{"id":20187,"date":"2020-11-06T09:14:56","date_gmt":"2020-11-06T08:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/?p=20187"},"modified":"2026-02-12T14:21:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:21:00","slug":"fishing-in-freeport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-freeport\/","title":{"rendered":"Freeport Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 8<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><p>Nestled on the legendary Brazos River, with access to the vastness of the Gulf of Mexico, <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/us\/TX\/freeport?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=20187\">Freeport<\/a> is a laid-back gem. With such beautiful nature around the city, it&rsquo;s no wonder that fishing in Freeport has gained quite a reputation among Texan anglers. And how could it not? All that water was bound to spark interest and attract fishing enthusiasts.<\/p><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/player.js\" async><\/script><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/bl5ipryzoj.js\" async type=\"module\"><\/script><style>wistia-player[media-id='bl5ipryzoj']:not(:defined) { background: center \/ contain no-repeat url('https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/medias\/bl5ipryzoj\/swatch'); display: block; filter: blur(5px); padding-top:56.25%; }<\/style><wistia-player media-id=\"bl5ipryzoj\" aspect=\"1.7777777777777777\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_outer_wrapper\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; display:flex; justify-content:center; align-items: center; margin-top:-56.25%;\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_inner_wrapper\" style=\" overflow: auto;\"><p class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" style=\"text-align: justify; font-size: 5px !important;\">Fishing in Freeport will give you the quintessential Texas angling experience. Plus much more. With only an hour&#039;s drive from Galveston, this coastal gem offers everything its famous neighbor does. With less crowds and without all the hustle bustle.\r\n\r\nIn this video, we&#039;ll show you just how amazing the fishing here can be. From jaw dropping catches to ultimate hotspots, we leave no stone unturned. Be it River Bay or Gulf free Port has it all. And when a place has both inshore and offshore fisheries, you better believe that the angling scene is off the hook.\r\n\r\nFirst and foremost, the shallow waters are teeming with trophy redfish. These hard hitting creatures are a top catch throughout most of the year. But if you want to go after larger specimens, make sure you visit during fall. Reds might rule the inshore waters, but they&#039;re not the only sought after fish around here.\r\n\r\nSpeckled trout and flounder come in at a close second in third place. This means Freeport can be your next spot for a Texas slam.\r\n\r\nMove further away from the coast and your opportunities to catch a trophy increase by each mile. You can land anything from large sharks to aggressive amberjack.\r\n\r\nThe nearshore waters also feature numerous reefs and wrecks that are home to prized bottom dwellers. While your line at any time of the year and you could find a snapper or grouper at the end of it come June and you&#039;ll get to see what red snapper fishing in Freeport is all about. And speaking of summer, which is the hottest season of the year, you&#039;ll unlock incredible possibilities for deep sea angling.\r\n\r\nWhen you pass the 30 mile mark, your chances to catch big fish are endless.\r\n\r\nOut here, you&#039;ll be able to employ various techniques in order to go after the likes of mahi mahi, marlin, tuna and many more.\r\n\r\nWhether you choose to stick inshore or head out on deep sea adventure, you&#039;ll also be able to add black drum, Jack Ravel, Sheepshead, Cobia, king mackerel and sailfish to your bucket list. There&#039;s always a local captain waiting to help you hit the jackpot and give you a great time on the water. All you have to do is head over to fishing Booker dot com or download the app to browse the largest selection of fishing charters in Freeport, Texas.\r\n\r\nBefore you embark on your angling adventure, let&#039;s take a look at where the hot bite is.\r\n\r\nHere are some of the best fishing spots in Freeport to get you started. First up in today&#039;s lineup, we have Brighton Beach. This three mile long stretch of surf casting heaven delivers on reds, specks and sharks.\r\n\r\nIf you plan on bringing the little ones, we&#039;ve got you covered. Head over to the mouth of the Brazos River or Freeport Municipal Park. Both locations are tailor made for anglers with kids, and they don&#039;t lack on drums either. Surf casting enthusiasts shouldn&#039;t miss out on the opportunity to trade jetty fishing either.\r\n\r\nIn case you&#039;d rather explore the ocean&#039;s depths, go on a full day fishing trip and see what reefs such as George Vancouver and Freeport Liberty Ship have in store for you. Adrenaline seekers can book a 12 hour or overnight adventure and go as far as 90 miles offshore to test their skills against Billfish. Depending on your preferred angling style and the fish you&#039;d like to target.\r\n\r\nThere are different ways you can fish in Freeport.\r\n\r\nYou can conquer these fisheries on foot via kayak or aboard a charter boat and practice pretty much anything from surf casting and fly fishing to trolling and bottom fishing. But what&#039;s the best approach to fishing in Freeport? Charter fishing is by far the most convenient way to fish in these waters. Born and raised here, Freeport captains know this area like the back of their hands.\r\n\r\nAnd that&#039;s exactly what you need. If you want to outsmart those Texas glam fish or overpower triple digit blue water beasts. So download the fishing book or app or visit us online to team up with your ideal local guide via charter fishing or surf casting. Make sure you double check the rules and regulations before heading out.\r\n\r\nFirst and foremost, you&#039;ll need to get a fishing license. All anglers age 17 or older must buy a Texas fishing license before harvesting any fish, along with a valid fishing license. You also need to obtain a saltwater endorsement to Fish and Freeport. Besides these two documents, it&#039;s also very important to ensure anything you catch meets the local bag and size requirements.\r\n\r\nIf you&#039;re after a specific species, make sure it&#039;s in-season and available for harvesting before heading out. Most of the fish we mentioned in this video are up for grabs year round. However, there may be seasonal closures for some species, such as red snapper. So be sure to check the rules and regs before you go fishing.\r\n\r\nFor more detailed information on fishing permits, check out our extensive blog article or watch the full video from our playlist.\r\n\r\nIf you&#039;re ready to experience fishing in Freeport firsthand, head to fishingbooker.com or download our app. You can browse through hundreds of trips, read customer reviews, and book your favorite captain in just a few taps.\r\n\r\nSo what are you waiting for? Go fishing in Freeport, Texas today and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/wistia-player><p>While Freeport shouldn&rsquo;t be overlooked by any nature-lovers, it has managed to stay a secret, low-key vacation destination. And the people who do know about it keep it that way. They treat it as their go-to relaxing haven. Just an hour away from the hustle and bustle of Houston, you&rsquo;ll find that life in Freeport is a lot more peaceful.<\/p><p>Great backcountry fishing opportunities as well as the stunning marshes in the area make Freeport an inshore fishing paradise. And with Bryan Beach now part of the city, its access to the deep blue waters of the Gulf is unparalleled. You can enjoy the shallow waters in the morning and battle deep sea monsters in the afternoon. Read on to figure out how to plan your fishing adventure in Freeport, Texas.<\/p><h2 id=\"best-fish-to-catch-in-freeport\">Best Fish to Catch in Freeport<\/h2><p>From the mouth of the Brazos River, where its waters meet the Gulf, to the bays and deep offshore waters &ndash; fishing in Freeport can get you a wide variety of fish. There are so many species to consider going after, so keep reading to find the one you want to make your target.<\/p><h3 id=\"redfish\">Redfish<\/h3><p>The king of inshore fishing in Texas, Redfish has a reputation for being a feisty game fish. You&rsquo;ll find these stunning creatures in the waterways around Freeport, including the Brazos River, the bays, and the shallow waters of the Gulf. It&rsquo;s a Texan staple, so you can&rsquo;t say you&rsquo;ve fished in Freeport without taking a big Redfish home.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144804\/38c7b276ae71e956ff4e940178b0fc44-1.jpg\" alt=\"A man holding a big Redfish on a boat in the waters of Freeport, Texas\" class=\"wp-image-20193\"><\/figure><p>What makes it so special? For one, they are delicious, with soft white meat that&rsquo;ll have your taste buds in a frenzy. Another reason is how fun they are to catch. Redfish do not go down without a fight, and if you&rsquo;re looking for the perfect combo of deliciousness and a battle, this is the one to go after.<\/p><div class='featured-charters-container' data-trigger='featured-charters' data-destination-id='251' data-destination-title='Freeport' data-perpage='4' data-currency='USD'data-filter-field='fishFilter'data-filter-value='redfish'data-headline='Top Redfish Fishing Charters in Freeport'data-add-type='m'><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h3 id=\"speckled-trout\">Speckled Trout<\/h3><p>Specks are the true Texas favorites, beloved by both novice and experienced anglers everywhere. And for good reason! Speckled Trout are a true delicacy when it comes to fish. Their taste, combined with great game qualities, makes them one of the most popular inshore species.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144804\/118a7af5f158ff7c2e1f68333aee76cf.jpg\" alt=\"A man holding a Speckled Trout in the waters of Freeport, Texas\" class=\"wp-image-20194\"><\/figure><p>As they&rsquo;re very beginner-friendly, taking your family on a fishing trip in Freeport can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. You can unwind and enjoy the scenery while exploring the backcountry and marshes of these stunning waterways. And you&rsquo;ll get a treat, in the form of a tasty meal back home.<\/p><h3 id=\"flounder\">Flounder<\/h3><p>For such a weird-looking creature, <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/flounder-fishing-in-texas-all-you-need-to-know\/\">Flounder<\/a> is one of the most sought-after fish species in all of Texas. Why? It&rsquo;s simple &ndash; it tastes heavenly. It might not be very pleasant to look at, but Flounder is considered a real delicacy. So while you might not enjoy its looks, you&rsquo;ll definitely enjoy its rich flavor.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1512\" height=\"1058\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144803\/Outer-Banks-Flounder-Fishing-1.jpeg\" alt=\"A man holding two Flounder on a boat\" class=\"wp-image-20195\"><\/figure><p>While they may not be an exciting sight, the fishing part definitely is! These creatures are mostly targeted at night, and Flounder gigging is a special technique you should certainly try out at least once. This type of adventure will take you back in time, and you&rsquo;ll be rewarded for your bravery with a nice dinner.<\/p><h3 id=\"red-snapper\">Red Snapper<\/h3><p>The waters off the coast of Freeport get really deep, really fast, and so they&rsquo;re the best playground for some bottom dwellers. The reefs of the Gulf of Mexico hold large numbers of the elusive <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/fish\/snapper-red\/us\/TX?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=20187\">Red Snapper<\/a>, a favorite among bottom fishing enthusiasts. The Red Snapper season is a big deal in Texas, so come to Freeport and see why.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1081\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144803\/4cc5427e3f128078b4b58c92d17df6fc.jpg\" alt=\"A man holding a Red Snapper on a boat in Texas\" class=\"wp-image-20196\"><\/figure><p>First things first &ndash; Red Snapper is mouthwatering. This is why they&rsquo;re so highly sought-after in these waters, and why fishing enthusiasts flock to the Gulf Coast during the open season. What&rsquo;s more, they&rsquo;re really fun to target. They put up a great fight and if you experience it, you can expect sore arms, but also a full belly.<\/p><h3 id=\"mahi-mahi-and-more\">Mahi Mahi and More<\/h3><p>With the Gulf of Mexico kissing the shores of Bryan Beach, there&rsquo;s hardly a better place to do some deep sea fishing. Escape the crowds in the more popular spots and you&rsquo;ll find the striking Mahi Mahi will reward you with their company. These fish make for an incredible battle, but also take one hell of a picture!<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144803\/ae1eb5c5a1dc0c88c944946d3521ea55.jpg\" alt=\"Two men holding a Mahi Mahi on a boat\" class=\"wp-image-20197\"><\/figure><p>And don&rsquo;t limit yourself to the species we&rsquo;ve listed here, as there are numerous other fish worthy of your time. The Gulf is full of Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Amberjack, Grouper, and Cobia, while the inshore waters hold sizable Sheepshead and Black Drum. Just take your pick and fish on!<\/p><div class='reviews-fetcher-container' data-destination-id='251' data-destination-title='Freeport' data-category-title='' data-category='' data-category-id='' data-trigger='reviews-fetcher' data-viewport-event='view_reviews_fetcher' data-action='In viewport' data-viewport-category='Reviews' data-label=''>\n                    <h3>What anglers said about fishing in Freeport<\/h3>\n                <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h2 id=\"how-to-go-fishing-in-freeport\">How to Go Fishing in Freeport<\/h2><p>Such an abundance of natural habitats and wildlife can be explored in many different ways. Now that you know what you want to go after, it&rsquo;s time to figure out the best way to spend your time in these waters. Read on to learn more about different adventures you can have while fishing in Freeport.<\/p><h3 id=\"charter-fishing\">Charter Fishing<\/h3><p>If you&rsquo;re looking for a deep sea adventure, this is the way to go. <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/destinations\/location\/us\/TX\/freeport\/?utm_source=fishingbooker&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=post_content_link&amp;utm_term=20187\">Charter fishing<\/a> is the most productive way of getting out on the water and filling your bags with delicious dinner. You can book a trip and visit some of those abundant offshore fishing spots, all while soaking up the sun and enjoying the natural beauty of the Gulf.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144802\/shutterstock_1834294384.jpg\" alt=\"Beautiful white fishing yacht boat sails on calm water\" class=\"wp-image-20198\"><\/figure><p>The inshore waters hold some great adventures as well. If you&rsquo;re up for spending some quality time with your family and friends, the shallow waters of the Brazos River and the bays around Freeport will deliver. Heading out on a charter will give you the peace of mind and comfort you need so you can have a great fishing experience.<\/p><div class='featured-charters-container' data-trigger='featured-charters' data-destination-id='251' data-destination-title='Freeport' data-perpage='4' data-currency='USD'data-filter-field=''data-filter-value=''data-headline='Top Fishing Charters in Freeport'data-add-type='m'><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h3 id=\"shore-fishing\">Shore Fishing<\/h3><p>Are you looking to just let your hair down and unwind after a busy day? Then shore fishing is just what you need. Head out in any direction in Freeport and you&rsquo;re bound to reach a body of water perfect for wetting your hook. With a variety of parks and natural areas, you&rsquo;ll find the ideal spot in a matter of minutes.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144802\/shutterstock_1812391393.jpg\" alt=\"A man fishing at sunset in Texas\" class=\"wp-image-20199\"><\/figure><p>Surf fishing from the shores of Bryan Beach is true serenity &ndash; you can dip your toes and watch the waves go back and forth while waiting for that fish to bite. Wade fishing in the Brazos River is especially fun, and heading out to one of the piers in Freeport can yield some great results as well.<\/p><h3 id=\"kayak-fishing\">Kayak Fishing<\/h3><p>This one&rsquo;s for the true fishing enthusiasts out there. Hopping in a kayak for a pleasant day of paddling, only to battle some of the best inshore game fish, is an unmissable experience in Freeport. Fishing for top shallow-water species like Redfish and Speckled Trout becomes an action-packed adventure if you&rsquo;re doing it from a kayak.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144801\/shutterstock_691673500.jpg\" alt=\"A man fishing from a kayak\" class=\"wp-image-20200\"><\/figure><p>What&rsquo;s more, there&rsquo;s hardly a better way to get close to the abundant nature of Freeport. You&rsquo;ll be able to reach all those secret spots that hide the best specimens. And the reward? An intense workout, a day of adventure, and a delicious meal when you get back. What more could you ask for?<\/p><h2 id=\"freeport-fishing-spots\">Freeport Fishing Spots<\/h2><p>Now that we&rsquo;ve covered the top targets and ways in which you can explore this prolific fishery, it&rsquo;s time to dive into the question of where to go. This isn&rsquo;t an easy task, as Freeport holds a variety of fishing grounds, but we&rsquo;ve given it a go. Read on to find the perfect spot for your <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/texas-fishing\/\">Texas fishing<\/a> adventure.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144801\/shutterstock_1812696529.jpg\" alt=\"Typical landscape in Freeport, Texas\" class=\"wp-image-20201\"><\/figure><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Mouth of the Brazos River:<\/strong> This is where the Brazos River meets the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, so it&rsquo;s no wonder that fishing opportunities are abundant. Redfish, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, and Black Drum are all on the cards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mitchell&rsquo;s Pier:<\/strong> Featuring a riverfront fishing pier, you&rsquo;ll find this great spot just across the Velasco Boulevard bridge. You&rsquo;ll get to sink your line in the Old Brazos River, reeling in Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Sheepshead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Freeport Municipal Park<\/strong>: Fun for the whole family, this beautiful park is located on the banks of the Brazos Rivers. Featuring a fishing ramp and a dock, you&rsquo;ll have no issues casting a line for Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, and Redfish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Surfside Jetty County Park:<\/strong> Head across the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge to Surfside and fish the Freeport Harbor Channel from the jetty. You&rsquo;ll reel in nice Redfish and Trout, and the ICW has some great opportunities for Flounder fishing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bryan Beach:<\/strong> This 3-mile-long stretch of sandy beach will have you soaking in the sun, collecting seashells, but also doing some amazing surf fishing. You&rsquo;ll be able to fish the waters of the Gulf for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and Sheepshead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gulf of Mexico:<\/strong> We know, this sounds like cheating, but hear us out! The Gulf of Mexico gets pretty deep out of Freeport, and getting on a fishing charter will see you reeling in some real monsters. Snapper, Grouper, Mahi Mahi, Marlin &ndash; the list goes on and on&hellip;<\/li>\n<\/ul><h2 id=\"when-to-go-fishing-in-freeport\">When to Go Fishing in Freeport<\/h2><p>The humid subtropical climate of Freeport allows you to explore the city whenever you want. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are pretty mild, so it&rsquo;s a true year-round fishery. When it comes to seasonality, it all depends on what you&rsquo;re going after. <\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144804\/shutterstock_1259302666.jpg\" alt=\"View of the DemiJohn Island in Freeport, Texas\" class=\"wp-image-20192\"><\/figure><p>The inshore bite never really lets up, so you can target Redfish and Trout all through <strong>winter<\/strong>. There&rsquo;s more activity come <strong>spring<\/strong>, though, with Mackerel and Black Drum entering the fray first in March, before Sharks, Cobia, and Snappers show up nearshore. <strong>Summer<\/strong> is all about offshore fishing, with Tuna and Mahi Mahi well within reach of Freeport. The bite stays strong through September before the action moves inshore again in <strong>fall.<\/strong><\/p><h3 id=\"freeport-fishing-tournaments\">Freeport Fishing Tournaments<\/h3><p>If you still haven&rsquo;t realized how ingrained fishing is in the fiber of Freeport, there are numerous fishing tournaments that are sure to convince you. One of the most popular tournaments in the area is the annual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasbillfishclassic.com\/tournament-information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas Billfish Classic<\/a>. It involves heading out to the deep waters in summer and reeling in Billfish, Tuna, Wahoo, and Mahi Mahi.<\/p><p>In July, it&rsquo;s time for one of the biggest tournaments in the area &ndash; the <a href=\"http:\/\/fishinfiesta.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fishin&rsquo; Fiesta<\/a>. It includes prizes for both offshore and inshore species, and targets just about any fish under the sun. Anglers flock here for the thrill, but also for the festivities. Cook-offs, carnivals, fireworks&hellip; This is a major event you don&rsquo;t want to miss!<\/p><h2 id=\"freeport-fishing-regulations\">Freeport Fishing Regulations<\/h2><p>And when it comes to regulations, there are a few things to look out for. You should be aware that anyone age 17 or older must have a <a href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/texas-fishing-license-quick-guide\/\">fishing license<\/a> in order to fish Texas&rsquo;s waters. Take a look at the video below for more information.<\/p><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/player.js\" async><\/script><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/v13x8hqfi4.js\" async type=\"module\"><\/script><style>wistia-player[media-id='v13x8hqfi4']:not(:defined) { background: center \/ contain no-repeat url('https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/medias\/v13x8hqfi4\/swatch'); display: block; filter: blur(5px); padding-top:56.25%; }<\/style><wistia-player media-id=\"v13x8hqfi4\" aspect=\"1.7777777777777777\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_outer_wrapper\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; display:flex; justify-content:center; align-items: center; margin-top:-56.25%;\"><div class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_inner_wrapper\" style=\" overflow: auto;\"><p class=\"wistia_preload_transcript_text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" style=\"text-align: justify; font-size: 5px !important;\">Howdy folks, my name\r\n\r\nis Mark and I&rsquo;m a Creative Content Specialist at FishingBooker, and today we&rsquo;ll be talking about everything you need to know before you buy a Texas fishing license. Since Texas offers such a wide variety of fishing packages, it&rsquo;s important to know which one is right for you. So, today we&rsquo;ll cover the most important things you need to know before you buy a fishing license in the Lone Star State.\r\n\r\nThis includes where you plan to fish, your target species, and your state residency as well.\r\n\r\nWe&rsquo;ll also cover the various types of fishing licenses that there are, the costs, exceptions, and where you can buy them. Then hopefully, after watching this, you can spend less time looking for answers and more time fishing.\r\n\r\nUnlike Florida and many other states, Texas fishing licenses are not included in the price of your trip if you&rsquo;re hopping on a charter or a guide service.\r\n\r\nAnyone in your group above the age of 17 will need to buy a fishing license when you&rsquo;re fishing in public state waters.\r\n\r\nSo, this not only applies to fishing with a conventional rod and reel, but also things like bowfishing, Catfish noodling, and even things like netting and dehooking. So just keep that in mind before you hit the water. Also,\r\n\r\ndepending on where you fish, you&rsquo;ll either need a freshwater or a saltwater endorsement. So, saltwater endorsements cover the Gulf of Mexico and tidal waters, while freshwater endorsements cover rivers, streams, lakes, and any other bodies of fresh water.\r\n\r\nAlso keep in mind, when fishing in federal waters, you&rsquo;ll need a Texas fishing license if you plan on bringing your fish back to shore. So, if you&rsquo;re going to enjoy a nice lunch with the family, keep in mind that you will also need to buy a fishing license in Texas. So, Texas fishing licenses are sold in a variety of packages. Prices vary depending on where you plan to fish, how long the license is valid, and whether or not you&rsquo;re a state resident.\r\n\r\nIf you already own a specific fishing package and you want to add more fish to your bucket list, you have the option to buy individual tags and endorsements. So, for example, if you own a saltwater package and also want to fish in freshwater, you can buy an add-on freshwater endorsement rather than an entire freshwater package. Also, be aware of any additional tags you may need. For example, if you want to keep a Redfish longer than 28&rdquo;, make sure you have a Red Drum Tag.\r\n\r\nSaltwater fishing packages actually already include one of these upon purchase. This rule applies to all anglers, including those exempt from carrying a license as well. Once you reel in your catch, just be sure to remove the tag from your license and attach it to your catch immediately. Now, there are some\r\n\r\nexceptions that exempt people from having to buy a fishing license.\r\n\r\nSome of these include fishing from banks and piers in Texas State waters, as well as the state&rsquo;s annual Free Fishing Day, which is the first Saturday of every June. There are also exceptions for persons with mental disabilities who fish under the supervision of a licensed angler as well as disabled veterans who may be entitled to the Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package. There are of course many other exceptions on the book, including one for senior citizens born before January 1st, 1931. This also applies to Oklahoma and Louisiana State residents who are above the age of 65 and have the necessary documentation to prove it.\r\n\r\nTexas also has mutual fishing license agreements with the states of Oklahoma and Louisiana. So, this means that there are certain waters where residents from each state can fish without having to purchase an additional license. These include waters that span the borders of each state, such as the Sabine River, Caddo Lake, and Toledo Bend Reservoir. If you\r\n\r\nlose your fishing license, don&rsquo;t worry, there&rsquo;s really no need to panic.\r\n\r\nYou can always buy a replacement at any license retailer. You&rsquo;ll just need to complete an application before purchasing a replacement, and you&rsquo;re good to go. Last but not least,\r\n\r\nyou&rsquo;ll need to know where and how to buy a Texas fishing license, obviously. The easiest way is to just buy one online, but you can also purchase them in Park and Wildlife Department offices, and at more than 1,500 retailers statewide.\r\n\r\nAlright, now that you have all the information you need, you can finally get out there and test out the waters of the Lone Star State! For more information, just be sure to check out our full blog article that goes into more detail about Texas State Fishing Licenses.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/wistia-player><p class=\"text-after-video\">You should also be aware of certain restrictions regarding the different fish. While the rules are a lot more flexible here than in other states, you&rsquo;ll want to stay informed on open seasons and bag and size limits on the <a href=\"https:\/\/tpwd.texas.gov\/regulations\/outdoor-annual\/fishing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas Parks and Wildlife website<\/a>. If you&rsquo;re heading out with a guide, reach out to them and they&#8217;ll let you in on everything you need to know.<\/p><h2 id=\"why-freeport-shh-its-still-a-secret\">Why Freeport? Shh, It&rsquo;s Still a Secret!<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144801\/shutterstock_1521206981.jpg\" alt=\"Landscape in the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge\" class=\"wp-image-20204\"><\/figure><p>And it&rsquo;s one of the best-kept Gulf Coast secrets out there. This laid-back fishing town can rival just about any major fishing destination in Texas, but it has one advantage. Freeport is a relatively unknown spot, nestled between crowd-filled Galveston and Matagorda Bay. This makes it the low-key brother, perfect for a quiet and relaxing fishing trip. You&rsquo;ll get to avoid the crowds, but not the fish.<\/p><p><em>Have you ever been fishing in Freeport? What did you catch? Tell us all about your fishing experience in the comments below, or ask anything you&rsquo;d like to know. We love to hear from you!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nestled on the legendary Brazos River, with access to the vastness of the Gulf of Mexico, Freeport is a laid-back gem. With such beautiful nature around the city, it&rsquo;s no wonder that fishing in Freeport has gained quite a reputation among Texan anglers. And how could it not? All that water was bound to spark [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":20204,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1472],"tags":[358,543,957,471,437,415,440],"class_list":["post-20187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-where-to-fish","tag-beginners-advice","tag-flounder","tag-freeport","tag-mahi-mahi","tag-red-snapper","tag-redfish","tag-speckled-trout"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Freeport Fishing: The Complete Guide (Updated 2022)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-freeport\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Freeport Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Fishing in Freeport: - Top spots &amp; species - How to fish (charter fishing, deep sea fishing, shore fishing) - When to come | For beginners and pros\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-freeport\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"FishingBooker Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FishingBooker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-11-06T08:14:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-12T14:21:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144801\/shutterstock_1521206981.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Vule\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Vule\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Freeport Fishing: The Complete Guide (Updated 2022)","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/fishing-in-freeport\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Freeport Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2026","og_description":"Fishing in Freeport: - 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As a kid, he used to go camping and fishing with his father, falling in love with the experience of being in the wild. Today, he writes about fishing, and when he\u2019s not writing, you\u2019ll probably find him chilling by a river somewhere.","url":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/author\/vulep\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/fishingbooker-prod-blog-backup.s3.amazonaws.com\/blog\/media\/2020\/11\/14144801\/shutterstock_1521206981.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20187"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":129941,"href":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20187\/revisions\/129941"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20204"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fishingbooker.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}