Fishing on North Padre Island — Charters, Guides & Spots
Texas Gulf Coast fishing is some of the best in the country, and you don't need a boat to get a good day. The surf line, the jetties at Packery Channel, and the bay flats all hold fish year-round. If you want big offshore action, the charters out of Port Aransas are the gold standard.
Surf fishing: drive onto Padre at Bob Hall Pier or Whitecap and walk a hundred yards. Whiting, redfish, sharks, and (in summer) Spanish mackerel. Standard rig is a fish-finder with cut mullet or shrimp. Tide chart matters — fish the incoming.
Bay fishing: the Laguna Madre behind the island is a sight-fishing flat for redfish and trout. A bay guide will run you about $500–650 for a half-day and is worth every dollar if you want fish in the cooler.
Deep-sea: Port Aransas is the launch point for marlin, tuna, kingfish, and snapper trips. Half-day, full-day, and overnight trips all available. Book ahead in summer.
License: Texas requires a saltwater license for anyone over 17 fishing in salt water. Available online at tpwd.texas.gov or at any tackle shop on the island.
Fishing & Charters on the island
Top-rated spots, pulled from public reviews and our local list.
Near Whitecap Beach
Corpus Christi Saltwater Fishing Charters
5.0· 75 reviews
301 Easy St, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteClear Water Adventures
5.0· 59 reviews
13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteSpot N' Tails Fishing Charters
5.0· 50 reviews
13428 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteEscape Charters
5.0· 48 reviews
13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteLaguna Moon Outdoors
5.0· 35 reviews
13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteCorpus Christi Fishing Guide - Star Co. Charters - Captain Mick Linares
5.0· 28 reviews
4242 Laguna Shores Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteSouth Texas Outcast Guide Service
5.0· 17 reviews
13304 S Padre Island Dr #5909, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteReel Lucky Corpus Christi Fishing Guides
5.0· 16 reviews
13428 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteFish Finder Guide Service
5.0· 15 reviews
15109 Tesoro Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteZander Ray On The Bay Fishing Charters
5.0· 10 reviews
13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteSouthbound Fishing Charters - Captain Pierre Petrila
4.9· 214 reviews
13304 S Padre Island Dr #5909, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteReel Addiction Fishing Guide
4.9· 120 reviews
13428 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteTexas Bait-N-Tackle
4.9· 15 reviews
9729 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
View on MapsPrimetime charters 361
4.9· 13 reviews
13962 Man O War Ct, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteCapt. Dusty, Saltwater Cowboyz LLC
4.8· 56 reviews
13304 John F Kennedy Memorial Causeway, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
View on MapsCzar Fishing Guide Co.
4.8· 30 reviews
15206 Capstan St, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
View on MapsCorpus Christi Bay Charters
4.8· 26 reviews
3425 Tahiti Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteCaptain Clint Smith's Come N' Take It OutFitters
4.8· 26 reviews
13428 John F Kennedy Memorial Causeway, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteBacklash Charters
4.8· 21 reviews
2802 Grand Park Ave, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteCaptain Joe Mendez
4.8· 19 reviews
Laguna Marina & Storage, 4242 Laguna Shores Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteBillings Bait Stand
4.7· 192 reviews
13428 S Padre Island Dr North, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
View on MapsClem's Marina
4.6· 492 reviews
13304 S Padre Island Dr #5909, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
View on MapsBait Bucket
4.6· 348 reviews
10649 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
View on MapsMarker 37 Marina
4.6· 321 reviews
13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteAffordable Guide Service
4.6· 27 reviews
13428 S Padre Island Dr North, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteAce Hardware North Padre
4.5· 308 reviews
Hardware store stocking household tools, garden supplies, home decor & more.
15326 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteCos Way Bait & Tackle
4.4· 717 reviews
11645 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
View on MapsCaptain Len's Fishing Guide Service
4.4· 29 reviews
14130 Bounty Ave, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteRed Dot Pier
4.3· 654 reviews
11801 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
WebsiteMemorial Causeway Fishing Beach
4.3· 45 reviews
S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
View on MapsR&G Bait
4.0· 47 reviews
10557 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA
View on MapsPort Aransas and Mustang Island
Wood's Guide Service
5.0· 233 reviews
301 J C Barr Blvd, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteMax's Guide Service
5.0· 86 reviews
525 Corpus Christi Channel, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteKenjo Fly Fishing
5.0· 76 reviews
610 Sandy Ln, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteMojo Guide Service & Outfitters
5.0· 51 reviews
119 Beach St Suite 200, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteCome And Take It Sport Fishing
5.0· 35 reviews
750 Channel View Dr, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteHeritage Flats Guide Service & Outfitters
5.0· 18 reviews
Redfish Bay Causeway, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteJANKY CHARTERS
5.0· 16 reviews
J C Barr Blvd, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsitePort Aransas Fly Fishing
5.0· 15 reviews
301 J C Barr Blvd, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsitePort "A" Bay Charters
5.0· 11 reviews
3500 Island Moorings Pkwy, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
View on MapsIsland Boy Charters
5.0· 11 reviews
613 S Gulf St, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteJust 1 More Outfitter
4.9· 50 reviews
J C Barr Blvd Slip 905, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteJellyfish Offshore Charters
4.9· 35 reviews
322 Twelfth St, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteBlue Water Excursions
4.9· 35 reviews
301 J C Barr Blvd Slip 802, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsitePort Aransas South Jetty
4.8· 408 reviews
321 N on the Beach, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
View on MapsPort Aransas Sportfishing
4.8· 25 reviews
104 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteHot Spot Fishing Charters
4.8· 21 reviews
750 Channel View Dr, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteIsland Tackle, LLC
4.7· 411 reviews
207 W Avenue G, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteCoastal Charters TX
4.7· 31 reviews
900 Tarpon St, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsitePort A Outfitters
4.6· 537 reviews
126 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteFull Stringer Fishing Charters
4.6· 29 reviews
Full Stringer Fishing, 301 J C Barr Blvd, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteDeep Sea Headquarters
4.1· 931 reviews
440 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA
WebsiteCorpus Christi and Nearby
Surrender At Sunrise - Flounder Gigging Trips Port Aransas Rockport
5.0· 74 reviews
519 Bigelow St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA
WebsiteRanch To Reef
5.0· 48 reviews
4535 S Padre Island Dr Ste 12, Corpus Christi, TX 78411, USA
WebsiteSaltwater Safaris Guide Service
5.0· 12 reviews
2064 S Commercial St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA
WebsiteBreakawaytackle
4.9· 103 reviews
7917 Siberian St #1, Corpus Christi, TX 78414, USA
WebsiteApex Fishing guide service
4.9· 88 reviews
1042 Wilshire Pl, Corpus Christi, TX 78411, USA
WebsiteCapts' Bait Shack
4.8· 73 reviews
510 Bigelow St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA
View on MapsLur'em in fishing Guide
4.8· 17 reviews
1009 Green Valley Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78405, USA
WebsiteRoy's Bait & Tackle Outfitters
4.7· 1059 reviews
7613 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
WebsiteRockport Bait and Tackle
4.7· 52 reviews
320 Veterans Memorial Dr, Rockport, TX 78382, USA
WebsiteTexas Angler Depot
4.7· 15 reviews
3822 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78415, USA
WebsiteRockport Tackle Town
4.6· 846 reviews
3010 Hwy 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382, USA
WebsiteJane's L-Head Seafood House
4.6· 650 reviews
90 Coopers Alley, Corpus Christi, TX 78401, USA
WebsiteFisherman's Place
4.6· 68 reviews
3911 Ayers St, Corpus Christi, TX 78415, USA
View on MapsAnne's Bait House On The Bay
4.6· 63 reviews
1355 Ocean, Ingleside, TX 78362, USA
View on MapsHarbor city bait
4.6· 47 reviews
526 Bigelow St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA
WebsiteHARD LIFE'S Bait and Tackle
4.5· 134 reviews
1902 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78416, USA
View on MapsFin and Feather Bait
4.4· 437 reviews
1803 TX-361, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA
View on MapsWest Marine
4.3· 270 reviews
Chain specializing in boating accessories & parts, plus related apparel & fishing supplies.
7698 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
WebsiteCapt. Cady's 1 Bait Shop
4.3· 77 reviews
108 Huff St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA
WebsiteSouth Bay Marina Fishing Charters
4.3· 76 reviews
TX-361, Aransas Pass, TX 78335, USA
WebsiteAcademy Sports + Outdoors
4.0· 4621 reviews
Sporting goods chain selling athletic apparel & footwear, plus outdoor gear & fitness equipment.
5001 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78411, USA
WebsiteFAQs
Do I need a fishing license to surf fish?
Yes — Texas requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 17 and older. You can buy one online (Texas Parks & Wildlife) or in person at Roy's Bait & Tackle or any island tackle shop.
When's the best season for fishing here?
Spring (Apr–Jun) and fall (Sep–Nov) are peak — water's clear, fish are active. Summer is hot but tarpon and kingfish are around. Winter trout fishing in the bay is excellent.
Where do I rent gear?
Roy's Bait & Tackle in Corpus Christi rents surf rods. Most Port Aransas tackle shops will rent or sell. Charters provide everything.
Run a business on the island?
Get your business in front of the people booking their next North Padre stay.

