South Padre Island's 10 Best Onshore Fishing Spots

South Padre Island has become a major tourist destination on the Gulf Coast of Texas and offers numerous water-based activities and attractions to delight visitors. It is also an angler’s paradise no matter whether you are fishing inshore, offshore, or simply wading or fishing the surf. Here are 10 top fishing spots for the land-based angler.

Best Fishing Spots

Holly Beach Wade Fishing Area - This area just north of Laguna Vista has easy road access. The grass beds are good for spotted trout and redfish from March through November and large trout can be found here in the spring and the fall. This area is good for wade fishing. Wade fishing can be very rewarding but can also be dangerous for the inexperienced angler. Watch out for holes, drop-offs, soft bottoms, oyster shells, and stingrays. GPS: N 26°08.518' W 97°17.664'

Jim’s Pier & Marina - Their complete tackle store has just about everything for the fisherman, as well as snacks, ice and beer. In addition to pier fishing, their private charter trips offer 18' to 24' boats complete with Captain and all equipment necessary to catch Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder, and Snook in the shallow flats of the Laguna Madre Bay. GPS: N 26°06.15' W 97°10.347

Laguna Heights Wade Fishing Area - The shoreline between Laguna Heights and Laguna Vista is a good place to wade. Trout and redfish can be found in the area from March through November. Wade fishing can be very rewarding, but it can also be dangerous for the inexperienced angler. Always watch out for holes, drop-offs, soft bottoms, oyster shells, and stingrays. GPS: N 26°05.297' W 97°16.158'

Lower Laguna Madre Grass Flats – These prolific grass flats in the south bay offer good fishing for trout and redfish from March through November. The best months are April through August. This is also a very popular area for kayak fishing. GPS: N 26°01.399' W 97°10.561'

Old Causeway in the Lower Laguna Madre – This obsolete causeway has now developed into a very productive land-based platform for anglers using live bait to catch spotted trout, drum and sheepshead. The best times to fish here are between March and November. GPS: N 26°04.39' W 97°10.958'

Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier - Located on State Highway 100 at the south end of South Padre Island in Cameron County. The centerpiece of the one-acre park is a fishing pier, which formerly served as a causeway across the bay. The State Highway Department built another bridge across the bay in the early 1970s and transferred the old bridge to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which now operates it as a leased concession. Anglers can catch speckled trout, sand trout, croaker, sheepshead, gaff top catfish, and other fish. GPS: N 26°04.86' W 97°12.252'

Sea Ranch Pier – This popular pier offers access to waters where anglers of all ages can catch of red drum, speckled trout, black drum, sheepshead and occasional sharks. GPS: N 26°04.617' W 97°10.314'

South Cullen Bay Wade Fishing Area - This area features good fishing for experienced wade anglers but also has numerous holes and soft spots that can create hazards for beginners. Always shuffle your feet during the summer months to avoid stepping on stingrays. GPS: N 26°12.528' W 97°18.381'

South Padre Island North Jetty and South Padre Island South Jetty – These two jetties run parallel to one another and are productive on a year-round basis for a variety of species. Redfish action takes place from spring through fall, when they are joined by tarpon in the fall. The South Jetty can be reached by taking State Highway 4 out of Brownsville and then driving north on the beach. GPS: N 26°03.819' W 97°08.886'