Texas Coast Fishing Apparel
fishing apparel

Fishing Texas Coast

Texas fishes shallow. Most of the coast is a chain of bays behind barrier islands, which means skinny water, hard sun bouncing straight off the flat, and a southeast wind that runs fifteen knots for weeks at a time. You are exposed from launch to load-out with no shade on the poling platform and nothing between you and the sky.

What that means for what you wear

Hooded and long sleeved, every trip. The hood matters more here than anywhere else on the coast because the wind pushes a boat cap off and the glare comes up as well as down. Quick-dry beats heavy cotton the moment you get wet, and you will get wet.

When to go

Fishable year round. June through September is the hard sun stretch where UPF stops being optional. Winter fronts drop the water fast and push fish deep, so layering matters more than insulation.

Ports and launches

• Galveston
• Freeport
• Matagorda
• Rockport
• Port Aransas
• Corpus Christi
• Port Mansfield
• South Padre Island

What you are chasing

• Redfish
• Speckled trout
• Flounder
• Black drum

Common questions

What should I wear fishing in Texas?

A hooded UPF 50+ long sleeve, a hat and sun gloves. Hooded and long sleeved, every trip. The hood matters more here than anywhere else on the coast because the wind pushes a boat cap off and the glare comes up as well as down. Quick-dry beats heavy cotton the moment you get wet, and you will get wet.

When is the best time to fish Texas?

Fishable year round. June through September is the hard sun stretch where UPF stops being optional. Winter fronts drop the water fast and push fish deep, so layering matters more than insulation.

What do people catch around Galveston?

Mostly redfish, speckled trout, flounder and black drum, depending on the season and how far out you run.