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Port guide / Upper Texas Coast / Texas
Port O'Connor fishing guide
Port O'Connor sits on the Intracoastal at the southwest corner of Matagorda Bay, with Espiritu Santo Bay, the back lakes behind Matagorda Island, the big jetties and Pass Cavallo all a short run from the ramps. Locals wade and drift the shallow bays for trout, reds and flounder, fish the jetties and pass for big reds, tarpon and summer jacks, and run 40 miles or so out to the rigs for snapper and kingfish. What sets it apart from Palacios, the nearest existing guide, is that open door to the Gulf: Palacios fishes protected bay water from its piers, while Port O'Connor has a jetty pass at the edge of town and offshore fishing on the menu. The jetties, the pass and the Matagorda Island surf all need a boat.
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 O'Connor. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Port O'Connor, TX (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Matagorda Bay Entrance Channel, TX (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, San Antonio, Mesquite, and Espiritu Santo Bays (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Port O'Connor. 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 Port O'Connor guide reports (opens in a new tab) DM Fly Fishing reports (opens in a new tab) Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays (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 O'Connor. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled trout | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Redfish | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| Southern flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| Black drum | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Sheepshead | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Jack crevalle | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Red snapper | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
Speckled trout
Peak: May, June, July, August
Wade the shallow flats at Boggy Bayou and the Little Jetty area or drift Espiritu Santo Bay; TPWD notes trout are caught here all year.
Redfish
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Bay reds work the back lakes and marsh, while the big bull reds run the jetties, Pass Cavallo and the surf, which you can only reach by boat.
Southern flounder
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Night gigging trips run out of town, but Texas closes flounder November 1 to December 14.
Black drum
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Cut mullet on the bottom around the jetties is the simple way, and October 2026 guide reports were still mostly reds and drum in the bays.
Sheepshead
Peak: May, June, July, August
Local guides run sheepshead trips from spring into early fall around hard structure.
Jack crevalle
Peak: May, June, July, August
In summer, schools of menhaden off the beach and around Pass Cavallo draw blitzing jacks, and fly anglers chase them with 10 and 11 weight rods.
Red snapper
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Run out through the jetties to the oil rigs, about 40 miles, and work bottom jigs; check whether the federal season is open before you keep one.
King mackerel
Free lining ribbonfish around the offshore rigs is a proven way to fill a box with kingfish.
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 closing 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
Closed August 1 to 31 and November 1 to July 31, so the season opens September 1. 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
- Jetty
Port O'Connor jetties
Big reds, trout and tarpon, and bottom fishing with cut mullet; you need a boat to reach them.
- Pass
Pass Cavallo
The natural pass into Matagorda Bay; in summer menhaden pull jacks and bull reds into the pass and deeper channels.
- Bay
Espiritu Santo Bay
Shallow bay south of town with island shorelines and cuts that hold trout and reds; much of the paddling trail runs along it.
- Marsh
Mules Slough and Fish Pond
Saltwater marsh between Espiritu Santo and Matagorda bays reached from Fisherman's Cut across the Intracoastal; some spots go dry below a 0.0 foot tide.
- Flats
Boggy Bayou and Little Jetty flats
Walk in wade fishing water close to town.
- Beach
Matagorda Island surf
Undeveloped barrier island beach reached only by boat; the surf holds big reds and trout.
- Offshore
Offshore rigs
Rigs about 40 miles south and southeast of the jetties hold snapper and kingfish, and mahi gather around floating timber and debris.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Fishing Center boat ramps (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 1303 Water Street, Port O'Connor, TX 77982 |
| Byers Street boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Byers Street at the Intracoastal Waterway, Port O'Connor, TX 77982 |
| Little Jetties launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Commerce Street and Washington Street at the Intracoastal Waterway, Port O'Connor, TX 77982 |
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
The Fishing Center (Port O'Connor Fishing Center)
Bait: live shrimp, live croaker, frozen bait
1303 Water Street, Port O'Connor, TX 77982
On the Intracoastal at 13th Street with public boat ramps, fish cleaning station, fuel dock and ice; open 5 am daily (to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, 4 pm Sunday).
- Store
Marty's Landing
Bait: dead bait
31 N Byers Dr., Port O'Connor, TX 77982
Restaurant that also stocks rods, reels, tackle and all forms of dead bait, sells fishing licenses (cash only) and is open 8 am to 10 pm every day.
- Tackle shop
Jeco's Marine and Tackle
2586 W. Adams, Port O'Connor, TX 77982
Inshore and offshore tackle, wading gear, marine electronics and boat sales.
- Tackle shop
Port O'Connor Rod and Gun
82 N Byers, Port O'Connor, TX 77982
Listed under Bait and Tackle in the Port O'Connor Chamber directory.
- Store
Speedy Stop
1620 Adams Ave, Port O'Connor, TX 77982
Convenience store at 16th Street listed under Bait and Tackle in the chamber directory.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Salty Peters Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Kenneth Gregory Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Fish of a Lifetime Guide Service (Marty's Landing) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| ONFLY Adventures, Capt. Steve Branch (opens in a new tab) | Fly |
| Barely Legal Outdoors (Capt. Pat Lester) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| DM Fly Fishing (Capt. Dylan Mendoza) (opens in a new tab) | Fly |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
POC Red Snapper Roundup (opens in a new tab)
season long, during red snapper season, with weigh ins at Hurricane Junction
Warriors Weekend (opens in a new tab)
annual fishing tournament for combat wounded veterans, plus the Purple Heart Classic
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 Port O'Connor, asked and answered
Where can I buy live bait in Port O'Connor?
The Fishing Center at 1303 Water Street on the Intracoastal sells live shrimp and croaker plus frozen bait and tackle, and opens at 5 am every day. Marty's Landing on N Byers Drive stocks dead bait and tackle and sells licenses.
Can I fish the Port O'Connor jetties and Pass Cavallo without a boat?
No. You need a boat to reach the big jetties, Pass Cavallo and the Matagorda Island surf. Without a boat, wade the flats at Boggy Bayou and the Little Jetty area close to town.
When is the best time for trout and reds at Port O'Connor?
Guide data puts trout at their best May through August and redfish May through September, with fair fishing in spring and fall. TPWD notes trout are caught here all year.
Is red snapper open off Port O'Connor 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 run out.
Can I keep flounder in November?
No. Texas closes flounder November 1 to December 14 and the bag limit is zero during that window.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Port O'Connor
Sources for this guide (20), last checked 2026-10-27
- business.portoconnorchamber.com/list/category/bait-tackle-100 (opens in a new tab)
- business.portoconnorchamber.com/list/member/jeco-s-marine-and-tackle-602 (opens in a new tab)
- business.portoconnorchamber.com/list/member/marty-s-landing-fish-of-a-lifetime-guide-servi (opens in a new tab)
- business.portoconnorchamber.com/list/member/poc-red-snapper-roundup-llc-216 (opens in a new tab)
- business.portoconnorchamber.com/list/member/warriors-weekend-360 (opens in a new tab)
- business.portoconnorchamber.com/list/ql/fishing-hunting-28?o=alpha (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/fishing-reports/locations/texas/port-oconnor (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/texas/port-oconnor/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/texas/seadrift (opens in a new tab)
- dmflyfishing.net/port-oconnor-fishing-report-august-2026/ (opens in a new tab)
- dmflyfishing.net/port-oconnor-fishing-report-july-2026/ (opens in a new tab)
- pocfishingcenter.com (opens in a new tab)
- portoconnorchamber.com/community-guide/things-to-do/fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- startournament.org/ (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/boating/paddling-trails/gulf-coast/port-oconnor/ (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)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing/2025-2026-and-2026-2027-gulf-america-rec (opens in a new tab)
- howsyourriver.com/access_sites/byers-street (opens in a new tab)
- texassaltwaterfishingmagazine.com/fishing/locations/mid-coast/port-oconnor (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Port O'Connor
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.