As an angler, you only need to look at a map of Corpus Christi to get excited. The city sits on a sprawling bay protected by barrier islands – all markers of an outstanding inshore fishery. Beyond that, the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico promise busy reefs and deep sea predators. Wherever you go, you won’t regret a Corpus Christi fishing trip.
In this article, we cover everything you need to know about fishing in the Corpus area. You’ll learn about the top species, how to catch them, and where to go for the best results. You can also pick up tips on local tournaments, regulations, and much more. By the time you’re done, you’ll be ready to catch the biggest and best that “The Shining City by the Sea” has to offer.
Best Fish to Catch in Corpus Christi
There are literally dozens of fish to catch around Corpus Christi. If we went into detail about every one of them, we’d be here all day. Instead, here are a few of the signature species for Corpus’s top fisheries.
Redfish
Redfish dominate Corpus Christi’s inshore scene. These golden game fish grow to huge sizes in the local bays. They fight hard, taste great, and make for an awesome photo to boot. No trip to the Texas Coast is complete without catching one. They’re available all year round, although the bite is best in late summer and fall.
Redfish may be the headliners, but they’re not a solo act. They’re part of Texas’s “Big Three” inshore species, alongside Speckled Trout and Flounder. Trout fight every bit as hard as their name implies. Flounder are a staple of seafood shacks all around the Gulf. The best part? They’re also available every month of the year.
Snapper
No surprises here. Red Snapper is America’s favorite food fish and there’s no better place to catch it than Texas. The thing that makes the Lone Star State special is that you can target Red Snapper all year round in state waters (up to nine nautical miles out). The biggest fish live in deeper water, though, so visit in summer if you want a true fishy feast.
There’s plenty more to look out for while you’re Snapper fishing. Gag Grouper and Amberjack are both common on offshore reefs, while Mackerel and Cobia (known locally as “Ling”) hunt around nearshore structure. Throw in Barracuda for some extra bite and you’re in an action-packed trip.
Sharks
If you like Shark fishing, Corpus Christi should already be on your radar. This is the home of a huge range of Shark species. There’s a fish for every angler, from kid-friendly Blacktips and Bonnetheads to brutish Bull, Hammerhead, and Tiger Sharks. And those are just the ones you can catch from shore!
Jump aboard a boat and a whole new level of terror comes into play. Thousand-pound Hammerheads. Tigers longer than your boat. You can even take on the deadliest of them all offshore – Mako Sharks. Bear in mind that several of these species are endangered. To give them the best chance of surviving, use heavy tackle to bring them in quickly and make sure they’re fully revived during release.
Tuna
What could possibly top giant pelagic Sharks? How about big, tasty tuna? These guys usually live way offshore – 30 miles or more. However, they can come in much closer in the summer. Regardless, they’re well worth traveling for if you’re into fresh sashimi. The main target is Yellowfin Tuna, but you can also catch smaller Blackfin Tuna closer to land.
As always, this won’t just be the only thing taking your bait. The bluewaters are home to Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Sailfish, and even Marlin. These fish usually hunt around offshore structure, so you can expect deep-water Groupers and giant Amberjack below. Corpus’s deep sea fishing is best in summer, but you can actually find these fish year-round if you head far enough offshore.
And More!
You thought we’d forgotten the freshwater scene? Not a chance! Just a couple of miles inland, you hit Lake Corpus Christi, a vast reservoir home to some huge Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish. The Largemouth Bass are pretty decent, and you can also land Crappie, White Bass, Sunfish, and Gar.
These are the most common fish in Corpus Christi, but there are plenty more our there. Check out our fishing calendar if you want a complete month-by-month breakdown of what’s on offer.
How to Go Fishing in Corpus Christi
You’ve got an idea of what you want to catch. But how are you going to get it? Obviously, there are some species that you can only reach on a boat. However, there are several ways to take on most of the fish in the area. Here are the pros and cons of each style of angling.
Surf Fishing
Surf fishing is super popular in Corpus Christi, and it’s easy to see why. The local barrier islands are an amazing place to reel in Redfish, Trout, Pompano, Jacks, and of course, Sharks. You can also wade into the shallows of Corpus Christi and Aransas Bays to give you even more options. If you want to combine fishing and a family beach day, it’s a no-brainer.
The downside to surf fishing is that you need to haul a lot of equipment along with you. If you’ve got a four-wheeler, you can actually drive right onto the sand in most places. All you need is a beach parking permit. Otherwise you can head out with a guide who will bring along all the necessary equipment.
Pier Fishing
If you want to trek out to the beach or search for a productive spot, pier fishing might be for you. There are several fishing piers near Corpus Christi. Visit any one of them, and you’re almost guaranteed to catch some dinner. You can also rent rods and buy bait at many piers. The only downside is that they can get pretty busy in summer.
So, what can you catch? For starters, every species you’d find in the surf: Redfish, Trout, Jacks, and Bluefish. You can also hook tasty Sheepshead and Flounder, as well as King and Spanish Mackerel, and even Cobia. However, it’s the Sharks that local piers are famous for. Monster Tigers and Hammerheads are caught every summer here.
Kayak Fishing
Are the beaches and piers a little too crowded? Feel like exploring more remote waters? Simple! Just grab your rod, jump in a kayak, and paddle around the local bays. You can rent kayaks for under $50 per day in Corpus and nearby Port Aransas. This makes it a great budget option if you have your own fishing gear.
The thing to remember about kayak fishing is that it’s a real workout. Just paddling around takes a fair bit of practice, never mind actually fighting fish. Beginners can keep things simple by kayaking to a remote stretch of shore then wade fishing. Experienced ‘yakers can venture into the ocean to add tasty Snappers and other reef species to the standard inshore haul.
Charter Fishing
Charters are the most fun and effective way to wet a line around Corpus. It’s that simple. The captain will take you to the best spots for each species and deal with the boring parts like baiting your hooks. You just focus on the fishing itself. The results speak for themselves: you can catch as much in four hours on a charter as you would in four days on your own.
Filling your coolers is fun, but that’s not what makes charter fishing special. Most local captains have spent their entire lives guiding people around these waters. This means that they can tailor the day to your skills and priorities, building your perfect fishing trip. The only downside is that it costs more than other styles of fishing.
Party Boat Fishing
Not so bothered about the whole VIP experience? Party boats are a cheap and cheerful alternative for anglers who know their way around a rod. You get a place on the boat and equipment to fish with. The captain will take you and a bunch of like-minded anglers out to the local reefs and let you fill up on delicious Snappers, Groupers, and more.
The main difference between private and shared charters is the amount of attention you get from the crew. Deckhands will do rounds to make sure everybody’s okay, but they won’t have as much time to help each person on the boat. You may also have to take turns fishing on smaller boats. This is fine for confident anglers, but it can be frustrating for beginners.
Corpus Christi Fishing Spots
Thought there were a lot of fish around Corpus? Wait until you see all the places you can catch them! Even within Corpus Christi Bay, you’re spoiled for choice of fishing spots. Head into the Gulf, and you find dozens of artificial reefs. Here are a few local favorites to get you started.
- Sunset Lake Park: This park offers great wade and shore fishing for Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Flounder. It’s also a good place to launch a kayak from if you want to explore the lake in depth.
- Padre Island National Seashore: Sharks. Big, toothy, hard-fighting Sharks. Bulls, Tigers, Duskies, and Hammerheads all show up in the surf. Heck, people have even caught Mako Sharks here!
- Bob Hall Pier: This 1,200’ fishing pier is known for its Sharks, but you can also find Sheepshead, Redfish, Trout, and more. It costs $3 to fish, plus $4 per rod, and the pier has a bait shop for last-minute supplies. As of 2023, the pier is undergoing renovation, so make sure to check if it’s reopened before you go.
- Packery Channel: This is also a good kayak fishing spot and you can fish from the channel’s jetties, too. Redfish, Speckled Trout, Mackerel, Sheepshead, and even Mangrove Snappers show up here.
- Aransas Pass: A popular charter launch and jetty fishing spot. At almost 50 feet deep, it’s a hiding place for big Tripletail, Black Drum, Flounder, and Bull Reds. You can even find Red Snapper here!
- Lonestar Reef: A year-round Red Snapper spot just inside state waters. It’s mainly for boats, but skilled ‘yakers can also paddle out. If nothing’s biting, hit Mustang Island–775 and Boatmen’s Reefs nearby.
- Offshore Oil Rigs: Oil rig fishing is about as exciting as it gets. The rigs start around 30 miles out and extend deep into the heart of the Gulf. Expect huge Snappers, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, and Billfish.
- Lake Corpus Christi State Park: A great place to fish Lake Corpus Christi from shore. Cast from the banks or from the piers for Blue and Flathead Catfish, White and Largemouth Bass, Gar, and much more.
When to Go Fishing in Corpus Christi
You’re almost set for your angling adventure. Before you set off, here are a few important dates that you might want to keep in mind, as well as some helpful tips on licenses and regulations.
Corpus Christi Fishing Tournaments
The area’s most famous angling event has to be the Deep Sea Roundup. This is the oldest fishing tournament in the Gulf of Mexico, celebrating its 85th year in 2021. This fun-focused, family-friendly competition has surf, bay, and offshore divisions. If you’re around in July, it’s well worth taking part.
Another event worth mentioning is the Coastal Conservation Association’s CCA Star Tournament. It runs from May until September, so you have plenty of time to take part. Have a blast reeling in Redfish, Trout, Flounder, Ling, and Kingfish while also supporting one of America’s largest conservation groups. Talk about a win-win!
Corpus Christi Regulations
Most fish are open for harvest year-round in Texas. However, there are some important closed seasons in federal waters. The federal Red Snapper season usually opens in June. It runs for around two months for charter boats and three months for private vessels. Amberjack are available from August until November, opening again in May if there’s any quota left from the previous year.
No matter what you catch, you need a license for everybody aged 17 and up. This is the same whether you’re fishing on a boat or casting from shore. However, you don’t need a license to fish from land or piers in Texas State Parks. We’ve written an entire article about getting a Texas fishing license if you want more information.
Why Corpus Christi? Because It’s Great Fun, All Year Long
The Corpus area is a real angler’s playground. From shallow surf and back bays to offshore reefs and oil rigs, there are big fish everywhere. What’s more, most of them are here year-round. Throw in always-open fishing seasons and famously relaxed limits, and you can always reel in a feast no matter when you visit. You’d better come hungry!
Have you ever fished around Corpus Christi? What did you catch and how did you do it? Drop us your stories or ask us a question in the comments below. We love hearing from you!
