Draggingtree Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 Texas Fishing 101: Hit the Gulf Coast for Saltwater Fishing Red snapper, flounder, and spotted seatrout are just a few of the fish species you can snag in the Gulf Written by: Dan Oko Published: November 18, 2021 at 3:02 pm Beach fishing at Mustang Island State Park. Photo by Michael A. Amador. In his majestic Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea, historian Jack E. Davis calls the Gulf of Mexico “the Fishy Sea.” For saltwater fishing in Texas, the options are as plentiful as the bounty. Along 350 miles of the Texas coast—from the Sabine River to the Rio Grande—anglers can catch an assortment of species amid landscapes ranging from sandy beaches to offshore reefs. However,factors including climate change and industrial development have required a more conscientious approach to coastal fishing. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has put stricter limits on two favorite game species—flounder and speckled seatrout—hoping conservation will lead to increased catches in the future. “As individuals, we have the power to influence the trajectory of a fishery,” says Shane Bonnot, advocacy director for the Texas chapter of the nonprofit Coastal Conservation Association, which focuses on recreational fisheries. Subscribe to Texas Highways Nonetheless, for anglers just getting started, there remains no shortage of chances to make some memories—and maybe bring home some fresh seafood. For beginners, Bonnot suggests buying or borrowing a basic rod and reel, and finding a rock jetty, then drifting bait under a popping cork. (These “corks” are essentially saltwater bobbers with a rattle to help attract fish; anybody at your local tackle shop should be able to explain how to rig them.) :snip: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts