Certain fish prefer specific water temperatures. Most pelagic species, for example, thrive in warmer water—typically above 80°F. I’ve included a chart below showing our average water temperatures. As you can see, this is why fishing really starts to pick up in June. That said, we do occasionally get early-season currents or pockets of warmer water that move in and bring fish with them ahead of schedule.

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The next chart explains wind patterns and average wind speeds. Higher winds create larger, tighter waves, which can make offshore runs more difficult. You’ll notice that winds generally begin to ease toward the end of June. While we can get good conditions year-round, it’s important to pick the right days.

In the winter, we often have to make longer runs offshore to find warmer water, since temperatures typically increase the farther you get from shore. If the weather isn’t favorable, we may have to cancel trips—it’s simply not worth heading out in rough conditions when the fishing is poor. I’ve included a link below if you’d like to explore this data further:
https://weatherspark.com/y/7960/Average-Weather-in-Corpus-Christi-Texas-United-States-Year-Round

 

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Below is an overview of commonly targeted species, along with when and where we typically catch them. I may miss a few, so feel free to ask if you have any questions.

• Vermilion snapper and other reef species can be caught year-round on the rocks, which are about a 40-mile run offshore.

• Sharks are also present year-round, with a variety of species and regulations to consider.

• King mackerel can be caught year-round on the rocks but are much more common during the warmer summer months. As the water warms, they move closer to shore—along with Spanish mackerel and bonita.

• Cobia begin moving in during the spring as water temperatures rise and remain through summer into fall.

• Pelagic species such as mahi, billfish, and smaller wahoo typically move closer in June and stay through October. Larger wahoo are more common in the winter.

• Blackfin tuna show up in larger numbers in the fall and are often targeted near shrimp boats. However, we didn’t have many shrimp boats in our area last year. They can also be caught trolling during the summer.

• Red snapper season usually opens June 1 and runs through August.

• Amberjack can be caught year-round on structure deeper than 130 feet, though seasons may vary.

• Barracuda are present year-round, typically around large structures like oil platforms.

• Swordfish trips require a 70–80 mile run offshore and good weather. We usually fish with a single rod dropped 1,000–1,400 feet deep. It can be slow—sometimes going all day without a bite or you can catch them one after another.

• Grouper can be caught on the rocks, though they’re less abundant than snapper, so you often have to sort through smaller fish. They can also be targeted by deep dropping in 300–1,200 feet of water, where you may also catch tilefish and barrelfish. Electric reels are often used at these depths.