There are few things more hotly contested than fishing spots. Like trying to compile a list of the best pizza toppings of all time. You are bound to upset the mushroom and sausage crowd if you dare to leave it off of your list. In that way, our list of locations for the best fishing in Texas is kind of like pizza.
Have we lost you yet?
The point is, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the best fishing in Texas. The famously sizeable Lone Star State offers more than a few options for those looking to reel in some Texas-sized fun.
(Some of) The Best Fishing in Texas
Toledo Bend Reservoir: Featuring excellent sunfish and largemouth bass and known as a quality year-round fishery, the Toledo Bend Reservoir is the largest man-made body of water in the South.
Port Mansfield: Located on the Laguna Madre, this saltwater fishing favorite features plentiful speckled trout and easy access to the Gulf.
Lake Texoma: If you’re in search of bass and catfish, this is your spot. Featuring abundant striped bass, smallmouth bass, blue catfish and a number of others, this large reservoir should not be overlooked.
Lake Fork: One of the country’s top trophy bass lakes, Lake Fork serves up plentiful largemouth bass and catfish, as well as some crappie and sunfish in the spring and summer.
Rollover Pass: Summer and fall fishing at its finest, this man-made straight is an extremely active fishing spot on the Bolivar Peninsula that connects East Bay with the Gulf.
If you’re an active fishing enthusiast visiting for the first time or a local who has recently caught the fishing bug, give these spots a try for some of the best fishing in Texas. Though these are far from all of the best fishing spots in the state, this list may just get you started off with a few big stories to tell. Don’t be afraid to frequent a few fishing supplies and bait shops to meet fellow boaters and anglers–they may be able to teach you a thing or two.
As always, boat safely and enjoy your time on the water!
“Let’s go fishing.” The phrase perks the ears, raises the blood pressure and gets many a boater champing at the bit. There is nothing like hitting your favorite fishing spot at the crack of dawn, cool breeze mixing with the warmth of the day’s first rays of sunlight. Spending the day catching (or at least trying to catch) Florida fish is a Sunshine State pastime that we love.
However, Florida is such an eclectic bastion of fishing hot spots that it’s sometimes hard to figure out exactly which Florida fish are in season and where to drop your lure.
Which Florida Fish Can I Catch?
Grouper – Generally found at lower depths, there are multiple species of grouper found throughout West and Southwest Florida.
King Mackerel – Often found near shore and migrating south during cooler months, this fish is popular among tournament fishermen.
Red Drum – Residing in mostly shallow, salty or brackish waters of Southwest Florida, these fish used to be overfished but are now allowed to catch up to two fish per day (outside of federal waters).
Red Snapper – This pink-hued Florida fish is allowed to be caught in the Gulf up to nine nautical miles from shore and up to three nautical miles in the Atlantic.
Sailfish – A fish known for its sword-like nose, large dorsal fin and ability to jump out of the water, this beauty is a prized catch in the tropical/subtropical waters of South Florida.
Spotted Sea Trout – Found in the shallower waters of Indian River Lagoon and Clearwater areas, this is another extremely popular sportfish.
Tarpon – Though not known for its good eating, tarpon is a gamefish that’s sure to put up a noble fight. Find this super popular gamefish across the east of the state, including Tampa, the Keys, and Fort Myers.
Note that all of the fish listed above may have varying rules and regulations associated with them. To make sure you’re following Florida’s fishing regulations, be sure to check in on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for a comprehensive list. If you need any help finding a boat lift that can help keep your vessel safe after that big fishing trip, we may just know a thing or two. Oh, and feel free to let us know if you need help with leftovers from your fish fry.
Spinners, spoons, poppers, jigs; no we’re not listing the latest in hip-hop slang that you’ll have to get your kids to translate. We’re talking bait and lures, one of the biggest battles raging in many a fishing household. Are bait or lures better for your favorite fishing hole? Well, we’re going to have to play Switzerland in this conflict, and for good reason: both natural bait and artificial lures have their respective pros and cons depending on your fishing spot and targeted fish. So, what do you need to know before picking the right tools for your next fishing foray?
Bait or Lures: Variations, Pros and Cons
Live Bait
Live bait is mostly utilized in freshwater fishing, including a number of small critters, such as worms, minnows, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, snails, fish roe and leeches. Though the squeamish may have some trouble with this practice, live bait has been used for eons, preferred by many for its natural color, odor and texture. There is no beating the allure of all-natural bait when it comes to sheer, instinctual attraction for many fish.
Live bait is not without its downsides, however. For one, it’s often much more work to ensure that your bait is kept alive and kicking. Besides storage, acquiring local bait can sometimes be a tall order. Sure, you could just pick up bait from anywhere, but local bait is often much more effective since it’s familiar to the fish that you’re trying to reel in.
Artificial Lures
To the live bait fans, we say the most sincere form of flattery is imitation, and that is precisely the aim of artificial lures. Providing a level of variety and options for any fishing hole, artificial lures have live bait beat when it comes to flexibility. Though you’d be hard-pressed to find a lure that can perfectly imitate live bait, many modern lures do a pretty darn good job. Crankbaits, plugs, flies, jigs, spinners, spoons, poppers and more can all add up to an arsenal of options regardless of where you’re casting your reel.
On the downside, again, at best, these lures are simply imitations of the real prey of the fish you’re trying to catch. Not to mention the learning curve of mastering the right tool for the job. Are you looking to catch fish at the surface, subsurface or bottom levels? Should I go high or low tech? What colors or movement will work best? There are often a stifling amount of questions that could deter beginners from making a decision.
Though choosing between live bait and artificial lures is not always an easy decision to make, always remember that fishing is supposed to be fun. Don’t sweat the small stuff when planning your first fishing fun. As always, this boating and fishing community that we’re all a part of is more than happy to share a few friendly tips, so don’t be afraid to ask for some advice when picking up your gear. You may have to sit through a big fish story or two, but you may just come back from your trip with a few stories to tell of your own.
Boating is beloved by many for the escape and solitude it provides. Nothing beats hitting the water for a bit of tranquility and time away from the hustle and bustle of cell phones, social media and emails. However, tech is also poised to make boating a whole lot easier, interactive and downright interesting in 2016. Let’s examine a few tech trends to look for in the boating industry this year.
Boating Tech Trends in 2016
Improved Websites: Not just in the boating industry, but everywhere, the use of cell phones to surf the web has companies to take another look at their websites. Due to people visiting websites on everything from a gigantic, widescreen computer monitor to a smartphone that fits in a back pocket, websites are being forced to consider conforming to whichever format the user chooses. To do so, look out for revamped boating websites that are responsive, meaning they automatically reformat to best fit the screen at use ( a design that our very own website utilizes).
Interactive Videos: If you haven’t seen a 360-degree video posted online yet, we highly recommend you give one a look. This tech allows users to watch a video, but also view it at any angle they choose. It’s something similar to wearing a virtual reality headset and is a great way to provide an inside look of boats or yachts in full motion. The possibility of virtual tours has us excited to see where they take this tech in 2016.
Wearable Technology: Speaking of virtual reality, VR headsets are new, improved and ready to take over the tech world this year. Imagine being able to tour a legendary fishing spot from the comfort of your own home before booking your trip. Smartwatches may also have a promising future in boating, allowing for more easily accessible weather warnings, GPS locating and more.
Mobile Apps: Apps are still a huge opportunity for boating brands to tackle in 2016, taking full advantage of the vast majority of people that utilize cell phones throughout the day. Look out for new apps to assist you in all aspects of planning a day of boating, from weather to fishing tips to finding your next boat.
Beacons: Along with VR, beacon technology is a new and exciting possibility for boating companies to interact with you. With this tech, companies at a boat show or marina could directly send you details about the boat or product kiosk you’re walking by, directly to your smartphone.
Though we may not have flying cars and robot maids, the future is here in the boating industry. Everything from beacons to apps, virtual reality to responsive websites are making our lifestyle even easier to enjoy. Though we still enjoy simply hitting the water with a fishing rod and a friend, we’re excited to see what advancements in boating tech do to the pastime that we know and love.
Though many Florida boaters are happy to frequently hit the saltwater seas due to our close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic waters, many others take advantage of our smattering of fresh, inland waters. Whether pleasure cruising on the St. Johns River or fishing for largemouth bass on Lake Okeechobee, there is no shortage of inland waters to explore in The Sunshine State.
Though, in general, the same laws and best practices apply whether in fresh or saltwater, there may be a few differentiators you should consider before switching from lake to ocean boating.
Factors to Consider Before Switching to Saltwater
Saltwater is very corrosive, making rinsing your boat with freshwater after trips on the ocean a necessity to avoid damage over time.
Boats and ships regularly used in saltwater can have reduced life expectancies, due to the corrosive nature of saltwater.
Engines should be flushed after use in saltwater to avoid damage.
Drinking and boating laws do not change on inland waters.
In general, no major modifications need to be made to allow your boat onto both fresh and saltwater bodies of water.
Our main takeaway: Florida is full of both inland waters and open ocean that are ripe for boating, fishing and fun. Be sure to note and respect the corrosive power of saltwater, especially after your trip, when a simple wash and rinse may help you avoid costly repairs down the road. Follow boating laws and best practices and enjoy your time on fresh and salt waters safely while keeping these differentiating factors in mind.
