This guide to saltwater fish limits in Texas will help you follow regulations on your Gulf Coast fishing trip. Sizes for some species have a minimum and a maximum length, so keep a tape measure on board to measure your catch.
Regulations and Saltwater Fish Limits in Texas
The following are the legal fish sizes in Texas. Bag limits refer to the total number of fish you can keep within a 24-hour day from midnight to midnight. Except for spotted seatrout, you can take twice the bag limit of each species home.
Amberjack
The bag limit for greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) is one, with a minimum length of 38 inches and no maximum length.
Bass
You can have a combination of five striped bass (Morone saxatilis), bass hybrids, and subspecies, but each must be at least 18 inches long.
Catfish
Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), blue catfish (I. furcatus), and all hybrids and subspecies have a combined bag limit of 25 fish. There is no minimum size, but only ten catfish in your bag can be over 20 inches long.
Cobia
You may keep one cobia (Rachycentron canadum), but it must be at least 40 inches long.
Drum
The bag limit for black drum (Pogonias cromis) is five fish between 14 and 30 inches. You may also include one black drum over 52 inches in your catch limit.
The limit for red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is three per day, and they all must measure between 20 and 28 inches.
Once per license year, your saltwater fish limits in Texas include one red drum that must measure over 28 inches. This bonus fish is in addition to your daily bag limit. After catching it, you must either attach a physical tag to the fish or report it online.
Flounder
The southern flounder (Paralichthyslethostigma) season is from December 15 to October 31. During this time, the bag limit is five, and the minimum length is 15 inches. You may not keep flounder of any size from November 1 to December 14.
Gar
There is a one-fish bag limit for alligator gar of any size (Atractosteus spatula). If you catch one anywhere in Texas other than in Falcon International Reservoir, you must report it within 24 hours to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Grouper
The bag limit for black groupers (Mycteroperca bonaci) is four and for gag groupers (M. microlepis) is two. Fish of both species must be at least 24 inches long. Goliath (Epinephelus itajara) and Nassau groupers (E. striatus) are catch-and-release only.
Mackerel
You may keep three king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) of at least 27 inches in length per day. You also may have up to 15 Spanish mackerel (S. maculatus) of 14 inches or more.
Marlin
There are no saltwater fish limits in Texas on the number of marlins you can keep per day. However, blue marlins (Makaira nigricans) must be at least 131 inches long, and white marlins (Kajikia albida) must be at least 86 inches.
Mullet
You can keep as many mullet as you can catch. This bag limit includes striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), white mullet (M. curema), and all other mullet species and hybrids. There are no size limits except from October to January, when the maximum size is 12 inches.
Sailfish
There is no bag limit for Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus), but you must release any that are not at least 84 inches long.
Seatrout
According to new regulations for spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), you may have only three in your possession for the entirety of your fishing trip. This number is the same as the daily bag limit, and each fish must be at least 15 inches long. Two fish can be up to 20 inches, and one can be a maximum of 30 inches.
Shark
You may not keep the following species: Atlantic angel, basking, bigeye sand tiger, bigeye sixgill, bigeye thresher, bignose, Caribbean reef, Caribbean sharpnose, dusky, Galapagos, longfin mako, copper, night, oceanic whitetip, sandbar, sand tiger, sevengill, shortfin mako, silky, sixgill, smalltail, whale, and white sharks.
Saltwater fish limits in Texas for all other sharks not listed above are one per day. Atlantic sharpnoses (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae), blacktips (Carcharhinus limbatus), and bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo) must be at least 24 inches long.
Smooth, great, and scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna zygaena, S. mokarran, and S. lewini) must be at least 99 inches long, and all other legal shark species must be at least 64 inches long.
Sheepshead
Southern sheepshead fish (Archosargus probatocephalus) have a bag limit of five and a minimum length of 15 inches.
Snapper
There is no limit to the number of lane (Lutjanus synagris) and vermillion (Rhomboplites aurorubens) snappers you may keep per day. Lanes must measure at least 8 inches, and vermillions must be 10 inches.
The regulations for red snappers (Lutjanus campechanus) vary based on which agency manages the water where you are fishing. In federal waters, the bag limit is two fish that must measure at least 16 inches long. In Texas waters, the limit is four fish that must measure a minimum of 15 inches long.
Snook
You may keep one common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) between 24 and 28 inches long per day.
Tarpon
The bag limit is one Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), and the minimum size is 85 inches.
Triggerfish
The bag limit for gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) is 20, and the minimum length is 16 inches.
Tripletail
The limit for Atlantic tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) is three fish. Each fish must be at least 17 inches long.
Why We Have Saltwater Fish Limits in Texas
Most local anglers agree that Texas’s fishing regulations exist for a good reason. Bag limits prevent overharvesting of highly sought-after species such as seatrout, and size restrictions ensure that adult fish have an opportunity to reproduce.
By adhering to the rules, you can do your part to guarantee there are plenty of fish in the water each time you visit Boat Stop Marina. Contact us today with questions about saltwater fish limits in Texas or anything related to your upcoming Gulf Coast boating adventures. Our staff loves to talk about saltwater fishing, and we look forward to seeing you on the water soon.
Do you need a boating license in Texas? Vacationers may commonly ask this as they plan the fishing trip of their dreams to the Intracoastal Waterway. It is important to have all the necessary documents on board before setting sail, as this is the only way to relax fully.
Here is everything you need to know about boating worry-free in the glassy waters of Corpus Christi Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway, and Texas’s Gulf Coast.
Do You Need a Boating License in Texas?
Anyone over 13 years old with a birthday after September 1, 1993, must carry a Texas Boater Education Card and a valid photo ID to operate the following types of boats in Texas:
Personal watercraft
Sailboats longer than 14 feet
Boats with motors of 15 horsepower or more
You will receive your card after you complete a Texas Boater Education course. While many people refer to the Texas Boater Education Card as a boating license, it is not an official state license because it never expires.
Do I Need a Boating License in Texas if I Am Above the Minimum Age?
No, only people older than 13 and born after September 1, 1993, need a Texas Boater Education Card.
Texas Parks and Wildlife authorities assume people above a certain age are already experienced boaters. However, they still recommend that all boat operators undergo the training and receive a card.
Can You Drive a Boat With a Driver’s License in Texas?
No, a driver’s license does not allow you to drive a boat in Texas. However, if you were born after September 1, 1993, your driver’s license can serve as your required photo ID.
You need a boating license in Texas, but you may instead show proof of boater education from another state or any vessel operator’s license from the U.S. Coast Guard. Children under 13 without photo IDs may operate a boat if an adult on board who may legally drive the boat supervises them.
How Hard Is It To Get a Boating License in Texas?
It is easy to get a boating license in Texas by taking a boater education course.
The course takes approximately three hours, and you may complete the requirements in person or online. Be sure the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators approves any online option you choose. If you do not have time to take the course before your trip, you may apply for a one-time 15-day boater’s education deferral.
Why Do You Need a Boating License in Texas?
As you prepare to attend one of our famous events or come for a quiet getaway, taking a boater safety course may seem unnecessary on your already long to-do list. But as you reel in flounder, redfish, and other Gulf Coast specialties, you will rest assured that fellow captains of vessels you share the water with understand safe boating techniques. This knowledge can give you peace of mind and prevent accidents.
Contact us today for more information about whether you need a boating license in Texas or have any other questions. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Whether you live in the area or plan to visit, you may wonder about things to do in North Padre Island. Padre Island is a barrier island more than 100 miles long on the east side of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. At its upper end, North Padre Island is a district of Corpus Christi, Texas, where year-round mild temperatures provide ample opportunities for entertainment.
Things To Do in North Padre Island: Boating
As an island, North Padre Island is a premiere boating locale. You can charter boats to see dolphins, host special events, watch the sunset, or even just enjoy the area’s natural ecology. However, you may also enjoy sailing, water skiing or just spending time on the water for pleasure.
North Padre Island Fishing
As a world-renowned fishing destination, fishing is one of the most common things to do in North Padre Island. You can find fish right from shore. From the waters of Upper Laguna Madre, you can find trout, flounder, black drum and redfish.
However, if you have a boat you park at a local marina, you can also get out on the water. North Padre Island and Corpus Christie also offer fishing charters, where you can get into deeper waters and catch sharks, northern red snapper, tuna, snook, sailfish, tarpon, marlin, mahi-mahi and other large fish species.
Before your fishing adventure, get a valid fishing license from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Learn about the regulations concerning freshwater and saltwater fin fish, crustaceans and mollusks. These include catch limits, fishing methods, boating regulations and aquatic species transports. Before you eat any fish you catch, check with The Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Texas to learn about any advisories.
Non-Motorized Water Sports
If you seek a non-motorized activity on the water, you can lease a kayak and get close to the sea life in the area. You can even fish from your kayak. Kayak tours, some of which glow for an evening adventure, are another of the things to do in North Padre Island.
Surfing is one of the most popular water sports, and if you don’t have experience, you can lease equipment and pay for lessons. You can also try skimboarding or bodyboarding. Paddleboarding has become a popular water sport as well. You don’t need a lot of gear, and you can work out your entire body while you glide along the island’s coast.
If you want more of an adrenaline rush, consider kite surfing or windsurfing. Both these activities harness the wind to move you around the water. You also can enjoy scuba and snorkeling adventures.
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore is 130,434 acres of undeveloped island, including 70 miles of coastline. Visit this national park is one of the most appreciated things to do in North Padre Island. You can observe the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the most endangered in the world, as well as other endangered and threatened species. View bird species in the park’s different habitats, such as the tidal mudflats, the grasslands, or the beach.
Visit the beaches, where you can swim, fish, search for seashells or just relax in the sun. You will also find campgrounds, and you can camp right on the beach with a tent. You can even rent beach chairs, fishing equipment, children’s toys, coolers and canopies to protect you from the sun. Don’t forget horseback riding along the beach.
Texas Sealife Center Tours
If you have children or simply want to learn more about wildlife preservation, consider some alternative North Padre Island things to do, including a visit to the Texas Sealife Center. This nonprofit rescues local wildlife. These aquatic and coastal species may have injuries or become stranded and need a little help. The center provides rehabilitation and support to local species, but its goal is to release the wildlife back into their natural environment. The center also provides educational opportunities and tries to raise awareness of its conservation efforts and those of others.
North Padre Island Things To Do: Golf
If you are looking for things to do in North Padre Island and enjoy golf, you are in for a treat. In Port Aransas, you will find Pamilla Beach, where you can golf without a club membership. This 12-hole course was an Arnold Palmar creation.
The Oso Beach Golf Course offers lessons, camps, a junior academy and golf events, such as the Monday Night Scramble and a 9-hole league. Designed by John Bredemus in 1949, the course hosts the World Championship Four-Ball Match. If you want an 18-hole regulation course, driving range and putting area, check out the Lozano Golf Center.
If you bring your children, check out Treasure Island Golf and Games, a treasure-island-themed mini-golf course with an indoor arcade.
Corpus Christi Museums
To supplement the things to do in North Padre Island, consider visiting the museums in Corpus Christi. Start with the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. The Bay Education Center also houses the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science on a Sphere.
You may also consider the Art Museum of South Texas or the Art Center of Corpus Christi. View various historic homes, including the French Galvan House, Britton-Evans Centennial House, Julius Lichtenstein House and the Grande-Grossman House, which includes the Tejano Civil Rights Museum.
For a little naval history, check out the USS Lexington Museum, a working WWII aircraft carrier. Experience the Haunting on the Blue Ghost and tour, and don’t forget the Texas Maritime Museum.
Swimming in North Padre Island
Can you swim at North Padre Island? Yes!
You can swim along the Gulf of Mexico’s coast. Several beaches allow swimming, including North, Malaquiet and Laguna Madre at Bird Island Basin and South Beach. However, none of these beaches have lifeguards and often have strong currents, tides and sharp drop-offs. Pay attention to the beach warning flags to keep yourself and your family safe.
Find More Things To Do in North Padre Island
Because the island is part of the greater Corpus Christi area, if you visit, don’t hesitate to check out the activities available around the city. As a resident, purchase a boat to take advantage of all the water activities. Contact us to learn about marina storage and membership.
