Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Fall is approaching in Texas, and that means it’s time to go fishing! Texas has hundreds of miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, called the Coastal Bend, which offers fishermen access to a wide variety of gamefish. The Texas coast is regarded as one of the best in-shore fishing destinations in the United States due to the geography—the Coastal Bend is made up of a series of estuaries and inlets, bayous and bays, providing a diverse assortment of fishing locales amongst the chain of barrier islands flanking the mainland. These waters, which host large numbers of fish year-round, practically overflow with fish when fall arrives in Texas.

Fish begin to change their movements along the Texas Gulf Coast in September. They modify their patterns of movement based on the waning daylight hours as summer turns to fall. Fish move toward shallow waters as the water temperature drops and the shallows cool. Moreover, the fish follow their food chain. They school along shorelines through which the baitfish and shrimp they feed on travel; their food source migrates from the marsh areas to more open waters like Aransas Bay in the northern section of the Coastal Bend and Corpus Christi Bay in the southern section.

Recreational fishing in the Texas Coastal Bend area has garnered more and more interest over the years because of the variety of fish present in the many bodies of water, from freshwater reservoirs, lakes, and streams to saltwater bays and the Gulf of Mexico itself. People who want to fish in the Gulf Coast area can do so in any Texas public waters (or private water bodies with appropriate permissions). The diversity of fish species in the area is especially amazing in the fall when fish such as flounder, redfish, black drum, and speckled trout become more and more plentiful.

Many fishing spots are highlighted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, making recreational fishing a fairly easy adventure to undertake on your own. However, many people choose to take guided fishing trips when trawling the waters of the Texas Coastal Bend. Professional, licensed fishing guides provide an experienced perspective, including observations about weather, tides, fish behaviors, and more. They can help with casting techniques, tackle information, data about water clarity and currents, knowledge of different habitats, and general facts about the various fish species in Gulf waters. No matter your knowledge or skill level, you will find that recreational fishing along the Texas Gulf Coast is a rewarding experience at any time of year.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The real estate professionals at WEICHERT, REALTORS® – The Place of Houses located in Corpus Christi, Texas are committed to offering quality service to all of their clients. The licensed team of realtors is ready and waiting to help you buy or sell your property in the Corpus Christi area, including Coastal Bend communities. If you need competent real estate guidance in the Gulf Coast area of Texas, WEICHERT, REALTORS® – The Place of Houses is the real estate group to contact! Visit them online or call them at 361-882-5588 to discuss your needs.

Written by: Erika Mehlhaff