Species guide · Texas
Atlantic croaker fishing in Texas
Micropogonias undulatus, an inshore species also called croaker, hardhead and pinhead. Listed for the Western Gulf region. Peak season, about 1 more week.
Right now it scores best in Copano, Aransas, and Redfish Bays at 75, one of 9 Texas bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Western Gulf
Peak season, about 1 more week- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: Jun to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): Mar to Oct.
Research notes, Western Gulf region
In Texas and Louisiana bays through spring and summer, moving offshore to spawn in fall with a peak from August to October. TPWD calls summer into fall the best fishing. Also one of the main live baits for speckled trout.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 9
Texas bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's atlantic croaker score this hour.
Best window today 6-8 PM (75) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (80) · 61 named spots
Best window today 6-11 PM (74) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (77) · 54 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (72) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (77) · 97 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (72) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 9 AM (78) · 8 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (70) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM (78) · 2 named spots
Best window today 6-9 PM (66) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 9 AM (75) · 14 named spots
Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (67) · Best day Sun, Sep 20 at 9 AM (79) · 37 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (70) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (77) · 51 named spots
Best window today 6 PM-12 AM (63) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM (73) · 5 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 55°F to 90°F, best between 65°F and 82°F.
- Water depth
- 2 to 40 ft of water.
- Structure
- Channel, oyster, pier, bridge, bay, estuary, surf and inlet, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers high tide and moving water, with light current.NCDMF says croaker fishing is best just before or just after high tide in channels or deep holes.
- Light
- Some lift around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 18 kt of wind and 3 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Croaker feed on mud and sand bottom along channel edges, oyster bars, piers and deeper holes in bays and sounds, mostly in 5 to 30 feet of water. A two-hook bottom rig with small hooks and shrimp, bloodworm or squid catches them from piers, the surf and small boats. Fish the hours around high tide and into the evening.
- Methods
- bottom fishing
- Lures
- small jig heads tipped with bait, scented synthetic bait strips
- Bait
- shrimp, bloodworms, squid, clams, peeler crab
Regulations
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Synced with TPWD Sep 18, 2026.
No reviewed atlantic croaker rule for Texas is on file yet. Check with TPWD before you keep one.