How to Fish in Salt Water in Texas

Saltwater anglers will not be disappointed fishing the waters of Texas. There is a wealth of saltwater species of fish, so anglers of all experience levels should be able to reel in the "big one." Whether fishing the surf, flats, open water, rocky shorelines or local piers, fishing opportunities abound on the shorelines of Texas. As with all fishing, your bait will determine which species of fish you will catch. Before casting your line into Texas water, be sure to freshen up on the state's saltwater fishing regulations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Fishing pole
Fishing tackle
Bait

Step 1

Use shrimp, finger mullet and cracked crabs as bait to catch redfish. Fish the surf, piers, reefs or flats to find redfish. Use artificial bait such as gold spoons and tout tails to lure them to you.

Step 2

Find trout in the surf, flats, piers and bays. Rig your hook with live shrimp. Use artificial bait such as gold spoons, top water plugs, bass assassins, plastic shrimp and tout tails.

Step 3

Fish the open waters around reefs with a deep diving rig to catch grouper and snappers. Use live or cut up bait as well as squid, to catch them. Make sure your line is rigged with enough split shot or a barrel weight to get the line to the bottom.

Step 4

Catch sheepshead and black drum fishing the jetties. Use live shrimp and cracked crabs. These fish tend to congregate around the pilings.

Step 5

Catch flounder fishing the rocks, marshes and jetties. Rig your line with shrimp, shad or soft plastic lures.

Step 6

Use sand fleas, clams, or shrimp to fish for whiting in the surf. Use a larger surf pole when surf fishing so you will be able to cast out to the first sandbar where many fish stay.

Step 7

Rent a boat or use your own to reach offshore fishing spots. Snappers, cobia, tuna, wahoo and billfish reside 15-30 miles from shore. Local fishing excursion boat captains will have all the fishing gear and bait you will require to catch fish.

Tips & Warnings

Check your fishing equipment to make sure it is in prime condition before fishing. Replace the line each season. Grease the gears so the reel will not lock up as soon as you have hooked a fish.

Talk to the anglers at local bait and tackle shops to see what fish are running and what they use to catch them. Gain as much knowledge as possible from the locals, as they will know best what works in their waters to catch fish.

Article Written By Joyce Starr

Joyce Starr is a professional writer from Florida and owns a landscaping company and garden center. She has published articles about camping in Florida, lawn care and gardening and writes for a local gardening newsletter. She shares her love and knowledge of the outdoors and nature through her writing.

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