Fishing In Port Aransas Gulf Of Texas: Species, Seasons & Culinary Details

Fish Species in State Waters

Fish Species	Desirability for Eating	Flavor & Texture	Cooking Methods	Best Time to Catch	Key Fishing Tips
Redfish (Red Drum)	High	Mild, firm	Grilling, baking, frying	Year-round, best in September and October	– Look for shallow flats, grass beds, and oyster reefs when targeting redfish. Use live or cut bait.
Black Drum	Moderate	Mild, firm	Grilling, baking, fish stews	June through August	– Fish around structures like jetties and piers using fresh dead shrimp or crabs as bait.
Sheepshead	High	Sweet, firm	Baking, grilling, frying	Year-round, best during the Summer months	– Use fiddler crabs or live shrimp near pilings, rocks, or bridge structures to attract sheepshead.
Speckled Trout	High	Mild, flaky & moist	Grilling, broiling, pan-searing	Year-round, best in Spring and Fall	– Look for seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and drop-offs. Use artificial lures or live bait like shrimp.
Spanish Mackerel	High	Rich, firm	Grilling, smoking, ceviche	Year-round, best in Spring and Summer	– Troll or cast near schools of baitfish using shiny spoons, jigs, or live bait for Spanish mackerel.
Pompano	High	Mild, tender & delicate	Grilling, baking, sautéing	Year-round, best in Fall and Winter	– Fish near the surf zone using sand fleas, shrimp, or small jigs. Look for troughs or sandbars.
Whiting	High	Mild, sweet & tender	Frying, baking, grilling	Year-round, best in Winter and Spring	– Fish in the surf with shrimp, sand fleas, or cut bait. Pay attention to changing tides for better luck.

Fish Species in Federal Waters

Fish Species	Desirability for Eating	Flavor & Texture	Cooking Methods	Best Time to Catch	Fishing Tips
Amberjack	Moderate	Strong, dense & firm	Grilling, broiling, fish tacos, ceviche	Year-round, best in Summer	– Use live bait like jacks, pinfish, or blue runners to target near offshore wrecks, reefs, or oil platforms.
Cobia	High	Sweet, firm & tender	Grilling, searing, baking, sushi, sashimi	May and June	– Look for cobia around buoys, floating debris, or structures. Use live eels, pinfish, or jigs as bait.
King Mackerel	Moderate	Distinctive, firm & oily	Smoking, grilling, fish cakes, curries	Year-round, best in Summer	– Troll or drift near reefs, wrecks, or ledges using live bait, spoons, or diving plugs for king mackerel.
Mahi Mahi	High	Mild, lean & tender	Grilling, baking, fish tacos, fish burgers	Year-round, best in Summer	– Look for floating debris, weed lines, or offshore structures. Troll or cast with lures or live bait for Mahi Mahi.
Sailfish	Low (primarily catch-and-release)	Mild, white & moderately firm	Grilling, baking	Year-round, best in Spring and Fall	– Use live baitfish or rigged ballyhoo near weed lines, temperature breaks, or current edges to target sailfish.
Wahoo	High	Mild, delicate & firm	Grilling, pan-searing, ceviche, sushi	Year-round, best in Summer	– Troll with high-speed lures, diving plugs, or rigged ballyhoo in areas with temperature changes or weed lines for wahoo.
Yellowfin Tuna	High	Rich, firm & dense	Raw (sushi, sashimi), grilling, searing, poke bowls	Year-round, best in Summer	– Target offshore structures, floating debris, or seamounts. Troll, chunk, or cast with baitfish imitations for tuna.