Texas · Mid Coast
REDFISH FISHING
IN MATAGORDA
Matagorda is an outstanding destination for redfish fishing, with peak season in March, April, May and good catches in January, February, June. Book a charter and target redfish with local experts.
About Redfish Fishing in Matagorda
Also known as Red Drum, one of the most sought-after inshore gamefish in the Gulf. Known for powerful runs and the distinctive spot on the tail.
Redfish — also called Red Drum — are the most popular inshore gamefish along the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts. They are bronze-copper in color with one or more distinctive black spots near the tail, which scientists believe confuse predators into attacking the wrong end. Juveniles (called "rat reds") are bright gold or copper, while bull reds over 30 inches take on a deeper bronze-red hue with a pronounced hump behind the head. Males and females are visually identical, though females grow larger and are the primary spawners.
Scientific name: Sciaenops ocellatus
Redfish Seasonal Calendar — Matagorda
Month-by-month availability for redfish in Matagorda, TX.
How to Catch Redfish in Matagorda
Techniques & Bait
Live shrimp under a popping cork is the most reliable year-round technique. Soft plastic jigs (gold spoons, paddle-tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz jigheads) worked along oyster bars and grass flat edges are deadly. For trophy bulls in the fall, fresh-cut mullet or blue crab on a Carolina rig fished near passes and jetties is hard to beat. Sight-casting to tailing reds on shallow flats with gold spoons or fly-rod presentations is the pinnacle of the sport.
Recommended Tackle
Medium or medium-light spinning rod (7 ft), 2500-3000 size reel, 10-15 lb braided line, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader. For bull reds: medium-heavy rod, 4000 reel, 20-30 lb braid, 30 lb leader.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Matagorda
Top spots where local captains target redfish and other inshore species.
East Matagorda Bay Grass Flats
The sprawling grass flats of East Matagorda Bay provide some of the best wade-fishing for speckled trout and redfish on the Texas coast, with firm sand-and-shell bottom that makes wading comfortable and productive. The bay's shallow depth and abundant seagrass beds sustain large populations of shrimp, crabs, and small fish that keep gamefish feeding year-round. Fall and winter produce trophy trout over 25 inches with regularity on this storied fishery.
Colorado River Delta
The Colorado River delta where fresh water meets East Matagorda Bay creates a nutrient-rich mixing zone that attracts redfish, flounder, black drum, and alligator gar in large numbers. The delta's deep channels, mud banks, and oyster beds provide diverse habitat structure that holds fish across all tide stages. Anglers work the river mouth with cut bait for big bull reds and topwater plugs for trout during the fall mullet run.
Oyster Lake
Oyster Lake is a small, shallow back bay connected to East Matagorda Bay that serves as a nursery and feeding ground for redfish and speckled trout throughout the warmer months. The lake's rim is lined with oyster shell that creates a natural hard edge where gamefish ambush shrimp and small crabs on moving tides. Its protected waters rarely get blown out by wind, making it a reliable option when conditions are too rough on the open bay.
Crab Lake
Crab Lake is a wadeable back lake on the south side of East Matagorda Bay, known for holding large concentrations of speckled trout and redfish on its grass-covered bottom. The lake's shallow entrance guts restrict access to smaller boats and kayaks, keeping fishing pressure low and fish populations healthy. Wade anglers fan out across the lake at dawn, working topwater plugs over the grass for explosive surface strikes from feeding trout.
Other Species in Matagorda
More fish you can target while visiting Matagorda.
Redfish Fishing in Matagorda — FAQ
The peak months for Redfish fishing in Matagorda are March, April, May, September, October. During these months, Redfish are most active and abundant in the Matagorda area.
Redfish fishing charters in Matagorda are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live shrimp under a popping cork is the most reliable year-round technique. Soft plastic jigs (gold spoons, paddle-tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz jigheads) worked along oyster bars and grass flat edges are deadly. For trophy bulls in the fall, fresh-cut mullet or blue crab on a Carolina rig fished near passes and jetties is hard to beat. Sight-casting to tailing reds on shallow flats with gold spoons or fly-rod presentations is the pinnacle of the sport.
No — when you book a charter in Matagorda, your captain provides all required Texas fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Redfish regulations in Texas include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Redfish in Matagorda, you may also catch Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Sheepshead, Flounder, Pompano. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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