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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

Website

Clear Water Adventures

5.0· 59 reviews

13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Spot N' Tails Fishing Charters

5.0· 50 reviews

13428 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Escape Charters

5.0· 48 reviews

13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Laguna Moon Outdoors

5.0· 35 reviews

13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Corpus Christi Fishing Guide - Star Co. Charters - Captain Mick Linares

5.0· 28 reviews

4242 Laguna Shores Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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South Texas Outcast Guide Service

5.0· 17 reviews

13304 S Padre Island Dr #5909, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Reel Lucky Corpus Christi Fishing Guides

5.0· 16 reviews

13428 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Fish Finder Guide Service

5.0· 15 reviews

15109 Tesoro Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Zander Ray On The Bay Fishing Charters

5.0· 10 reviews

13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Southbound Fishing Charters - Captain Pierre Petrila

4.9· 214 reviews

13304 S Padre Island Dr #5909, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Reel Addiction Fishing Guide

4.9· 120 reviews

13428 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Texas Bait-N-Tackle

4.9· 15 reviews

9729 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

View on Maps

Primetime charters 361

4.9· 13 reviews

13962 Man O War Ct, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

Website

Capt. Dusty, Saltwater Cowboyz LLC

4.8· 56 reviews

13304 John F Kennedy Memorial Causeway, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

View on Maps

Czar Fishing Guide Co.

4.8· 30 reviews

15206 Capstan St, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

View on Maps

Corpus Christi Bay Charters

4.8· 26 reviews

3425 Tahiti Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

Website

Captain Clint Smith's Come N' Take It OutFitters

4.8· 26 reviews

13428 John F Kennedy Memorial Causeway, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Backlash Charters

4.8· 21 reviews

2802 Grand Park Ave, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Captain Joe Mendez

4.8· 19 reviews

Laguna Marina & Storage, 4242 Laguna Shores Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

Website

Billings Bait Stand

4.7· 192 reviews

13428 S Padre Island Dr North, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

View on Maps

Clem's Marina

4.6· 492 reviews

13304 S Padre Island Dr #5909, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

View on Maps

Bait Bucket

4.6· 348 reviews

10649 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

View on Maps

Marker 37 Marina

4.6· 321 reviews

13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Affordable Guide Service

4.6· 27 reviews

13428 S Padre Island Dr North, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Ace 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

Website

Cos Way Bait & Tackle

4.4· 717 reviews

11645 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

View on Maps

Captain Len's Fishing Guide Service

4.4· 29 reviews

14130 Bounty Ave, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Red Dot Pier

4.3· 654 reviews

11801 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

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Memorial Causeway Fishing Beach

4.3· 45 reviews

S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

View on Maps

R&G Bait

4.0· 47 reviews

10557 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USA

View on Maps

Port Aransas and Mustang Island

Wood's Guide Service

5.0· 233 reviews

301 J C Barr Blvd, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

Website

Max's Guide Service

5.0· 86 reviews

525 Corpus Christi Channel, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

Website

Kenjo Fly Fishing

5.0· 76 reviews

610 Sandy Ln, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Mojo Guide Service & Outfitters

5.0· 51 reviews

119 Beach St Suite 200, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Come And Take It Sport Fishing

5.0· 35 reviews

750 Channel View Dr, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Heritage Flats Guide Service & Outfitters

5.0· 18 reviews

Redfish Bay Causeway, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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JANKY CHARTERS

5.0· 16 reviews

J C Barr Blvd, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Port Aransas Fly Fishing

5.0· 15 reviews

301 J C Barr Blvd, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Port "A" Bay Charters

5.0· 11 reviews

3500 Island Moorings Pkwy, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

View on Maps

Island Boy Charters

5.0· 11 reviews

613 S Gulf St, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

Website

Just 1 More Outfitter

4.9· 50 reviews

J C Barr Blvd Slip 905, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Jellyfish Offshore Charters

4.9· 35 reviews

322 Twelfth St, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Blue Water Excursions

4.9· 35 reviews

301 J C Barr Blvd Slip 802, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

Website

Port Aransas South Jetty

4.8· 408 reviews

321 N on the Beach, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

View on Maps

Port Aransas Sportfishing

4.8· 25 reviews

104 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

Website

Hot Spot Fishing Charters

4.8· 21 reviews

750 Channel View Dr, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Island Tackle, LLC

4.7· 411 reviews

207 W Avenue G, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Coastal Charters TX

4.7· 31 reviews

900 Tarpon St, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Port A Outfitters

4.6· 537 reviews

126 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Full Stringer Fishing Charters

4.6· 29 reviews

Full Stringer Fishing, 301 J C Barr Blvd, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Deep Sea Headquarters

4.1· 931 reviews

440 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA

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Corpus Christi and Nearby

Surrender At Sunrise - Flounder Gigging Trips Port Aransas Rockport

5.0· 74 reviews

519 Bigelow St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA

Website

Ranch To Reef

5.0· 48 reviews

4535 S Padre Island Dr Ste 12, Corpus Christi, TX 78411, USA

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Saltwater Safaris Guide Service

5.0· 12 reviews

2064 S Commercial St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA

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Breakawaytackle

4.9· 103 reviews

7917 Siberian St #1, Corpus Christi, TX 78414, USA

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Apex Fishing guide service

4.9· 88 reviews

1042 Wilshire Pl, Corpus Christi, TX 78411, USA

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Capts' Bait Shack

4.8· 73 reviews

510 Bigelow St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA

View on Maps

Lur'em in fishing Guide

4.8· 17 reviews

1009 Green Valley Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78405, USA

Website

Roy's Bait & Tackle Outfitters

4.7· 1059 reviews

7613 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA

Website

Rockport Bait and Tackle

4.7· 52 reviews

320 Veterans Memorial Dr, Rockport, TX 78382, USA

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Texas Angler Depot

4.7· 15 reviews

3822 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78415, USA

Website

Rockport Tackle Town

4.6· 846 reviews

3010 Hwy 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382, USA

Website

Jane's L-Head Seafood House

4.6· 650 reviews

90 Coopers Alley, Corpus Christi, TX 78401, USA

Website

Fisherman's Place

4.6· 68 reviews

3911 Ayers St, Corpus Christi, TX 78415, USA

View on Maps

Anne's Bait House On The Bay

4.6· 63 reviews

1355 Ocean, Ingleside, TX 78362, USA

View on Maps

Harbor city bait

4.6· 47 reviews

526 Bigelow St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA

Website

HARD LIFE'S Bait and Tackle

4.5· 134 reviews

1902 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78416, USA

View on Maps

Fin and Feather Bait

4.4· 437 reviews

1803 TX-361, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA

View on Maps

West 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

Website

Capt. Cady's 1 Bait Shop

4.3· 77 reviews

108 Huff St, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA

Website

South Bay Marina Fishing Charters

4.3· 76 reviews

TX-361, Aransas Pass, TX 78335, USA

Website

Academy 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

Website

FAQs

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.

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