George Gongora/Caller-Times file

FRIENDLY FISHING: Three friends gather at a pier on the Humble Channel on Padre Island. Look for croaker, flounder, redfish and trout early in the winter at this location, and redfish and drum in late winter at this location.

Some fish bite year-round

Warm waters make the Coastal Bend a great place for the avid angler

By Mike Bratten and David Sikes/Caller-Times

Fishing is a favorite pastime in the Coastal Bend, thanks to warm, sub-tropical waters and fish that are biting year-round. And you don’t need a boat to reel in a stringer-full. Park and walk to area piers and jetties and hang a line, often for free. Some places rent poles, as well as offer bait, concessions and restrooms. So pack up the family and try your luck at these popular spots:

South Jetty
This year-round favorite fishing spot is practically in downtown Port Aransas. With about 200 yards of flat concrete surface at its beginning, the rocky barrier is easily accessible even to the not so sure-footed. The most common fishes caught here include sheepshead, speckled trout, flounder and black and red drum. The channel side is best. Information: (361) 749-6117.

North Jetty
This jetty, considered the finest on the Texas coast, is accessible by taking the Jetty Boat from Woody’s Sports Center in Port Aransas. Trout, redfish, pompano, black drum, Spanish mackerel and sheepshead are common on either side of the rocks. Watch out for fish-stealing raccoons and herons. Call (361) 749-5252 for Jetty Boat departure times.

Horace Caldwell Pier
This lighted pier juts out 1,280 feet into the Gulf from Mustang Island in Port Aransas. It’s open year-round, 24 hours a day. Trout, redfish, black drum, sheepshead, sand trout, gafftop, pompano and shark are among the most common fish caught off this popular pier. Information: (361) 749-2031.

Bob Hall Pier
This 1,280-foot Gulf pier is located near J.P. Luby Surf Park on Padre Island. It’s a good year-round spot for anglers who don’t want to travel far from Corpus Christi. If the water is green, then the whiting and sand trout are usually biting. If murky waters persist, try for drum and redfish. Information: 949-7437.

Indian Point Pier
This pier in Portland juts out about 1,000 feet into Corpus Christi Bay. Night fishing for drum and redfish is a favorite pastime here. But speckled and sand trout also are caught regularly day and night. Information: 643-1600.

Fish Pass Jetties
Located on the beach next to Mustang Island State Park, these short jetties give anglers a high and dry perch to fish the gulf surf. Anglers target whiting, sand trout, speckled trout, sheepshead, redfish and flounder. The jetties often allow anglers to fish calmer, clearer and more productive waters. Information, Mustang Island State Park: (361) 749-4573 or (361) 749-5246.

Oso Bay Bridge/Pier
This location on Ocean Drive next to the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi campus is a prime winter gathering spot for redfish and trout. Anglers fish the channel under the bridge and the shoreline facing Corpus Christi Bay on either side of the bridge. Nearby Oso Bay Pier is a good summer night spot for trout and a popular spot for black drum in the winter and early spring. Information: 991-3001.

Humble Channel
Look for croaker, flounder, redfish and trout early in the winter and redfish and drum during late winter. Fishing can be best in inclement weather. Information: Red Dot: 937-5347; Cos Way: 939-7513.

Copano Causeway Pier
Bring your walking shoes, because this Rockport-Fulton pier provides 2,500 feet of angling access at the south end and 6,190 feet of pier at the north end. Anglers catch speckled trout, sand trout, sheepshead, drum, redfish and flounder. Action is usually better when the water is clear and winds are light. Information: North end: (361) 729-8519; south end: (361) 729-7762.

Aransas Pass
Cast your line at the San Patricio County Navigation District Park Pier, Conn Brown Harbor Pier and Hampton’s Landing Pier. These community piers are good for trout, flounder and redfish. Information: San Patricio County Navigation District Park:

(361) 758-1890; Conn Brown Harbor: (361) 758-2750; Hampton’s Landing: (361) 758-1562.

This article is originally from the Caller-Times publication South Texas Life.
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