-morning
- **First cold front in fall:** Triggers flounder run and bull red movement

---

### Tide Patterns

| Tide Type | Effect on Fishing |
|-----------|------------------|
| Rising (Incoming) | Pushes bait and fish ONTO grass flats; redfish and trout follow |
| Falling (Outgoing) | Creates "drains" where fish ambush bait being pulled out of marsh; concentrates fish in guts |
| Peak Movement | Fish stack around structure during peak tidal flow |
| Weak Tide | Wind acts as its own tide by pushing water across flats |

**Best Practices:**
- Rising tide: fish the grass flats
- Falling tide: fish the guts, drains, and channel edges
- At jetties: incoming tide often better on Gulf side; outgoing better on channel side
- Four tide movements per day = optimal fishing windows

---

### Salinity Changes

The Aransas Bay system is an estuary with constantly changing salinity:

**Freshwater Inflows (Rain/Flooding):**
- Rapidly reduced salinity can push saltwater species toward Gulf passes
- Heavy rains can temporarily shut down fishing
- Oysters, seagrass, and invertebrates suffer in extended low salinity
- Mobile fish simply relocate to suitable salinity zones

**Drought / High Salinity:**
- During drought, large numbers of trout may move into deeper rivers and bayous as salinities increase
- Manatee and turtle grasses require higher salinities
- Extreme high salinity can also stress the system

**Key Takeaway:** After heavy rains, fish closer to passes and Gulf-side where salinity remains higher. During droughts, check deeper bayou areas.

---

### Wind Patterns

| Wind Direction | Effect |
|---------------|--------|
| Southeast | Pushes water and bait into bay system; generally favorable |
| North / Northeast | Cold fronts; pushes fish off flats and into deeper water |
| Strong winds | Fish shift to leeward shores, protected coves, downwind reef edges |
| Wind-blown shorelines | Concentrate bait in guts and channels |

---

## REGULATIONS SUMMARY

---

### Speckled Trout (Updated 2024/2025 Season)
- **Daily Bag Limit:** 3 fish per person (reduced from 5)
- **Slot Limit:** 15-20 inches minimum to maximum
- **Oversized:** One fish over 30 inches allowed as part of daily bag
  - NOTE: Proposed tag system for oversized trout may be implemented; check current regulations
- **Rationale:** Assisting recovery after years of below-average abundance; estimated 27% increase in spawning stock biomass

### Redfish
- **Daily Bag Limit:** 3 fish per person
- **Slot Limit:** 20-28 inches
- **Bull Reds:** Oversized (27+ inches) are catch-and-release only
- **Note:** Federal permit/tag required for keeping oversized redfish

### Flounder
- **Daily Bag Limit:** 5 fish per person
- **Size Limit:** 14 inches (rod-and-reel); 15 inches (gigging)
- **Season Closure:** CLOSED November 1 - December 14
- **Rationale:** Protects spawning migration to offshore waters

### Red Snapper
**Federal Waters (Private Anglers - 2025):**
- Opens: June 1, 2025
- Closes: November 21, 2025
- Bag Limit: 2 fish per person daily
- Size Limit: 16-inch minimum

**Federal Waters (For-Hire/Charter - 2025):**
- Opens: June 1, 2025
- Closes: September 16, 2025

**Texas State Waters (0-9 nautical miles):**
- Open: YEAR-ROUND
- Bag Limit: 4 fish per person daily
- Size Limit: 15-inch minimum

**Important:** Must have venting tool or descending device on board in federal waters (DESCEND Act)

### Greater Amberjack
- Check current federal status annually
- Typically closed during spawning (May-July area)
- 2025: Closed September 27, 2025 through August 31, 2026

### Gag Grouper
- Federal season typically opens September 1
- 2025: September 1 - September 15 only
- Check annually - closures based on catch projections

### Tarpon
- **CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY** in Texas
- No harvest permitted

### Sheepshead
- Daily Bag: 5 fish per person
- Size Limit: 15-inch minimum
- Peak: December through March (jetty fishing)

### Black Drum
- Daily Bag: 5 fish per person
- Size Limit: 14-30 inches (slot)
- No maximum bag limit for fish under 14 inches or over 30 inches

---

## KEY LOCATIONS IN ARANSAS BAY SYSTEM

### Inshore/Bay Locations
- **Redfish Bay** - No Prop Zones; prime tailing redfish area
- **Lighthouse Lakes** - Mangrove-lined lakes; sight-fishing paradise
- **Shamrock Cove** - Spring flats fishing
- **Estes Flats** - Seagrass beds; trout and redfish
- **Mudflats** - Winter redfish on warm afternoons
- **ICW / Land Cut** - Deep channel fishing; summer trout

### Jetty/Nearshore
- **Aransas Pass Jetties (North and South)** - Year-round fishing; bull reds in fall
- **Horace Caldwell Pier** - Winter sheepshead, black drum
- **Beachfront** - Tarpon in summer; surf fishing

### Offshore
- **Natural Bottom / Artificial Reefs** - 60-100 feet; snapper
- **Oil Rigs/Platforms** - 10-30 miles; kings, cobia, tuna
- **Weed Lines** - Mahi, sailfish
- **100-Fathom Curve** - Wahoo (winter/fall)

---

## SEASONAL SUMMARY - QUICK REFERENCE

| Month | Top Targets | Key Events |
|-------|------------|------------|
| January | Black Drum, Sheepshead, Trophy Trout | Coldest water; deep, slow fishing |
| February | Black Drum, Sheepshead, Trophy Trout | Sheepshead spawn peak |
| March | Trout, Redfish, Cobia, Kings | Spring break bite begins |
| April | Trout (spawn), Redfish, Cobia, Kings | Trophy trout; tailing reds |
| May | Trout, Redfish, Kings, Flounder | Consistent spring action |
| June | Red Snapper (OPENS), Kings, Tarpon | Federal snapper season starts |
| July | Red Snapper, Kings, Tarpon (PEAK), Mahi | Peak offshore; tarpon rolling |
| August | Kings, Tarpon, Redfish (staging) | Hottest month; bull reds staging |
| September | Bull Reds (RUN BEGINS), Trout, Flounder | Fall transition; bull tides |
| October | Bull Reds (PEAK), Flounder (PEAK), Trout | Best overall fishing month |
| November | Trout, Bull Reds (tapering), Wahoo | Flounder season CLOSES Nov 1 |
| December | Black Drum, Sheepshead, State Snapper | Winter patterns; flounder reopens Dec 15 |

---

*Sources: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), NOAA Fisheries, Coastal Charters TX, CAT Sportfishing, Clean Fun Fishing, Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Port Aransas tourism guides, local fishing reports.*

*Always verify current regulations at tpwd.texas.gov before fishing. Federal seasons change annually.*