Texas offers some of the most diverse fishing opportunities in North America, with over 200 native fish species swimming through its waters. Whether you’re casting a line in Lake Fork for trophy bass or surf fishing along Padre Island for bull reds, you’ll encounter an incredible variety of game fish and sport species.
From the legendary Guadalupe bass found nowhere else on Earth to massive blue marlin cruising offshore waters, the Lone Star State delivers year-round fishing excitement across freshwater lakes, rivers, coastal bays, and Gulf of Mexico depths.
This guide covers 27 of the most popular and sought-after types of fish in Texas, helping you identify what’s on the end of your line and where to target these species throughout the state.
1. Largemouth Bass
The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) reigns as Texas’s most popular freshwater game fish, drawing anglers from across the country to legendary lakes like Fork, Amistad, and Sam Rayburn. You’ll recognize this aggressive predator by its broad, horizontally extending jaw that reaches past the eye, dark horizontal stripe along each side, and greenish body that can appear almost black in tannic waters.
Pro Tip: Texas produces more ShareLunker bass (13+ pounds) than any other state, with the current record standing at 18.18 pounds caught at Lake Fork in 1992.
Largemouth bass thrive in virtually every Texas lake, pond, and slow-moving river with adequate vegetation and structure. They prefer water temperatures between 65-75°F and actively feed around submerged timber, grass beds, boat docks, and rocky points.
During spring spawning season (March through May), males build circular nests in shallow water where you can sight-fish for bedding bass.
Target largemouth bass with soft plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and topwater lures during early morning and late evening hours. They strike aggressively when water temperatures rise in spring and fall, making these prime seasons for catching multiple fish.
Focus on transition zones where shallow water meets deeper channels, especially near aquatic vegetation that provides ambush points for these opportunistic feeders.
2. Smallmouth Bass
While less common than their largemouth cousins, smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) provide exciting fishing opportunities in specific Texas waters.
These bronze-colored fighters display vertical bars rather than a horizontal stripe, have a jaw that doesn’t extend past the eye, and show reddish eyes that distinguish them from other bass species.
You’ll find smallmouth bass primarily in the clear, cool waters of the Devils River, portions of the Rio Grande, and select Hill Country streams. They prefer rocky substrates, moderate current, and cooler water temperatures than largemouth bass, thriving in areas with limestone ledges, boulder fields, and gravel bottoms.
Lake Whitney and Texoma also support decent smallmouth populations in their clearer sections. These acrobatic fighters jump more frequently than largemouth bass when hooked, providing exceptional sport on light tackle. Fish for them using tube jigs, grubs, small crankbaits, and topwater poppers around rocky points and drop-offs.
Smallmouth bass feed heavily on crayfish, making brown and orange-colored lures particularly effective in Texas waters where crayfish populations thrive.
3. Guadalupe Bass
Texas’s state fish, the Guadalupe bass (Micropterus treculii), exists nowhere else on Earth except the Edwards Plateau region. This endemic species looks similar to smallmouth bass but features darker vertical bars, a smaller adult size typically under 12 inches, and distinctive coloration with emerald highlights along its sides.
Key Insight: The Guadalupe bass faces threats from hybridization with introduced smallmouth bass, making conservation efforts critical to preserving this unique Texas species.
The Guadalupe River system serves as the primary stronghold for this species, though populations also exist in the Colorado, San Antonio, and Nueces river drainages. You’ll find Guadalupe bass in flowing streams with rocky riffles, deep pools, and moderate current where they hunt aquatic insects, small fish, and crayfish.
They prefer clearer water than largemouth bass and actively feed in current breaks behind boulders and beneath overhanging banks.
Catch these feisty fighters using small spinners, inline spinnerbaits, and live crickets or small minnows. They strike aggressively despite their small size, providing excellent light-tackle action in scenic Hill Country streams.
Target areas with gravel bottoms, boulder cover, and flowing water during spring and fall when water levels stabilize after rain events.
4. White Bass
White bass (Morone chrysops) create some of Texas’s most exciting fishing action when they make their famous spawning runs up rivers and congregate in massive feeding schools.
These silver-sided fish display six to eight horizontal black stripes, a deep body profile, and typically weigh between 1-3 pounds, though specimens over 4 pounds occasionally surface in Texas lakes.
Every spring from late February through April, white bass migrate up tributary streams from major reservoirs, creating legendary fishing opportunities in areas like Brushy Creek on Lake Texoma and the Colorado River below Lake Buchanan.
Beyond spawning season, you’ll locate schools of feeding white bass by watching for “jumps” where they herd shad to the surface, creating explosive topwater action that attracts diving gulls.
Common Mistake: Many anglers miss prime white bass action by fishing too deep during summer months when schools actively chase shad near the surface during low-light periods.
Target white bass with small jigs, slabs, inline spinners, and live shad when you find schools actively feeding. They respond well to vertical jigging techniques and will hit fast-retrieved lures that mimic fleeing baitfish.
Lakes Texoma, Buchanan, Whitney, and Tawakoni produce exceptional white bass fishing, with some specimens reaching weights over 3 pounds in these productive fisheries.
5. Striped Bass
Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) represent Texas’s premier freshwater trophy fish, with specimens regularly exceeding 30 pounds in major reservoirs.
These powerful ocean migrants adapted to freshwater stocking programs feature seven to eight unbroken horizontal stripes, a streamlined body built for long-distance cruising, and the stamina to test heavy tackle during extended battles.
Texas Parks and Wildlife stocks striped bass in several major lakes, with Lake Texoma producing some of the nation’s finest striper fishing. You’ll also find quality populations in Lakes Buchanan, Whitney, Tawakoni, and the Highland Lakes chain.
These pelagic predators roam open water hunting schools of shad, often suspending over deep channels or relating to submerged humps and points where baitfish concentrate.
During winter months, striped bass provide excellent action as they feed aggressively in preparation for spring spawning attempts. Fish for them using live gizzard shad, large swimbaits, deep-diving crankbaits, and heavy jigs worked through the water column where electronics reveal suspended fish.
Early morning hours produce best, especially when stripers push shad to the surface in explosive feeding frenzies that can be spotted from considerable distances.
Hybrid striped bass (white bass x striped bass crosses) also thrive in Texas lakes, offering similar fighting characteristics with better warm-water tolerance. These hybrids display broken horizontal stripes and typically grow larger than white bass but smaller than pure striped bass, providing excellent sport on medium-weight tackle.
6. Catfish (Channel, Blue, Flathead)
Texas waters support three major catfish species that provide year-round fishing opportunities for anglers targeting trophy specimens or filling coolers with excellent table fare. Each species displays unique characteristics, habitat preferences, and feeding behaviors that determine the most effective fishing strategies.
Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) feature deeply forked tails, scattered dark spots on younger fish, and typically weigh 2-10 pounds, though specimens exceeding 30 pounds occasionally appear in Texas rivers and lakes. These omnivorous feeders readily take prepared baits including chicken liver, stinkbait, cut shad, and nightcrawlers.
You’ll find channel cats in virtually every Texas waterway, from small farm ponds to major reservoirs, where they inhabit areas with moderate current, submerged timber, and rocky structure.
Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) grow considerably larger than channel cats, with Texas specimens regularly exceeding 50 pounds and the state record standing at 121.5 pounds from Lake Texoma. These massive fish display a slate-blue coloration without spots, a straighter profile along their back, and prefer larger river systems and major reservoirs.
Target blue cats using fresh-cut bait, live perch, or whole shad fished on bottom rigs in river channels, beneath dams, and around deep-water structure.
Pro Tip: Lake Texoma ranks among North America’s premier blue catfish destinations, producing numerous specimens over 70 pounds annually and hosting specialized guide operations targeting trophy-class fish.
Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) serve as apex predators in many Texas waterways, with adults commonly reaching 40-60 pounds and the state record exceeding 98 pounds. These yellowish-brown fish feature a flattened head, squared tail, and strongly prefer live bait over prepared offerings.
You’ll find flatheads in deep river holes, beneath undercut banks, inside hollow logs, and around large logjams where they ambush prey during nighttime feeding periods. Fish for them using live sunfish, goldfish, or small carp on heavy tackle capable of extracting these powerful fish from snag-filled habitats.
7. Crappie (White and Black)
Crappie fishing provides some of Texas’s most rewarding panfishing opportunities, with both white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) and black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) inhabiting lakes and rivers statewide.
These silvery fish typically weigh 0.5-1.5 pounds, though specimens exceeding 3 pounds create memorable catches when located in productive waters.
White crappie display five to six vertical bars on their sides and thrive in slightly more turbid water than black crappie, which show irregular dark spots rather than distinct bars.
Both species school heavily around submerged brush piles, standing timber, boat docks, and bridge pilings where they suspend at specific depths determined by water temperature and available forage.
Spring spawning season (March through May) produces the year’s most consistent crappie action as fish move into shallow water (2-6 feet deep) to construct nests on firm substrates.
You’ll find spawning crappie around woody cover, riprap banks, and protected coves where males guard nests and aggressively strike small jigs, minnows, and tube baits.
Lakes Fork, Tawakoni, Palestine, and Athens all produce exceptional crappie fishing, with fish commonly reaching 1.5-2 pounds during peak spring conditions.
Key Insight: Successful crappie anglers use electronic sonar to locate specific depth zones where schools suspend, then use precision jigging techniques or live minnows to trigger strikes from fish holding near brush and timber.
Beyond spawning season, crappie suspend over deeper water, relating to submerged creek channels, humps, and standing timber in 12-25 feet of water. Target them using small jigs (1/16-1/8 ounce) in white, chartreuse, or pink colors, fishing slowly around cover at the depth where electronics reveal suspended fish.
Spider rigging with multiple poles allows you to efficiently cover water and determine the most productive jig colors and presentations on any given day.
8. Bluegill
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) rank as Texas’s most abundant and accessible panfish species, providing exceptional fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels.
These colorful sunfish display an olive-green body, bright orange-yellow breast (especially on breeding males), dark ear flap, and typically weigh 4-8 ounces, though Texas specimens occasionally exceed one pound in well-managed waters.
You’ll find bluegill in virtually every Texas pond, lake, and slow-moving stream where they inhabit shallow areas with aquatic vegetation, boat docks, fallen trees, and submerged brush.
During spring spawning season (May through August), males create circular nests in colonies on sandy or gravel bottoms in 1-4 feet of water, providing excellent sight-fishing opportunities when conditions remain clear.
Bluegill feed heavily on aquatic insects, small crustaceans, and occasionally small fish, making them receptive to a variety of baits and lures. Fish for them using live worms, crickets, small wet flies, tiny spinners, or small jigs worked around shallow cover during morning and evening feeding periods.
They bite enthusiastically, making them perfect targets for young anglers learning basic fishing skills.
Target larger bluegill by fishing deeper water (6-15 feet) during summer months when they suspend near underwater structure away from shallow spawning areas.
Use light tackle to fully appreciate their fighting ability, and focus on areas with standing timber, brush piles, or deep-water vegetation where larger specimens hold throughout the year.
9. Red Drum
Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), commonly called redfish, reign as Texas’s most popular inshore saltwater game fish. These copper-bronze beauties feature one or more distinctive black spots near their tail, powerful bodies built for fighting in surf and current, and can grow from “slot-sized” 18-28 inchers to massive bull reds exceeding 40 pounds in Texas Gulf waters.
Pro Tip: Texas regulations protect red drum through a slot limit (20-28 inches) and daily bag limit of three fish, ensuring sustainable populations while allowing anglers to target both slot fish and catch-and-release trophy bulls.
You’ll find red drum throughout Texas’s coastal bays, including Galveston, Matagorda, Aransas, Corpus Christi, and the Laguna Madre. They inhabit shallow grass flats, oyster reefs, marsh edges, and sandy potholes where they root for crabs, shrimp, and small fish.
During fall months, mature red drum aggregate near passes and beaches for spawning runs, creating spectacular bull red action in the surf.
Target slot-sized redfish using live shrimp, mullet, or crabs fished beneath popping corks or on bottom rigs around structure. They also strike artificial lures enthusiastically, including gold spoons, soft plastic shrimp imitations, and topwater plugs worked across shallow flats during low-light periods.
Bull reds in the surf respond well to fresh-cut mullet, crab, or large swimbaits cast into troughs and sloughs along beachfronts.
10. Black Drum
Black drum (Pogonias cromis) provide year-round fishing opportunities in Texas bays and near-shore Gulf waters, with specimens ranging from “puppy drum” under 5 pounds to behemoth adults exceeding 60 pounds.
These powerful bottom feeders display silvery-gray to bronze coloration, numerous barbels under their chin for detecting prey, and produce drumming sounds using specialized muscles against their swim bladder.
Younger black drum (under 10 pounds) offer excellent table fare and inhabit shallow bay waters around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy bottoms where they crush crabs, shrimp, and mollusks.
Larger specimens frequent deeper channels, jetties, and pier pilings, using their crushing pharyngeal teeth to pulverize oysters and other hard-shelled prey items.
Common Mistake: Many anglers set the hook too quickly when black drum bite, but these fish often mouth bait slowly before fully committing to the offering.
Fish for black drum using fresh or frozen shrimp, blue crab, or cut mullet on bottom rigs around structure. They bite steadily throughout winter when other species become less active, making them popular targets during cooler months.
Upper Laguna Madre produces exceptional trophy black drum fishing, with numerous specimens over 40 pounds caught annually around structure and channel edges.
11. Spotted Seatrout
Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), affectionately called “specks” by Texas anglers, rank among the state’s most popular inshore species. These beautiful fish display numerous black spots scattered across their backs and dorsal fin, silver sides with pinkish highlights, and typically weigh 1-4 pounds, though specimens exceeding 10 pounds (“gator trout”) represent trophy catches along the Texas coast.
You’ll encounter spotted seatrout throughout Texas bay systems, where they inhabit grass flats, shell reefs, channels, and spoil islands. They prefer water depths of 2-6 feet during warmer months, often suspending near the bottom over shell or sand substrates.
During extreme cold snaps, seatrout move into deeper channels and boat basins seeking warmer water, making them vulnerable to fish kills when temperatures drop rapidly.
Spotted seatrout readily strike artificial lures, making them favorites among wade fishermen and kayak anglers. Target them using soft plastic tails rigged on 1/4-ounce jigheads, topwater plugs during calm conditions, and suspending twitch baits around structure.
They also respond well to live shrimp fished beneath popping corks or freelined across grass flats. Early morning and late evening produce the most consistent action, especially during spring and fall when seatrout feed aggressively.
The East Matagorda Bay system produces exceptional spotted seatrout fishing, along with the Galveston Bay complex and the Laguna Madre. Focus your efforts around shell reefs, channel edges, and grass flats where baitfish schools concentrate, and vary your retrieve speeds until you determine the most productive presentation.
12. Flounder
Southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) provide excellent table fare and challenging fishing opportunities in Texas bays and near-shore Gulf waters.
These flat, bottom-dwelling predators feature both eyes on their left side (when viewed with eyes up), camouflaged coloration that matches their surroundings, and typically weigh 1-3 pounds, though specimens exceeding 6 pounds occasionally surprise Texas anglers.
You’ll find flounder along sandy or muddy bottoms near structure, channel edges, and passes where current concentrates prey. They lie flat on the bottom waiting to ambush passing fish, shrimp, and crabs, striking explosively from concealment.
During fall months (October through December), flounder make spawning migrations toward Gulf passes, creating the year’s most productive fishing as they stage near jetties and beachfront areas before moving offshore.
Key Insight: Fall flounder runs offer Texas’s most consistent action for this species, with fish concentrating in predictable locations as they migrate toward passes and offshore waters for spawning.
Target flounder using live mud minnows or finger mullet fished on bottom rigs near structure, or work soft plastic paddle-tails slowly along the bottom with frequent pauses. They also respond to artificial lures including spoons, jigs, and swim baits bounced along sandy flats and channel edges.
Nighttime gigging provides an additional harvest method when flounder move into extremely shallow water to feed after dark.
13. Sheepshead
Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) challenge Texas anglers with their bait-stealing abilities and provide exceptional table fare when successfully landed.
These vertical-barred fish feature sheep-like teeth designed for crushing crustaceans and barnacles, powerful jaws that require razor-sharp hooks, and typically weigh 2-6 pounds, though specimens exceeding 10 pounds inhabit Texas jetties and offshore structures.
You’ll locate sheepshead around any hard structure in Texas coastal waters, including jetties, piers, bridges, oil rigs, and natural rock formations. They use their specialized teeth to crush barnacles, crabs, oysters, and other hard-shelled invertebrates attached to pilings and rocks.
Winter months produce the most consistent sheepshead action as fish aggregate around structure in preparation for spring spawning migrations.
Fish for sheepshead using small pieces of fresh shrimp, fiddler crabs, or barnacles on small hooks (1/0 to 2/0) with minimal weight to maintain natural bait presentation. They bite delicately, requiring excellent sensitivity to detect the subtle pecks before setting the hook firmly.
Use light leaders (15-20 pound test) and maintain direct contact with your bait to feel their cautious strikes around structure.
14. Red Snapper
Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) represent the premier offshore species for Texas anglers venturing into Gulf waters. These beautiful fish display rosy-red coloration, a triangular head profile with prominent canine teeth, and can reach weights exceeding 30 pounds in deep Gulf waters beyond Texas’s territorial seas.
Federal and state regulations carefully manage red snapper through limited season openings, size limits (16 inches minimum in federal waters), and bag limits (two fish per person in federal waters).
These restrictions protect snapper populations while allowing recreational harvest during specific seasons typically occurring during summer months when weather conditions favor offshore trips.
Pro Tip: Texas anglers can access state water red snapper seasons that often differ from federal regulations, with artificial reefs and structure within nine nautical miles of shore providing excellent fishing opportunities during open seasons.
Target red snapper around offshore oil platforms, artificial reefs, wrecks, and natural bottom structure in depths ranging from 50-200+ feet. They respond well to cut bait (squid, cigar minnows, bonito), live bait, and vertical jigs worked near the bottom.
Use heavy tackle (40-80 pound test) to quickly bring fish up from depth, minimizing the risk of barotrauma while preventing sharks from stealing hooked fish during the fight.
15. Vermilion Snapper
Vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens), commonly called “beeliner” by Texas offshore anglers, school densely around the same offshore structures that hold red snapper.
These smaller cousins feature brilliant red-orange coloration, large eyes adapted for deeper water, and typically weigh 1-3 pounds, making them perfect light-tackle opponents and excellent table fare.
You’ll encounter vermilion snapper on nearly every offshore trip to Texas platforms and reefs, where they school in massive numbers around mid-water depths above the structure. They bite aggressively, often intercepting baits intended for red snapper or amberjack before offerings reach the bottom.
Their willingness to bite makes them perfect targets when red snapper seasons remain closed. Fish for vermilion snapper using cut squid, small pieces of fish, or chicken rigs with multiple small hooks.
They’ll readily strike at any depth from surface to bottom, though best concentrations typically occur 30-80 feet down around structure. Use light leaders and small hooks to maximize hookup ratios on these smaller-mouthed fish that provide constant action on offshore trips.
16. King Mackerel
King mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla) provide some of Texas’s most exciting near-shore action, with these toothy speedsters reaching weights over 40 pounds in Gulf waters.
These streamlined predators display silvery sides, a sloping lateral line, and contain rows of razor-sharp teeth that require wire leaders or heavy monofilament to prevent bite-offs during battles.
You’ll find king mackerel along Texas beachfronts, around offshore platforms, near coastal buoys, and over near-shore reefs from spring through fall when water temperatures exceed 70°F.
They hunt schools of Spanish sardines, menhaden, and other baitfish, often feeding near the surface where diving birds reveal their location. Kings make blistering runs when hooked, stripping line from reels and occasionally launching into aerial displays.
Target king mackerel by slow-trolling live baits (cigars minnows, Spanish sardines, ribbonfish) on downriggers, drifting live or dead baits beneath kites, or casting metal jigs and spoons to surface-feeding schools.
Use wire leaders or heavy fluorocarbon (80-100 pound test) to prevent cutoffs, and employ circle hooks when fishing live baits to improve hookup ratios and reduce gut-hooking.
Summer months produce peak action, especially when baitfish schools concentrate along beachfronts and near-shore structures.
17. Spanish Mackerel
Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) frequent Texas bays and near-shore Gulf waters during warmer months, providing fast-paced action for anglers of all skill levels.
These smaller relatives of king mackerel display prominent yellow spots on their sides, rarely exceed 5 pounds, and strike lures with explosive surface attacks that create memorable fishing moments.
You’ll encounter Spanish mackerel along Texas jetties, beachfronts, bay passes, and over near-shore reefs from April through October. They hunt small baitfish near the surface, often revealing their presence through surface splashes and diving tern activity.
Spanish mackerel travel in schools, so catching one fish often indicates more feeding nearby. Fish for Spanish mackerel using small metal spoons, white jigs, Got-Cha lures, and live shrimp cast to feeding schools or trolled along beachfronts. They strike aggressively but require sharp hooks and quick reflexes to hook consistently.
Use light wire leaders or heavy monofilament to prevent their sharp teeth from cutting through line, and expect fast, erratic fights from these acrobatic fish that occasionally jump when hooked.
18. Tripletail
Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) offer unique fishing opportunities along the Texas coast, where these unusual fish float sideways near the surface mimicking debris.
Their distinctive appearance includes dorsal and anal fins extending backward to create a “three-tailed” look, mottled brown coloration providing excellent camouflage, and weights typically ranging from 5-20 pounds, though specimens exceeding 30 pounds occasionally appear.
You’ll find tripletail floating near buoys, weed lines, floating debris, and channel markers throughout Texas coastal waters during summer and fall months. They position themselves near floating objects where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish seeking shelter.
This unique behavior allows sight-casting opportunities as you spot fish floating near the surface in open water.
Key Insight: Tripletail fishing requires stealth and precise casting, as these wary fish spook easily from boat noise or shadows, often diving beneath floating cover when threatened.
Target tripletail by sight-casting live shrimp or small jigs within a few feet of the fish, allowing offerings to sink slowly past their position. They strike deliberately, often inspecting baits multiple times before committing.
Use medium-weight tackle and expect powerful runs toward structure when hooked. Galveston Bay jetties and offshore platforms produce consistent tripletail action during peak season, with fish commonly weighing 10-15 pounds.
19. Cobia
Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) rank among Texas’s most powerful near-shore species, with specimens regularly exceeding 50 pounds in Gulf waters. These prehistoric-looking fish feature a flattened head, brown coloration with a darker lateral stripe, and muscular bodies capable of testing heavy tackle during extended battles.
You’ll encounter cobia around offshore platforms, floating sargassum, rays, buoys, and sharks during spring through fall months. They often cruise just beneath the surface, making them accessible to sight-casting anglers who spot fish finning in open water.
Spring migration periods (April through June) produce the most consistent action as fish move through Texas waters heading toward spawning grounds.
Fish for cobia by sight-casting large swimbaits, bucktail jigs, live eels, or pinfish when you spot fish near the surface. They also respond to freelined live baits (blue runner, mullet) or dead baits fished near structure.
Cobia fight powerfully, making long runs and diving toward structure when hooked. Use heavy tackle (40-60 pound test) and prepare for extended battles from these stubborn fish that rarely quit fighting even at boatside.
20. Tarpon
Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) provide world-class sport fishing opportunities along the Texas coast, though these massive fish remain catch-and-release only due to poor table quality.
These silver giants feature huge scales, an upturned mouth, and can exceed 200 pounds in Texas waters, with fish ranging from 40-150 pounds commonly encountered during summer months.
Port Aransas, Port O’Connor, and the Galveston area produce consistent tarpon action from May through September when fish migrate through Texas waters. You’ll find them rolling near jetties, along beachfronts, in passes, and occasionally far into bay systems where they pursue mullet and other baitfish.
Their spectacular aerial displays when hooked create unforgettable fishing memories, with multiple jumps and powerful runs testing tackle and angler skills.
Target tarpon using live mullet, crab, or shrimp fished near structure, or cast artificial plugs and swimbaits to rolling fish. Heavy tackle (50-80 pound test) and sharp hooks are essential, along with leaders capable of withstanding their abrasive mouths.
Practice proper catch-and-release techniques including quick landings, in-water releases, and revival when necessary to ensure these magnificent fish survive encounters.
21. Swordfish
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) represent the ultimate offshore challenge for Texas anglers willing to venture into deep Gulf waters. These apex predators feature a long, flattened bill, massive size potential exceeding 400 pounds, and inhabit waters beyond 100 miles offshore where depths exceed 1,000 feet.
Texas swordfishing requires specialized tackle, techniques, and offshore experience. Most successful trips occur during nighttime hours when swordfish rise from extreme depths to feed in waters 300-600 feet deep.
Deepwater daytime techniques also produce fish for anglers targeting deeper depths with electric reels and heavy weights.
Pro Tip: Successful swordfish trips from Texas typically require running 100+ miles offshore to reach proper depths, making multi-day offshore excursions necessary for consistent success.
Target swordfish using squid baits rigged on specialized “sword rigs” deployed at various depths with chemical lightsticks for visibility. Electric reels help manage the extreme depths and heavy weights required for deepwater fishing.
Hooked swordfish make spectacular jumps and powerful runs, testing every component of tackle systems during battles that can last hours on trophy-class fish.
22. Wahoo
Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) represent one of the ocean’s fastest fish, providing explosive action for Texas offshore anglers. These streamlined predators feature vertical blue bars, razor-sharp teeth, and can reach speeds exceeding 60 mph when attacking prey or running from hooks.
Texas specimens typically weigh 20-60 pounds, though larger fish occasionally appear around offshore platforms and seamounts.
You’ll encounter wahoo around offshore structures, weed lines, and blue water edges in depths ranging from 100-300+ feet. They hunt along drop-offs and current edges where baitfish concentrate, striking trolled lures or baits with explosive force.
Their speed and power test drag systems and angler reflexes, with initial runs often stripping 100+ yards of line in seconds.
Target wahoo by high-speed trolling (10-15 knots) using artificial lures, plugs, or rigged ballyhoo over seamounts and around offshore platforms. Wire leaders prevent their sharp teeth from cutting through line, and heavy tackle (50-80 pound test) provides the stopping power needed during their blistering runs. Wahoo provide excellent table fare, making them highly prized catches on offshore trips.
23. Mahi-mahi
Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), also called dolphinfish or dorado, provide spectacular fishing action in Texas offshore waters. These brilliantly colored fish display electric blues, greens, and yellows, feature blunt foreheads (especially on males), and typically weigh 10-30 pounds, though bulls occasionally exceed 50 pounds around floating debris and weed lines.
You’ll find mahi-mahi around floating sargassum mats, debris, buoys, and occasionally schooling in open blue water during summer and fall months. They feed heavily on flying fish, small tuna, and squid, often revealing their presence through surface splashes and aerial displays.
Mahi-mahi school by size, so catching smaller “chickens” (under 10 pounds) often indicates larger bulls and cows nearby.
Fish for mahi-mahi by trolling small lures or ballyhoo near floating debris, or cast jigs and poppers to surface-feeding schools. They strike aggressively and jump repeatedly when hooked, providing spectacular light-tackle action.
Keep a few hooked fish in the water to hold schools near the boat, allowing other anglers opportunities to cast to remaining fish before they disperse.
24. Amberjack
Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) reign as the most powerful fish encountered at Texas offshore platforms and reefs. These bruising fighters feature a dark diagonal stripe extending from nose through the eye, bronze coloration, and commonly weigh 40-80 pounds, with specimens exceeding 100 pounds testing the heaviest tackle around deepwater structures.
You’ll locate amberjack around virtually every offshore platform, reef, and wreck in Texas Gulf waters where they patrol mid-depths hunting prey. Younger fish school densely, while larger individuals become more solitary and dominant around structure.
They strike hard and immediately head toward the structure seeking to cut lines on barnacles and metal, requiring powerful tackle and aggressive angling techniques.
Common Mistake: Many anglers underestimate amberjack strength and use inadequate tackle, resulting in lost fish when powerful runs cannot be controlled near structure.
Target amberjack using live baits (blue runner, hardtails), large jigs, or cut bait fished around platforms and reefs. Use heavy tackle (60-100 pound test) and apply maximum drag pressure immediately to turn fish away from structure.
Their stamina tests anglers during extended battles, and larger specimens require multiple attempts to boat as they make repeated power dives toward bottom structure.
25. Ladyfish
Ladyfish (Elops saurus) provide exciting light-tackle action in Texas bays and near-shore waters year-round. These silver torpedoes feature elongated bodies, large eyes, and typically weigh 1-3 pounds, though their acrobatic displays and aggressive strikes create fishing action disproportionate to their size.
You’ll encounter ladyfish throughout Texas bay systems, along beachfronts, near passes, and around jetties where they school heavily pursuing glass minnows and small baitfish.
They strike artificial lures aggressively, making them perfect targets for anglers seeking consistent action on light spinning or fly tackle. Ladyfish jump repeatedly when hooked, providing spectacular displays that earned them the nickname “poor man’s tarpon.”
Fish for ladyfish using small spoons, jigs, topwater plugs, or flies cast to surface-feeding schools or worked around structure. They provide excellent practice for anglers developing saltwater techniques, readily accepting most offerings.
While generally released due to poor table quality, ladyfish serve as superb cut bait for targeting other species including sharks, bull reds, and catfish.
26. Carp (Common & Grass)
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) have established substantial populations throughout Texas freshwater systems, providing unique fishing opportunities for anglers targeting these powerful fish.
Common carp display golden-bronze coloration, barbels near their mouths, and regularly exceed 20 pounds in Texas waters, with specimens over 40 pounds documented in several major reservoirs.
You’ll find common carp in virtually every Texas lake, river, and pond where they feed on aquatic vegetation, insects, crustaceans, and organic matter along muddy bottoms. They often reveal their presence by “mudding” in shallow water, creating cloudy areas as they root through sediment for food.
Grass carp appear more streamlined without barbels and feed almost exclusively on aquatic vegetation, making them valuable for controlling excessive plant growth in water bodies.
Target common carp using corn, dough baits, boilies, or bread fished on bottom rigs in areas where you observe mudding activity or feeding fish. They fight powerfully when hooked, making long runs and testing tackle with their endurance.
Many Texas anglers practice catch-and-release carp fishing, appreciating these fish for their strength and the challenge they present on light tackle. Early morning and evening hours produce the most consistent action, especially during warmer months when carp feed actively in shallow areas.
Grass carp require different approaches, responding best to vegetation baits including fresh-cut grass, cattail shoots, or commercial vegetation-based baits. They’re more selective feeders than common carp and often require patient presentations in areas where aquatic plants thrive.
27. Tilapia (Various Species)
Several tilapia species now inhabit Texas waters, including blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus).
These African cichlids feature compressed bodies, continuous dorsal fins, and typically weigh 1-3 pounds in Texas waters, though specimens exceeding 5 pounds appear in tropical discharge areas and South Texas locations.
Tilapia populations concentrate in warm-water areas including power plant discharge canals, South Texas lakes and rivers, and spring-fed waters that maintain higher temperatures year-round. They cannot survive prolonged cold periods, limiting their range to areas where winter temperatures remain moderate.
Despite their non-native status, tilapia provide fishing opportunities and help control excessive aquatic vegetation in some systems.
Key Insight: Tilapia thrive in areas most other fish avoid, including extremely warm discharge waters and vegetation-choked shallows, creating unique fishing opportunities during hot summer months when other species become lethargic.
You’ll catch tilapia using small pieces of bread, corn, worms, or commercial baits fished beneath bobbers or on light bottom rigs around vegetation and structure. They bite readily, making them accessible targets for anglers of all skill levels.
Tilapia provide decent table fare when harvested from clean water, with firm white flesh that responds well to various cooking methods. Focus your efforts around aquatic vegetation beds, near warm-water discharges, and in shallow areas during summer months when water temperatures peak.
Conclusion
Texas’s diverse waters support an incredible range of fish species spanning freshwater lakes and rivers to coastal bays and deep Gulf waters.
From the endemic Guadalupe bass found nowhere else on Earth to massive offshore swordfish requiring specialized techniques, you’ll discover fishing opportunities matching every skill level and interest throughout the Lone Star State.
Understanding the habitat preferences, seasonal patterns, and feeding behaviors of these 27 species helps you target fish more effectively while appreciating the unique ecosystems they inhabit.
Whether you’re pursuing trophy largemouth bass in legendary East Texas reservoirs, sight-casting to redfish on shallow coastal flats, or venturing offshore for pelagic speedsters, Texas delivers world-class fishing experiences across its varied aquatic environments.
Remember to check current Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations before fishing, as seasons, size limits, and bag limits vary by species and location to ensure sustainable fish populations for future generations.
Proper fish handling and selective harvest practices help maintain the exceptional fishing quality that makes Texas a premier destination for anglers worldwide.
