5 Best Places to Catch Redfish in Texas

Texas redfish, also known as Red Drum, are aggressive coastal fish who are primarily active during the hot summer. Redfish in Texas waters usually top out around near 30 pounds with some being over thirty inches and up to 50 pounds.

Fishing for redfish is a great way to spend a day out on the water. It is the perfect fish for any intermediate angler to tackle or any veteran angler to add to their collection.

Redfish are often found along the coast near seagrass beds. This terrain provides perfect cover for them and allows them to hide from predators while also being able to stalk prey and ambush them.

Redfish will eat anything that they are able to. Primarily feeding on shrimp and crayfish, they also eat smaller fish like tilapia and croaker. However, they are known to strike at a large variety of tackle so this is a perfect fish to use your favorite lure.

Explore this useful guide for the best fishing times in Texas.

Best Redfish Destinations in Texas

Victor Braunig Lake & Calaveras Lake

Victor Braunig Lake & Calaveras Lake are reservoirs in southeast San Antonio. These reservoirs are known for redfish and Hybrid Striped Bass but also contain a decent amount of Catfish and Largemouth Bass.

They are stocked annually with redfish and are the only reservoirs in Texas that are stocked with redfish by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. When fishing for redfish inshore it is much different than fishing them in the Gulf or on the coast.

When in lakes, redfish tend to be deeper in the water and more towards the center of the lake. It is recommended to catch them by trolling with gold/silver spoons or deep diving crankbaits.

The reservoirs do not permit gas boats on its waters. To find out more about the regulations for the reservoirs call (210) 635-8289 or visit the TPWD website https://tpwd.texas.gov/.

Recommended Guide/Charter Service: Bones Fishing Guide Service (San Antonio, Calaveras Lake)

This is one of the best guide services operating on Calaveras Lake for big redfish and catfish. Captain Raymond “Bones” Esckilsen will be sure to take you to the best spots on the lake and deliver a great day fishing.

Check out this helpful guide to the best times to catch cobia in Texas. You may also be interested in this article on the fishing for sharks during the best times.

Port O’ Connor

Anglers come from all over to Port O’ Connor due to its active waters. Besides a large number of redfish, the waters are lively with other aquatic wildlife like the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark.

If you’re looking for redfish, stay along the coast. redfish are coastal fish that enjoy feeding on the smaller fish that hide along seagrass beds. Port O’ Connor is less than an hour southeast of Victoria and is worth the drive for any anglers in the area.

Recommended Guide/Charter Service: Benny’s Guide Service (Port O’Connor) & Cpt Chappy’s Saltwater Fishing Adventures (Matagorda)

Trinity Bay & East Bay

Around an hour and a half drive southeast of Houston are Trinity Bay and East Bay. They are both extensions of Galveston Bay known for catching trophy redfish. While it might be out of the way for most, it is definitely worth the trip for ambitious anglers.

When fishing at East Bay or Trinity Bay, troll up and down the coast until you see a school of redfish. Approach them cautiously to ensure you don’t spook them.

They often move in circular or back-and-forth motions so it is important to observe the direction they are headed.

Recommended Guide/Charter Service: Fishin’ Hookers (Texas City)

South Padre Island

Fishing for redfish at South Padre Island is viable all year. While the larger redfish hit the bottom around late fall, the younger and smaller redfish are still active.

These younger redfish are typically much better for eating. This is an ideal spot for anyone who is in the southern coast of Texas.

When looking for redfish it is important to stay along the coast and look for any movements and disturbances in the water. redfish like tailing and if they are near the top of the water they are more likely to be caught.

Recommended Guide/Charter Service: What’s On Fishing (South Padre Island)

Copano Bay

When fishing for redfish at Copano Bay it is important to stay out of any shallow alcoves. While redfish will often be near the mouth of the alcoves, they are much too shallow for the redfish. They will often wait outside these areas near seagrass beds looking for unexpecting prey.

The best strategy is to look around at the exits of these alcoves until you see a school of redfish. Once you find a school, figure out where their attention is and cautiously approach them without spooking them.

Recommended Guide/Charter Service: Coastal Rod Bender (Aransas Pass)

Should You Book a Guide or Charter?

It is recommended to book a charter or a guide for your first time fishing for redfish. This is because redfish have many distinct behavioral instincts that veteran redfish anglers are able to spot. To someone who doesn’t know about redfish behavior, it is hard to know what you are looking for.

When you book a charter or a guide, you’re paying for more than just the experience. You are paying for the knowledge that your guide has accumulated over years of fishing. Guides have a passion for fishing that makes them want you to have the best experience possible.

If you’re looking for a truly special fishing trip you will remember for years, book yourself a guide. Guides and charters are not for everyone. They can be expensive and there are often personality conflicts that can lead to awkward moments.

So in this article, I will be going over some tips and tricks from the pros that will help get you started redfishing on your own. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Corpus Christi, please check out this helpful article.

Best Time of Day & Tide for Texas Redfish

Redfish are out when the sun is out and it’s hot out. During the morning and colder weather, they are conserving their energies at depths and act lethargic. However, when it starts to heat up it signals the fish that it’s time to start eating.

They will largely travel in schools moving in circular and back-and-forth motions when they are looking for food. This is the best time to catch them. Simply cast out a lure in front of them and gently reel it towards the direction the group is moving.

It might take a few tries to get a strike, however, once you get one fish to strike they have a hive mentality and will instantly excite the group. 

Once the group is excited this is the best time to catch multiple redfish. The most important thing to remember is to keep your motions calm and not scare off the school.

Remember, redfish have a hive mentality and when one fish gets scared, you will scare the rest of them.

If you do end up scaring off a school, they will likely regroup somewhere else and calm down. Try to track where the fish are running off to and be patient while they regroup.

Seasonal Guide to Redfish Fishing in Texas

During the winter and cloudy weather redfish are much more reserved and found at depths around 30 feet. When they aren’t in the depths during the cold season they will be along boroughs and holes found along the coastline waiting for prey to ambush.

The most effective way to catch redfish during the winter is trolling with crankbaits or silver/gold spoons. It is also effective to cast out live bait / artificial lures near holes in the coast where redfish may be hiding.

During the summer and hot weather, redfish are active along the coast and can often be seen tailing above water. Another sign of redfish is by looking at opposing currents.

Redfish like to travel in schools and will often be swimming against the natural current. Since redfish are decent-sized fish they will stir up the current and movement by the schools is often visible.

Another sign to look for when fishing for redfish is that they often travel near the surface of the water. Even if you don’t see opposing currents on top of the water, it is easy to pick out a school of redfish as they are decently large fish.

8 Texas-Specific Redfish Angling Tips

1 – What Tackle Should I Use?

Good live bait for redfish are shrimp, crayfish, and any worthy baitfish you find native to the area like tilapia or croaker. If you are using artificial lures, it is recommended to use gold spoons or spinners. However, they are known to bite on jigs and almost anything else.

The best way to pick a lure is to figure out what they are naturally eating in the specific area you’re planning to fish.

However, a good fallback is to use any lure that imitates a shrimp or a crayfish. Also, any spoons that catch the sunlight well such as gold and silver spoons.

2 – How do Redfish Move?

When in a school, redfish will move in circular and back-and-forth paths looking for food. They will be very close to the top of the water sometimes tailing the water. You will likely be able to visually see the schools of redfish so it is important to be on the lookout.

3 – How do Redfish Act?

Redfish have a hive mentality when they are in a school. If you scare one of them, you will scare all of them. However, if you get one to strike, they will all start striking. It is important to use gentle motions to not scare the fish.

4 – How to Approach Redfish.

When you approach a school of redfish, cast towards them and reel in towards the direction they are moving. They’re paying attention to what’s in front of them so by casting in front of them you are more likely to get them to strike.

This is because as your lure moves away from them, they feel like it is prey trying to escape. Angle your boat in a way where you are not obstructing their path but you are able to cast in front of the school to get their attention. 

5 – Where to Look for Redfish.

Redfish like to hang out near the coast and seagrass beds. They will also aggregate around exits from shallow alcoves waiting for unexpecting prey. When you find a school of redfish they are easy to notice.

They are constantly moving around so just because you checked one area doesn’t mean there aren’t going to be there later.

Fishing for redfish takes time, patience, and a keen eye. It’s important not to get discouraged as they’re probably just around the corner.

6 – When are Redfish Most Active?

Redfish are most active during the middle of the day. The more sunlight and more heat, the more likely the redfish are cruising the top of the water looking for food. When the winter comes, the larger fish are very rarely active.

The smaller fish still have some activity as they don’t have as much stored energy and need to eat more to make up for it.

This makes the wintertime a great time of the year to fish for redfish to eat as the younger redfish are often much tastier.

7 – Can I fish for Redfish from the Shore (Surf Fish)?

Yes. While fishing for redfish from boats gives a better view and access to bodies of water, it is possible to fish for redfish from the shore.

The same concepts apply to fishing from a boat, however, if you are struggling to find schools of redfish try looking for holes in the coast where they might be hiding.

8 – The Bull Redfish Run

The Bull Redfish Run is when in the late fall redfish that are around 3 years old will start migrating out to the Gulf of Mexico in large numbers. These redfish tend to be on the larger side and that’s why it gets the name “bull.”

During this time thousands of anglers will be in the gulf looking to get their shot at catching a big “bull” redfish.

It’s not uncommon to catch redfish well over 28” inches during this time. If you’re going for a trophy, redfish this is the best time of year to catch one.