Everything You Need To Know About Freeport Inshore Fishing

Inshore fishing in Freeport, Texas offers exciting opportunities to target a variety of species in the bays, marshes, flats, and nearshore waters year round. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your inshore fishing experience.

Target Species to Catch in Freeport

Redfish

Redfish are a popular target in Freeport. They are known for their hard-fighting nature and can be caught year-round. Redfish can be found in various habitats, including marshes, grassy flats, and nearshore waters.

Speckled Trout

Speckled trout are prized for their delicious flavor and challenging fight. They are most commonly caught in spring, summer, and fall. These fish inhabit grassy flats, channels, and deeper holes.

Flounder

Flounder are flatfish that camouflage themselves on the sandy or muddy bottoms. They can be targeted near the mouths of bays, along jetties, and in channels. Fall is an excellent time to pursue flounder.

Black Drum

Black drum are plentiful in Freeport's inshore waters. They can be found near oyster reefs, shell banks, and around structures like jetties. Black drum are often caught using cut bait or shrimp.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are known for their strong teeth and the challenge they present to anglers. They can be found around structures such as jetties, pilings, and docks. Sheepshead primarily feed on crustaceans.

Inshore Fishing Spots in Freeport

Christmas Bay

Christmas Bay is a popular fishing spot known for its diverse ecosystem. It offers access to flats, marshes, and deeper channels, providing opportunities to target redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and more.

San Luis Pass

The channels and flats near San Luis Pass attract numerous inshore species. This area provides opportunities for wade fishing, kayak fishing, and boat fishing.

Surfside Beach

The surf along Surfside Beach is known for its productive fishing grounds. Anglers can target a variety of species, including redfish, speckled trout, and pompano.

Jetties

The Freeport jetties, located near the mouth of the Brazos River, offer excellent fishing for species like redfish, black drum, sheepshead, and more. These structures provide habitat for various inshore fish.

License Information

Anglers aged 17 and older are required to have a valid Texas fishing license to fish inshore waters in Freeport. Licenses can be obtained online through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) website or from authorized retailers.

Bag Size and Limit

For redfish, the size limit is typically between 20 and 28 inches, with a bag limit of three per person per day. There is also a special tagging program for redfish in Texas, where anglers are encouraged to report tagged redfish to the TPWD for research purposes.

Equipment and Techniques

Inshore fishing in Freeport can be done using various techniques:

Bait Fishing

Live or cut bait such as shrimp, mullet, and crab can be effective for attracting inshore species.

Artificial Lures

Soft plastic baits, topwater plugs, and spoons are popular choices for targeting redfish, speckled trout, and other inshore species.

Kayak and Wade Fishing

Freeport's shallow waters make it ideal for kayak and wade fishing. This allows anglers to access hard-to-reach areas and target fish in their natural habitats.

Book Your Next Freeport Inshore Fishing Trip

Freeport has outstanding inshore fishing offering a variety of fish to target and a variety of locations and methods. If you’re looking to get out on the water in Freeport, check out our Freeport fishing charters to book a trip with one of our local and professional guides.