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Port guide / Coastal Bend / Texas
Aransas Pass fishing guide
Aransas Pass is the mainland gateway to Redfish Bay, the grass flats and mangrove lakes between town and Harbor Island, and nearly all of that water sits inside the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area where uprooting seagrass is illegal. Conn Brown Harbor is the hub, with a free 24 hour city park, boat ramps, fishing piers and cleaning tables, and the Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail starts from a city park on the Hwy 361 causeway. Compared with Rockport's open Aransas Bay shorelines this is skinny, clear water for wading, kayaks and shallow boats, and compared with Port Aransas you trade the jetties and Gulf access for sight casting reds in the mangroves.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Aransas Pass. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Aransas Pass, Redfish Bay, TX (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Port Aransas, TX (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Copano, Aransas, and Redfish Bays (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Aransas Pass. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: Captain Experiences Aransas Pass fishing reports (opens in a new tab) DM Fly Fishing reports (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Aransas Pass. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Speckled trout | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Black drum | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Southern flounder | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Sheepshead | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Mangrove snapper | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Florida pompano | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
Redfish
Peak: May, June, July, August
Reds tail on the shallow grass and in the Lighthouse Lakes, and sight casting them from a kayak or on foot is the local specialty.
Speckled trout
Peak: April, May, October, November
Trout sit on the seagrass flats in spring and summer and drop to deeper channels and harbors such as Conn Brown when the water cools.
Black drum
Peak: April, May, June, July
Schools of small drum push into shallow water in summer, while in cold months they hold along channel slopes where shrimp on the bottom works.
Southern flounder
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September
Flounder are caught along the channels and lake edges much of the year, but harvest is closed November 1 to December 14.
Sheepshead
Peak: March, April, May, September, October
Fish them tight to pilings, rocks and bulkheads around the harbors with small crabs or shrimp, and set the hook fast because they steal bait.
Mangrove snapper
Peak: May, June, July, August
A warm weather bonus fish that local guides target around structure in the bays near Aransas Pass and Port Aransas.
Florida pompano
Peak: May, June, July, August
Local guide data rates pompano a warm month fish here, best from May through August.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Southern flounder, Texas waters
Flounder harvest is closed November 1 through December 14 (bag limit is zero).
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2026 (regulations valid Sept. 1, 2026 to Aug. 31, 2027) Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Texas state waters
Open year round for private recreational anglers in state waters. Only circle hooks may be used with natural bait.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2026 to 2027 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal waters (private anglers landing in Texas)
The 2026 private recreational season in federal waters opened May 22, 2026. TPWD monitors harvest to set the closing date, and as of October 23, 2026 it remained open.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal waters (federal for-hire boats)
Fixed closure January 1 to May 31; the 2026 for-hire season closed October 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, federal waters
The fishing year runs August 1 to July 31 with fixed closures August 1 to 31 and November 1 to July 31, so the season opens September 1; the 2026 season closed October 14, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 to 2027 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, federal waters
The 2026 recreational season ran September 1 to October 1, 2026, and is now closed.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, federal waters
Fixed recreational closures run January 1 to February 28 and June 1 to July 31.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Shallow water grouper (including red grouper), federal waters
Closed February 1 to March 31 seaward of the 20 fathom contour.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Marsh
Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail
Four kayak loops from 1.25 to 6.8 miles through black mangrove lakes and seagrass flats, launched from a city park on the north side of the Hwy 361 causeway; carry a map or GPS because the channels are easy to get lost in.
- Flats
Redfish Bay State Scientific Area grass flats
About 50 square miles of fishing water with 14,000 acres of seagrass; boundary signs mark the area and TPWD publishes cut points for reaching the flats without scarring grass.
- Pier
Conn Brown Harbor Point Park
Free city park open 24 hours with boat ramps, a fishing pier and fish cleaning tables; the city says redfish, black drum, flounder, sheepshead and trout are all caught within minutes of the harbor.
- Channel
Aransas Channel (Shrimp Boat Channel)
The working channel along the causeway that paddlers cross to reach the Lighthouse Lakes; commercial and recreational traffic has the right of way over kayaks.
- Pier
San Patricio County Navigation District marina piers
Public marina on Ransom Road with fishing piers, a boat ramp, bait stands and fish cleaning stations on Redfish Bay.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conn Brown Harbor Point Park boat ramps (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | Conn Brown Harbor, Aransas Pass, TX 78336 |
| Conn Brown Harbor Point Park fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Free | Conn Brown Harbor, Aransas Pass, TX 78336 |
| San Patricio County Navigation District Marina boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 426 Ransom Road, Aransas Pass, TX 78336 |
| San Patricio County Navigation District Marina fishing piers (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | 426 Ransom Road, Aransas Pass, TX 78336 |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (5)
Showing all 5 shops
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Harbor City Bait
Bait: live blue crab, fresh shad
526 Bigelow St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336
Family bait shop in Conn Brown Harbor that sells live bait, artificial bait and fishing gear and books local guides.
- Bait shop
Capt's Bait Shack
510 Bigelow St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336
On Bigelow Street in Conn Brown Harbor.
- Store
CB Marine and Supply
508 1/2 Bigelow St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336
Marine supply and repair shop in Conn Brown Harbor with boat up access for bait, gas and supplies.
- Marina
San Patricio County Navigation District Marina
426 Ransom Road, Aransas Pass, TX 78336
Public marina on Redfish Bay with a boat ramp, fishing piers, bait stands and fish cleaning stations.
- Bait shop
Fin and Feather Bait
1803 TX-361, Aransas Pass, TX 78336
On Hwy 361 toward the Port Aransas causeway.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Artificial Action Guide Service (Capt. Larry Bell) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Slowride Guide Services (Dean and Jennifer Thomas) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Harbor City Bait Shop guides (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Hotties on the Harbor all ladies fishing tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually early August, weighed in at Dorado's in Conn Brown Harbor
2026: August 1 (captain's meeting July 31)Babes on the Bay (Fulton, nearby) (opens in a new tab)
usually May
Deep Sea Roundup (Port Aransas, nearby) (opens in a new tab)
usually mid July
2026: July 9 to 12 (90th Roundup, Port Aransas Civic Center)
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Aransas Pass, asked and answered
Can I run my boat across the Redfish Bay flats?
No portion of the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area is closed to boats, but uprooting seagrass is illegal there and along the whole Texas coast. TPWD's rule of thumb is to run to the flats, not through them, and to use the marked cut points.
Where do I launch a kayak for the Lighthouse Lakes?
The Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail starts from a city park on the north side of the Hwy 361 causeway. You cross the busy Aransas Channel to reach the trail markers, so watch for boat traffic.
Is there free public boat launching in Aransas Pass?
Yes. Conn Brown Harbor Point Park has boat ramps, a fishing pier and fish cleaning tables, is open 24 hours and lists no admission fee.
When are redfish and trout best around Aransas Pass?
Local guide data rates redfish best from May through August and good the rest of the year, and trout best in April, May, October and November.
When is the Hotties on the Harbor tournament?
The 2026 all ladies tournament was August 1, with the captain's meeting on July 31, and weigh-in is at Dorado's in Conn Brown Harbor.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Aransas Pass
Sources for this guide (24), last checked 2026-10-27
- aptx.gov/229/Conn-Brown-Harbor (opens in a new tab)
- aptx.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Conn-Brown-Harbor-Park-4 (opens in a new tab)
- aransaspass.org/assets/pdf/AransasGuide-24-25 (opens in a new tab)
- business.aransaspass.org/list/category/guide-service-charter-338 (opens in a new tab)
- business.aransaspass.org/list/member/cb-marine-supply-llc-574 (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/texas/aransas-pass/seasonality?sport=1 (opens in a new tab)
- deepsearoundup.org/ (opens in a new tab)
- fishingbooker.com/charters/view/11116 (opens in a new tab)
- fishingbooker.com/charters/view/20053 (opens in a new tab)
- guidesly.com/book-a-guide/guide-details/Harbor-City-Bait-Shop (opens in a new tab)
- marinas.com/view/marina/4qc1mr5_Fin_and_Feather_Bait_Aransas_Pass_TX_United_States (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/boating/paddling-trails/gulf-coast/lighthouse-lakes/ (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/blackdrum/ (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/reddrum/ (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/sheepshead/ (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/strout/ (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/habitats/seagrass/redfish-bay (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/saltwater-fishing/bag-length-limits/flou (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/saltwater-fishing/bag-length-limits/snap (opens in a new tab)
- aransaspass.org/hotties-on-the-harbor/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gag-recreational-season-federal- (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing/2025-2026-and-2026-2027-gulf-america-rec (opens in a new tab)
- rockportfulton.com/event-details/babes-on-the-bay-fishing-tournament (opens in a new tab)
- sanpatricionavigationdistrict.com/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Aransas Pass
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.