Best Times & Seasons to Catch Sharks in Texas (Full Guide)

Sharks are some of the most popular fish to target in Texas. Knowing the best times and seasons to catch sharks in Texas helps anglers maximize the success of their fishing trips.

The best time to catch sharks in Texas is during the late spring to early fall, especially from May to September when the water temperatures are warmer. Early morning and late afternoon are best.

Texas offers world-class shark fishing throughout the year. Sharks can be found in Texas’s coastal waters, deep channels, and nearshore sandbars.

Don’t miss this insightful guide on prime fishing times in Texas.

Best Times to Catch Sharks in Texas

If you want to catch sharks in Texas, the best time is from late spring to early fall. During these months, the water is warmer and sharks come closer to the shore. You’ll have a better chance of catching them in the early morning or late afternoon. Sharks also like places where the water is deep but close to shallow areas. This is called the “drop-off” zone.

Blacktip Sharks

To catch blacktip sharks in Texas, try going fishing in the summer months. These sharks like it when the water is warm. You can often find them where a river meets the ocean. The best times to go are early morning or late afternoon.

Hammerhead Sharks

Your best chance is to catch hammerhead sharks in Texas during the summer. These sharks prefer warm water. They are often found close to where rivers flow into the sea. Early morning and late afternoon are usually the best times to fish for them.

Spinner Sharks

If you want to catch spinner sharks in Texas, the best time is usually in the late spring to early fall. These sharks like warm water, so they come closer to shore when it’s hot outside. You’ll have a good chance of finding them at the spot where rivers flow into the ocean. Early morning or late afternoon is often the best time to catch them.

Check out this helpful guide to the best spots to catch redfish in Texas. You may also be interested in this article on the fishing for striped bass in the best spots.

Seasonal Breakdown: Texas Sharks

Winter

In winter, some types of sharks in Texas move to deeper water to stay warm. But you can still find some near the coast where rivers flow into the ocean. Early morning or late afternoon are usually good times for fishing.

It’s best to go on a calm day, because rough seas can make it hard to catch anything. Always check the fishing rules to know which sharks you can catch. Cold fronts can also affect shark behavior, so watch the weather.

Spring

In spring, the water starts warming up, and that’s good for shark fishing in Texas. Many sharks like to be where rivers flow into the ocean. You’ll have good luck fishing in the early morning or late afternoon because sharks are more active then.

Some kinds of sharks start showing up more as the water gets warmer, so know what type you want to catch. Always check the local fishing laws to ensure you can catch certain kinds of sharks.

Summer

You’ll find more sharks in Texas waters in summer because it’s warm. Try fishing where rivers flow into the ocean, or near piers and jetties. Early morning and late afternoon are still the best times to fish, as sharks are more active then. Be careful on hot days because sharks might enter cooler, deeper waters. Check the local fishing rules to make sure you’re catching the right kinds of sharks.

Fall

In Texas, fall is a good time to catch some types of sharks as the water cools. Many sharks move closer to shore in search of food. You can find them near where rivers flow into the ocean. Late afternoon and early evening are usually good times to go shark fishing.

But remember, following the fishing rules and regulations is always important. Calm days are usually better for shark fishing.

Best & Worst Time/Tides of Day

The best times to catch sharks in Texas are early morning and late afternoon. Sharks are usually more active during these times. Also, try fishing when the tide is coming in or going out. Sharks often come closer to shore to hunt for food then. High tide can be a great time to fish, especially in the early morning or late afternoon.

But there are also bad times to try catching sharks. Sharks are less active and harder to catch when the tide is not moving, called slack tide. Also, the middle of the day is not ideal because the sun is bright and sharks go to deeper water. If it’s very windy or stormy, it’s better to stay home.

Night Fishing for Texas Sharks

If you want to catch sharks at night in Texas, the best time is when the tide is changing. That’s when sharks come closer to shore to look for food. Fishing near rivers flowing into the ocean can also be a good spot.

But try to avoid fishing when the moon is full because the bright light can make it harder to catch sharks. It’s also not a good idea to fish when the water is super calm, because sharks are less active then.

Top Texas Shark Locations

Galveston: Visit during the summer to catch different kinds of sharks, like blacktips and hammerheads. Early morning or late evening is best.

Port Aransas: Summer is awesome here for shark fishing, especially during high tide in the late afternoon.

Padre Island: Spring to fall is great for shark fishing. Late afternoon is usually the best time.

Freeport: In the summer, sharks like to swim near sandbars. Try fishing at dusk.

Corpus Christi: Visit in late spring or summer. High tide is your friend for catching sharks.

Matagorda Bay: Come in the summer. Fish when the tide is coming in, especially in the evening.

Rockport: Spring and summer are best. Early morning and late afternoon offer good fishing.

South Padre Island: Summer nights are prime time for shark fishing here.

Surfside Beach: Spring to early fall is good for sharks. Try fishing during a rising tide.

Bolivar Peninsula: Late spring and summer are the best seasons. Early mornings are good, especially when the tide starts to come in.

Texas Sharks & Weather

Weather can affect how well you can catch sharks in Texas. Sharks might go to deeper waters to cool off when it’s hot. On hot days, it’s better to fish in deeper areas. Cold fronts can also make sharks less active, which makes them harder to catch.

Wind can be your friend when shark fishing. A light wind can help move the water and bring more fish near the shore. But if it’s too windy, the water gets muddy, and sharks don’t like that.

Rain can be tricky. Light rain can be good for fishing because it can bring more fish closer to the shore. But heavy rain can make the water dirty and might make sharks stay away. Stormy weather is not good for shark fishing. It is unsafe for you, and sharks also don’t like the rough water.