First Cast Species

Brackish species

Showing 13 of 80 fish profiles. Reminder-only regulation cards are used when exact TPWD limits are not confidently sourced.

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Red Drum

Sciaenops ocellatus

A copper-backed inshore bruiser that feeds aggressively across flats, passes, jetties, and marsh drains when tide movement concentrates bait.

Where: Grass flats, Marsh drains

Gear: Medium spinning rod, Paddle tail soft plastic

SaltwaterGrass flatsMarsh drainsOyster reefs

Gear: 7' medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid, 20-25 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Baits/Lures: Live shrimp, Mullet, Paddle tail soft plastic, Gold spoon

Location guidance

Grass flats, Marsh drains, Oyster reefs, Jetties near Galveston Bay, Port Aransas jetties, Lower Laguna Madre.

ShorePierBoatKayak

Best when tide or wind moves bait across grass, drains, shell, or sandy potholes.

Season / conditions

Spring and fall shorelines can be strong; summer fish often slide to early flats, passes, and deeper edges.

Bag limit: 3 fish per day

Length: 20 - 28 in

One red drum over 28 inches may be retained per license year with a properly completed Red Drum Tag; one additional oversized fish requires a Bonus Red Drum Tag.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

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Spotted Seatrout

Cynoscion nebulosus

An ambush predator that keys on glass minnows and shrimp along current seams, grass lines, and sandy potholes.

Where: Grass lines, Sandy potholes

Gear: Medium-light spinning rod, Suspending twitchbait

SaltwaterGrass linesSandy potholesCurrent seams

Gear: 7' medium-light spinning rod, 2500-3000 reel, 10-15 lb braid, 15-20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Baits/Lures: Live shrimp, Croaker, Suspending twitchbait, Paddle tail jig

Location guidance

Grass lines, Sandy potholes, Current seams, Shell pads near Galveston Bay, Baffin Bay, Port Mansfield.

WadePierBoatKayak

Look for current seams, bait flickers, slicks, and clean water over grass or shell.

Season / conditions

Low-light topwater windows are best in warm months; cold fronts push fish toward deeper drains and channels.

Bag limit: 3 fish per day

Length: 15 - 20 in

One spotted seatrout over 28 inches may be retained per license year with a properly completed Spotted Seatrout Tag; one additional oversized fish requires a Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

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Southern Flounder

Paralichthys lethostigma

A bottom-oriented predator best targeted near drains, channel bends, and sandy transitions with slow presentations.

Where: Marsh drains, Channel edges

Gear: Medium spinning rod, Paddle tail jig

SaltwaterMarsh drainsChannel edgesSandy points

Gear: 7' medium spinning rod, 2500-3000 reel, 10-15 lb braid, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Baits/Lures: Mud minnow, Gulp shrimp, Paddle tail jig

Location guidance

Marsh drains, Channel edges, Sandy points, Passes near Sabine Lake, Galveston channels, Port Aransas passes.

ShorePierBoatKayak

Slow presentations near bottom around drains, sandy points, dock lights, and channel lips.

Season / conditions

Fall migration concentrates fish near passes and channel edges; check current seasonal closures before harvest.

Bag limit: 5 fish per day

Length: 15 in minimum

Fishery closed Nov 1-Dec 14; the daily bag limit is 0 during the closure. Possession limit equals the daily bag limit.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

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Black Drum

Pogonias cromis

A scent-driven feeder that roots shell, mud, and structure for crab, shrimp, and small shellfish.

Where: Oyster reefs, Bridge pilings

Gear: Medium-heavy spinning rod, Carolina rig

SaltwaterOyster reefsBridge pilingsJetties

Gear: 7' medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 reel, 20-30 lb braid, 30 lb leader.

Baits/Lures: Blue crab, Dead shrimp, Carolina rig

Location guidance

Oyster reefs, Bridge pilings, Jetties, Deep channels near Galveston jetties, Corpus Christi Bay, Port Aransas channels.

ShorePierBoat

Use scent and bottom contact around shell, mud, current, and pilings.

Season / conditions

Cool-season drum often stack near channels, bridges, and jetties.

Bag limit: 5 fish per day

Length: 14 - 30 in

One black drum over 52 inches may be retained per day as part of the five-fish daily bag limit.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

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Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

A powerful open-water predator that follows baitfish, wind, current, and temperature bands across reservoirs.

Where: Open-water bait schools, Dam faces

Gear: Medium-heavy casting rod, Casting spoon

FreshwaterOpen-water bait schoolsDam facesMain-lake humps

Gear: 7' medium-heavy rod, 3000-4000 reel or casting setup, 20-30 lb braid with leader.

Baits/Lures: Live shad, Large spoon, Casting spoon, Fluorocarbon leader

Location guidance

Open-water bait schools, Dam faces, Main-lake humps, River channels near Lake Texoma, Possum Kingdom Lake, Lake Whitney.

BoatGuide boatBank near dam areas

Use electronics or bird activity to locate bait before dropping slabs or casting spoons.

Season / conditions

Summer and winter patterns often revolve around shad schools and depth changes.

Regulations: Check current TPWD rules before harvesting.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

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Hybrid Striped Bass

Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis

A hard-pulling stocked hybrid that groups around bait, current, wind-blown structure, and deep summer schools.

Where: Main-lake structure, Wind-blown points

Gear: Medium-heavy spinning combo, Slab spoon

FreshwaterMain-lake structureWind-blown pointsTailraces

Gear: 7' medium-heavy spinning rod, 3000-4000 reel, 15-30 lb braid.

Baits/Lures: Shad, Sassy shad, Slab spoon, Swivel and leader kit

Location guidance

Main-lake structure, Wind-blown points, Tailraces, Bait schools near Lake Lewisville, Lake Ray Hubbard, Tawakoni.

BoatShore near tailracesKayak in protected water

Target shad, current, tailraces, wind-blown points, and main-lake structure.

Season / conditions

Schooling windows can be fast; spring and summer wind-blown structure can be productive.

Regulations: Check current TPWD rules before harvesting.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

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Alligator Gar

Atractosteus spatula

A primitive apex fish of big rivers, reservoirs, and backwaters that requires specialized tackle and careful handling.

Where: Big rivers, Backwaters

Gear: Medium casting rod, Heavy float rig

FreshwaterBig riversBackwatersDeep bends

Gear: Heavy rod, large conventional reel, heavy braid or mono, and legal gar rigging.

Baits/Lures: Cut carp, Mullet, Heavy float rig

Location guidance

Big rivers, Backwaters, Deep bends, Reservoir flats near Trinity River, Brazos River, Choke Canyon Reservoir.

BoatBank where legal and safe

Target big rivers, backwaters, slough mouths, and deep bends without claiming harvest legality.

Season / conditions

Warm months and calm surface activity can reveal fish, but local rules and ethics matter.

Regulations: Check current TPWD rules before harvesting.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

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Sheepshead

Archosargus probatocephalus

A structure-focused bait thief that feeds on barnacles, crabs, and shrimp around jetties, pilings, docks, and rocks.

Where: Jetty rocks, Bridge pilings

Gear: Medium spinning rod, Knocker rig

SaltwaterJetty rocksBridge pilingsDocks

Gear: 7' medium spinning rod, 2500-3000 reel, 15-20 lb braid, short fluorocarbon leader.

Baits/Lures: Fiddler crab, Live shrimp, Knocker rig

Location guidance

Jetty rocks, Bridge pilings, Docks, Bulkheads near Galveston jetties, Port Aransas jetties, South Padre pilings.

PierJettyBoatKayak

Use small hooks and crab or shrimp near barnacles, pilings, bulkheads, and jetty rocks.

Season / conditions

Late winter and spring structure bites can be strong around rocks and pilings.

Regulations: Check current TPWD rules before harvesting.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

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Tarpon

Megalops atlanticus

A large migratory sport fish found around passes, beaches, channels, bridges, bait schools, and rolling fish.

Where: Passes, Beaches

Gear: Heavy spinning or conventional setup with strong leader., Swimbaits

SaltwaterPassesBeachesChannels

Gear: Heavy spinning or conventional setup with strong leader.

Baits/Lures: Live mullet, Crabs, Swimbaits, Plugs

Location guidance

Passes, Beaches, Channels, Bridges near Port Aransas passes, South Padre beaches, Galveston ship channel edges.

BoatPierShore

Watch for rolling fish, bait schools, current seams, and bridge or pass funnels.

Season / conditions

Often handled as catch-and-release; use careful handling and check current rules.

Regulations: Check current TPWD rules before harvesting.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

Common Snook

Centropomus undecimalis

A limited Texas warm-water profile for current and structure around southern passes, bridge lights, docks, and mangroves where present.

Where: Mangroves where present, Docks

Gear: Medium-heavy inshore spinning setup with fluorocarbon leader., Paddle tails

SaltwaterMangroves where presentDocksPasses

Gear: Medium-heavy inshore spinning setup with fluorocarbon leader.

Baits/Lures: Live shrimp, Finger mullet, Paddle tails, Jerkbaits

Location guidance

Mangroves where present, Docks, Passes, Bridge lights near Lower Laguna Madre, South Padre channels, southern bridge lights.

ShorePierBoatKayak

Current and structure are key, especially lights, passes, docks, and mangrove edges where present.

Season / conditions

Texas opportunities are limited and southern; verify local rules before keeping fish.

Regulations: Check current TPWD rules before harvesting.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

Bull Shark

Carcharhinus leucas

Bull Shark is a shark profile where tackle strength, safe handling, legal access, and current protected-species guidance matter.

Where: Surf, Passes

Gear: Reaction Tackle Wire Leaders

SaltwaterSurfPassesBays

Gear: Heavy shark setup with wire or heavy leader and non-offset circle hooks where required.

Baits/Lures: Cut mullet, Ladyfish, Heavy bait rigs

Location guidance

Surf, Passes, Bays, Channels near Texas surf, passes, nearshore bait schools.

ShorePierBoat

Fish around bait schools, passes, channels, jetties, or surf cuts with careful handling plans.

Season / conditions

For sharks, check current rules and protected species guidance before harvest.

Regulations: Check current TPWD rules before harvesting.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

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Puppy Drum

Pogonias cromis

A juvenile black drum profile for beginner-friendly inshore fishing around marsh drains, flats, channels, piers, oyster, and grass edges.

Where: Marsh drains, Flats

Gear: Medium inshore setup with a small bottom rig., Small bottom rigs

SaltwaterMarsh drainsFlatsChannels

Gear: Medium inshore setup with a small bottom rig.

Baits/Lures: Shrimp, Crab, Small bottom rigs

Location guidance

Marsh drains, Flats, Channels, Piers near Galveston Bay marshes, Corpus Christi Bay piers, Aransas channels.

ShorePierBoatKayak

Use scent on bottom near drains, oyster, grass edges, piers, and channels.

Season / conditions

Moving tide helps; check current TPWD rules before keeping fish.

Regulations: Check current TPWD rules before harvesting.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

Gulf Flounder

Paralichthys albigutta

A bottom-oriented flatfish that ambushes bait near drains, passes, channel edges, sandy or muddy drop-offs, grass edges, and lights.

Where: Marsh drains, Sandy drop-offs

Gear: Abu Garcia Max Pro Spinning Combo, Reaction Tackle Fluorocarbon Leaders

SaltwaterMarsh drainsSandy drop-offsChannel edges

Gear: Medium-light or medium inshore spinning setup.

Baits/Lures: Live mud minnows, Shrimp, Soft plastics on jigheads, Bucktail jigs

Location guidance

Marsh drains, Sandy drop-offs, Channel edges, Grass edges near Galveston channels, Port Aransas passes, Sabine marsh drains.

ShorePierBoatKayak

Drag or hop baits along bottom near drains, channel lips, sandy edges, and pier lights.

Season / conditions

Slow bottom presentations and moving water are key; check current TPWD rules before keeping fish.

Regulations: Check current TPWD rules before harvesting.

Source: TPWD

Recommended Setup

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