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Port guide / Upper Texas Coast / Texas
Texas City fishing guide
Texas City fishing starts with the Texas City Dike, a 5.3 mile granite levee that runs into Galveston Bay with a road on top, boat ramps, fishing piers and rocks to cast from. Off the dike you have the bay flats and reefs for trout, the deep Texas City channel for big black drum, and Moses Lake, Swan Lake and Dickinson Bayou close by. It is less than an hour from downtown Houston, so expect company on nice days, and the bay side gives you reds, drum, trout, flounder, sheepshead and jack crevalle.
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 Texas City. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Texas City, Galveston Bay, TX (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Eagle Point, Galveston Bay, TX (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Galveston Bay (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Texas City. 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 City Dike guide reports (opens in a new tab) 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 Texas City. 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 |
| Black drum | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Southern flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| 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 |
| Blacktip shark | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
Speckled trout
Peak: May, June, July, August
Waders work the flats off the dike beachfront out to the reefs, and boats drift the bay reefs.
Redfish
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Bait anglers send mullet, shrimp or crab chunks into the deep cuts off the dike, and bull reds pour into the bays in fall.
Black drum
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Big black drum show up in the Texas City channel as the water warms in spring, and locals reach them from the dike with long rods and heavy tackle.
Southern flounder
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Dike regulars fish the fall flounder run, but Texas closes flounder November 1 to December 14.
Sheepshead
Peak: May, June, July, August
Sheepshead are one of the five most sought species out of Texas City, and the dike is one of the places charters fish for them.
Jack crevalle
Peak: May, June, July, August
Hard-fighting jacks are one of the summer targets from the dike.
Blacktip shark
Blacktips are around from March through November and are a common nearshore charter target out of Texas City.
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
Texas City Dike
A 5.3 mile granite levee into Galveston Bay with a road on top, boat ramps, piers and big rocks over reef-like structure. Driving it is free in winter and costs $10 from the first weekend in March to the last weekend in October, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. ($20 on holiday weekends), and overnight camping is not allowed.
- Flats
Dike beachfront flats
About three-quarters of a mile of beach on the dike opens onto flats where you can wade out to reefs for trout.
- Channel
Texas City channel
Deep water beside the dike where locals fish long rods for big black drum in spring.
- Flats
Skyline Drive levee
North of the dike, the water below the levee is where fly anglers go.
- Bay
Moses Lake
Shallow sandbars run north from the dike toward Moses Lake, so learn the approach before you run it.
- Bay
Swan Lake
Listed with the dike and Moses Lake among the main local spots.
- Channel
Dickinson Bayou
A kayak route for redfish, speckled trout and flounder.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas City Dike boat ramps (including Samson/Yarbrough) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Dike Rd, Texas City, TX |
| El Viejito de Texas City boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 4220 Bay St Ext, Texas City, TX 77590 |
| Texas City Dike fishing piers (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Paid | Dike Rd, Texas City, 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 (6)
Showing all 6 shops
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Boyd's One Stop
Bait: live shrimp, live croaker, live mullet, mud minnows, live crabs, dead croaker, shad, dead mullet, dead crab, squid, dead shrimp
227 Dike Rd, Texas City, TX 77590
Open 24/7 at the base of the Texas City Dike; call the daily price recording or ask a cashier what live bait is in stock.
- Bait shopLive bait
Louis' Bait Camp
Call to ask what bait is in today.
3510 Highway 6, Hitchcock, TX 77563
Bait camp on Highway 6 in Hitchcock with a seafood and burger restaurant.
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Fat Boys Bait and Tackle
Call to ask what bait is in today.
403 Jones Lake Rd, Galveston, TX 77554
On Jones Lake Road by Tiki Island, near the Jones Bay ramp.
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Galveston Bait and Tackle
Call to ask what bait is in today.
9301 Broadway, Galveston, TX 77554
First stop off the I-45 causeway on the island, with boat ramp access.
- Bait and tackle
Lee's Bait and Tackle
Bait shop across the road from Boyd's at the Texas City Dike.
- Tackle shop
Serious Tackle
14065 Delaney St, La Marque, TX 77568
Rod, reel and tackle retailer in La Marque for inshore and offshore anglers.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Galveston Flounder Company (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Reel Smooth Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Hingle's Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Second Chance Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Fresh N Salty Charters (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.
Boyd's One Stop Bull Red Tournament (opens in a new tab)
fall; the 2026 leaderboard was still being updated on October 26, 2026
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 Texas City, asked and answered
Does it cost money to drive the Texas City Dike?
Access is free in winter. From the first weekend in March to the last weekend in October, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., it costs $10 to drive the dike, and $20 on holiday weekends. Overnight camping on the dike is not allowed.
Where can I buy live bait near the Texas City Dike?
Boyd's One Stop at 227 Dike Road is open 24/7 and carries live shrimp, croaker, mullet, mud minnows and crabs, plus dead bait, with a daily price recording for live bait. Lee's Bait and Tackle is across the road.
What can I catch off the Texas City Dike?
Redfish, black drum, jack crevalle, flounder and speckled trout are the main catches. In spring, locals throw long rods into the Texas City channel for big black drum, and waders work the flats off the dike beach for trout.
When is the best time for speckled trout at Texas City?
May through August is the best stretch, with fair fishing in March, April, September and October. Wade the flats off the dike beachfront out to the reefs, or drift the bay reefs by boat.
Can I keep flounder at Texas City in November?
No. Texas closes the flounder fishery November 1 to December 14, with a bag limit of zero, so keep fish from the fall run before November.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Texas City
Sources for this guide (11), last checked 2026-10-27
- captainexperiences.com/locations/texas/texas-city (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/texas/texas-city/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- galvestoncountybusinessdirectory.com/fishing-tackle%2Fbait%2Fgear (opens in a new tab)
- startournament.org/ (opens in a new tab)
- texashighways.com/outdoors/cast-your-line-on-the-longest-fishing-pier-on-earth/ (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)
- boydsonestop.com/boydsonestop (opens in a new tab)
- boydsonestop.com/tournaments (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/el-viejito-de-texas-city (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Texas City
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.