When to come

From the sloughs of Matagorda Island to the pristine flats of the Upper Laguna Madre, the Coastal Bend offers year-round opportunities for most every type of angling and angler. In winter, fish swim to the deep channels or migrate in the flats when the sun warms the shallow water. In warmer months, reds and trout are commonly found in the flats and drop-offs around Traylor, Dagger, Hog, Ransom and Mud islands. Cooler temperatures force them into the slightly warmer deep water channels and holes. Fish also seek depths when bay temperatures rise.

The most commonly targeted species are the big three: spotted sea trout, red drum and flounder. Secondary species include sheepshead, black drum, shark, gafftop, whiting, pompano and offshore species such as red snapper, king mackeral, wahoo, yellowfin and blackfin tuna, grouper, ling, dorado, amberjack and more.

Live bait abounds almost year-round in the Coastal Bend. And most marinas freely provide information and advice on what artificial lures are working best at any given time.