Have you thought about catching your own dinner in Corpus Christi? Whether you’re new to crab fishing in Texas or looking for your next favorite spot, the warm Gulf waters and endless shoreline make this city a year-round haven for blue and stone crabs. Corpus Christi is home to some of the best crab fishing in Texas. Learn what you need to know about recreational crabbing in Corpus Christi.
Can You Crab in Corpus Christi?
Absolutely! You can crab in Corpus Christi. There are over 60 types of crabs within the Gulf of Mexico, but most people target just a couple. For example, blue and stone crabs are popular choices and are readily abundant within the warm bays and Gulf waters.
What Month Is Best for Crabbing in Texas?
The summer is when crab season in Texas is really heating up — literally. The warm waters bring about a flurry of activity, making blue claw crabs pretty easy to target. July and August are among the best months for crabbing around Corpus Christi. That makes it a great summer vacation activity for the family!
You should have good luck through most of the fall, too. Thanks to the relatively warm winters, crab season goes year-round in Texas. That is especially true if the water stays warm. If you look at the water conditions in the area, you’ll quickly see they are ideal for crabs throughout most of the year.
What Is the Best Method for Crabbing Around Corpus Christi?
You can take one of several approaches to crabbing in Texas. The most popular one is to use traps. Sometimes called crab pots, these are cages that you place on the sea floor. They attach to a buoy so you can locate and retrieve them later. Crabs enter the traps and then get stuck.
Since Texas’s fishing season also goes year-round, crabbing is a great way to change things up and try something a little different. You can also set traps on one day, go out and fish, and then collect the traps the next day. Even if you don’t have great luck fishing, you will probably still have a full pot of crabs to boil that evening.
Some people use a fishing pole and net to scoop crabs out of the water. This requires a little more finesse and a lot more patience since a crab line does not use a hook.
Toss the baited line into the water and wait for the telltale tug of crabs picking away. Then, start slowly reeling it in. When you can see the crab and bait, scoop it into the net. Just remember to do that while the crab is still in the water.
Texas Parks and Wildlife lists folding panel traps and umbrella nets as additional approved methods for harvesting crabs. No matter which method you choose, be sure to stay within the guidelines posted by TPW. If you choose to use traps, be courteous about their placement and retrieval.
What Types of Bait Are Good for Crabbing in Texas?
Chicken parts make excellent bait for Texas crabbing traps. Toss some chicken necks or legs into the trap, and you are good to go. You can also use chicken parts when line fishing. You’ll want to be patient to avoid dislodging the crabs when you pull the line in.
Many people prefer to go a more traditional route and use fish for bait. This is equally effective. There are some rules about what types of fish you can use, with specific restrictions on area game fish. For example, TPW prohibits the use of red drum and tarpon for bait.
Do You Need a License To Go Crabbing in Texas?
You need to have a valid Texas fishing license with a saltwater endorsement to go crab fishing in Texas. You also must abide by all rules and regulations to catch them. While there are no bag limits on the number of blue claw or stone crabs you can take, there are some restrictions about size.
There is no official crab fishing season in Texas. However, there is a 10-day window starting in late February when crab traps are prohibited. This is so the state can collect abandoned traps that might harm wildlife.
What Do You Need for a Successful Texas Crabbing Trip?
Crabs are among the easiest prey for recreational fishers. Following a few simple tips like these can help ensure you have a successful outing:
Always follow the state regulations about crab size, sponge crabs, and traps.
Choose a location that allows you to set traps or drop a line without interfering with boat traffic.
Keep crabs on ice so they are alive and fresh when you get home.
Time your Corpus Christi crabbing trip around slack tide for good results.
If you are still unsure about crabbing in Corpus Christi on your own, consider hiring a fishing guide. Some that specialize in bottom fishing are also really great at finding and netting crabs. They can also provide the equipment and bait needed, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Where Are Some of the Best Crabbing Spots in Corpus Christi?
You should have no trouble finding great spots in and around Corpus Christi. The water around the city’s piers is great for finding both blue and stone crabs. Some of the top spots in Corpus Christi for crabbing include:
Kennedy Causeway is great on late summer evenings when the tide turns.
North Beach sees a spike in blue crab activity after light summer rains.
Oso Pier tends to be less crowded during weekday mornings
Red Dot Pier is perfect from late spring to early fall.
The T-Heads are particularly good at dawn and dusk.
There are also some prime spots along the bayfront. Boat Stop Marina offers unrivaled access to these spots with its flexible and affordable memberships, secure truck and trailer parking, and fish-cleaning station.
Nearby Crabbing Spots
You can also go a bit farther out to find some nice spots for crabbing in Texas. For example, Port Aransas is just a short drive away; people report bountiful harvests there. You can also access the area by boat when you launch from one of Corpus Christi’s bayside marinas.
Are You Ready To Try Crabbing in Corpus Christi?
If you are ready to try crabbing in Corpus Christi, Boat Stop Marina has you covered. We are an excellent base for all things fishing in the coastal bays and nearby Gulf waters. Boat Stop Marina gives you direct access to top crabbing spots like Red Dot Pier, the T-Heads, and Kennedy Causeway. We’re your go-to base for the Texas crabbing season. Stop in or give us a call to learn about our great fishing services.
Texas is known for great fishing, with more than a dozen types of popular fish, including Redfish. Redfish season in Texas is all year long, and with three unofficial peak seasons, you can’t go wrong. Here’s what you need to know about the best time to catch red drum in Texas using different popular approaches.
When Is The Most Active Redfish Season in Texas?
The spring is widely considered the most active Texas redfish season. It is a time when you will find fish becoming more active, thanks to warming waters. They actively seek out food, which anglers are happy to provide.
Spring red drum season in Texas runs from March through May. You will likely have success in clear shallow waters, fly fishing, or in some marshy areas where the seabed drops off. While red drum activity slows down by early June, it is a great time to take advantage of Texas’s Free Fishing Day.
What Is the Best Month To Catch Redfish?
If you are planning on fishing for red drum in coastal Texas, then you want to head out around September. If you can time your trip around stormy weather, you will find it is a great time to catch trophy fish from marina piers. The fish tend to head to the warm, calm water closer to shore.
When Do Redfish Spawn?
Redfish spawn from late August through October. Known as the fall bull redfish run, this is when the big drum head to shallow waters for spawning. This makes the fall a prime time to head to Corpus Christi for a Gulf waters fishing trip. September and October are the prime months for the bull run, but it starts as early as mid-August and can run through November in some years.
Can You Catch Red Drum All Year in Texas?
Texas offers a year-round fishing season, and with no official red drum season, you can try for them all year. For example, even though summer is not the best time for red drum, it offers a decent Texas redfish season for those with some patience. The fish tend to go to deeper water when the weather warms up, so early morning or evening trips are often the most successful.
If you go during an off time, use these tips for red drum fishing in Texas to get started on the right foot:
Fish around structures like bridges or jetties
Seek out areas with sudden drop offs
Use live bait when possible to attract more fish
Hiring a fishing guide who is familiar with the local waters is also a good idea. It can also help ensure that you stay well within the bag limits for drum and other fish while you are out.
Are You Ready To Make the Most of Redfish Season in Texas?
Make Corpus Christi your home base for this year’s redfish season in Texas. Whether you’re chasing the fall bull run or hoping for a spring strike, Boat Stop Marina puts you right where the action is. With easy Gulf access, a fish-cleaning station, and expert local insight, we’re your launch point for redfish success. Contact us today to plan your stay.
The Gulf of Mexico is home to a wide array of wildlife, including waterfowl, shorebirds, many different fish species, coral reefs, and more, even lobsters. Texas is not known for having a lobster population, but they are occasionally seen if the conditions are right. Now, let’s look deeper to find out if there are lobsters in the Gulf of Mexico and if you can catch them.
Are There Lobsters in the Texas Gulf of Mexico?
Lobsters exist in the Gulf of Mexico, though they are typically found more prominently in areas other than Texas. The Gulf of Mexico has many marine ecosystems, home to a wide variety of sea life. Sporadically, lobster populations have been observed.
Lobster Species in the Gulf
There are several lobster species you can find in the Gulf of Mexico. Let’s look at some of the common ones.
Spiny Lobster
Spiny lobsters are the most common species seen in the Gulf. There are two types of Spiny lobster: Spotted and Broad-tailed. These Spiny lobsters have large tails but do not have claws to protect themselves, so they move very quickly.
Spanish Slipper Lobster
Spanish Slipper Lobsters are bright red and shiny. They are often found in the cracks and crevices of coral reefs but are also some of the most widely caught lobsters for commercial sale to markets and restaurants.
Sculptured Slipper Lobster
Sculptures Slipper Lobsters resemble horseshoe crabs. They have ten legs, a flat body, and a brownish-yellow, sandy-looking shell.
Can You Catch Lobster in the Gulf?
Yes, you can catch lobster in the Gulf of Mexico, though it is easier to find them around Texas if the current is right and they had a mild winter, so the water conditions are right. Lobsters tend to reside in more tropical areas.
Regulations and Legal Considerations
There are several federal regulations regarding lobster fishing, including times of year, bag limits, and sizes.
Lobster fishing is open from January 1 through March 31, July 24 through July 25, and August 6 through March 31.
Lobster fishing is closed from April 1 through July 23, July 26 through August 5, and April 1 through December 31.
Bag limit of six lobsters.
The carapace length must be three inches.
Note that divers catching lobsters must measure them in the water. If the lobster’s length is under the three-inch minimum, you must release it without leaving the water.
Lobster Fishing Techniques
When it comes to lobster fishing techniques, you can catch them while snorkeling or scuba diving with a hoop net by hand or go out on a boat with a hoop net trap. An experienced Angler can point you in the right direction of where you can find lobsters. You can use sardines as bait in the lobster trap, lowering into the water and then bringing it up every 15 minutes or so to check for lobsters.
There are Lobsters in the Gulf of Mexico, and Boat Stop Marina can Help
So, are there lobsters in the Gulf of Mexico? The simple answer is yes, but finding them on the Texas Gulf Coast can be difficult. If you want to go lobster fishing, you may have to travel out into the Gulf, where the waters are more tropical. Ensure that you follow all of the rules and regulations of lobster fishing. If you have questions or want to discuss lobster fishing, contact us at Boat Stop Marina for the answer you seek. We are here to make your lobster fishing trip a success.
Fishing is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors. Usually, this activity requires spending money on the proper licensing, but there are exceptions. Free Fishing Day in Texas allows everyone a chance to break out the poles without purchasing a package.
When Is Free Fishing Day in Texas?
Free Fishing Days in Texas occur in June, on the first Saturday. On this day, you can fish from a boat without worrying about having the proper fishing license and endorsements.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department typically requires individuals over 17 and under 93 to purchase at least one type of fishing license, which allows them to fish in Texas’s public waters, and an endorsement, which allows them to take the fish they catch. There are three basic types of licenses:
Saltwater
Freshwater
All-Water
You can purchase endorsements of the same type or get packages that include the appropriate license and endorsements.
You may also need red drum tags depending on the type and size of fish you plan to catch. The total price of your fishing trip depends on whether you qualify for a senior or resident discount. While the various permits are essential for funding Texas Parks and Wildlife services, it’s a lot of information to navigate. Free Fishing Day in Texas simplifies the process, allowing more people to try the sport.
What Do You Need for Free Fishing Day?
While you don’t need to worry about licenses, there’s plenty to do to prepare for Free Fishing Day. First and foremost, you’ll need to bring sun protection and plenty of water.
Temperatures can reach over 90 degrees in June in Texas, and the skies are mostly clear. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are real concerns, so plan accordingly, especially if you’re out with kids.
According to the CDC, you should drink about 1 quart an hour when active in the heat. To keep your beverages cold, consider bringing an ice cooler along.
Sunscreen is also crucial during Texas summers. Choose a broad-spectrum option of at least 30 SPF for maximum protection. Experts recommend reapplying every 2 hours, though you may need to reapply more frequently if you sweat a lot. It’s also a good idea to wear a wide-brimmed hat treated with chemical sun protection to shield your neck, ears, and face. Sunglasses can protect your eyes from the bright sun and glare off the water.
You’ll also need the appropriate fishing gear. The year-round rules still apply on Texas’s Free Fishing Day, so make sure your equipment complies:
No underwater, hand-operated devices for game fish
No fishing devices not explicitly listed on the TPWD website
No more than 100 hooks in total
Finally, check out your chosen fishing area before you head out. Review the rules, including those about parking. Every destination has its own amenities and regulations, so familiarize yourself with the layout and restrictions. Doing so will help you and your fellow anglers have the best time.
Why Spend Free Fishing Day at a Texas Marina?
Boat Stop Marina is an excellent place to spend your Free Fishing Day in Texas. Our members-only location in Corpus Christi offers a fish cleaning station, family picnic area, dual launch ramp, and more. To learn more about our amenities, contact us today.
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.
DrumÂ
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.
MackerelÂ
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!
