UTERGafftopsail catfish fishing in South Padre & Corpus Christi
In South Padre & Corpus Christi, gafftopsail catfish peak May–September and are around April–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Gafftop on the Laguna flats and the channels.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Gafftopsail catfish in South Padre & Corpus Christi, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilArriving
- MayPeak
- JunePeakGafftop on the Laguna flats and the channels.
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish gafftopsail catfish near Port O'Connor, Rockport, Port Aransas
The Laguna Madre — the hypersaline, gin-clear lagoon behind Padre Island — plus Baffin Bay's rock reefs, the Aransas and Corpus Christi bays, the Land Cut, and passes at Port Aransas, Packery, Port Mansfield and Brazos Santiago. Wade-fishing country; the Gulf beaches of Padre run 100 miles.
What to use for gafftopsail catfish
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 64–90°F water, best at 72–86°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch gafftopsail catfish in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Peak season is May–September. Gafftopsail catfish are in South Padre & Corpus Christi April–October. June: Gafftop on the Laguna flats and the channels.
Where do gafftopsail catfish hold in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Look on channel edge, grass flat, pass / inlet, bridge — around Port O'Connor, Rockport, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi, Baffin Bay, Port Mansfield.
What is the best bait for gafftopsail catfish in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Live bait: live shrimp, finger mullet. Live shrimp: Under a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for gafftopsail catfish in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and change — read the current rule at https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/saltwater-fishing before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses.
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