There’s a reason fishing shirts are the #1 men’s apparel item in South Texas: with year-round warm weather, miles of sandy coastline, and a geographic location that would make any fisherman green with envy, fishing is the go-to pastime and outdoor sport in the Coastal Bend.
Folks fly and drive from all over the country to cast their lines into the sparkling blue-green waters of the Gulf. And whether you’re moving to the Coastal Bend or you’re just in town for a visit, we 10/10 recommend making the most of the water…so we’ve compiled a list of four of the Coastal Bend fishing spots that are widely considered “local favorites” for a casual fishing experience.
Image courtesy of Captain Len’s Fishing Guide Service webpage
The Spot: Marking the divide between North Padre Island and Mustang Island, the Packery Channel is a beloved birdwatching, kayaking, and fishing spot for islanders and mainlanders alike. Drive over the bridge to Padre Island anytime between sunrise and sunset and you’re guaranteed to see beach chairs, tents, and fishing poles stuck in the sand like flags marking each fisher’s territory. (No worries though — island fishing is a friendly sport. It’s pure relaxation, not competition.) With concrete pathways and railings, the north and south jetties at the Packery Channel are particularly family-friendly.
The Catch: Trout, redfish, seasonal flounder, black drum, sheepshead, whiting, tarpon. Bonus: if you’re lucky, even kingfish!
The Launchpoint: Homes near Packery Channel (like 15373 Bowsprit Court) vary from one-family Mediterranean and Tuscano villas to luxury beachfront condos. Many feature views of the Gulf or the canals, and they are all just a few minutes’ walk from locally-owned casual and fine dining restaurants, as well as Schlitterbahn Waterpark.
15373 Bowsprit Court, $585,000
Images courtesy of the Port Aransas TX Instagram page and Kenjo Fly Fishing Charters webpage
The Spot: As the Gulf of Mexico meets the Inner Basin, the barrier island allows for the exchange of water between gulf and bay, and vice versa. What does this mean? The odds of catching a big deep-sea fish from the shore are much higher than usual, and you don’t have the deal with the hassle of offshore travel, bait, or weather conditions. In other words, it’s the small-time angler’s paradise. (Hint: bring a long-handled net to reach out over the jetty rocks.)
The Catch: Bull reds, trout, gafftopsail catfish, kingfish, shark, and tarpon.
The Launchpoint: Port Aransas is well-known for its luxury beachfront condominiums, and classically styled new urbanism of beachfront communities like Cinnamon Shore. Port A communities come with top-notch amenities, community pools, and athletic facilities, as well as premier beach access (and this Aransas Princess Condo is proof). If a single-family home in a quiet neighborhood is more your style, there are plenty of homes to choose from in a wide variety of styles (from the charming one-bedroom cottage to the sprawling villa estate) along the water and closer to the Old Town center.
720 Access Road 1-A, $393,000
3. Padre Island National Seashore
Images courtesy of the Padre Island National Seashore Instagram page
The Spot: Do a quick Google search of “Most Instaworthy Spots In Corpus Christi” and the Padre Island National Seashore pretty much overwhelms the list. Over sixty miles of undeveloped protected prairies, wetlands, and beaches stretch in a drop-dead-gorgeous display of natural wonder. That’s a lot of room to fish in! The intercoastal is often peppered by kayaks with fishing poles sticking out of them, and folks will also launch boats from the Gulf side. Of course, you can always bring your chair and pole and settle in on the beach.
The Catch: Pretty much everything! But definitely lots of whiting, trout, kingfish, black drum, pompano, amberjack, wahoo, shark, and mahi-mahi.
The Launchpoint: Residents and vacationers alike travel miles to visit the Padre Island National Seashore, and we don’t blame them! But if you’d rather have the Gulf and the seashore right out your front window and just out your back door, there are plenty of gorgeous homes and vacation homes nearby. On Padre Island alone you can choose from luxury beachfront condos, charming single-family homes, and dazzling canal front villas…like 15350 Mutiny Court!
15350 Mutiny Court, $475,000
4. Nueces Bay Marsh Restoration Area
Images courtesy of the Naismith Marine Services webpage and the Corpus Christi Visitor Center webpage
The Spot: Rock that #waders look at this gorgeous wading and bank spot right between Nueces Bay and Corpus Christi Bay in Portland. Directly across from Sunset Lake (also a plentiful area), the Bay Marsh area features a series of grassy berms that create dramatic bottom contours and attract fish. There are also widespread platforms and shell reefs where fish will linger…practically waiting for your hook!
The Catch: Trout, redfish, drum, sheepshead, and flounder.
The Launchpoint: No matter where you put down roots in the Coastal Bend, this fishing spot is easily accessible via the Nueces Bay Causeway. But homes in Portland have a front row seat to the many high-fish-dense spots in this area. Across the bay from Corpus Christi, Portland features gorgeous homes in all price ranges, many with the added privacy and amenities of a gated or country club community…like this elegant North Shore home. Other fantastic neighborhoods include East Cliff, a quaint suburban area boasting bayfront views, and the newly established Bay Ridge.
207 Black Diamond, $332,500
We’re pretty sure that the Coastal Bend is the reason for that age-old adage: “There’s always more fish in the sea.” In these waters, something is always biting. So whether you’re out to make the biggest, deadliest, tastiest catch, or if you’re just looking for an excuse to relax and soak in the South Texas sun, there’s no shortage of gorgeous fishing spots that will have you coming back again and again.
You can find everything you need to know about Texas license requirements and current fishing regulations at the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.
If you’re moving to the Coastal Bend and starting to think about where to live, Keller Williams is here to help! Check out our list of Coastal Bend communities that need to be on your radar, download our exclusive Buyer’s Guide, speak with a local lender, and contact an agent to help you make your dream home a reality.
