Fishing Forecast
Welcome to our saltwater fishing forecast for Port Aransas, Texas and the surrounding areas. Below are the best surf windows, whatโs biting, key regulations, and current marine conditions for the coming days. Also check out the 72-Hour Bite Report for what’s been biting on what in the area.
For the Week of
February 25, 2026
Inshore Bays/Flats Forecast
Anglers should focus on the leeward flats of Port Aransas, Mustang Island, Rockport, and Aransas Pass where the waters tend to be clearer. Optimal fishing times match with tide movements to encourage bait flow and visibility.
- Rockport: Cast for redfish near grass lines using live shrimp or soft plastics.
- Aransas Pass: Concentrate on deeper guts and drains, bouncing paddletails for best results.
- Port Aransas: Target sunny pockets and shallow waters with topwaters during early hours.
- Mustang Island: Drift over incoming tides on shallow flats, using gold spoons for effective catches in murky conditions.
Flats Tip: When winds are high, aim for darker bottom areas and sheltered pockets to find the most favorable conditions.
Flats Tip: When wind is up, seek out darker bottoms and lee pocketsโLee pocketsโ are sheltered, downwind areas behind shorelines, spoil islands, grass lines, reefs, or sandbars. The water is calmer and often clearer there when itโs windy. to find the clearest water possible.
Surf Fishing Forecast
Focus on early morning and evening twilight hours, particularly during tide changes. Your timing around the early-morning high and evening low will increase action.
- Morning: Fish the first and second guts using live shrimp or croaker; transition to the jetties as the current strengthens.
- Afternoon to Evening: At tide changes, utilize spoons, shrimp, or finger mullet; switch to heavier leaders for targeting larger species near structure.
- Low-Light Conditions: Focus on points and cuts that drain water; topwaters and soft plastics will perform well if wind conditions are mild.
Tip: Fish 60โ90 minutes around tide changes. If the first gut is dirty from wind/surge, slide to the second/third gut or the jetties for cleaner water and better visibility.
Offshore/Near-Shore Forecast
Nearshore & Surf Reports
Latest TPWD Port Aransas weekly report:
- Redfish are good on the north & south jetties with live shrimp, skipjack, or cut mullet; oversized reds on cut crab or mullet.
- Speckled trout good with croaker, piggy perch, or shrimp freelined along jetty rocks; surf action on live shrimp/croaker.
- King & Spanish mackerel running the beach/jetty tipsโribbonfish or trolled spoons/plugs.
Late-Season Offshore Highlights
- Red snapper: steady offshore bite; state waters open year-round (see limits below).
- King mackerel: thick around shrimp boats/nearshore structureโdrift ribbonfish or troll spoons/divers.
- Mahi-Mahi: target weedlines/color changes when blue water edges in.
- Billfish: best with sustained warm, clear water offshore.
Seasonal Breakdown
| Species | Prime Time |
|---|---|
| Red Snapper | Summer (JuneโAugust) |
| Kingfish | Late spring through early fall |
| Mahi-Mahi | MayโAugust offshore |
| Marlin/Sailfish | Warm summer months |
Tip: Plan your run around the calmest window and keep an eye on radar. The bite often improves along current edges, color changes, and around bait stacksโadjust depth before you change spots.
Regulatory Seasons & Limits*
- Red Snapper:
- Federal waters (for-hire/charter 2025): June 1 โ Sept 16.
- Federal waters (private anglers): Texas-managed dates; confirm current status. Federal bag: 2/day, 16โณ min when applicable.
- Texas state waters (0โ9 nm): Open year-round, 4/day, 15โณ min.
- Flounder: 5/day, 15โณ min; fishery closed Nov 1 โ Dec 14 annually.
Pro Tip: Always carry a saltwater license with your saltwater endorsement.
* Always check current TPWD regulations and bag limits by species ↗️ , as they may have changed since the time of this report.
Marine Conditions (Port Aransas)
Wind
| When | Direction / Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Today (Thu) | E 10โ15 kts | Nearshore seas 2โ3 ft; isolated showers/storms. |
| Tonight | SE 5โ10 kts | Seas ~2 ft; slight shower chance late. |
| Friday | E 5โ10 kts | Seas ~2 ft; scattered showers possible. |
Waves / Seas (Nearshore)
| Zone | Seas | Wave Detail |
|---|---|---|
| GMZ250 (Baffin Bay โ Port A, out 20 NM) | 2โ3 ft | E 2โ3 ft @ ~5โ6s |
| GMZ255 (Port A โ Matagorda, out 20 NM) | 2โ3 ft | E/SE ~2โ3 ft @ ~5โ6s |
7-Day Tide Forecast (Port Aransas โ NOAA Station 8775237)
| Date | High (CDT) | Low (CDT) | High (ft) | Low (ft) | Sunrise | Sunset | Moon Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Feb 25 | 3:35 PM | 3:10 AM | 0.96 | -0.53 | 6:55 AM | 6:27 PM | Last Quarter |
| Thu Feb 26 | 4:19 PM | 4:24 AM | 0.97 | -0.54 | 6:54 AM | 6:27 PM | Last Quarter |
| Fri Feb 27 | 5:03 PM | 5:37 AM | 0.92 | -0.52 | 6:53 AM | 6:28 PM | Waning Crescent |
| Sat Feb 28 | 5:44 PM, 10:51 PM | 6:42 AM, 8:29 PM | 0.82 / 0.81 | -0.46 / 0.78 | 6:52 AM | 6:29 PM | Waning Crescent |
| Sun Mar 1 | 6:16 PM | 7:38 AM, 8:30 PM | 0.69 | -0.36 / 0.67 | 6:51 AM | 6:29 PM | Waning Crescent |
| Mon Mar 2 | 12:22 AM, 5:14 PM | 8:30 AM, 8:46 PM | 0.80 / 0.56 | -0.22 / 0.53 | 6:50 AM | 6:30 PM | Waning Crescent |
| Tue Mar 3 | 1:46 AM, 3:43 PM | 9:21 AM, 9:21 PM | 0.78 / 0.52 | -0.04 / 0.38 | 6:49 AM | 6:31 PM | Waning Crescent |
Fishing other areas of the Texas Gulf Coast?
Good luck out there!
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