Gulf of Mexico Fishing

What to Expect Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico?

The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most ecologically varied bodies of water, with sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles to be seen by both novice and experienced fisherman. Here are some things to look forward to on your fishing trips along the Gulf coast, ranging from deep-sea fishing for Spanish Mackerel to Bay & Jetty fishing with your family or friends:

Deep Sea Fishing: Some of the most common types of fish you can expect to see on a deep-sea or offshore fishing trip in gulf waters include King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Tripletail, Dorado, Cobia (Ling), Sharks, Jack Crevalle, Sailfish, and Wahoo. Some of the best places for a deep-sea fishing trip are in Galveston, Texas and Destin, Florida. From 10 to 100 miles off the coast, you can anticipate to do a combination of bottom fishing, trolling, drift fishing, and jigging during your deep sea fishing trip depending on the weather that day.

Bay & Jetty Fishing: This type of fishing is perfect for fishing with younger children. These trips offer the chance to catch a wide variety of fish species while also letting you see dolphins and maybe even a shark or two. These fishing trips are year round and can use both live and dead bait. You can expect to see include Sheepshead, white trout, Red Drum (Redfish), Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Sharks, Flounder, Whiting, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, and more.

Shark Fishing: Shark fishing is best on the Gulf coast between May and September, when the waters are warmer. Sharks are particularly frequent and plentiful along Galveston’s beaches and nearshore waters during this period. Sharks can be captured using a variety of baits, including both live and dead baits. You can also go bottom fishing or drift fishing. Sharks are tough fighters, so catching them may be a lot of fun. Catch-and-release fishermen eager for a large fish fight should take this trip. Some sharks can be maintained as long as they’re legal and you plan to eat them rather than throw them away.

The Gulf of Mexico is a great place for first-timers and experienced anglers alike to fish for interesting specimens. Whether you’re fishing with your family or as a part of a corporate getaway, consider making your next adventure a fishing trip along the Gulf this year.

Fishing Regulation in the Gulf

Regulations update every few years. Click on the link below for a PDF booklet stating all the Recreational Fishing Regulations.

Gulf of Mexico Regulations