Redfish (Red Drum): The Icon of Texas Inshore Fishing

The Red Drum, commonly known as Redfish, is one of the most sought-after inshore game fish along the Gulf Coast. Instantly recognizable by its copper-bronze coloring and distinctive black spot near the tail, the redfish is a species that embodies the spirit of coastal angling. For many fishermen along the Texas coast—including those casting lines in Port O’Connor—chasing redfish isn’t just a pastime, it’s a rite of passage.

Biology and Identification

Redfish belong to the drum family, which also includes black drum and croaker. Juvenile redfish display a more golden or bronze sheen, while older, larger “bull reds” often take on a more muted, reddish-gray tone. The trademark black spot at the base of the tail is believed to serve as a decoy, distracting predators from the fish’s head.

Most redfish caught inshore are in the “slot size” range of 20 to 28 inches, but mature adults, especially during spawning runs, can exceed 40 inches and weigh over 30 pounds.

Habitat and Range

Redfish are found in shallow coastal waters throughout the southeastern United States, especially in bays, estuaries, marshes, and flats. In Texas, they thrive in the warm, brackish environments of the Gulf Coast, with Port O’Connor offering ideal habitat thanks to its network of grass flats, oyster reefs, and tidal creeks.

These fish are highly tolerant of varying salinities, which allows them to venture far into marshes and even slightly freshwater zones during certain times of the year. Their preference for shallow, structure-rich areas makes them perfect targets for sight fishing and poling flats.

Feeding Behavior

Redfish are opportunistic bottom feeders, relying on their downward-facing mouths and sensitive barbels to locate prey in sandy or muddy substrates. Their diet includes:

Mullet

Shrimp

Blue crabs

Mud minnows

Small baitfish

They feed actively during moving tides, often rooting around in shallow flats with their tails out of the water—a behavior known as “tailing” that excites anglers and guides alike.

During the fall spawning season, large schools of redfish form offshore and near jetties, creating opportunities for incredible fishing action. These “bull reds” are catch-and-release targets that can wear out even the most experienced anglers.

Redfish and Anglers

Redfish offer a perfect balance of fight and finesse. They’re strong, stubborn fighters that use their broad tails to make long runs and dig deep into the current. Anglers love them for their sheer tenacity and the range of techniques used to catch them:

Sight casting with lures or flies

Drifting live bait along grass edges

Working topwater plugs at dawn

Free-lining shrimp in shallow bays

They’re also favored for their culinary value, especially those in the slot-size range. Redfish fillets are firm, white, and flavorful, suitable for grilling, blackening, or baking.

Conservation and Management

Texas Parks and Wildlife regulates redfish harvest carefully. The slot limit is 20–28 inches, with one fish over 28 inches allowed per year using a special red drum tag. These limits help maintain a healthy population of spawning-size adults, ensuring future generations of this iconic game fish.

Many anglers practice catch and release, especially for oversized fish, to support the long-term sustainability of the species.

A Symbol of the Gulf Coast

Few fish capture the heart of Texas coastal fishing like the redfish. For those exploring the bays around Port O’Connor, targeting redfish means experiencing a blend of natural beauty, tactical angling, and heart-pounding excitement. Whether you’re sight fishing a tailing red at sunrise or locked in a tug-of-war with a 35-inch bull at the jetties, redfish provide a uniquely Gulf Coast adventure that keeps anglers coming back for more.

Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout): A Gulf Coast Favorite for Sport and Table

The Speckled Trout, also known as the Spotted Seatrout, is one of the most cherished inshore game fish along the Gulf of Mexico—and for good reason. Renowned for their aggressive strikes, delicate presentation requirements, and superb flavor, speckled trout are a staple species in Texas coastal waters. Anglers fishing out of Port O’Connor often find trout in abundance, especially during peak spawning months, when these fish offer fast action and the potential for true trophies.

Identification and Size

Speckled trout are sleek, silvery fish with a soft iridescent glow and distinctive black spots across their back, tail, and dorsal fins. Unlike their name might suggest, they are not true trout but are actually part of the drum family, which includes redfish and black drum.

Most specks caught by inshore anglers in Texas range from 15 to 24 inches, though trophy specimens can exceed 30 inches and weigh more than 7 pounds—commonly referred to as “gator trout.”

Habitat and Range

Speckled trout prefer shallow bays, grass flats, and channels with access to deeper water. They’re often found near shell reefs, grassy potholes, oyster beds, and drop-offs. In Port O’Connor, trout thrive thanks to the mix of brackish estuaries, protected marshes, and open bay systems that offer prime habitat.

Trout can be targeted year-round, but they tend to move with seasonal changes. In winter, they may hold deep in channels or near warm outflows, while in warmer months, they move into shallows and along the surf.

Feeding Behavior

Speckled trout are ambush predators with keen eyesight, making them especially responsive to well-presented lures and live bait. Their primary diet includes:

Shrimp

Mullet

Pinfish

Croaker

Glass minnows

They strike quickly and often violently, making them exciting targets for topwater fishing at dawn or dusk. During active feeding times, they may slash through bait schools at the surface, offering visual cues to observant anglers.

Specks are often found in schools, especially in cooler months. During the summer spawn, larger females become more solitary, staging near deeper structure and current points to await ideal feeding conditions.

Tactics and Techniques

Anglers love speckled trout not only for their numbers but also for the variety of ways to catch them. Some of the most effective methods include:

Free-lining live shrimp under popping corks

Working soft plastics on light jig heads along bottom contours

Casting topwater plugs across slicks and grass lines during early mornings

Drifting reefs and flats while fan-casting with artificials

Light to medium spinning gear is ideal, as trout have soft mouths and are prone to “shaking the hook” if overpowered. Skilled anglers learn to time their hooksets and keep a tight line for best results.

Regulations and Management

In Texas, speckled trout are subject to strict harvest regulations to support sustainability. As of 2023, the general bag limit is five fish per person per day, with a slot size of 15 to 25 inches, and only one fish over 25 inches is allowed.

Trout populations are vulnerable to overfishing, particularly during spawning season. Many anglers now voluntarily release larger breeding females to preserve the quality of future fisheries.

Culinary Value

Few fish are as appreciated on the plate as speckled trout. With white, flaky meat and a mild flavor, they are ideal for grilling, pan-frying, or broiling. Popular preparations include trout meunière, blackened trout, and stuffed trout with crabmeat.

Due to their relatively delicate flesh, trout should be kept on ice and cleaned promptly to preserve quality.

A Premier Sport Fish

In the rich estuaries of Port O’Connor, speckled trout are more than just another target species—they’re a tradition. From early spring topwater blowups to winter drift bites over shell, these fish offer something for every angler. Their beauty, fight, and flavor make them a cornerstone of inshore saltwater fishing and a bucket-list catch for anyone visiting the Texas coast.

Flounder: The Elusive and Delicious Prize of the Texas Coast

Among the many prized game fish in Texas coastal waters, few are as unique—or as rewarding-as the Flounder. With its flat, asymmetric body and camouflage coloring, the flounder is a master of stealth and a favorite among anglers who enjoy a challenge. Known for its mild, flaky meat and distinct fighting style, flounder are abundant in the Port O’Connor region, making them a key target species for both inshore guides and recreational fishermen.

Identification and Species

The most common species targeted by Texas anglers is the Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma). Flounder are flatfish, meaning both eyes are located on one side of their body—typically the left—which allows them to lie flat on the seafloor while ambushing prey. Their coloration varies from tan to mottled brown, perfectly blending in with the sand or mud.

While many flounder caught inshore range from 14 to 20 inches, large specimens exceeding 24 inches—often called “doormats”—are not uncommon and are prized for both sport and table fare.

Habitat and Range

Flounder are found throughout the Texas Gulf Coast, preferring soft-bottomed areas near shorelines, oyster reefs, marsh drains, and channels. They use their natural camouflage to remain undetected, waiting for the perfect moment to strike unsuspecting prey.

In Port O’Connor, flounder can be found around shallow mudflats, sandy drop-offs, and along grassy shorelines. They often congregate near current breaks, where baitfish are funneled past their hiding spots.

Feeding Behavior

Flounder are ambush predators, relying on stealth and timing rather than speed. They feed primarily on:

Small baitfish like finger mullet, mud minnows, and menhaden

Shrimp

Crabs

Their feeding style involves lying motionless until prey passes close enough, then striking with lightning-fast reflexes. Because of this, flounder are known for “tapping” a bait lightly before fully engulfing it—a behavior that makes hook timing crucial for anglers.

How to Catch Flounder

Catching flounder requires a blend of finesse and patience. Anglers targeting them in Port O’Connor commonly use the following techniques:

Slow-rolled soft plastics along the bottom

Live mud minnows or finger mullet on Carolina rigs

Bucktail jigs tipped with shrimp or Gulp! baits

Flounder gigging—a popular nighttime activity where flounder are spotted with lights and speared in shallow water

Captain Wes Bodden of Lured Out often incorporates flounder tactics into inshore trips when conditions are right, especially around marsh drains and tidal drop-offs where flounder lie in wait.

Best Times for Flounder Fishing

While flounder are caught year-round, the fall migration (October–November) is the most famous flounder season in Texas. During this period, large numbers of flounder begin moving out of the bays toward the Gulf to spawn, passing through narrow channels and jetties—perfect ambush points for anglers.

Spring and early summer also offer solid flounder fishing, especially in back bays and marshes where water temperatures rise and baitfish become active.

Flounder Regulations in Texas

Due to population pressures and their high value as a table fish, flounder are tightly regulated by Texas Parks and Wildlife. As of 2023:

Bag limit: 5 fish per person per day (outside of special closures)

Minimum size: 15 inches

Fall closure: In recent years, flounder gigging and harvest have been closed or restricted during parts of November to protect the spawning stock

Anglers are encouraged to check current TPWD regulations before targeting flounder, especially during seasonal migrations.

Flounder as Table Fare

Flounder is widely considered one of the best-tasting fish in the Gulf. Its delicate, white flesh has a mild flavor and fine texture that suits many preparations:

Stuffed flounder with crabmeat or shrimp

Baked or broiled fillets with lemon and herbs

Pan-fried with seasoned flour for a crispy edge

Flounder is a popular catch for its sporting qualities and culinary value, making it a twofold reward for those who successfully land one.

The Flounder Challenge

Catching flounder requires patience, precision, and a good understanding of their habits—but that’s part of the fun. For anglers fishing the Port O’Connor area, flounder represent a uniquely satisfying target. Whether you’re easing a jig across a sandy bottom or walking the shoreline with a gig light in hand, every flounder caught feels earned.

At Lured Out, Captain Wes Bodden helps anglers get the most out of the flounder bite by identifying key patterns, adjusting techniques, and guiding clients to the most productive waters. For those looking to complete the Texas inshore slam—redfish, trout, and flounder—flounder is often the most elusive but most delicious prize.