If you keep a fish, get it cold promptly
First identify the fish and confirm the size and bag rules. Then make sure you have enough ice and a legal way to transport and clean it. Ask whether your boat offers fish cleaning and whether your lodging has a suitable place to store or prepare the catch.
Don't assume a restaurant will cook it
Cook-your-catch policies can change, as can consumption advisories, red-tide conditions, and closures. Confirm the restaurant's current policy directly. Photograph the whole fish when a clear identification record is useful, and keep any proof required by transport rules.
Don't leave carcasses or scraps where they can create a wildlife or beach problem. Check the current Texas fishing regulations and read the cook-your-catch guide before you depend on the day's fishing for dinner.