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Port guide / Upper Texas Coast / Texas
Matagorda fishing guide
Matagorda sits where the Colorado River reaches the Gulf, between East Matagorda Bay and the much bigger West Matagorda Bay. East Bay is a calmer, enclosed bay with flats suited to kayaks and wading, while West Bay has broad marsh shorelines known for sight casting to reds. The Matagorda Bay Nature Park at the river mouth gives you a pier, a ramp and beach access.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
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.
NOAA tides, Matagorda City, TX (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Matagorda Bay (opens in a new tab)
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Matagorda. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Speckled trout | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Slow |
| Southern flounder | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Slow | Slow |
| Black drum | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Slow | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Bull and blacktip sharks | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow |
Redfish
Peak: September, October, November
Reds are the year-round mainstay, sight cast along the West Bay marsh and caught on the flats and shell reefs, with October one of the best months.
Speckled trout
Peak: May, October, November
Guides report good trout along shorelines, shell reefs and drop-offs, with strong catches in late spring and fall.
Southern flounder
Peak: October
Fall flounder fishing is best near the channels, but the fishery is closed November 1 to December 14.
Black drum
Peak: January, February, November, December
Drum stack up around structure in winter, and guides report big fish in late November.
Sheepshead
Peak: January, February, March
Sheepshead gather near structure in winter and spawn near jetties and reefs in February and March.
Tarpon
Peak: October
Tarpon are active in summer and are rated a peak target in October.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: June, July, August
Spanish mackerel are a summer fish here.
Bull and blacktip sharks
Peak: July, August, September
Guides catch sharks on the bay flats in summer and early fall.
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.
Red snapper, Texas state waters
Open year-round for private recreational anglers in Texas state waters.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal waters (private anglers off Texas)
Opened May 22, 2026. As of October 23, 2026 it remains open, and TPWD will set the closure date by monitoring harvest.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal waters (for-hire boats)
Closed January 1 to May 31. The 2026 for-hire season closes October 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, federal waters
Closed January 1 to August 31. The 2026 season opened September 1 and closed October 1, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, federal waters
The season opens September 1 each year. The 2026 to 2027 season closed October 14, 2026 when the quota was reached.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, federal waters
Closed January 1 to February 28 and June 1 to July 31, so open March 1 to May 31 and August 1 to December 31.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Shallow-water grouper, federal waters beyond 20 fathoms
Closed February 1 to March 31 seaward of the 20-fathom contour.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Southern flounder, Texas waters
Flounder fishery is closed November 1 to December 14 (bag limit is zero).
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Bay
East Matagorda Bay
The calmer, enclosed bay with flats that suit kayaks and wading.
- Bay
West Matagorda Bay
Broad marsh shorelines known for sight casting to redfish.
- Channel
Big Boggy Cut
Called a fish magnet by local trip listings.
- Pier
Colorado River mouth at Matagorda Bay Nature Park
The park sits where the Colorado River meets the Gulf and has a fishing pier.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matagorda Bay Nature Park boat ramp and fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 6420 FM 2031, Matagorda, TX 77457 |
| Matagorda Harbor public boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Matagorda Harbor, Matagorda, TX 77457 (28.6928, -95.9579) |
| Sargent public boat ramp on the Intracoastal Waterway (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Sargent, TX (28.7633, -95.6320) |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Local shops and guides. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle
| Shop | Where | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Harbor Bait and Tackle (opens in a new tab) | ||
| Stanley's General Store (carries fishing tackle) (opens in a new tab) |
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Shallowrun Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Stringer Stretcher Outfitters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Matagorda Loops (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Beyond The Limit Guide Service (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.
CCA Texas STAR Tournament (opens in a new tab)
Summer, coastwide (late May to Labor Day)
2026: May 23 to September 7
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Matagorda, asked and answered
What is the difference between East and West Matagorda Bay?
East Matagorda Bay is the calmer, enclosed bay with flats that suit kayaks and wading. West Matagorda Bay is much bigger, with broad marsh shorelines known for sight casting to redfish.
When is the best time to fish Matagorda?
Redfish are here all year and October is one of the best months for reds, trout and flounder. Trout also have strong catches in late spring, and black drum stack up around structure in winter.
Where can I launch or fish from shore at Matagorda?
Matagorda Bay Nature Park at 6420 FM 2031 has a boat ramp, a fishing pier and beach access at the mouth of the Colorado River. It is a paid site.
Can I keep flounder in November at Matagorda?
No. Texas closes flounder November 1 to December 14, so plan fall flounder trips for October.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Matagorda
Sources for this guide (14), last checked 2026-10-26
- fishingbooker.com/destinations/location/us/TX/matagorda (opens in a new tab)
- howsyourriver.com/access_sites/matagorda-harbor (opens in a new tab)
- lcraparks.com/parks/matagorda-bay-nature-park (opens in a new tab)
- texashighways.com/travel/getaways/spend-a-quiet-coastal-weekend-in-the-fishing-hub-of-mata (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/sheepshead/ (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/tarpon/ (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/red-snapper/ (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/texas/matagorda (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing/2025-2026-and-2026-2027-gulf-america-rec (opens in a new tab)
- howsyourriver.com/access_sites/sargent (opens in a new tab)
- shallowrunguideservice.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- shallowrunguideservice.com/fishing-reports (opens in a new tab)
- startournament.org/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Matagorda
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.