Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Rockport, Texas (Full Guide)
Rockport is an often overlooked fishing destination, but it can actually offer some of the best fishing in Texas throughout the year. Knowing the best time of year to fish these rich waters can make a huge difference.
Great fishing can be found year-round in Rockport but July through October is the best fishing season for redfish, flounder, weakfish, cobia, and sharks.
Rockport, TX is famous for its very productive fishing grounds. This fishing destination is conveniently located and provides anglers with easy access to Aransas Bay and Copano Bay. Both bays offer angling opportunities in abundance. Click here to find out the optimal fishing periods in Texas.
Best Time to Fish in Rockport
Rockport is a destination that has some of the richest fishing grounds in Texas. The destination offers incredible angling opportunities and allows anglers to enjoy fishing year-round.
However, the fishing season in Rockport is high between the late summer and the fall months.
It all depends on the species that you are targeting. Plan fishing adventures and find out the best time to fish Rockport beforehand.
Anglers should aim to visit the destination when fishing for their targeted fish species is the most productive. First of all, you need to decide what popular fish species you can target in the area.
After that, you have to study the bite times of your favorite fish species and plan your trip accordingly.
Spring is a great time of the year to catch such species as amberjack, cobia, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, redfish, sheepshead, snapper, speckled trout, and shark.
Such fish species as amberjack, blackfin tuna, cobia, mahi-mahi, king mackerel, redfish, sheepshead, snapper as well as speckled trout are active during the summer months.
Amberjack, mahi-mahi, king mackerel, redfish, speckled trout as well as blackfin and yellowfin tuna bite well in fall.
Check out this helpful guide to a fishing guide for Rockport. You may also be interested in this article on the fishing in Port O’Connor in the best times.
Rockport, TX Regions: Best Fishing Times
Aransas Pass
Fishing in Aransas Pass is the most productive between May and October.
Port Aransas
Fishing near Port Aransas is best between September and October.
Corpus Christi
Fishing in Corpus Christi is excellent between July and November.
Seadrift
Fishing in Seadrift is good between April and November.
Portland
It’s possible to fish Portland year-round. However, the best months to fish in Portland are May-August.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Rockport
These Rockport-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 |
| Capt. Tony Gonzalez Inshore Fishing | Rockport, TX |
| Jellybean Guide Service | Rockport, TX |
| First Light Fishing Charters | Rockport, TX |
| Captain John Wood | Rockport, TX |
| Wing & Rod Guide – Saltwater Bay | Rockport, TX |
| Bar W Outfitters | Rockport, TX |
| Rockport Fishing Charters | Rockport, TX |
| The “Fish” Guide Service II | Aransas Pass, TX |
| Just Add Water Guide Service | Rockport, TX |
| Lil Joe’s Guide Service – Rockport | Rockport, TX |
| Blue Line Guide Service | Rockport, TX |
Rockport, TX Species Breakdown: Best Times
Black Drum
It’s possible to fish for black drum in Rockport all year-round. Black drum fishing is the most productive between March and December. It’s a good idea to target black drum near the San Jose Island.
Cobia
Cobia fishing in Rockport starts in the early spring and finishes in the late summer. Cobia fishing is best between May and June. Cobia can be found near Offshore Oil Rigs.
Flounder
A flounder fishing season in Rockport starts in June and ends in December. The best months to fish for flounder in the region are October – December. Flounder can be caught near Padre Island.
King Mackerel
The season to catch king mackerel in Rockport starts in April and finishes in September. King mackerel fishing is the most productive during the summer months. King mackerel can be found in Aransas Bay.
Mahi-mahi
Mahi fishing season in Rockport begins in April and finishes in December. The best months to target mahi-mahi are August – October.
Sheepshead
A season to catch sheepshead in Rockport starts in the late fall and ends in the early summer. The best months to target sheepshead in the region are January – April. Sheepshead can be found near San Jose Island.
Speckled Trout
Speckled trout fishing season in Rockport starts in May and finishes in October. Speckled trout fishing is best during the summer months. Aransas Bay is a good place to target speckled trout.
Redfish
Redfish fishing in Rockport is good between the early spring and the early summer. The best months to fish for redfish are March – April, and September – October. Redfish bites well during the morning hours. Anglers often catch redfish near Padre Island.
Red Snapper
Rockport red snapper fishing is good between November and April. However, the best months to target red snapper in Rockport are June – July. Offshore Oil Rigs are the best place to fish for red snapper in the region.
Tuna
The tuna fishing season in Rockport starts in August and finishes in February. The best months to fish for tuna are October – November. Tuna can be found near Offshore Oil Rigs.
Best Time of Day to Fish Rockport
Anglers should study Rockport bite times carefully when getting ready for fishing trips. Anglers should go fishing when their favorite fish species feed actively. Fishermen should also take into consideration the season of the year when planning fishing adventures.
It would be better to go fishing in the morning during the summer months. Fishing in the afternoon is more productive during the colder months.
Is Winter Fishing Bad in Rockport, TX?
It’s getting colder in Texas during the winter months. Nevertheless, fishing is still good in Rockport in winter and anglers can target many fish species.
December is a great time of the year to catch such fish species as blue marlin, pompano, sharks, speckled trout as well as blackfin and yellowfin tuna. Such fish species as blue marlin, flounder, redfish and sheepshead bite well in January.
Fishing in Rockport is less productive in December. However, anglers can still catch such species as pompano, sheepshead, speckled trout, and blackfin tuna during their Rockport fishing adventures.
Top 5 Fishing Spots in Rockport
Aransas Bay
Aransas Bay is one of the best fishing destinations in Rockport, TX. It’s the place where anglers can target various fish species. Here, the main targets are trout as well as redfish.
The top targeted species in Aransas Bay also include such species as black drum, cobia, flounder, king mackerel, and speckled trout.
Padre Island
Padre Island is also worth visiting during Rockport fishing adventures. The island impresses anglers with its beautiful beaches.
The waters near the island are full of fish. Anglers can fish for flounder, redfish, trout, snappers, and other species near Padre Island.
Rockport Pier
Rockport Pier is the ideal place for anglers who want to experience pier fishing in the region. The waters near the pier impress anglers with an abundance of fish.
It’s the place where anglers can target black drum, jack crevalle, tarpon, shark, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, redfish, trout, and other species.
San Jose Island
San Jose Island is a fishing spot that has gained huge popularity among shore anglers in Rockport. The island is located near Rockport.
Among fish species that fishermen can target near San Jose Island are black drum, cobia, jacks, mahi-mahi, red snapper, redfish, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, trout, shark, and others.
Offshore Oil Rigs
Offshore Oil Rigs attract a lot of anglers every year. These islands have about 40 miles of coastline where anglers can experience fishing. Offshore Oil Rigs are home to many fish species.
The top targeted fish species in the waters near the islands include amberjack, billfish, blue marlin, cobia, mahi-mahi, snappers as well as tuna.
Booking Guides & Charters in Rockport, TX
– Best season to go
Fishing in Rockport, TX is good between April and November. It’s a period of time when many species are active. However, anglers need to know that March – June is a peak travel season in the region. So, anglers shouldn’t visit Rockport during these months if they want to avoid crowds.
The demand for fishing is high and that’s why booking a charter can be hard during the busiest time of the year in Rockport. The prices for fishing charters are high during these months.
It’s a great idea to go fishing in Rockport between August and October. These are less popular months for tourism in the region.
The demand for fishing is lower and charters are cheaper. However, fishing in the region is still excellent at this time of the year. So, fishing provides the best value for money.
– Morning vs. afternoon
Morning fishing. Many fish species prefer to feed actively early in the morning. Morning is the best time of day to go fishing in Rockport, TX during the summer months. Water cools down in the morning and the activity of fish increases.
Later in the day, fish go to deep waters, and catching it can be hard. Popular fishing places in Rockport can be busy. That’s why you should go fishing early in the morning to get your spot.
However, fishing in the morning has its own drawbacks. It’s worth noting that morning fishing is not a good option for those anglers, who don’t like to wake up early. Fishing during the morning hours is not always good in spring, fall and winter.
Afternoon fishing. It would be better to fish Rockport during afternoon hours in spring, fall and winter. During the colder months, the water temperature rises in the afternoon and that’s the reason why fish become more active.
Fishing during the afternoon hours is suitable for those anglers who don’t want to wake up early in the morning.
It’s not recommended to fish Rockport in the afternoon during the summer months. It’s too hot during the afternoon hours. So, it’s not comfortable to fish.
Also, fishing in the afternoon is not always productive in summer. Days are short during the cold months. That means that anglers will have less time if they choose to go fishing in the afternoon.
– 1/2 day, full-day, multi-day charters
Half-day fishing trips. Half-day trips last 6 – 8 hours. Such trips are suitable for kids, families, and beginners who have just started mastering the art of fishing. Half-day trips give anglers enough time to test their fishing skills.
It’s a good idea to book a 1/2 day trip if you prefer to fish in inshore waters. Half-day trips are worth considering if you don’t have too much time that you can spend fishing in Rockport.
However, 1/2 day fishing trips are not suitable for anglers who want to visit remote fishing spots in Rockport. It takes some time to get to these places and then get back. In this case, you’ll have no time for fishing.
Full-day fishing trips. Full-day trips are suitable for experienced anglers. Such trips give fishermen more time. Anglers can explore more spots and catch more fish during full-day fishing trips. It’s also important to note that anglers have a better chance to catch trophy fish during full-day trips.
However, full-day trips are more expensive than 1/2 day fishing trips. So, such trips are not a good choice for anglers, who search for cheap fishing options.
Multi-day charters. Multi-day charters last several days. Such fishing trips are recommended to professional anglers. Multi-day charters give avid anglers plenty of time and allow them to get the most out of fishing trips in Rockport.
However, multi-day charters are the most expensive fishing option.
