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Port guide / Upper Texas Coast / Texas
Surfside Beach fishing guide
Surfside Beach is the small village on the east side of the Freeport Harbor jetties, and where the Freeport guide covers the whole Brazosport area, Surfside is about two things: the east jetty and the fastest run to the Gulf on the Texas coast. The free village ramp on Thunder Road drops you straight into the ship channel next to the Coast Guard station, and Surfside Marina's dry stack is full of offshore center consoles chasing snapper, kings and ling. Without a boat you have the paved Surfside Jetty, about four miles of drivable surf running east to the county line, and a crabbing pier on Bluewater Highway, while bay boats run north to Christmas Bay and San Luis Pass.
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 Surfside Beach. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Freeport Harbor, TX (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from High Island to Freeport TX out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Surfside Beach. 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 Surfside Beach fishing reports (opens in a new tab) Coastal Angler Magazine (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 Surfside Beach. 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 | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Good | Good |
| Southern flounder | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Slow | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good |
| Black drum | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good |
| Red snapper | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Cobia (ling) | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Blacktip and other sharks | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
Redfish
Peak: September, October, November
Reds come off the Surfside Jetty and the ship channel all year, and October brings spawning bull reds to the jetties and beachfront.
Speckled trout
Peak: October
Trout are caught off the jetty walkway and by wading the surf and the bays north of town, with October a strong month.
Southern flounder
Peak: October
Flounder are at their best in October, but Texas closes the fishery November 1 to December 14.
Sheepshead
Peak: January, February, March
Winter sheepshead hold on the jetty rocks, where bank anglers pick at them with shrimp.
Black drum
Peak: February, March, April
Black drum work the Freeport Harbor jetties and channel in late winter and spring.
Red snapper
Peak: June, July, August, September
Snapper is the main offshore trip from Surfside, over natural bottom, reefs and rigs, with summer usually giving the calmest seas.
King mackerel
Peak: July
Kingfish are a summer offshore target, and Surfside Marina hosts a king mackerel tournament each July.
Cobia (ling)
Peak: May, June, July, August
Ling are caught around offshore platforms and nearshore structure in the warm months.
Blacktip and other sharks
Peak: June, July, August
Sharks are caught off the Surfside Jetty and on nearshore trips through summer into October.
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
- Jetty
Surfside Jetty (Freeport Harbor east jetty)
A flat paved walkway about five feet above the water running roughly 0.6 miles into the Gulf, good for reds, sheepshead, sharks and trout, open 8 a.m. to dusk.
- Channel
Freeport Ship Channel
Day and night fishing along the channel side of Jetty Park is popular, and the ramp on Thunder Road puts boats right on it.
- Beach
Surfside beachfront
About four miles of beach run from the jetty east to the county line, and you can drive it with a beach permit sold at the booths or Circle K.
- Pier
Surfside crabbing pier
The village crabbing pier sits across the highway from Stahlman Park; people also crab from shore, the marshes and under the bridge.
- Bay
Christmas Bay
Just north of Surfside, with miles of shoreline and deeper channels for bay boats.
- Pass
San Luis Pass
North of Christmas Bay; bay boats from Surfside fish the pass shorelines and channels.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Village of Surfside Beach boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | Thunder Road, Surfside Beach, TX 77541 |
| Surfside crabbing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | 2211 Bluewater Hwy, Surfside Beach, TX 77541 |
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 (1)
- Marina
Surfside Marina Ship Store
Bait: ballyhoo, cigar minnows, Spanish sardines, squid, menhaden, eel
827 Gulf Road, Surfside Beach, TX 77541
On the Intracoastal by the Freeport Jetties; store open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with fuel, ice and bait 24 hours a day.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Empire Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Kidd Fishing Adventures (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Surfside Beach Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Only Finz Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Velasco Charters (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Oilfield Outkasts 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.
Texas Champions King Mackerel Tournament (Port O'Connor Toy Run benefit) (opens in a new tab)
usually mid July, out of Surfside Marina
2026: July 10 to 11Texas Gulf Coast Billfish Classic (opens in a new tab)
summer; listed by Surfside Marina among its annual tournaments
CCA Texas STAR Tournament (opens in a new tab)
Summer, coastwide (late May to Labor Day); Surfside Marina is an official weigh station
2026: May 23 to September 7Port O'Connor Toy Run (opens in a new tab)
December, starting at Surfside Marina and running down the Intracoastal to Port O'Connor
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Surfside Beach, asked and answered
Where can I fish Surfside Beach without a boat?
Walk the Surfside Jetty, a paved path about 0.6 miles into the Gulf that is open 8 a.m. to dusk and gives up reds, sheepshead, sharks and trout. You can also fish the ship channel from Jetty Park, surf fish the four miles of beach, or crab at the village crabbing pier at 2211 Bluewater Highway.
Is there a free boat ramp in Surfside Beach?
Yes. The village ramp on Thunder Road, built with Texas Parks and Wildlife, is free, has restrooms and a fish cleaning station, and opens straight into the Freeport ship channel next to the Coast Guard station.
Where do I buy bait in Surfside Beach?
Surfside Marina's ship store at 827 Gulf Road sells ice, tackle and frozen offshore bait such as ballyhoo, cigar minnows, sardines, squid, menhaden and eel, with fuel, ice and bait available 24 hours. Its site does not mention live bait.
When is the best time for bull reds at Surfside?
October, during the fall run when bull reds spawn along the jetties and beachfront. Check the TPWD limits page before keeping any red over the slot.
Is red snapper open off Surfside 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, while the federal for-hire season closed October 26, 2026.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Surfside Beach
Sources for this guide (13), last checked 2026-10-27
- fishingbooker.com/destinations/location/us/TX/freeport (opens in a new tab)
- startournament.org/ (opens in a new tab)
- surfside-marina.com/fishing-charters-and-guides/ (opens in a new tab)
- surfside-marina.com/ship-store/ (opens in a new tab)
- surfside-marina.com/surfside-events/ (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)
- brazoriacountytx.gov/departments/parks-department/surfside-jetty (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing/2025-2026-and-2026-2027-gulf-america-rec (opens in a new tab)
- visitbrazosport.com/attractions/quantana-beach-county-park/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitbrazosport.com/attractions/surfside-jetty-county-park/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitsurfsidebeachtx.org/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitsurfsidebeachtx.org/page/do (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Surfside Beach
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.