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 San Antonio, Mesquite, and Espiritu Santo Bays at 77 for Red drum.
In peak season this week: Red drum, Southern flounder and Spotted seatrout.
- Bay systems
- 9
- Named spots
- 329
- Tide stations
- 30
- Species guides
- 15
Bay systems right now · 9
Scores from the Waterlands engine, computed 9:03 PM CDT. Best window is the rest of today.
GMZ237 · 54 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 77)
GMZ232 · 37 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 76)
GMZ130 · 8 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 76)
GMZ236 · 61 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 76)
GMZ132 · 2 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 73)
GMZ231 · 14 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 72)
GMZ135 · 5 named spots
Top now: Red drum · Best window 9 PM-12 AM (peak 66)
Scoring best right now
Each species' best score in a Texas bay system this hour.
- 77Great
- Southern flounder75Great
Best in San Antonio, Mesquite, and Espiritu Santo Bays · scored in 9 bay systems
Peak season - Spotted seatrout75Great
Best in San Antonio, Mesquite, and Espiritu Santo Bays · scored in 9 bay systems
Peak season - Atlantic tarpon69Great
Best in San Antonio, Mesquite, and Espiritu Santo Bays · scored in 9 bay systems
Off season - 69Great
- 66Great
- 65Great
- Gray snapper64Good
Best in San Antonio, Mesquite, and Espiritu Santo Bays · scored in 9 bay systems
Off season - 62Good
- 61Good
Species guides · 15
Season, water temperature, depth, structure, tackle and regulations for each species in Texas waters.
- Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshorePeak season, about 4 more weekspeak
- Southern flounderParalichthys lethostigma · bottomPeak season, about 4 more weekspeak
- Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshorePeak season, about 4 more weekspeak
- Black drumPogonias cromis · inshoreShoulder season, about 13 more weeksshoulder
- Gray triggerfishBalistes capriscus · offshoreShoulder season, about 4 more weeksshoulder
- Greater amberjackSeriola dumerili · offshoreShoulder season, about 4 more weeksshoulder
- Red snapperLutjanus campechanus · offshoreShoulder season, about 25 more weeksshoulder
- SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshoreShoulder season, about 13 more weeksshoulder
- Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus · inshoreOff season, about 17 more weeksoff
- Atlantic tarponMegalops atlanticus · inshoreOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- Crevalle jackCaranx hippos · nearshoreOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- Gray snapperLutjanus griseus · nearshoreOff season, about 25 more weeksoff
- King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagicOff season, about 21 more weeksoff
- Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshoreOff season, about 4 more weeksoff
- CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshore
Regulations and licenses
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Synced with TPWD Oct 31, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 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.
43 approved rules on file across 1 regulation area. Each bay system and species guide lists the rules that apply there.