# Inshore Saltwater Fish Species of the Aransas Bay System ## Aransas Bay, Redfish Bay, Corpus Christi Bay & Surrounding Areas (Port Aransas, Rockport, Aransas Pass, TX) --- ## 1. REDFISH (Red Drum) - **Scientific Name:** *Sciaenops ocellatus* - **Months Present:** Year-round (1-12) - **Peak Months:** September-November (bull red run); March-May (slot reds on flats); October is often cited as the single best month - **Habitat Preferences:** Grass flats, oyster reefs, marsh shorelines, channel edges, deeper guts, mangrove shorelines (winter), jetties and surf during fall migration. Found in 1-5 feet of water on flats; schools stack in deeper water during cold months. Redfish Bay and Lydia Ann Canal systems are prime areas. --- ## 2. SPECKLED TROUT (Spotted Seatrout) - **Scientific Name:** *Cynoscion nebulosus* - **Months Present:** Year-round (1-12) - **Peak Months:** March-May (spring feeding on flats); September-November (fall feeding); January-February (trophy trout in deep water). May-June is excellent for topwater action over grass flats. - **Habitat Preferences:** Grass flats, shell bars, oyster reefs, deeper channels and drop-offs (winter), shoreline cuts, seagrass beds. Moves to deeper channels/guts in winter and summer to avoid temperature extremes. Feeds aggressively over shallow shell and grass when water temps are 68-75F. --- ## 3. BLACK DRUM - **Scientific Name:** *Pogonias cromis* - **Months Present:** Year-round (1-12); most consistent in cooler months - **Peak Months:** December-February (winter/early spring); October-November can also produce good numbers - **Habitat Preferences:** Jetty pilings, channel markers, oyster reefs, deeper holes, marsh edges, structure. Often found in same areas as redfish. Adults average 5-15 pounds. Hit cut bait on bottom. Excellent family fishing option in winter. --- ## 4. FLOUNDER (Southern Flounder) - **Scientific Name:** *Paralichthys lethostigma* - **Months Present:** Year-round; spring (return from offshore spawn), fall (migration out of bays) - **Peak Months:** October-November (fall flounder run - prime time for both rod/reel and gigging); April-May (spring return) - **Habitat Preferences:** Sandy bottoms, channel edges, grassy shorelines, sandy pockets near grass lines, passes and inlets during migration. Stage near passes before offshore spawn in fall. Target sandy transition zones where channels meet grass flats. --- ## 5. SHEEPSHEAD - **Scientific Name:** *Archosargus probatocephalus* - **Months Present:** Year-round; most active in cooler months - **Peak Months:** December-March (winter/early spring); strong around structure year-round - **Habitat Preferences:** Jetty structure, channel markers, dock pilings, rock walls, bridge pilings, oyster beds, barnacle-covered structure. Feed on crustaceans (crabs, shrimp, barnacles). Require small hooks fished tight to structure. January-February can be exceptional. --- ## 6. SNOOK (Common Snook) - **Scientific Name:** *Centropomus undecimalis* - **Months Present:** May-October (warm months); rare in Aransas Bay system, more common further south - **Peak Months:** July-September; August-October (spawning around passes) - **Habitat Preferences:** Note: Snook are RARE in the Aransas Bay system. They are tropical/subtropical species found primarily in the Lower Laguna Madre and South Texas. When present, they frequent shallow grass flats in warm water, pilings, underwater structure, Gulf passes, and river mouths. Their range is largely limited by water temperature - cold snaps decimate populations. - **Status:** Uncommon to rare in Aransas Bay; present as a southern range extension during warm years --- ## 7. GAFFTOPSAIL CATFISH - **Scientific Name:** *Bagre marinus* - **Months Present:** Year-round (1-12); most abundant in summer - **Peak Months:** May-September (summer); June-August best - **Habitat Preferences:** Shallow inshore waters, brackish estuaries, bays, mangrove-lined lagoons, sandy and muddy bottoms, depths up to 50 feet. Tolerates wide salinity range. Feeds throughout water column on crustaceans (crabs, shrimp), small fish, and worms. Population has been increasing in Texas estuaries. Distinguished from hardhead by fleshy extension on dorsal spine. --- ## 8. HARDHEAD CATFISH - **Scientific Name:** *Ariopsis felis* - **Months Present:** Year-round (1-12); moves deeper in winter - **Peak Months:** Year-round; commonly caught whenever fishing with bait - **Habitat Preferences:** Shallow bays, estuaries, tidal creeks, nearshore coastal waters over mud/sand bottoms. Highly tolerant of brackish conditions. Benthic omnivore/scavenger - eats shrimp, crabs, mollusks, polychaetes, small fish, carrion. Extremely common, often considered a nuisance/bait stealer. Notorious around piers, bridges, and docks. Venomous dorsal and pectoral spines - handle with extreme care. --- ## 9. CREVALLE JACK - **Scientific Name:** *Caranx hippos* - **Months Present:** March-November (warm season); occasionally in winter - **Peak Months:** May-August (TPWD); April-June and September-October (schooling); November can be excellent - **Habitat Preferences:** Open water, channels, passes, nearshore Gulf, jetties, surf zones, flats. Travel in large schools. Extremely aggressive predators that feed on baitfish. Known for blistering runs and hard fights. Often found around shrimp boats feeding on bycatch in summer. Arrive in spring with warming water, depart as water cools. --- ## 10. LADYFISH - **Scientific Name:** *Elops saurus* - **Months Present:** Year-round; greatest abundance late spring to early fall - **Peak Months:** May-October; best in Corpus Christi Bay during summer - **Habitat Preferences:** Bays, passes, nearshore Gulf, flats, sand areas, surf zones. Common in shallow clear water over grass flats and sandy bottom. Known as "poor man's tarpon" for their acrobatic jumps and blistering runs. Often found in large schools. Frequently used as cut bait. Present in coastal waters year-round with greatest abundance in late spring to early fall. --- ## 11. SPANISH MACKEREL (Inshore) - **Scientific Name:** *Scomberomorus maculatus* - **Months Present:** May-October (warm months) - **Peak Months:** September-October (best nearshore action); June-August also good - **Habitat Preferences:** Nearshore waters, jetties, passes, beachfront, surf zone. Follow bait schools. Work closer to shore than king mackerel. Fast, aggressive feeders that strike at spoons, jigs, and small lures. Excellent on light tackle. Often caught from piers and jetties in fall. --- ## 12. BLUEFISH - **Scientific Name:** *Pomatomus saltatrix* - **Months Present:** Year-round but most common in cooler months; January-February and September-November - **Peak Months:** January-February; September-November (during bait migrations) - **Habitat Preferences:** Inshore waters, surf zone, jetties, piers, beachfront. Young fish inshore during spring and summer; adults move offshore in fall and winter. Voracious predators that travel in schools following baitfish. Strike at almost anything. Use wire leaders - sharp teeth cut line. Can be caught from surf, piers, and boats. --- ## 13. POMPANO (Florida Pompano) - **Scientific Name:** *Trachinotus carolinus* - **Months Present:** Year-round; greatest abundance in winter surf - **Peak Months:** December-February (winter surf run); October-November (fall bay run) - **Habitat Preferences:** Surf zone, Gulf beaches, passes, sandy bays. Average 1-2 pounds. Feed on ghost shrimp, sand fleas, coquina clams, and small crustaceans in the sand. Prefer clear, green water. Often found in 62-70F water temperatures ("pomp zone"). Tidal movement triggers bites. One of the finest-eating fish in the Gulf. --- ## 14. WHITING (Gulf Kingfish) - **Scientific Name:** *Menticirrhus littoralis* - **Months Present:** Year-round; common in surf - **Peak Months:** Year-round in surf; often fill in when pompano are less active in coldest months - **Habitat Preferences:** Surf zone, sandy beaches, coastal waters over sandy/muddy bottoms, shallow water less than 30 feet. Use chin barbel to detect prey (worms, crustaceans) buried in sand. Common catch from piers and surf. Excellent table fare with firm, mild white flesh. Juveniles abundant in surf zone. Also called kingfish (not to be confused with king mackerel). --- ## 15. SAND TROUT (Sand Seatrout) - **Scientific Name:** *Cynoscion arenarius* - **Months Present:** Year-round; spring/summer spawning peak; offshore in extreme temperatures - **Peak Months:** March-August (spring/summer); return to bays in fall/spring after offshore migration - **Habitat Preferences:** Bay systems, Gulf passes, shallow offshore waters. Prefer lower salinity areas (upper to middle coast). Found in sandy bottom areas, channels, passes. Often caught on soft plastics and live shrimp. Good table fare but softer flesh than speckled trout. Migrate offshore to evade temperature extremes. Spawning occurs in Gulf passes March-September. --- ## 16. SILVER SEATROUT - **Scientific Name:** *Cynoscion nothus* - **Months Present:** Year-round offshore; fall and spring peaks in nearshore/near-pass areas - **Peak Months:** April-May and September-November (higher abundance in nearshore areas) - **Habitat Preferences:** Primarily offshore Gulf waters along the middle Texas coast (offshore of Matagorda and Aransas/Corpus Christi areas). Spring/summer spawners peaking in summer. Migratory - low abundance in summer and winter in nearshore waters, increase in fall and spring. Not commonly targeted in bays but present in the Aransas Bay system near passes and channels connecting to the Gulf. --- ## ADDITIONAL SPECIES FOUND IN THE ARANSAS BAY SYSTEM ### 17. COBIA - **Scientific Name:** *Rachycentron canadum* - **Months Present:** March-May (spring migration) - **Peak Months:** Mid-March through May - **Habitat Preferences:** Nearshore waters, jetties, current seams, floating debris, rays. Often sight-cast near surface. Migrate through on warm fronts. ### 18. TARPON - **Scientific Name:** *Megalops atlanticus* - **Months Present:** July-September - **Peak Months:** July-August - **Habitat Preferences:** Beachfront, first and second guts, 15-40 feet of water. Rolling tarpon cruise the beachfront. Catch-and-release only. ### 19. KING MACKEREL (Nearshore) - **Scientific Name:** *Scomberomorus cavalla* - **Months Present:** March-October - **Peak Months:** June-August (around shrimp boats); March-May (spring run) - **Habitat Preferences:** Nearshore Gulf, current seams, shrimp boats, color changes. 5-15+ miles offshore typically. ### 20. SHARKS (Multiple Species) - **Scientific Name:** Various - **Months Present:** Year-round; peak in summer - **Peak Months:** June-September - **Habitat Preferences:** Surf, nearshore Gulf, bay passes. Blacktip, bull, hammerhead common. --- ## QUICK REFERENCE: SEASONAL SUMMARY | Season | Primary Targets | |--------|----------------| | **Spring (Mar-May)** | Redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder (return), jack crevalle, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel (early), pompano | | **Summer (Jun-Aug)** | Redfish (early/late day), speckled trout (deep structure), jack crevalle, ladyfish, gafftopsail catfish, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, hardhead catfish | | **Fall (Sep-Nov)** | Bull redfish, flounder (run), speckled trout, black drum, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, pompano (bay run) | | **Winter (Dec-Feb)** | Black drum, sheepshead, redfish (schools), trophy speckled trout (deep), pompano (surf), whiting, bluefish | --- ## SOURCES - Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) species guides and regulations - Coastal Charters TX - Port Aransas Fishing Calendar - Come and Take It Sport Fishing - Port Aransas Species Guide - Fish Anywhere - Aransas Bay Fishing Guide - Visit Port Aransas - Seasonal Fishing Guide - Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine - Billy Sandifer's Best Times for Surf Fishing (Padre Island/Corpus Christi) - Academic research on seatrout populations (TPWD) - NOAA/NMFS fisheries bulletins *Note: All fishing regulations (bag limits, size limits, seasons) are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with TPWD before fishing.*