Best Texas Gulf Coast Fishing Without Paid Guide (Corpus Christi, Port Arthur: best towns, pollution)

[founder]

I love to fish in Texas in from October through March, but everything I see on the internet is dominated by fishing guides and other advertisements.

For those Texans (and winter Texans) who like to take their own boat out fishing in the Gulf - what are the best towns/locations to fish from in the winter?

[jimithing78]

I'm thinking Port A but you might go over to the TFF and ask them.

Texas Fishing Forum - discussion, tournaments, guides, events, destinations, and more.

[CptnRn]

Rockport, you can put in at Cove Harbor, for fishing in Aransas Bay and the area.

marina - Google Maps

The Port Aransas Municipal Boat Harbor if you want to fish in the gulf

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...08905&t=h&z=17

[texdav]

There is great fishing just about anyhwere on teh coast. Saw a redfish tournament that was near Port Arthur on lake sabine and they could get over the number they were catching compared to in Florida where they were lucky to catch two keepers in the slot.Alot of it has to so with the redfish program in Texas for decades and less pressure.I would recommend a guide unless you plan on staying a while as the coast is big and its easy to get loss;especailly in the swampy areas where some of the best coastal fishing is.

[nismospec]

I'd have to second most everyone's opinion and go with Port Aransas. I don't have the fortune of a boat, but I've had good luck throughout the years in Port Aransas, Rockport, Tivoli, Indianola.

[BobTex]

Originally Posted by jimithing78

I'm thinking Port A but you might go over to the TFF and ask them.

Texas Fishing Forum - discussion, tournaments, guides, events, destinations, and more.

+1 on the TFF


Its my main hangout!

[BobTex]

texdav

Sabine Lake is the unknown hotspot on the Texas coast and we like it that way. Might also add if you want to go a little further east Calcasieu Lake in La. is the BOMB!

[tstone]

Yup, the muddy brown water of SE TX and SW LA is where it's at!!

[BobTex]

All that mud is nutrient!

[tstone]

That mud is good for the vegetarian baitfish the other carnivore fish feed off of. Even wading around the Galveston Bay shore it is amazing how many finger mullets you can potentially pull out with just a cast net one quiet morning. Then you can put those in your trap and take the boat out and get some specks, reds and flounder.

It's a good idea to check out the TPWD website because there are some fish you won't want to eat due to pollution. Last I checked Sabine Lake was fine, but between Galveston Bay and Corpus Christi Bay it can get iffy.

Also check what a keeper length is for a red because it's pretty strict nowadays.