Best Times & Seasons to Catch Grouper in Texas (Full Guide)
Grouper are some of the most popular fish to target in Texas. Knowing the best times and seasons to catch grouper in Texas helps anglers maximize the success of their fishing trips.
The best time to catch grouper in Texas is generally from late spring through early fall when the water temperatures are warmer, and the fish are more active. They are commonly found in deeper offshore waters, especially near underwater structures like reefs.
Texas offers world-class grouper fishing throughout the year. Grouper can be found in Texas’s deeper offshore waters, especially near underwater structures like reefs and rocky bottoms. Consult this comprehensive guide for the top fishing times in Texas.
Best Times to Catch Grouper in Texas
The warmer months from late spring to early fall are your best bet for Texas grouper. During this time, the water is warmer and grouper are more active. The best times of the day to fish for them are usually early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
You’ll find these fish mostly in deeper waters, often hanging out near underwater features like reefs or rocky areas. Strong tides, like those during a new or full moon, can make the grouper even more active.
Check out this helpful guide to the best times to catch sheepshead in Texas. You may also be interested in this article on the fishing for seatrout in the best times.
Gag Grouper
The best season to catch gag grouper in Texas is from late spring to early fall when the water is warmer. These fish are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. You’ll often find them in deeper waters, especially near things like underwater reefs or rocky areas.
Red Grouper
The best times to catch red grouper in Texas are during the warmer months, from late spring to early fall. Early morning and late afternoon are usually the best times of day for fishing. You’ll likely find red grouper in deep waters, especially near underwater features like reefs or rocky bottoms.
Black Grouper
To catch black grouper in Texas, your best bet is fishing from late spring through early fall when the water is warmer. These fish are more active during the early morning and late afternoon. You’ll often find black grouper in deeper offshore waters, particularly near places like reefs or rocky areas.
Seasonal Breakdown: Texas Grouper
Winter
Winter fishing for grouper in Texas can be a bit challenging, but it’s not impossible! Since the water is colder, grouper are less active and usually stay in deeper offshore areas. Your best chance to catch them is during the middle of the day when the water is a bit warmer.
Fishing near underwater features like reefs or rocky bottoms can increase your chances. The tides are still important, so if you can go fishing during a new or full moon, the stronger tides might make the grouper a bit more active.
Spring
Spring is a great time to go fishing for grouper in Texas! In the morning and late afternoon, the water is cooler, and that’s when grouper are most active. You’ll mostly find these fish in deeper waters away from the shore, especially near underwater structures like reefs or rocky bottoms.
Fishing around the time of a new or full moon can also boost your chances, because the strong tides stir up the water and make fish like grouper more active.
Summer
Summer is a hot season in Texas, but you can still catch grouper! The early morning or late evening are the best times to fish because the water is cooler and grouper are more active then. Because it’s summer, you’ll find grouper mostly in deeper offshore waters.
These fish like to hang out near underwater features like reefs or rocky areas. If you’re planning to fish around a new moon or full moon, that’s a bonus. The stronger tides during these times can make grouper more active and easier to catch.
Fall
In Texas, fall can be a good time to catch grouper, especially in the early part of the season when the water is still warm. The best times of day are usually in the morning and late afternoon when the water is cooler and the fish are more active.
During fall, you’ll likely find grouper in deeper offshore waters, often near underwater reefs or rocky bottoms. If you’re going fishing around the time of a new moon or full moon, that’s even better. The stronger tides during these times can make the grouper more active as they look for food.
Recommended Fishing Guides in Texas
These Texas-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and will put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Grace Fishing Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Drift Water Charters | South Padre Island, TX |
| The Bay Bandits | Port O’Connor, TX |
| Galveston Offshore | Galveston, TX |
| Lil Joe’s Guide Service | Port Aransas, TX |
| Bravo Zulu Fishing Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Team Liberty Guide Service | Corpus Christi, TX |
| SeaPlay Sportfishing | Galveston, TX |
| Bodes Bay Fishing | Port Isabel, TX |
Best & Worst Time/Tides of Day
Time of Day: Morning and late afternoon are often the best times to catch grouper. During these hours, the water is cooler and grouper are more likely to be active.
Midday: When the sun is high and the water gets warm, grouper usually go deeper. So, if you’re fishing in the middle of the day, you might need to fish deeper than usual.
Tidal Conditions: The best tides for catching grouper are the strong ones, which happen around the time of the new or full moon. During these times, the tides move a lot of water, stirring food and making grouper more active.
Slack Tide: This is when the tide is not moving much. Grouper are less active during slack tide, so it’s not the best time to fish for them.
Ebb and Flow: During the incoming tide (when the tide is coming in) and the outgoing tide (when the tide is going out), grouper are more likely to search for food. These are good times to fish.
Night Fishing for Texas Grouper
The best times to catch them are during the warmer months, from late spring to early fall, because grouper are more active then. When it’s a full moon or a new moon, the stronger tides can make grouper more active, even at night. However, avoid going out on stormy or windy nights, as the rough waters make it harder to fish, and grouper usually hide in deeper spots during bad weather.
Top Texas Grouper Locations
Port Aransas: Best from late spring to early fall. Deep-sea fishing trips here often target grouper around underwater structures.
Galveston: Best times are late spring through early fall. The deep waters near oil rigs are popular spots for grouper.
Corpus Christi: Late spring to early fall is ideal. The reefs and rocky areas offshore are where you’ll likely find them.
Freeport: Best from late spring to early fall. Offshore waters here also have great spots near underwater features.
Matagorda: Late spring to early fall are the prime months. Offshore trips can yield some nice catches.
South Padre Island: Best times are late spring through early fall. Deep waters with rock formations are key areas.
Rockport: Late spring to early fall is the peak season. The Gulf waters off Rockport offer good opportunities for grouper.
Port O’Connor: Late spring to early fall is when to go. Offshore areas are your best bet for grouper here.
Port Mansfield: Again, late spring to early fall. Look for them in deeper waters offshore.
Port Isabel: Late spring through early fall is the peak season. You’ll find grouper in deep waters, often near underwater ridges or rocks.
Texas Grouper & Weather
Temperature: Grouper like warmer water, so the best times to catch them are late spring through early fall. When the water is too cold, they’re not as active.
Sunlight: On sunny days, grouper might go deeper in the water. So, you might need to fish deeper than usual to catch them.
Wind: Strong winds can make the water choppy. This can make it harder to fish and might also spread bait and fish smells, which could make it easier or harder to attract grouper.
Rain: Light rain can be good for fishing because it stirs up the small creatures that grouper eat. However, heavy rain can muddy the water and cause grouper to avoid the area.
Storms: It’s unsafe to fish during storms, and grouper also avoid the rough waters that come with them.
Tides: Strong tides, especially around the new and full moon, can bring in more food for grouper, making them more active.
Texas Grouper Spawning Season
In Texas, grouper usually spawn or lay their eggs, in late winter to early spring. This is when the water temperature is just right for them. They don’t lay their eggs near streams or rivers but in deeper offshore waters. You’ll often find them near underwater structures like reefs or rocky bottoms.
