Copano Bay Fishing Report Today 🎣

Copano Bay, located on the Texas Gulf Coast near Rockport, is a productive estuary known for its diverse inshore fishing opportunities. Anglers target a variety of species here, with seasonal patterns shaping the action throughout the year.

Weekly Catches

No verified catches in the last 7 or 15 days; the catches below cover the last 21 days.

Speckled Trout

Speckled trout have been feeding actively in Copano Bay and adjacent waters, especially during cooler mornings and periods of moving water. Productive areas include drop-offs, windward reefs, and flats, with the best action at first light. Anglers have found success using topwater lures early, then switching to soft-plastic paddletails or live shrimp under a popping cork as the sun rises.

• Target drop-offs and windward reefs at dawn for the best bite.
• Switch to soft plastics or live shrimp as the day brightens.
• Downsize leaders for clearer water on calm days.

Redfish

Redfish have been cruising shallow grass, marsh drains, and sand pockets on outgoing tides. The most consistent catches have come from sand pockets along mangroves and marsh drains, especially during periods of moving water. Effective baits include gold spoons, weedless plastics, cut mullet, shrimp, and piggy perch. Anglers have also reported success with live mullet and live piggies early in the morning.

• Look for redfish in shallow grass and marsh drains during outgoing tides.
• Use gold spoons, weedless plastics, cut mullet, shrimp, or piggy perch for best results.
• Sand pockets and mangrove edges are productive hotspots.

Black Drum

Black drum have been caught in Copano Bay and nearby back lakes, often mixed with redfish. The most reliable catches have come on live or dead shrimp and fish bites, especially around islands, sand pockets, and the south side of the causeway. Some anglers have also found drum in small ponds in back lakes and along reefs.

• Fish live or dead shrimp or fish bites near islands, sand pockets, and back lakes.
• Drum are often mixed with redfish in these areas.

Flounder

Flounder are stacking near channel edges and sandy potholes ahead of their fall migration. The most effective approach has been to slow-roll a jig tipped with shrimp or Gulp along these structures. Anglers have reported flounder in slightly deeper sand pockets and near marsh drains, particularly during low tide transitions.

• Target channel edges and sandy potholes for flounder.
• Use jigs tipped with shrimp or Gulp for best results.
• Focus on low tide transitions and marsh drain chokepoints.

Mangrove Snapper

Mangrove snapper have been reported around rock piles in the Copano Bay area. The most effective bait has been shrimp, fished close to structure.

• Fish shrimp near rock piles for mangrove snapper.

Weather & Marine Conditions

Recent weeks have featured hot, calm days with nighttime lows in the seventies, gradually cooling bay waters. Cold fronts are beginning to influence fish patterns, with north winds flattening the surf and increasing water clarity. High tides have been common, especially in the mornings, pushing bait and predators into back lakes and marsh drains.

Tides & Solunar Activity

Tide charts for Copano Bay State Fishing Pier show a pattern of early morning high tides followed by afternoon low tides over the past week. For example, on November 5th, high tide occurred at 1:15 AM (0.39 ft) and low tide at 12:20 PM (-0.09 ft). These tidal swings create prime feeding windows at dawn and late afternoon, especially when combined with moving water and light north winds.

Best bite windows align with dawn and late afternoon during these tidal movements.

Fishing Conditions & Tips

Anglers are advised to target slicks and working birds over shell for trout, and to focus on marsh drains and sand pockets for redfish and flounder. On calm days, use lighter leaders for better presentation in clear water. When winds pick up, fish wind-blown points where bait is concentrated. Live shrimp, piggy perch, mullet, and cut baits have all been effective, with artificials producing when conditions are right.

• Return to marked marsh drains on strong outgoing tides for concentrated redfish and flounder action.
• Adjust bait size and presentation based on fish activity; sometimes larger chunks or double baits are needed.
• Stay on active bait schools to increase your chances of finding feeding fish.

Regulations & Notices

Anglers are reminded of the zebra mussel prevention law: all water must be drained from boats and onboard receptacles when leaving or approaching public fresh waters. This helps prevent the spread of invasive species and is strictly enforced in Texas.

Fishing Dashboard 🎣

Your one-stop hub for tides, catches, and weather — tailored to your favorite fishing spots

Copano Bay

Loading...

Loading...

Loading...

TEMPERATURE

--

Feels like

--

WIND

--

--

--

PRECIPITATION

--

--

--

HUMIDITY

--

Relative humidity

--

PRESSURE

--

--

--

UV INDEX

--

--

--

VISIBILITY

--

Distance visible

--

WATER CONDITIONS

--

Water temperature

--

24-Hour Forecast

Loading weather data...

Error loading data

Could not retrieve weather data.

Retry

Fishing Spots Map