Waterlands

NWS zone GMZ330 · Western Gulf

Matagorda Bay fishing forecast

Texas · Gulf coast

Score now

70Great
Atlantic tarpon · 12:00 PM CDT
Named spots
51
Species scored
15
Tide stations
6
Open in the tide mapAll Texas bay systems

Overview

Matagorda Bay is NWS marine zone GMZ330 on the Texas Gulf coast, in the Western Gulf species region. The Waterlands engine treats it as inland water (bays, sounds, straits). It holds 51 named features from the USGS Geographic Names Information System and has 6 NOAA tide stations nearby.

15 species are scored here in this forecast; Atlantic tarpon, Atlantic croaker, Crevalle jack and Red drum are at peak season now.

At 12:00 PM it scores 70 (great), led by Atlantic tarpon. The best window for the rest of today is 3 PM-12 AM (ebb tide), peaking at 76 for Red drum. Over the next 14 days the best hour is Fri, Sep 18 at 9 AM, scoring 81.

Best times to fish

Waterlands engine forecast computed 12:03 PM CDT.

Best window today

3 PM-12 AM · Ebb tide

Top species: Red drum

76Great

Best hour of each day, next 14 days

  1. Fri, Sep 18

    81

    9 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

    Best day

  2. Sat, Sep 19

    80

    8 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  3. Sun, Sep 20

    79

    2 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  4. Mon, Sep 21

    80

    12 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  5. Tue, Sep 22

    80

    12 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  6. Wed, Sep 23

    79

    1 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  7. Thu, Sep 24

    79

    1 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  8. Fri, Sep 25

    77

    3 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  9. Sat, Sep 26

    77

    8 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  10. Sun, Sep 27

    78

    8 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  11. Mon, Sep 28

    75

    7 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  12. Tue, Sep 29

    77

    7 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  13. Wed, Sep 30

    77

    7 AM

    Atlantic tarpon

  14. Thu, Oct 1

    79

    6 PM

    Atlantic tarpon

Species · 15

Listed for the Western Gulf region. Scores are this hour; season is where the species is in its year.

70Great
Atlantic tarponMegalops atlanticus · inshore

Peak season, about 1 more week · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 9 AM (81)

68Great
Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus · inshore

Peak season, about 1 more week · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (77)

68Great
Crevalle jackCaranx hippos · nearshore

Peak season, about 1 more week · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 9 AM (74)

67Great
Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshore

Peak season, about 10 more weeks · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 8 PM (79)

58Good
Gray snapperLutjanus griseus · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 6 more weeks · Best day Sun, Sep 27 at 7 AM (67)

57Good
Black drumPogonias cromis · inshore

Shoulder season, about 19 more weeks · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 6 PM (64)

57Good
Gray triggerfishBalistes capriscus · offshore

Shoulder season, about 10 more weeks · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (61)

57Good
Red snapperLutjanus campechanus · offshore

Shoulder season, about 32 more weeks · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (62)

55Good
Southern flounderParalichthys lethostigma · bottom

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 6 PM (69)

55Good
Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 6 more weeks · Best day Sun, Sep 27 at 7 AM (62)

54Good
Greater amberjackSeriola dumerili · offshore

Shoulder season, about 10 more weeks · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (56)

52Good
CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 9 AM (54)

52Good
King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagic

Shoulder season, about 6 more weeks · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 9 AM (57)

47Good
Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshore

Shoulder season, about 1 more week · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 6 PM (61)

35Fair
SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshore

Off season, about 1 more week · Best day Thu, Oct 1 at 6 PM (51)

Named spots · 51

Ranked by score this hour. Each spot has its own hourly forecast, tide, current and regulations.

39 more spots, A to Z

Nearest tide stations

Matagorda Bay Entrance ChannelNOAA 877376716.2 miPort O'ConnorNOAA 877370116.9 miMatagorda CityNOAA 877314618.1 miPort LavacaNOAA 877325925 miSeadriftNOAA 877303734.8 miSargentNOAA 877298536.5 mi

Regulations

TPWD saltwater regulations Buy a Texas fishing license License types

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Synced with TPWD Sep 18, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.

Statewide

Black drumRetention open

5 per day · 10 in possession · Slot 14 to 30 in, total length. Release black drum over 30 inches, except one fish over 52 inches per person per day.

Season: No closed season on file

A black drum over 52 inches counts toward the daily bag and possession limit. The possession limit is double the daily bag and does not count fish stored at your residence. While fishing, you may not hold more than the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Drum Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

CobiaRetention open

1 per day · 2 in possession · Minimum 40 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

The possession limit is double the daily bag and does not count fish stored at your residence. While fishing, you may not hold more than the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Cobia Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gray triggerfishRetention open

20 per day · 40 in possession · Minimum 16 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Have a descending device or venting tool ready for reef fish showing signs of barotrauma. Federal-waters rules may differ. The possession limit is double the daily bag and does not count fish stored at your residence. While fishing, you may not hold more than the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Triggerfish Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

Greater amberjackRetention open

1 per day · 2 in possession · Minimum 38 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Have a descending device or venting tool ready for reef fish showing signs of barotrauma. TPWD lists no season for state waters. Federal-waters rules, including the federal season, are separate. The possession limit is double the daily bag and does not count fish stored at your residence. While fishing, you may not hold more than the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Amberjack Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

King mackerelRetention open

3 per day · 6 in possession · Minimum 27 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

The possession limit is double the daily bag and does not count fish stored at your residence. While fishing, you may not hold more than the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Mackerel Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red drumRetention open

3 per day · 6 in possession · Slot 20 to 28 in, total length. One red drum over 28 inches per license year with the Red Drum Tag, plus one more with a Bonus Red Drum Tag.

Season: No closed season on file

Tagged red drum over 28 inches do not count toward the daily bag or possession limit. Attach the tag right away, or report a digital tag in the Texas Hunt & Fish app. The possession limit is double the daily bag and does not count fish stored at your residence. While fishing, you may not hold more than the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Drum Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red snapper(private recreational)Retention open

4 per day · 4 in possession · Minimum 15 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Open year-round in state waters. Do not hold more than 4 red snapper while fishing in state waters. Only circle hooks may be used with natural bait. Have a descending device or venting tool ready for reef fish showing signs of barotrauma. TPWD lists this state-waters season for private recreational anglers. Federally permitted charter boats and headboats stay under federal management. Red snapper is the exception to the double-the-bag possession rule: TPWD caps possession at 4, the same as the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Snapper Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

SheepsheadRetention open

5 per day · 10 in possession · Minimum 15 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

The possession limit is double the daily bag and does not count fish stored at your residence. While fishing, you may not hold more than the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Sheepshead Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

Southern flounderRetention open

5 per day · 5 in possession · Minimum 15 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Changes to closed on Nov 1, 2026

The bag is 0 from Nov. 1 through Dec. 14 while the fishery is closed. The limit covers all flounder species and their hybrids. The possession limit equals the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Flounder Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spanish mackerelRetention open

15 per day · 30 in possession · Minimum 14 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

The possession limit is double the daily bag and does not count fish stored at your residence. While fishing, you may not hold more than the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Mackerel Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spotted seatroutRetention open

3 per day · 6 in possession · Slot 15 to 20 in, total length. Release seatrout over 20 inches, except one fish over 28 inches per license year with the Spotted Seatrout Tag, plus one more with a Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag.

Season: No closed season on file

Tagged seatrout over 28 inches do not count toward the daily bag or possession limit. Attach the tag right away, or report a digital tag in the Texas Hunt & Fish app. The possession limit is double the daily bag and does not count fish stored at your residence. While fishing, you may not hold more than the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Seatrout Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

TarponRetention open

1 per day · 2 in possession · Minimum 85 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Release tarpon under 85 inches. The possession limit is double the daily bag and does not count fish stored at your residence. While fishing, you may not hold more than the daily bag.

TPWD 2026-27 Outdoor Annual, Tarpon Bag & Length Limits · verified Sep 13, 2026

Other Texas bay systems