Texas · Western Gulf
Texas saltwater fishing forecast
9 bay systems and 329 named spots on the Texas Gulf coast, with 30 NOAA tide stations. Right now the top-scoring bay system is Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado at 84 for Red drum.
In peak season this week: Atlantic croaker, Atlantic tarpon, Crevalle jack and Red drum.
- Bay systems
- 9
- Named spots
- 329
- Tide stations
- 30
- Species guides
- 15
Bay systems right now · 9
Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 4:31 PM CDT. Best window is the rest of today.
GMZ130 · 8 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 6-9 PM (peak 84)
GMZ237 · 54 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 6-9 PM (peak 78)
GMZ132 · 2 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 6-9 PM (peak 79)
GMZ231 · 14 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 6 PM-12 AM (peak 72)
GMZ236 · 61 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 7-9 PM (peak 79)
GMZ135 · 5 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 6-9 PM (peak 72)
GMZ232 · 37 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 8 PM-12 AM (peak 77)
Scoring best right now
Each species' best score in a Texas bay system this hour.
- Red drum84Great
Best in Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado · scored in 9 bay systems
Peak season - Atlantic croaker80Great
Best in Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado · scored in 9 bay systems
Peak season - Crevalle jack80Great
Best in Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado · scored in 9 bay systems
Peak season - Atlantic tarpon77Great
Best in Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado · scored in 9 bay systems
Peak season - Spanish mackerel69Great
Best in Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado · scored in 9 bay systems
Shoulder season - Gray snapper68Great
Best in Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado · scored in 9 bay systems
Shoulder season - Black drum66Great
Best in Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado · scored in 9 bay systems
Shoulder season - Spotted seatrout65Great
Best in Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado · scored in 9 bay systems
Shoulder season - Cobia62Good
Best in Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado · scored in 9 bay systems
Shoulder season - Gray triggerfish62Good
Best in Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado · scored in 9 bay systems
Shoulder season
Species guides · 15
Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in Texas waters.
- Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus · inshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Atlantic tarponMegalops atlanticus · inshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Crevalle jackCaranx hippos · nearshorePeak season, about 2 more weekspeak
- Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshorePeak season, about 10 more weekspeak
- Black drumPogonias cromis · inshoreShoulder season, about 19 more weeksshoulder
- CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshoreShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- Gray snapperLutjanus griseus · nearshoreShoulder season, about 6 more weeksshoulder
- Gray triggerfishBalistes capriscus · offshoreShoulder season, about 10 more weeksshoulder
- Greater amberjackSeriola dumerili · offshoreShoulder season, about 10 more weeksshoulder
- King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagicShoulder season, about 6 more weeksshoulder
- Red snapperLutjanus campechanus · offshoreShoulder season, about 32 more weeksshoulder
- Southern flounderParalichthys lethostigma · bottomShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshoreShoulder season, about 6 more weeksshoulder
- Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshoreShoulder season, about 2 more weeksshoulder
- SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshoreOff season, about 2 more weeksoff
Regulations and licenses
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Synced with TPWD Sep 16, 2026.
Fishing in salt water requires a fishing license with a saltwater endorsement. Saltwater packages include the red drum tag, the spotted seatrout tag, or both. Licenses are valid through August 31. TPWD's license pages link to txfgsales.com for online sales.
No reviewed rules are on file for Texas yet. Check the regulator's page before you keep a fish.