Best Times & Seasons to Catch Flounder in Texas (Full Guide)
Flounder are one of the most targeted fish species in Texas inshore fisheries. Knowing the best times and seasons to target flounder in Texas can help anglers improve their flounder catches.
The best times to catch flounder in Texas waters are from May to June and from October and November during the migration in the Gulf of Mexico.
There are many great flounder fishing spots in the waters near Texas. It’s possible to target flounder in places like Galveston Bay, Sabine Lake, and coastal waters from Port O’Connor to Port Aransas. Flounder can be found in bays, river mouths, inlets, channels, and passes that lead to the Gulf. Gain insights into the best times to go fishing in Texas with this guide.
Best Times: Flounder Fishing in Texas
It’s possible to fish for flounder in Texas waters year-round. Flounder fishing is good in Texas in January and from April to December. The best months to target flounder in Texas waters are May – June and October – December.
The worst months for flounder fishing in Texas are February – March. Flounder fishing in Texas waters is best in the early morning and the late afternoon. Flounder go to offshore waters and can be targeted near reefs and wrecks during afternoon hours.
Flounder feed actively during an outgoing high tide. Temperatures affect flounder behavior. Flounder bites well when water temperatures are 55 – 68 °F.
Check out this helpful guide to the best times to catch seatrout in Texas. You may also be interested in this article on the fishing for tarpon in the best times.
Seasonal Breakdown of Flounder Fishing in Texas
Winter
Flounder are less active in Texas during the winter months. Big flounder migrate to the Gulf. However, younger flounder still can be found in the local waters. In winter, flounder can be found in offshore waters. It’s warmer in deeper waters.
Anglers usually have to go about 5 – 15 miles to find flounder in offshore waters. It’s also possible to catch flounder in bays or near-shore structures. It doesn’t make sense to fish for flounder from shore during colder months.
Winter fishing in Texas waters can be good in December and January. In winter, flounder bites well during sunny days when the water warms up. It’s a great idea to use live shrimp as bait to catch flounder in Texas in winter.
Spring
The early spring is not the best time of year to catch flounder in Texas waters. However, water temperatures begin to rise and flounder fishing is getting better in April.
Water temperatures continue to rise and that’s why flounder move closer to shore and bite well in the late spring. Anglers can catch flounder successfully from shore in May.
Flounder can be found on flats, in coastal bays, and inlets during the spring months. Live peeler crabs are the perfect bait for flounder in spring.
Summer
Flounder fishing is very productive in Texas waters during the summer months. Summer is the time of the year when anglers can target flounder successfully both in inshore and offshore waters. Anglers get excellent results when targeting flounder in the early summer.
When the weather is too hot, flounder move to deep waters. A live mud minnow is the best bait to use for flounder fishing in Texas waters.
Fall
Flounder fishing is excellent in Texas from October – November. Fall is the time of flounder migration. When fall comes, flounder goes out of inshore estuaries. Large groups of flounder travel to the waters of the Gulf at this time of the year.
It’s recommended to look for flounder in inlets, channels, and passes. Anglers, who are interested in targeting flounder, should visit Galveston Bay in the late fall. Finger mullet is one of the best live baits for fall flounder in Texas waters.
Recommended Fishing Charters 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 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 |
| Nautilus Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Grace Fishing Charter | Galveston, TX |
| Captain John Wood | Rockport, TX |
| Drift Water Charters | South Padre Island, TX |
| Team Liberty Guide Service | Corpus Christi, TX |
| Kramer Fishing Charters | Port Aransas, TX |
| Line Check Charters | Galveston, TX |
| SeaPlay Sportfishing – SeaPlay VI | Galveston, TX |
| Book’em & Hook’em Fishing Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Salty Rods Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Shallowrun Guide Service | Matagorda, TX |
| Seidel Guide Service | Port Aransas, TX |
| Frazier’s Guide Service | Galveston, TX |
Best Seasons for Texas Flounder (by Region)
Texas Gulf Coast
Flounder fishing on the Texas Gulf Coast is best during the so-called fall flounder run. Flounder fall migration starts in October and comes to an end in December.
It’s the time of year when flounder can be found along the Texas Gulf Coast in large groups. Lower Laguna Madre is one of the best flounder fishing spots on the Texas Gulf Coast.
South Padre Island
Anglers, who are interested in targeting flounder, should visit South Padre Island. Traditionally, the island attracts so many anglers, who give preference to surf fishing.
Flounder fishing in the waters near the island is possible throughout the year. The flounder fishing season near South Padre Island is high between June and December. October is the best time of the year to catch flounder in South Padre Island.
Best Tidal Conditions for Flounder in Texas
The success of flounder fishing in Texas depends a lot on tides. Tides bring food for flounder. That’s why flounder get active and begin to search for food actively when the tide is rising. In inshore waters, it would be great to fish for flounder when the tide is high.
Flounder go to deeper waters during low tides. That’s why catching flounder can be hard during a low tide.
Surf Fishing Texas
Texas Gulf Coast offers excellent surf fishing opportunities. The beaches of Texas attract a lot of surf anglers. Surf fishing allows anglers to catch flounder successfully during the fall and winter months.
Surf fishing for flounder is best in October – November. Beaches are empty in Texas and flounder is active in the local waters in the fall. On the other hand, the worst time of year to surf fish for flounder in Texas waters is February – March.
Surf anglers should go fishing for flounder either early in the morning or late in the evening. You can also target flounder at night. It’s possible to catch tarpon at night in inshore and offshore waters of Texas.
Night Fishing Flounder in Texas
It’s possible to catch flounder both at night and during the day. Flounder bites well during nighttime. However, bigger flounder usually bites in Texas throughout the day. It’s recommended to fish for flounder in shallow waters in the dark. Anglers fish under lights when targeting flounder at night.
Night flounder fishing is popular in Texas during the summer months. When fishing at night, anglers have an opportunity to catch flounder at sunrise and sunset times.
Anglers should take into account moon phases when planning a Texas fishing trip. Night flounder fishing in Texas tends to be the most productive during the period of the full and the new moon. It would be great to go fishing for flounder during the full moon.
The visibility is great and flounder feeds actively during the full moon. Fishing for flounder at night is also incredible during the new moon. However, nights are darker during the new moon. That’s why anglers should use bright lights when fishing for flounder during the night hours.
