PORT ARANSAS FISHING REPORT
June 2026 | Coastal Bend, Texas
🎣RED SNAPPER SEASON IS OPEN! — Federal WatersCheck TPWD & NOAA for current dates & bag limits
Water Temp
82–85°F
Clarity
3–6 ft
Clearer offshore
Tides
Mixed Semi
Fish the moving tide
Wind
SE 10–20
mph typical
Moon
Full Moon
Plan around tides
🎯Pier Fishing
Port Aransas piers are producing well this June with warm Gulf waters drawing in a variety of species. The Bob Hall Pier and local access points are excellent early morning and late evening.
Target Species
Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout): Still active in the early mornings before water temps peak. Work the troughs and cuts around the pier pilings with soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. Slot fish (15–25″) are common.
Black Drum: Large “bull drum” staging around structure — catch them on fresh crabs or cut mullet fished on the bottom. Fish over 30″ are frequently reported.
Sheepshead: Clinging to every barnacled piling. Fiddler crabs and sand flea rigs get them biting. Require a slow, patient presentation.
Flounder: Showing up in the passes and around pier structure on the bottom. Gulp shrimp and live mud minnows are best.
Ladyfish & Jack Crevalle: Schooling under lights at night — great sport on light tackle.
Pro Tip: Fish the first two hours after sunrise and the two hours before sunset for best trout action. Night fishing under pier lights produces consistent action all summer.
⚓Jetty Fishing
The north and south jetties at Port Aransas Pass are prime real estate in June. The combination of current, structure, and deep water creates a year-round hotspot that peaks in summer.
Target Species
Redfish (Red Drum): Schooling along the granite rocks, especially on incoming tides. Live shrimp, crab, or mullet chunks fished near the rocks are deadly. Look for tailing and waking fish during calmer conditions.
Speckled Trout: Holding in the deeper cuts between rocks. Topwater plugs at first light get explosive strikes.
Spanish Mackerel: Blitzing bait schools in the pass — use a ½ oz. silver spoon or Clarkspoon trolled slowly. Wire leader essential.
Sheepshead & Black Drum: Thick around the jetty rocks. Same rig as pier fishing.
Cobia: PRIME MONTH — sight cast to cobia cruising near the surface along the jetty walls. Large swimming plugs, live eels, or big jigs. Fish of a lifetime potential.
Tarpon: June through August is peak tarpon season. Look for rolling fish at dawn and dusk in the pass. Live mullet or crabs under a float.
Pro Tip: Wade-fish the rocks carefully on a low incoming tide — this puts you in perfect position for trout and reds right in the strike zone. Always wear polarized glasses for sight fishing.
🌊Padre Island National Seashore and the beaches around Port Aransas offer miles of productive surf fishing. June brings warm water and aggressive fish.
Target Species
Pompano: The June pompano run is in full effect. Hit the troughs parallel to the beach with pompano rigs tipped with sand fleas or Fishbites. Fish 2–4 oz pyramid sinkers in the wash.
Whiting (Southern Kingfish): Consistent surf producers year-round — easy to catch and great table fare. Small hooks with shrimp in the second trough.
Redfish: Bull reds and slot fish cruise the surf — cut mullet or fresh ladyfish on 4–6 oz. pyramid sinkers. Fish the first gut closest to the beach.
Sharks: June is excellent for shark fishing from the beach. Large bull sharks, blacktips, and spinners active in the surf. Use heavy tackle, wire leaders, and fresh mullet or stingray.
Bluefish: Occasional bluefish blitzes happen along the beach in early June. Metal spoons and fast retrieves.
Crevalle Jacks: Running the surf parallel to shore — lures and live bait both work.
Best Spots: Mile 5–15 on Padre Island National Seashore, and the beach north of the jetties in Port A.
Pro Tip: Fish 30 minutes before sunrise through 9 AM and again 6 PM through dark. Look for bird activity over bait schools — that’s where the action is. Overcast days with light onshore wind are ideal surf conditions.
🚢Offshore & Nearshore
June is arguably the best month for offshore fishing from Port Aransas. Warm water pushes the blue water action close and red snapper season brings anglers from across the state.
🚨 RED SNAPPER SEASON — OPEN NOW
Federal waters red snapper season is OPEN for recreational anglers. Check current NOAA/TPWD regulations for exact dates and bag limits. Head to the platforms and natural reefs in 80–200 ft of water. Two-fish bag limit per person applies. Use heavy bottom rigs with cut squid or cigar minnows.
Target Species
Red Snapper: ★ STAR OF JUNE — Every platform, reef, and hard bottom from 60 ft out is holding fish. Vertical jigging with 4–8 oz. jig heads or traditional bottom rigs both excel. Morning bites are strongest. Expect fish from 4–15+ lbs.
King Mackerel (Kingfish): Smoking hot right now. Slow-troll live threadfin herring or large cigar minnows around the platforms. Big kings (20–40 lbs) are possible. Wire leader a must.
Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin): Weed lines and color changes 40+ miles out are holding mahi. Look for floating debris and frigate birds. Fast trolling with skirts or pitch live bait.
Yellowfin Tuna: Blue water fishing 80–120+ miles out producing limits for those making the run. Chunking with live bait and high-speed trolling both work.
Greater Amberjack: Stacked on every rig and platform. Big jigs fished vertically get them. Excellent fighters and strong table fare.
Vermilion Snapper (Beeliners): Thick on any live bottom in 80–150 ft. Sabiki rigs and small jigs — fast limits.
Wahoo: Occasional wahoo caught trolling in blue water. High-speed lures or rigged ballyhoo.
Nearshore (30–60 ft)
- Gag grouper, red snapper, and vermilion snapper all found at nearshore reefs
- Spanish mackerel and bonito heavy in the nearshore waters
- Tripletail sighted around buoys, channel markers, and floating debris
Pro Tip: Book your red snapper trip early — guide boats fill up fast in June. If going on your own, file a float plan and watch afternoon weather. Gulf thunderstorms build quickly from the west in summer. Return to port by early afternoon.
What’s Biting at a Glance
| Species | Location | Best Bait / Lure | Best Time | Status |
| Red Snapper | Offshore | Cut squid, jigs | Morning | 🔥 HOT – Season Open |
| Redfish | Jetties, Surf | Live shrimp, mullet | Dawn / Dusk | ✅ Good |
| Speckled Trout | Piers, Jetties | Soft plastics, shrimp | Early Morning | ✅ Good |
| Cobia | Jetties | Live eel, big jigs | All Day | 🔥 HOT |
| Pompano | Surf | Sand fleas, Fishbites | Morning | ✅ Good |
| King Mackerel | Offshore / Nearshore | Live bait, spoons | Morning | 🔥 HOT |
| Tarpon | Pass / Jetties | Live mullet | Dawn / Dusk | ✅ Active |
| Black Drum | Piers, Jetties | Fresh crab | Morning | ✅ Good |
| Mahi-Mahi | Offshore | Live bait, skirts | All Day | ✅ Good |
| Flounder | Piers, Passes | Gulp shrimp | Night / Dawn | 🟡 Fair |