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Port Aransas

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Texas, United States

4.8·952 catches

Top fish species at Port Aransas

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Port Aransas fishing reports

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Red drum

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Bonnethead shark

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Mangrove snapper

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Yellowfin tuna

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Blackfin tuna

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Ladyfish

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General info

Port Aransas is a stream located in Nueces County, Texas, United States. It is most popular for fishing Northern red snapper, Red drum, and King mackerel.

Location

27°50′22.9″N 97°03′45.1″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Port Aransas, TX

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Texas can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Northern red snapper

Northern red snapper

Regulation boundaryTexas State Waters
Bag limit4

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size15" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Special gear

Circle Hook Only

It is unlawful to use any kind of hook other than a circle hook when using natural bait.

Restrictions & requirements

Descending Device/Venting Tool

Anglers fishing for reef fish must have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to use. Take a short 15‑minute training to learn how to properly use required release gear and access it at a discounted price through returnemright.org.

Descending Device/Venting Tool

Descending device or venting tool rigged and ready is required when fishing for reef fish, and use such device if releasing a fish that suffers from barotrauma. Get descending device gear for FREE by completing a 15-minute training from Return 'Em Right. Get started here: returnemright.org

Additional information
Red Snapper Season in Texas State WatersOpen: Year-roundApplies to: Private recreational anglers in state waters. The federal for-hire season opens June 1, 2025. Anglers fishing from federally-permitted for-hire vessels in federal waters may retain 2 fish per person with a 16-inch minimum size limit.For more information about Red Snapper regulations in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico, see Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. Red snapper may be taken using pole and line, but it is unlawful to use any kind of hook other than a circle hook when using natural bait.All commercial and recreational anglers must possess a venting tool or a rigged descending device on their boat while fishing for reef fish in federal water. This is improve the proportion of released fish that survive. For information about Red Snapper regulations see TPWD Red Snapper and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
Edibility
Excellent, but may contain ciguatera toxin.
Synonyms
Lutjanus campechanus
Season open: year-round
Red drum

Red drum

Regulation boundaryTexas State Waters
Bag limit3

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size20" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Max size28" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Additional information
Hook and line only. During a license year, 1 red drum over the stated maxiumum length limit may be retained when affixed with a propertly completed Red Drum Tag and one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Bonus Red Drum Tag. Any fish retained under authority of a Red Drum Tag or a Bonus Red Drum Tag may be retained in addition to the daily bag and possession limit.
Edibility
Very Good
Synonyms
Channel Bass, Redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus, Spottail Bass
Season open: year-round
King mackerel

King mackerel

Regulation boundaryTexas State Waters
Bag limit3

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size27" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Additional information
Hook and line only. Bag limit increased to 3 kingfish per person, effective March 16, 2018
Edibility
Very good, but may contain elevated mercury levels. Watch Deer Meat for Dinner's Kingfish Catch, Clean, Cook. It's very good!
Synonyms
Scomberomorus cavalla, Smoker, kingfish
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Local laws and licenses

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Reviews of Port Aransas

4.8
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12 ratings

5
4
3
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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Port Aransas

2.5 miles away

Ingleside

9.1 miles away

Rockport

13.1 miles away

Tradewinds

16.1 miles away

Portland

16.6 miles away

Bayside

19.9 miles away

Corpus Christi

20.7 miles away

Lamar

21.5 miles away

Taft

22.4 miles away

Holiday Beach

22.9 miles away

Loma Linda

29.1 miles away

Woodsboro

31.8 miles away

Morgan Farm

32.1 miles away

Tierra Grande

32.5 miles away

Odem

32.9 miles away

Refugio

34.8 miles away

Robstown

37.2 miles away

Austwell

40.4 miles away

San Patricio

44.6 miles away

Seadrift

44.9 miles away

Tynan

47.7 miles away

Rancho Banquete

47.9 miles away

Skidmore

47.9 miles away

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FAQ about Port Aransas fishing

📍 Where is the Port Aransas located?
the Port Aransas is a stream located in Nueces County, Texas, United States. Its coordinates are:
27°50′22.9″N 97°03′45.1″W
.
🎣 Where on the Port Aransas is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Port Aransas by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the Port Aransas?
The most common species in the Port Aransas are:
📢 What are the latest Port Aransas fishing reports?
The latest Port Aransas fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at the Port Aransas right now?
According to fishing regulations at the Port Aransas, some of the species in season this November include: Atlantic bluefin tuna. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Port Aransas?

Fishing in Texas requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Resident and non-resident licenses, including short-term and combination options, are available online or from licensed retailers statewide.

In Texas, no fishing license is required for anglers under 17 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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