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Port guide / Coastal Bend / Texas
Rockport fishing guide
Rockport and Fulton sit on Aransas Bay with Copano and St. Charles bays behind them, so most of the fishing here is shallow bay water: grass flats, oyster reef, shorelines and harbor bulkheads. Redfish, speckled trout and black drum are the everyday fish, with sheepshead around structure in the cold months and a flounder run in the fall. Compared with Port Aransas next door, this is protected bay country rather than jetty and Gulf fishing, which makes it a good place to wade, drift or fish from a pier when the wind is up.
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, Rockport, TX (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Copano, Aransas, and Redfish Bays (opens in a new tab)
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Rockport. 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 |
| Black drum | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good |
| Southern flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
Speckled trout
Peak: March, April, May, September, October, November
Locals wade and drift the grass flats in spring and fall, then fish deeper bay water, channels and harbors when it turns cold.
Redfish
Peak: September, October, November
Reds work the shallow shorelines and grass of Aransas and Copano bays and feed hardest in the fall.
Black drum
Peak: January, February, March, April
Big drum school up before the late winter spawn, and smaller drum show up in shallow water through the summer; shrimp or crab on the bottom near channels does the job.
Southern flounder
Peak: October
The fall run happens as flounder head for the Gulf, and it overlaps the November 1 to December 14 harvest closure, so October is the month to keep fish.
Sheepshead
Peak: January, February, March
Fish pilings, piers and rocks in the cold months, since adults stay tight to structure and spawn in February and March.
Tarpon
Peak: June, July, August
A summer fish for Rockport boats that run out the pass to the Gulf, where most Texas tarpon are hooked off the beachfront.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: June, July, August
Summer fish in Gulf water outside the pass, caught on fast trolled or cast spoons and jigs.
King mackerel
Peak: June, July, August
Kingfish are an offshore summer target for Rockport anglers who make the run into the Gulf.
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); catch and release only during that window.
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 closes October 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, federal waters
The 2026 recreational season opened September 1 and 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
- Bay
Copano Bay and St. Charles Bay (from the Copano Bay ramp)
The navigation district calls this some of the most protected boat access to Copano and St. Charles bays, and you can still fish from shore at the ramp even though the old causeway pier is closed for good.
- Pier
Fulton Harbor Pier
Newly rebuilt pier at Fulton Harbor with a 5 dollar fee and a four pole limit per person.
- Pier
Rockport Beach breakwater piers
Free, lighted piers on the south side of Rockport Beach and at the end of Market Street.
- Channel
Rockport Beach north pier and Leggett Channel
These need a Rockport Beach pass from the entrance booth at the north end.
- Pier
Goose Island State Park shoreline and pier
Fish the bayfront or the 1,620 foot pier; no fishing license is needed to fish from shore or pier inside a Texas state park.
- Bay
Rockport Harbor seawall and Little Bay shoreline
Walk-in bank fishing right in town along the harbor seawall and Little 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copano Bay Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 5701 Hwy 35 North, Rockport, TX 78382 |
| Cove Harbor North and South Boat Ramps (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Cove Harbor, Rockport, TX 78382 |
| Goose Island State Park boat launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 202 S. Palmetto St., Rockport, TX 78382 |
| Goose Island State Park fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Paid | 202 S. Palmetto St., Rockport, TX 78382 |
| Fulton Harbor Park public fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Paid | Fulton Harbor, downtown Fulton, TX |
| Rockport Beach breakwater piers (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Free | Rockport Beach, Rockport, TX |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flemings Bait Stand (opens in a new tab) | 20 Veterans Memorial Dr, Rockport, TX 78382 | (361) 441-9221 |
| Moms Bait Shop (opens in a new tab) | 302 Navigation Cir, Rockport, TX 78382 | (361) 729-0173 |
| Fulton Harbor Bait and Seafood (opens in a new tab) | 250 Deforest Loop, Fulton, TX 78358 | (361) 790-9709 |
| Aransas Bay Bait Company (opens in a new tab) | 350 Deforest Loop, Fulton, TX 78358 | (361) 463-1814 |
| Paradise Key Bait and Tackle (opens in a new tab) | 164 Cove Harbor North, Rockport, TX 78382 | (361) 557-1818 |
| Sea Gun Bait (opens in a new tab) | 5810 Hwy 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382 | (361) 727-2220 |
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Barnard's Guide Service (Capt. Tommy Barnard) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Aransas Bay Fishing Charters (Capt. Robert Hamilton) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Fishin' All The Time Guide Service (Capt. Larry Miller) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| DM Fly Fishing (Capt. Dylan Mendoza) (opens in a new tab) | Fly |
| D Reel Guiding (Capt. Dustin Wiatrek) (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.
Babes on the Bay (opens in a new tab)
usually May
Deep Sea Roundup (Port Aransas, next door) (opens in a new tab)
usually mid July
2026: July 9 to 12
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Rockport, asked and answered
Is the Copano Bay causeway pier still open?
No. The old causeway pier is closed for good, but you can still fish from shore at the Copano Bay boat ramp.
When is the best time to fish Rockport for redfish and trout?
Spring and fall are the strongest stretches for both, and redfish feed hardest in the fall. In cold weather trout move to deeper bay water, harbors and channels.
Do I need a fishing license at Goose Island State Park?
Not if you fish from the shore or the 1,620 foot pier. No license is needed to fish from shore or pier inside a Texas state park, though the park charges an entry fee.
Can I keep flounder in November?
No. Texas closes flounder harvest from November 1 through December 14, so fish caught then have to be released. October is the time to keep fish on the fall run.
Where can I fish for free from a pier in Rockport?
The lighted breakwater piers on the south side of Rockport Beach and at the end of Market Street are free. The rebuilt Fulton Harbor Pier charges 5 dollars.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Rockport
Sources for this guide (23), last checked 2026-10-26
- aransasbayfishing.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/blog/best-times-to-fish-in-rockport-tx (opens in a new tab)
- deepsearoundup.org/ (opens in a new tab)
- dmflyfishing.net/ (opens in a new tab)
- fishgame.com/2025/10/flounder-closures-coming-up/ (opens in a new tab)
- therockportfishingguide.com/ (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/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/bag-length-limits/snap (opens in a new tab)
- tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island (opens in a new tab)
- acnd.org/copano-boat-ramp (opens in a new tab)
- acnd.org/cove-harbor (opens in a new tab)
- dreelguiding.com/ (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)
- fishinallthetimeguideservice.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- rockport-fulton.org/fishing (opens in a new tab)
- rockportfulton.com/bait-shops (opens in a new tab)
- visitcorpuschristi.com/blog/post/top-fishing-tournaments-in-corpus-christi/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Rockport
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.