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Port guide / South Padre and the Lower Laguna / Texas
Port Isabel fishing guide
Port Isabel sits on the mainland side of the Lower Laguna Madre at the foot of the Queen Isabella Causeway, a short run from Brazos Santiago Pass. Locals work the clear Laguna flats for trout, reds and flounder, fish the causeway pilings and the long Pirate's Landing pier, and run the pass to the jetties and the Gulf. The Brownsville Ship Channel starts just south of town, and its edges hold snook, a warm water fish that TPWD says is mostly caught in the lower Laguna Madre.
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 Isabel. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Port Isabel, TX (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Laguna Madre From the Port Of Brownsville to the Arroyo Colorado (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Port Isabel. 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 Port Isabel guide reports (opens in a new tab) Captain Experiences Brownsville area guide reports (opens in a new tab) Captain Experiences Texas guide reports (opens in a new tab) Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, South Padre Fishing Scene (Ernest Cisneros) (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 Isabel. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled trout | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Snook | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Southern flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Black drum | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Sheepshead | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow |
Speckled trout
Peak: March, April, May, September, October, November
Drift and wade the Laguna flats and work deeper drop offs when the water gets hot; local guides were catching big trout on topwaters and soft plastics in October 2026.
Redfish
Peak: September, October, November
Reds feed shallow on the Lower Laguna Madre flats and are a favorite sight casting target on plugs or flies.
Snook
Peak: June, July
TPWD says most Texas snook come from the lower Laguna Madre around pilings and structure, and local guides fish the edges of the Brownsville Ship Channel for them.
Southern flounder
Peak: September, October
Bounce finger mullet, shrimp or soft plastics along the Laguna channels and the pass, but harvest closes November 1 to December 14.
Black drum
Peak: January, February, March, April
Drum spread over the flats in summer and take natural baits, and a local guide reported big numbers on the Intracoastal Waterway in late September 2026.
Sheepshead
Peak: February, March
Fish small shrimp or crabs tight to the jetty rocks and bridge pilings.
Tarpon
Peak: June, July, August
Tarpon of all sizes roll in the surf and the pass in summer and eat crabs, finger mullet and jumbo shrimp.
King mackerel
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Kingfish roam the beachfront and passes all summer and are within reach of jetty and small boat anglers through September.
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. Circle hooks are required when using 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)
Federal for-hire season has a fixed closure January 1 to May 31, and the 2026 season closed October 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, federal waters
The 2026 to 2027 recreational season closed October 14, 2026. Fixed closures run August 1 to 31 and November 1 to July 31.
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
- Pier
Pirate's Landing Fishing Pier
Billed as the longest pier in Texas, at the entrance to the Queen Isabella Causeway, with a bait and tackle shop and rental poles on site.
- Flats
Lower Laguna Madre flats
Shallow flats fished by drifting, wading and sight casting for trout, reds, flounder and snook.
- Jetty
Brazos Santiago jetties
The jetties hold kingfish, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, sheepshead and grouper.
- Channel
Brownsville Ship Channel
Guides slow troll and cast artificials along the channel edges, small inlets and shoreline structure for snook, with drum, trout and the odd tarpon mixed in.
- Channel
Intracoastal Waterway
A Port Isabel guide reported large numbers of black drum caught on the ICW in late September 2026.
- Offshore
Nearshore and deep Gulf
Blue water runs close to the beach in late summer and fall, with red snapper, black grouper, cobia and kingfish reported by Port Isabel guides.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pompano Park Public Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 1 Pompano Ave, Port Isabel, TX |
| Pirate's Landing Fishing Pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | 501 E Maxan St, Port Isabel, TX 78578 |
| Jaime J. Zapata Memorial Boat Ramp and Kayak Launch Area (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 44270 State Hwy 48, Brownsville, TX 78521 |
| Isla Blanca Park (Cameron County) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 33174 State Park Rd. 100 N, South Padre Island, TX 78597 |
| Palm Street Public Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | End of Palm Street on the bay, South Padre Island, TX |
| Polaris Street Public Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | End of Polaris Street on the bay, South Padre Island, 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 (5)
Showing all 5 shops
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Quik Stop
Bait: live shrimp, fresh bait, frozen bait
501 W Queen Isabella Blvd, Port Isabel, TX 78578
Opens 5:30 AM every day and also sells tackle, cast nets, ice and fresh Gulf seafood; the shop says to call to check on bait.
- Pier shopLive bait
Pirate's Landing Fishing Pier (Pirates Pier)
Bait: mullet, live shrimp, frozen shrimp, shiners, ribbonfish, squid
501 E Maxan St, Port Isabel, TX 78578
Full tackle and bait shop with rental poles at the foot of the Queen Isabella Causeway; the site lists it as open around the clock.
- Marina
Jim's Pier
211 W Swordfish St, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Guide hub across the causeway on South Padre Island selling bait, tackle, ice and drinks, with fish cleaners at the dock.
- Store
SPI Hardware
4012 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Hardware and marine supply store that the SPI Chamber lists under Fishing Bait, Tackle and Equipment.
- Store
Dirty Al's (Sea Ranch Marina)
33396 State Park Rd. 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597
Seafood business at Sea Ranch Marina that the SPI Chamber lists under Fishing Bait, Tackle and Equipment.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| R&R Outdoor Adventures (Capt. Russell Robinson) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Bode's Bay Fishing (Capt. Walter Bode) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Reel Therapy Charter Service (Capt. Jaime De La Fuente) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Dolphin Docks (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.
Texas International Fishing Tournament (TIFT) (opens in a new tab)
usually late July into early August, Port Isabel and South Padre Island
2027: July 28 to August 1Ladies Kingfish Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually mid August, South Padre Island, with bay and offshore divisions
2027: August 13 to 15Fishing for Hope Tournament (DHR Health) (opens in a new tab)
usually late August, out of Jim's Pier on South Padre Island
PI-ISD Superintendent Scholarship Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually April, South Padre Island, benefiting Point Isabel ISD students
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Port Isabel, asked and answered
Where can I buy live shrimp in Port Isabel?
Quik Stop on Queen Isabella Boulevard sells live shrimp and opens at 5:30 AM, and Pirate's Landing Fishing Pier sells live and frozen shrimp, mullet, shiners and squid. Quik Stop says to call to check on bait.
Can you catch snook near Port Isabel?
Yes. Texas Parks and Wildlife says snook are most often caught in the lower Laguna Madre near pilings and other structure, and local guides fish the edges of the Brownsville Ship Channel for them.
Where is the closest tide and water temperature station?
NOAA station 8779770, Port Isabel. It has tide predictions and reports water temperature and wind.
Is flounder season open in November?
No. Texas closes flounder harvest November 1 through December 14, and the bag limit is zero during that window.
When is TIFT?
The Texas International Fishing Tournament runs out of Port Isabel and South Padre Island in late July and early August. The official site lists July 28 to August 1, 2027.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Port Isabel
Sources for this guide (25), last checked 2026-10-27
- assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/southpadretx/Anglers_Guide_to_ (opens in a new tab)
- assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/southpadretx/Fishing_Guide_wit (opens in a new tab)
- business.spichamber.com/list/category/fishing-bait-tackle-equipment-10812 (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/fishing-reports/locations/regions/port-isabel (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/fishing-reports/locations/texas/brownsville (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/guides/rr-hi-way-baitstand (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/trip/11713/7hrs-snook-fishing (opens in a new tab)
- piratespier.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- piratespier.com/fishing-guides/ (opens in a new tab)
- quikstopbait.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- spichamber.com/ladies-kingfish-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/snook/ (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)
- visitsouthpadreisland.com/blog/post/fishing-food-and-fun-on-south-padre-island/ (opens in a new tab)
- cameroncountytx.gov/parks-home/ (opens in a new tab)
- cameroncountytx.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Notice-Regarding-Temporary-Closure-of-the-I (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)
- portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/02/27/from-the-sandbar-sheepshead-fishing-picks-up/ (opens in a new tab)
- portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/03/27/from-the-sandbar-sheepshead-fishing-slows-down-briefly (opens in a new tab)
- portisabelsouthpadre.com/2025/07/13/south-padre-island-fishing-guides-2025/ (opens in a new tab)
- portisabelsouthpadre.com/2026/08/27/fishing-for-hope-raises-524k/ (opens in a new tab)
- portisabelsouthpadre.com/?s=fishing (opens in a new tab)
- tift.org/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Port Isabel
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.