Best Times & Seasons to Catch Redfish in Texas (Full Guide)
Redfish are one of the most sought-after gamefish in Texas nearshore waters. If you’re planning a fishing trip to the Lonestar State, you’ll need to know when the best time is to catch the redfish in Texas.
The best season to catch redfish in Texas is in the late summer and early fall months. During these months you are more likely to land big bull reds, though there’s plenty of redfish to be caught year-round
| Location | Best Time to Catch Redfish |
| Galveston | Year-round availability; Late August through November is the best time. |
| South Padre Island | Year-round availability; June through September are best. |
| Lower Laguna Madre | Year-round availability; September & October are the best months. |
| Port Mansfield | Year-round availability; Summer & Fall are best. |
| Sabine Pass | Year-round availability; May through September offers great fishing. |
Texas offers excellent opportunities to those anglers who are interested in fishing for redfish. It’s worth noting that a lot of redfish can be found in the waters across the state.
Texas waters make it possible for anglers to fish for redfish year-round. However, the chances to catch redfish are the best in the late summer and early fall. Find out the peak fishing times in Texas with this handy guide.
Best Time to Fish for Redfish in Texas
Fishing for redfish is the most productive during the summer and fall months. It’s the time of the year when redfish migrate from Texas’ bay systems into the Gulf. So, the chances to catch big fish are high during this period of time.
The best time of the year to fish for redfish in Texas is between August and September. Fishing is excellent during this time of the year.
As we have already said, it’s possible to fish for redfish year-round. Fishermen can target redfish during the summer months as well. It’s important to know that redfish go to deep waters during the colder months. That’s why the season to catch redfish in Texas is lower in spring and winter.
However, you can still enjoy fishing for redfish in Texas during this time of the year. If weather is good, anglers can still go to the deep waters and try catching Texas redfish and other species of fish.
Check out this helpful guide to the best times to catch bass in Texas. You may also be interested in this article on the fishing for Texas Gulf Coast in the best times.
Recommended Texas Fishing Charters for Redfish
These Texas-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to 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 |
| Olivia J Charters | Freeport, Texas |
| Line Check Charters | Galveston, Texas |
| Galveston Offshore | Galveston, Texas |
| Reel Fishing Fever | Galveston, Texas |
| SeaPlay Sportfishing – SeaPlay VI | Galveston, Texas |
| Grace Fishing Charter | Galveston, Texas |
| Steven’s Guide Service | Port Aransas, Texas |
| Cpt Chappy’s Saltwater Fishing Adventures | Matagorda, Texas |
Seasonal Breakdown for Redfish in Texas
Texas is well-known among the anglers for its great redfish locations. August and September are the best months to target redfish in Texas.
A lot of redfish can be found in the waters around Texas during these months. That’s why fishing opportunities are excellent.
The season to catch redfish is low in Texas in winter because the fish go to the deep waters. That means that December, January, March, and April are the worst months for fishing redfish in Texas. Fishing is less productive during these months.
Galveston
Best Time: Fall months: late August through November
Galveston is one of the best places to target redfish in Texas and its surrounding areas. Redfish can be found in the waters of Galveston where the depth is about 6 – 12 feet.
It would be great to book a fishing charter to fish for redfish. Fall is the best time of the year to catch redfish in Galveston and its surrounding areas.
South Padre Island
Best Time: June through September are best.
South Padre Island is located in the southern part of Texas. It is another prominent redfish location. Here, anglers can target redfish year-round. However, the chances to catch a big fish are high during the summer months and in the early fall.
Lower Laguna Madre
Best Time: September & October
Lower Laguna Madre is also a well-known fishing spot among the anglers, who choose to fish for redfish in Texas. Here, fishing is the most productive between the middle of September and October.
Port Mansfield
Best Time: Year-round good fishing
Port Mansfield provides anglers with easy access to very productive redfish spots. It’s important to know that fishermen can target redfish in the area at any time of the year.
Sabine Pass
Best Time: May through September
Visit Sabine Pass if you would like to catch redfish during your Texas fishing adventures. Here, anglers can fish on beaches, from piers, or book a boat. It’s recommended to go to Sabine Pass in the summer to enjoy fishing for redfish and get the most successful results.
Texas: Best Redfish Fishing By Season
Spring
Texas has been known as one of the top redfish locations in the United States and all over the world. High amounts of redfish can be always found in the area. Texas is the place where anglers can catch redfish at any time of the year. Fishing for redfish in Texas is also very productive.
The reality is waters start warm up during springtime. Redfish can be found in shallow waters in the spring. Anglers should aim to target redfish on grass flats during the rising tides to get excellent results. Such areas usually attract a lot of redfish in the spring.
Reds usually search for food in the grass. It would be great to fish for redfish on docks and piers. Oftentimes, redfish are found on the warm tidal current during the spring months.
It’s incredibly important for anglers to pick the right type of baits for redfish fishing in spring. Live bait, artificial lures, shrimps as well as flies are the baits that work very well for redfish during the spring months.
Summer
Summer is the time of the year when the vast majority of fish species are the most active. Texas fishing season is excellent during this time of the year. The same can be said about redfish.
It makes a lot of sense to target redfish in the region during the summer months. The peak redfish fishing season in Texas starts in the late summer and finishes in the early fall. However, fishing for redfish is less productive in June and July.
It’s recommended to use different types of lures to catch reds during the summer months. It’s possible to fish for redfish anywhere on the Texas coast in the summer. Among the most popular summer redfish fishing spots are Matagorda Island, Sabine Pass as well as South Padre Island.
Fall
Fall is a great time of the year to catch redfish in Texas. Anglers, who target redfish in the waters of Texas, usually get the best results in the early fall. The chances to catch a big redfish are high during this time of the year.
The tourist season in Texas comes to an end in the fall. That means that fishermen can fish for redfish on the beaches. It’s a good idea to use surf roads to fish for redfish.
The fall redfish fishing season starts in September and lasts until early November. Keep in mind that redfish will start moving towards the Gulf of Mexico in October.
Fishing for redfish is less productive in October and November. It would be better for anglers to visit Texas in September to get the most successful results.
Winter
It’s important to know that fishing for redfish in Texas is not always possible during the winter months. The reality is, winter fishing for Redfish depends a lot on weather.
If weather allows, anglers can continue fishing for redfish in the winter. During the winter months, fishing for redfish can be very productive.
Redfish bites well on warm sunny days near the flats. Water heats up and this has a positive impact on the activity of fish.
It’s also important to note that anglers may find it difficult to fish for reds in the winter. Fishing can be challenging during the cooler months. If weather is cold, anglers should go to deeper waters in order to target redfish.
Best Time & Tide of Day to Catch Texas Redfish
Redfish is the most active in the morning. That means that early morning is the best time of day to target redfish in the area. It would be better to go fishing for reds before the sunset. Redfish can be found near bridges and wrecks.
That’s why anglers should target these fishing spots. The sun heats up and redfish goes to the deep waters in the afternoon. When fishing for redfish, anglers get a lot of bites during the incoming low tide.
Is Night Fishing for Redfish in Texas Any Good?
As you probably know, some species of fish bite well at night. However, there are fish species that are inactive during nighttime. Bear in mind that it’s possible to catch redfish in Texas at night.
Moreover, the night provides anglers who target redfish with good potential. Bear in mind that night fishing is often more productive compared to daytime fishing.
It’s crucial for anglers to pick the right places to fish for redfish during the night hours. Anglers should select the spots where fish is feeding at night. Keep in mind that redfish gives a preference to the lighted water during the night hours.
For example, redfish can be found near the dock lights. Such places provide anglers with great nighttime fishing opportunities. That’s why it makes a lot of sense to do night fishing for redfish here. So, anglers should try to fish under the nighttime dock lights.
On top of that, anglers should select the right baits to catch redfish. It’s important to note that live baits work very well for reds during nighttime.
Fishermen choose to use baits like live shrimps, swimming crabs as well as bull minnows to catch redfish at night. If there is redfish in the targeted areas, baits of this type work well and anglers often get excellent results at night.
Anglers also have to be very quiet during the nighttime fishing. Fishermen shouldn’t talk to each other when trying to catch redfish on the dock. If you walk on a dock, reds may get scared if they detect your footsteps.
As a result, redfish will stop feeding and go away. It will take redfish some time to return to the light if it gets shy and moves away. So, anglers should aim to get quiet and walk silently on the dock if such a need arises.
Impacts Storms & Hurricanes Have on Redfish in Texas
It goes without saying that storms and hurricanes affect redfish and fishing in Texas. Fishermen should go fishing for redfish before storms.
The reality is, redfish feels that it’s going to be raining very soon. It’s also important to note that redfish actively feed before storms. That’s why anglers find it easy to catch it during this period of time.
Weather changes during the storms. And of course, weather changes affect redfish fishing. During the storms, redfish usually moves to the deep waters or hide in the inshore holes. Reds stay inactive and don’t feed until the storm passes. Fishing in storms can be dangerous for anglers.
It’s a great idea to go fishing for redfish after storms. The barometric pressure rises and redfish becomes more active after storms. Waters are calm after storms. So, anglers find it comfortable to do fishing after the storm is gone.
Reds usually leave their holes, move to shallow waters, and feed actively. That’s why anglers find it easy to catch it. Fishermen need to target redfish in the bays, near coastal and shore areas.
Hurricanes also affect fishing for redfish in Texas. Pressure usually decreases during hurricanes. Low-pressure results in the increased activity of fish. As a result, reds become more active and start feeding heavily. That means that fishing after hurricanes can be very productive.
Another important thing that anglers need to be aware of is that storms usually bring plenty of rain to the region. So, there are flooded areas after storms in Texas. It’s worth noting that such areas usually attract a lot of reds and offer great fishing opportunities.
Anglers in Texas need to target redfish in the places that connect the ocean waters to the flooded areas. Here, fishing for redfish is very productive when water is receding.
Booking a Redfish Charter in Texas
It’s necessary to plan Texas fishing adventures carefully. As we have already said, the season to catch redfish in Texas is high between the late summer and the early fall. So, it would be better to book a fishing charter during this time of the year.
However, the fishing season is usually peaks during the summer months. That’s why booking a fishing charter can be hard in summer. Keep in mind that fishing charters can be unavailable in August. So, it would be great to book a charter ahead of time.
Also, think about booking a redfish charter in Texas in the early fall. The quality of fishing is still very good, demand for fishing is lower and availability of charters is higher during the fall months.
So, you will find it a lot easier to book a charter during the fall months. That means that anglers can plan their fishing adventures for September.
When checking for the availability of redfish fishing charters in Texas, you should compare the prices. The prices on fishing charters range from $260 to $875.
It’s important to know that the price depends a lot on the durability of a fishing trip. When booking a charter boat in Texas, anglers have to decide how much time they are planning to spend on fishing. There are half-day and full-day fishing trips available. Each of the options has its own pros and cons.
If you are looking for a cheap option, then half-day fishing trips are worth considering. It’s recommended to book 1/2 day trips if you are a beginner, who wants to master the art of fishing for redfish.
You need to know that half-day fishing trips last 4 hours only. However, anglers have enough time to get a bite of redfish and test their fishing skills. Anglers, who book 1/2 day fishing trips, can go fishing either in the morning or in the afternoon.
It’s also important to note that full-day fishing trips are a more expensive option than half-day ones. Such trips start in the morning and last 8 – 9 hours. Full-day trips give anglers more time on fishing. More time means better fishing opportunities.
If you book a full-day trip, then you will have enough time to reach the necessary fishing spots in Texas and enjoy fishing. Full-day fishing trips are a good choice for experienced fishermen, who want to catch trophy fish during their adventures.
