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Port guide / Upper Texas Coast / Texas
Port Arthur fishing guide
Port Arthur fishes Sabine Lake, a 70,000 acre brackish estuary, 14 miles long and 7 wide, where the Sabine and Neches rivers meet on the Louisiana line. The ship channel runs south to the jetties at Sabine Pass and the Gulf, Pleasure Island gives shore anglers piers, levees and the jetty system, and the Keith Lake chain and Texas Point marsh hold reds and flounder. Redfish, flounder and speckled trout are the big three here, and the fall flounder run is what the town is known for.
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 Port Arthur. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Port Arthur, TX (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Sabine Lake (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Port Arthur. 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.
- We have not found a report source that posts online for this water yet.
Report sources: Captain Experiences Texas guide 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 Port Arthur. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled trout | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Southern flounder | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Black drum | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| Tripletail | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Cobia (ling) | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
Speckled trout
Peak: June, July, August, September
Trout hold over shell and deep holes in Sabine Lake and along the ship channel, and they also show up around the jetties.
Redfish
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September
Reds work the lake shorelines, the marsh around Keith Lake and Texas Point, and the ship channel, and an over-slot bull takes a Red Drum Tag.
Southern flounder
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September
From September through December flounder move from the upper lake toward the Gulf, so Keith Lake, Pleasure Island and the Sabine Pass Battleground piers fill up, but Texas closes flounder November 1 to December 14.
Black drum
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Drum are a regular catch in Sabine Lake alongside the big three of reds, flounder and trout.
Tripletail
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Local guides look for tripletail around the short rigs, the close-in platforms outside Sabine Pass.
Cobia (ling)
Peak: May, June, July, August
Ling are a warm month target around the short rigs outside the jetties, and curly tail jigs are a local favorite.
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 closed 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.
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
Sabine Lake
The 70,000 acre estuary right in town, best known for flounder, redfish and speckled trout.
- Jetty
Sabine Pass jetties
Pleasure Island and the ship channel lead to one of the largest jetty systems in Texas.
- Pier
Pleasure Island piers and levees
The 18-mile island on the west side of the lake has public piers, including a 240-foot pier, plus levees and parks to fish from.
- Marsh
Keith Lake
A chain of lakes on Highway 87 between Port Arthur and Sabine Pass that is a popular fall flounder spot.
- Pier
Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site
Its pier, banks and walkways are an easy place to fish the fall flounder run without a boat.
- Channel
Sabine-Neches Canal
A kayak option within walking distance of the lake.
- Beach
Sea Rim State Park
Nearly two miles of Gulf surf plus 4,000 acres of marsh, with free loaner tackle at the park.
- Marsh
Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge
Nearly 9,000 acres of tidal marsh open at no charge for fishing and crabbing.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Lake Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | State Hwy 87, Port Arthur, TX 77640 |
| Miracle Beach Boat Launch at Pleasure Island (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 3974 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Port Arthur, TX 77640 |
| Pleasure Island Marina boat launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 520 Pleasure Pier Blvd, Port Arthur, TX |
| 4 Pier Boat Launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 4701 Broadway Street, Sabine Pass, TX |
| Pleasure Island 240-foot fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | Pleasure Island, Port Arthur, TX |
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 (8)
Showing all 8 shops
- Bait shopLive bait
Savannah Live Bait Shop
Bait: live shrimp, shiners, mud minnows, mullet
1948 Savannah Ave, Port Arthur, TX 77640
Bait shop that is also a deli and food store.
- Bait shopLive bait
Fish or Hunt Bait Shop
Bait: live bait, artificial bait
3001 State Hwy 73, Port Arthur, TX
Full service bait shop on Highway 73 with live and artificial bait and tackle.
- Bait shopLive bait
Luck in a Bucket Bait Shop
Bait: live saltwater bait, live freshwater bait
344 Highway 365, Port Arthur, TX
Local bait shop on Highway 365 with salt and freshwater live bait.
- Bait and tackle
Causeway Bait, Tackle and Grill
3897 State Highway 82, Port Arthur, TX 77640
Bait, tackle and a grill under the Causeway Bridge on the Texas side, on Pleasure Island.
- Tackle shop
Outkast Tackle and Arms
5603 E Parkway St, Groves, TX
Tackle and firearms store in Groves.
- Store
Academy Sports and Outdoors
8453 Memorial Blvd, Port Arthur, TX
Big box sporting goods store on Memorial Boulevard.
- Bait and tackle
Sportsman Supply
5310 South Gulfway Drive, Sabine Pass, TX
Bait and tackle shop in Sabine Pass, on the way to the jetties and Sea Rim.
- Marina
Port of Sabine Pass
5960 S 1st Ave, Sabine Pass, TX 77655
Full scale marina near Sabine Lake, listed by Visit Port Arthur under bait and tackle.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Captain Randy's Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Coastal Outfitters Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Golden Hook Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Have Boat Will Travel Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Keystone Outdoors Fishing Guide (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Happy Hooker Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Sabine Showdown Fishing Tournament (Lamar State College Port Arthur) (opens in a new tab)
usually September, with weigh-in at the Carl Parker Multipurpose Center in Port Arthur
2026: September 12CCA 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 Port Arthur, asked and answered
When is the fall flounder run at Port Arthur?
Flounder move from the upper end of Sabine Lake toward the Gulf from September through December, and Keith Lake, Pleasure Island and the Sabine Pass Battleground piers are the usual spots. Texas closes flounder November 1 to December 14, so September and October are the months to keep fish.
Where can I fish Port Arthur without a boat?
Pleasure Island has public piers, including a 240-foot pier, plus levees and the jetty system. The Sabine Pass Battleground site has a pier and banks, and Sea Rim State Park has Gulf surf with free loaner tackle.
Where can I buy live bait in Port Arthur?
Savannah Live Bait Shop on Savannah Avenue lists live shrimp, shiners, mud minnows and mullet. Fish or Hunt Bait Shop on Highway 73 and Luck in a Bucket on Highway 365 also sell live bait.
When is the best time for speckled trout on Sabine Lake?
June through September is the best stretch, with fair fishing in spring and in October and November. Fish hold over shell and deep holes in the lake and along the ship channel.
Is red snapper open off Port Arthur right now?
Texas state waters are open all year. The 2026 federal season for private anglers opened May 22 and was still open as of October 23, 2026, while the federal for-hire season closed October 26, 2026. Check TPWD before you go.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Port Arthur
Sources for this guide (17), last checked 2026-10-27
- captainexperiences.com/locations/texas/port-arthur/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- sabinelakeguide.com/great-cobia-fishing-in-september/ (opens in a new tab)
- sabinelakeguide.com/lake-sabine-fishing-report/ (opens in a new tab)
- sabineshowdown.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- startournament.org/ (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)
- visitportarthurtx.com/blog/port-arthur-fishing-an-anglers-guide/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitportarthurtx.com/blog/redfish-flounder-and-trout-oh-my-fall-fishing-in-port-arthur/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitportarthurtx.com/dine/restaurant/causeway-bait-tackle-grill/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitportarthurtx.com/things-to-do/attraction/fish-or-hunt-bait-shop/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitportarthurtx.com/things-to-do/attraction/luck-in-a-bucket-bait-shop/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitportarthurtx.com/things-to-do/attraction/pleasure-island-marina/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitportarthurtx.com/things-to-do/attraction/savannah-live-bait-shop/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitportarthurtx.com/things-to-do/category/bait-and-tackle/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitportarthurtx.com/things-to-do/fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing/2025-2026-and-2026-2027-gulf-america-rec (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Port Arthur
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.