If you’re familiar with surf fishing in Texas, you might have heard people surf fishing in Port Aransas. The area is famous for its coast being full of fish in demand. Anglers, or those who fish with a rod and line, love this location because of the abundance of water.
There are lots of things to know about surf fishing in this location. You have to consider the fish you might get, the ways of surf fishing with bait, the water movement, and light. The whole deal with surf fishing is considered a big event in Port Aransas, Texas. Since it’s an easier way to catch big fish, it has become increasingly popular in the town.
In this article, I will be giving you a brief overview of Port Aransas and talk about how you can prepare yourself for fishing on its shores. This little information might be vital for your surf fishing trip to Aransas. So, I highly advise you to read through the entire article before hitting the road.
A Little About Fishing In Port Aransas
Before heading into the specifics, I think it would be best to know a bit about port Aransas and what makes it the best place for your next travel/fishing destination.
Port Aransas is a coastal town in the state of Texas. It’s an established town on Mustang Island. And is it a popular destination due to its length and opportunities, it has about 18 miles of shoreline.
Here, you can golf, fish, shop, and dine in the coastal areas—in short, have the time of your life.
You’ll also be able to find wildlife and nature reserves and comfortable and luxurious places to stay. Most of all, you’ll be able to enjoy surfing on the serene and beautiful shores of Port Aransas.
What You’ll Need To Surf Fish In Port Aransas
Before you get into it, you’ll need a fishing license
and some basic things to make your fishing experience as efficient as possible.
You’ll have to depend on nature for some of these. But the others you can find or catch by yourself. Let’s take a deeper look into what you’ll need.
Perfect Fishing Conditions
When you’re out surf fishing, the atmosphere is quite essential. You’ll have to keep an eye out because the quantity of fish will vary depending on the time of day and the movement of the water. The best time to go surf fishing, according to anglers, is soon after sunrise and till noon.
Billy Sandifer, a surf-fishing legend, recommends watching for calm water where there’s a break in the sand bar. There, you’ll see a solid line of surf and a 50-yard gap. According to him, this is the spot where you’ll find predator fish.
Bait and Lures
More people are becoming successful at catching fish using natural bait. You can use dead and alive shrimp and cut-up chunks of smaller fish like live finger mullet and croaker fish. Then there are lures. Lures are objects that can shine and attract fish to the rod.
You’ll be able to use lures in bright light. When it’s darker, even metal spoons can work as lures. Since there is a bit of debate on what you should use, the best advice is to ask experienced anglers.
Basic Fishing Equipment
Yes, the basics are a fishing rod, line, and tackle. But does it get different for surf fishing? Yes. Surf fishing needs rods that can cover long distances from the shore.
A 9-12 feet rods are the best to stick on the shore while waiting for fish to catch your bait. Then, there’s a “power,” which means how much weight the rod can lift. I would recommend a rod with medium or heavy power will work well here.
Then comes the reel for your fishing rod. You’ll need about 5000–6000 reels for the best results, and experts recommend you take a 20–30 pound line for the fishing rod. You can look into the details of all of these online or from experienced anglers.
The Fish You Might Catch—and Where You’ll Catch ‘Em
Here’s the best part: Your bounty! What can you catch when you surf fish in Port Aransas? There are many answers. But the most common one is the big redfish or bull redfish.
Then there are black drums, whiting, and the less popular speckled trout. Here, you’ll get an idea of how you can get these fish when you’re out there. But remember, there’s always more.
Redfish
The most popular fish to catch in Port Aransas is the redfish. Because of its taste, it’s one that most people seek out when they’re surf fishing. The pier where you can mostly find this fish is the Horace Caldwell Pier in Port Aransas.
You can catch this popular fish using natural bait, like bigger live mullet and blue crab are good. And since it’s a bigger fish, make sure you gear up heavy. Your best bet for catching them would be to look for them near beaches and jetties on the shore.
Black Drum
Black drums are a challenge to catch, but they are worth it. They’re attracted to lures or artificial objects as bait—but people still say they are hard to catch. You’ll find these in the jetties and in shallow water as well. The best time to find and catch this fish is late winter, February or March.
Speckled Trout
Go fishing early in the morning or late at night to increase your chances of catching a speckled trout. Natural bait is the way to go for this type of fish. Live shrimp, old or new, can help you get a hold of this fish. This fish is hard to catch, but if you have the right setup, you can enjoy the deliciousness just as easily as the next guy.
Whiting
Whitings are the most common fish in Port Aransas for surf fishing. These fish easily fall for bait like clams, oysters, and crabs. For this one, fishing in the early morning or during sunset is a good bet.
You’ll have to do a little digging to find out how the waves will change the fish’s movements. But, usually, a bit of movement on the water is a good sign for whiting.
What are the differences between surf fishing in Port Aransas and surf fishing in Kiawah Island?
When it comes to surf fishing in Port Aransas versus Kiawah Island, there are some notable differences. In Port Aransas, anglers can expect to hook into redfish and speckled trout, while Kiawah Island offers opportunities for catching sheepshead and flounder. For detailed surf fishing tips, it’s essential to consider the specific species and conditions of each location.
Cautions While Surf Fishing
You should keep in mind some things before you go out to surf fish. Most of these are some cautionary tips to keep you safe. Keep these in mind before you dive into the fun of surf fishing in Port Aransas.
- Be careful of the waves. Making sure that you know when the tides will be high and low will keep you much safer than going without it
- A wader is foot and leg gear that helps anglers fish. If you carry one, carry a wader belt so that water doesn’t fill it up
- A lot of the fish have heavier jaws, so it’s best to be prepared to use your strength when you reel the fish in
Conclusion
Surf fishing in Port Aransas is something most locals could go on and on about for hours. Despite that, I hope you got an idea of what surf fishing in Port Aransas is like. Its location, features, and dangers are all a part of the fun. You can look more into the details from here on out. Happy fishing!
