Species records for fishing context. Check current rules and access before a trip.
- Red drum
Laguna Madre grass flats and channels, passes, jetties and Gulf surf
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists three daily in a 20–28 inch slot, with the specified tagged-fish exceptions.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Spotted seatrout
Seagrass flats, potholes, channel shoulders and deeper winter refuge in the Lower Laguna Madre
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists three daily in a 15–20 inch slot and a six-fish possession limit, with stated tag exceptions for two over-28-inch fish per license year.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Black drum
Bay channels, flats, bridges, jetties and passes with shell or current
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists five daily and 10 possession in an inclusive 14-30 inch slot, plus one fish strictly over 52 inches within those limits.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Southern flounder
Sandy potholes, channel edges, drains, passes and jetties where prey crosses a bottom ambush point
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD applies five daily and five possession with an inclusive 15-inch minimum outside the November 1-December 14 zero-retention closure; daily bag and possession are both zero during that closure.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Sheepshead
Jetties, pilings, bridge structure, oyster and other hard surfaces that hold small crustaceans
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists five sheepshead daily and a 15-inch minimum.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Common snook
Passes, jetties, bridge shadow lines, channel edges and protected inshore structure
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists one snook daily in a 24–28 inch slot.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Tarpon
Gulf surf, passes, jetties and nearshore water used by moving bait
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists one tarpon daily and an 85-inch minimum.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Ladyfish
Surf, passes, channels and open bay where small baitfish gather
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Crevalle jack
Gulf surf, passes, jetties and bay channels, often around fast-moving bait
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Spanish mackerel
Gulf surf, jetties, passes and nearshore water with schooling bait
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists 15 Spanish mackerel daily and a 14-inch minimum.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Gray snapper
Jetties, pilings, passes and other structure with shade, current and bait
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Florida pompano
Gulf surf and clean sandy passes where waves expose small crabs and other prey
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Striped mullet
Bay shallows, channels, passes and surf, often visible as jumping or tightly schooling fish
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD's all-mullet entry lists no bag, possession, or length limit except that October-January prohibits taking from public waters, or possessing aboard a boat, a mullet strictly over 12 inches.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Gulf toadfish
Rock, rubble, pilings and sheltered bottom structure in bay and pass environments
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Atlantic spadefish
Jetties, pilings, reefs and nearshore structure, often in visible schools
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Southern kingfish (whiting) on South Padre Island
Sandy Gulf surf and passes, usually close to bottom in troughs and cuts
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Atlantic croaker
Bay channels, sandy or muddy bottom, passes and surf
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Spot
Protected bay, channels and sandy or muddy bottoms; juveniles use estuarine nursery habitat
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Pinfish
Seagrass, docks, jetties and protected structure throughout the bay
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Pigfish
Seagrass, channels and structure in the bay and near passes
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Gafftopsail catfish
Surf, passes, bay channels and open bottom
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no daily bag limit and a 14-inch minimum for gafftopsail catfish.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Hardhead catfish
Surf, bays and channels, especially around scent carried by current
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Red snapper
Offshore reefs, wrecks and hard bottom rather than the shallow Laguna Madre
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists a year-round Texas-state-water private-recreational season, four fish per person daily, and a 15-inch minimum.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Lane snapper
Nearshore and offshore reef, rock and hard bottom
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no daily bag limit and an 8-inch minimum for lane snapper.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Vermilion snapper
Offshore reef and hard bottom, often suspended above structure
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no daily bag limit and a 10-inch minimum for vermilion snapper.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - King mackerel
Nearshore and offshore Gulf around bait schools, current edges, rigs and passes
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists three king mackerel daily and a 27-inch minimum.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Cobia
Nearshore and offshore Gulf around buoys, rays, structure and current lines
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists one cobia daily with a 40-inch minimum.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Greater amberjack
Offshore wrecks, rigs and deep structure
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists one greater amberjack daily and a 38-inch minimum.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Tripletail
Nearshore and bay-edge floating structure, pilings and current lines
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists three tripletail daily and a 17-inch minimum.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Mahi-mahi
Blue offshore Gulf water around weed lines, floating debris and current edges
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Blackfin tuna
Offshore Gulf current, rigs and feeding zones in deep blue water
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no species-specific bag, possession, or length limit for this fish. Other rules still apply.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Sailfish
Offshore blue water and current edges beyond the island's inshore fishery
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD lists no daily bag limit and an 84-inch minimum for sailfish.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Blacktip shark
Gulf surf, passes and nearshore water used by moving fish schools
Texas rules · checked Sep 6, 2026TPWD identifies blacktip as allowable, subject to the shared one-shark bag, 24-inch minimum, and state-water hook rule.
Federal waters and some charter trips have different rules. See limits and exceptions → - Gulf kingfish (whiting)
Sandy Gulf surf alongside other whiting.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Silver perch
Seagrass beds, tidal creeks, and marshy bay edges.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Sand seatrout (white trout)
Channel, nearshore, and flat water in the Lower Laguna Madre system.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Alligator gar
Brackish Arroyo Colorado reaches and the Brownsville Ship Channel.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Common carp
Brackish canals and Arroyo Colorado backwaters.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Atlantic cutlassfish (ribbonfish)
Lighted piers, jetties, and channels.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Lookdown
Brownsville Ship Channel and jetty water.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Planehead filefish
Brownsville Ship Channel and jetty water.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Gray triggerfish
Nearshore and offshore reefs, rigs, and hard structure.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Almaco jack
Offshore reef and slope habitat beyond the shelf edge.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Red grouper
Offshore hardbottom and reef habitat, especially deeper adult habitat.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Gag grouper
Nearshore and offshore reef structure.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Black grouper
Nearshore and offshore reef structure.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Scamp grouper
Deeper rock ledges and reef structure offshore.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Yellowfin tuna
Blue water and offshore rig country.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Little tunny (bonito)
A broad warm-Atlantic species that can occur inshore or offshore; the inventory does not establish a current South Padre catch.
Identification & regional contextUse the linked identification source; this card does not make a local pursuit or retention recommendation.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Wahoo
Offshore and deep Gulf water.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Great barracuda
A broadly distributed coastal and offshore species; the inventory does not establish a current South Padre catch.
Identification & regional contextUse the linked identification source; this card does not make a local pursuit or retention recommendation.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Blue marlin
Deep offshore Gulf water.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - White marlin
Deep offshore Gulf water.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Swordfish (broadbill)
Deep offshore Gulf water beyond the shelf.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Yellowedge grouper
Deep shelf water beyond the shelf edge.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Snowy grouper
Deep offshore water beyond the shelf edge.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Golden tilefish
Deep silt-clay bottom where the species uses burrows beyond the shelf.
Identification & regional contextIdentify the catch and check the current authority rule before retaining it.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Atlantic sharpnose shark
Surf, jetties, and nearshore Gulf water.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Bonnethead shark
Seagrass flats, jetties, and surf.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Bull shark
Surf, jetties, passes, and brackish channels.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Finetooth shark
Surf and nearshore Gulf water.
Identification & regional contextUse handling tools and minimize contact. Treat any retention decision as a current-rules lookup.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Spinner shark
Surf, nearshore, and offshore Gulf water.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Lemon shark
Flats, jetties, and passes.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Blacknose shark
Nearshore and offshore Gulf water.
Identification & regional contextUse handling tools and minimize contact. Treat any retention decision as a current-rules lookup.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Thresher shark
Offshore and deep Gulf water.
Identification & regional contextUse handling tools and minimize contact. Treat any retention decision as a current-rules lookup.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Tiger shark
Nearshore reefs and offshore Gulf water.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Blue shark
Deep blue offshore water.
Identification & regional contextUse handling tools and minimize contact. Treat any retention decision as a current-rules lookup.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Nurse shark
Jetty rock, nearshore reef, and offshore structure.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Smooth hammerhead shark
Nearshore and offshore Gulf water.
Identification & regional contextUse handling tools and minimize contact. Treat any retention decision as a current-rules lookup.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Great hammerhead shark
Nearshore water, offshore water, and jetties.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Scalloped hammerhead shark
Nearshore and offshore Gulf water.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Cownose ray
Laguna Madre flats, channels, and Baffin Bay.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Southern stingray
Flats, surf, and channels.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Atlantic stingray
Bay shallows, channels, and brackish Arroyo Colorado water.
Species-specific source guideRead habitat, approach and source links. Check current species, gear and waters rules before fishing or collection.
Open the species guide and its sources → - Spotted eagle ray
Laguna Madre flats, passes, and nearshore water.
Identification & regional contextUse handling tools and minimize contact. Treat any retention decision as a current-rules lookup.
Open the species guide and its sources →
