Texas Saltwater Fish Limits [2023]: Top 30 Game Fish
You’ve decided to take your family on a fishing trip. You want to target speckled trout and redfish and are unsure of the size limits or how many you can keep. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Here is a list of the Texas saltwater fish limits, including the 30 most popular game fish and a quick rundown of the fishing regulations for recreational saltwater.
This article will cover:
- List of Texas game fish bags and size limits
- How to measure a fish’s length
- Purpose of the saltwater fish size limits
- Temporary Speckled Trout Regulation Change
- Texas saltwater fishing license requirements
Let’s have a closer look and continue reading to find out more!
This material is for personal use only and does not apply to commercial or guided fishing.
Texas Saltwater Fish Limit Definitions
Saltwater fishing size limits are designed to maintain optimum yields for recreational anglers statewide. In Texas saltwater fishing, bag limits are established and bagged by species and, in some cases, size restrictions.
Each is regulated and enforced by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Anglers are subject to fines for fishing and conservation violations.
- Bag limit – The maximum number of fish a person may catch in one day or per period. It’s usually limited to per person, per day, and on rare occasions, it includes a daily vessel limit.
- Minimum size limit – The saltwater fishing regulations state that the fish must be larger than a certain size to be taken. These rules allow fish to reach a size where they can reproduce before being harvested.
- Slot limit – Slot limits are similar to the minimum size restriction in that there is both a maximum and minimum size limit and only fish that fit within the slot may be taken. This classification helps developing young fish mature while also shielding larger spawning fish.
- Season – Times of year open or closed to saltwater fishing for a certain species. A closed season protects fish from harvest during sensitive times of the year, such as spawning periods or heavy fishing.
Texas Saltwater Fish Size Limits: A Handy Quick Chart
| Species Name | Daily Bag Limit | Min Size Limit (inches) | Max Size Limit (inches) | Possession Limit | Season or Closed Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amberjack | 1 | 38 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Bass, Striped | 5 | 18 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Catfish, Gafftopsail | No limit | 14 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Cobia | 2 | 40 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Drum, Black (Black Drum) | 5 | 14 | 30 | 1 greater than 52 inches and counts as part of daily bag limit | Open |
| Drum, Red (Red Fish, Bull Red) | 3 | 20 | 28 | 1 greater than 28 inches per tag and 1 per bonus tag retained plus the daily bag | Open |
| Flounder | 5 | 15 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open, except closed Nov 1 – Dec 14 |
| Grouper, Black | 4 | 24 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Grouper, Gag | 2 | 24 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Grouper, Goliath | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0, catch and release only | Closed |
| Grouper, Nassau | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0, catch and release only | Closed |
| Mackerel, King | 3 | 27 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Mackerel, Spanish | 15 | 14 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Marlin, Blue | No limit | 131 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Marlin, White | No limit | 86 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Mullet, All Species and Subspecies | No limit | No limit | Limit 12 for Oct-Jan only; Else no limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Sailfish | No limit | 84 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Seatrout, Spotted (Speckled Trout) – North of FM 457 | 5 | 15 | 25 (1 over max length may be kept) | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Seatrout, Spotted (Speckled Trout) – Sourth of FM 457 | 3 | 17 | 23 (no oversized spotted seatrout allowed) | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open, From March 16, 2022 through Aug. 31, 2023 |
| Shark, Atlantic Sharpnose | 1 (only 1 in combination with all shark types) | 24 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Shark, Blacktip | 1 (only 1 in combination with all shark types) | 24 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Shark, Bonnethead | 1 (only 1 in combination with all shark types) | 24 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Shark, Hammerhead | 1 (only 1 in combination with all shark types) | 99 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Shark, Other Allowable Species | 1 (only 1 in combination with all shark types) | 64 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Shark, Prohibited Species | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0, catch and release only | Closed |
| Sheepshead | 5 | 15 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Snapper, Lane | No limit | 8 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Red Snapper Season in Federal Waters | 2 | 16 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Red Snapper Season in State Waters | 4 | 15 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Snapper, Vermilion | No limit | 10 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Snook | 1 | 24 | 28 | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Tarpon | 1 | 85 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Triggerfish, Gray | 20 | 16 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
| Tripletail | 3 | 17 | No limit | Possession limit is equal to double the bag limit | Open |
Texas Game Fish List
Amberjack
- Daily Bag Limit: 1
- Minimum Length: 38 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Bass, Striped
- Daily Bag Limit: 5
- Minimum Length: 18 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Catfish, Gafftopsail
- Daily Limit: No limit
- Minimum Length: 14 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Cobia
- Daily Limit: 2
- Minimum Length: 40 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Drum, Black (Black Drum)
- Daily Limit: 5
- Minimum Length: 14 inches
- Maximum Length: 30 inches
- Allowed 1 Black Drum greater than 52 inches and counts as part of the daily bag limit
Drum, Red (Red Fish, Bull Red)
- Daily Limit: 3
- Minimum Length: 20 inches
- Maximum Length: 28 inches
- Red Drum Tag: Allows 1 Red Drum greater than 28 inches per tag
- Bonus Red Drum Tag: Allows 1 Red Drum greater than 28 inches per tag
Flounder
- Bag Limit: 5, except November 1 – December 14 (bag limit: 0, coastal fisheries are closed)
- Minimum Length: 15 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Grouper, Black
- Daily Bag: 4
- Minimum Length: 24 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Grouper, Gag
- Daily Bag: 2
- Minimum Length: 24 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Grouper, Goliath
- Daily Bag: 0, catch and release only
Grouper, Nassau
- Daily Bag: 0, catch and release only
Mackerel, King
- Daily Bag: 3
- Minimum Length: 27 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Mackerel, Spanish
- Daily Bag: 15
- Minimum Length: 14 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Marlin, Blue
- Daily Bag: No limit
- Minimum Length: 131 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Marlin, White
- Daily Bag: No limit
- Minimum Length: 86 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Mullet
- Daily Bag: No limit
- Minimum Length: No limit
- Maximum Length: 12 inches (only for October – January; else, no limit)
Sailfish
- Daily Bag: No limit
- Minimum Length: 84 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Seatrout, Spotted (Speckled Trout) – North of FM 457
- Location: Statewide north of FM 457
- Daily Bag: 5
- Minimum Length: 15 inches
- Maximum Length: 25 inches; One fish over the maximum length may be kept
Seatrout, Spotted (Speckled Trout) – Laguna Madre
- Location: Statewide south of FM 457, From March 16, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2023, in Matagorda,
San Antonio, Aransas, Corpus Christi, and Laguna Madre Bay System - Daily Bag: 3 (no oversized spotted seatrout allowed in this location)
- Minimum Length: 17 inches
- Maximum Length: 23 inches
Shark, Atlantic Sharpnose
- Requirements: Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks only for all shark species
- Daily Bag: 1 (only 1 in combination with all shark types)
- Minimum Length: 24 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Shark, Blacktip
- Requirements: Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks only for all shark species
- Daily Bag: 1 (only 1 in combination with all shark types)
- Minimum Length: 24 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Shark, Bonnethead
- Requirements: Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks only for all shark species
- Daily Bag: 1 (only 1 in combination with all shark types)
- Minimum Length: 24 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Shark, Hammerhead
- Requirements: Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks only for all shark species
- Daily Bag: 1 (only 1 in combination with all shark types)
- Minimum Length: 99 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Shark, Other Allowable Species
- Requirements: Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks only for all shark types
- Allowable types: Blue, Blacknose, Bull, Finetooth, Lemon, Nurse, Shortfin Mako, Spinner, Thresher, Tiger
- Daily Bag: No bag limit
- Minimum Length: 64 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Shark, Prohibited Species
- Requirements: Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks only for all shark types
- Prohibited Species: Atlantic Angel, Basking, Bigeye Sand Tiger, Bigeye Sixgill, Bigeye Thresher,
Bignose, Caribbean Reef, Caribbean Sharpnose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin Mako, Narrowtooth, Night,
Oceanic Whitetip, Sandbar, Sand Tiger, Sevengill, Silky, Sixgill, Smalltail, Whale, and White. - Daily Bag: 0, catch and release only
Sheepshead
- Daily Bag: 5
- Minimum Length: 15 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Snapper, Lane
- Daily Bag: No limit
- Minimum Length: 8 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Snapper, Vermilion
- Daily Bag: No limit
- Minimum Length: 10 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Snook
- Daily Bag: 1
- Minimum Length: 24 inches
- Maximum Length: 28 inches
Tarpon
- Daily Bag: 1
- Minimum Length: 85 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Triggerfish, Gray
- Daily Bag: 20
- Minimum Length: 16 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
Tripletail
- Daily Bag: 3
- Minimum Length: 17 inches
- Maximum Length: No limit
All Prohibited Fish Species
We have the list of prohibited species conveniently listed here for you. Possessing fish caught of these species is illegal, and harvesting these species is strictly prohibited. There are associated fines for violations.
- Prohibited shark species are as follows: Atlantic angel, Basking, Bigeye sand tiger, Bigeye sixgill, Bigeye thresher, Bignose, Caribbean reef, Caribbean sharpnose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin mako, Narrowtooth, Night, Oceanic Whitetip, Sandbar, Sand tiger, Sevengill, Silky, Sixgill, Smalltail, Whale, White.
- Daily Bag: 0, catch and release only; harvest prohibited.
Additional Resources
Learn how to stay compliant and maximize your redfish catch in Texas by checking out our guide on Texas Redfish Limit.
If you plan to go flounder fishing in Texas, it’s important to know the state’s flounder limits, which can be found here.
How To Measure A Fish’s Length?
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWD) approved legal length method is here. It can be achieved in two ways.
For a soft-tailed:
- Place the fish on its side, with the jaw closed.
- Squeeze the tail fin together to get the longest total length possible.
- Determine the length of a straight line from the snout’s tip to the tail fin’s end.
For a hard-tailed:
- With the jaw closed, lay the fish on its side.
- Measure a straight line from the end of the snout to the very end of the tail fin.
What Is The Texas Speckled Trout Limit For 2023?
The Texas speckled trout size regulations allow for a five-fish limit per day and a slot size of 15 to 25 inches, with the option to keep one fish over 25 inches long.
The temporary Lower Laguna Madre restrictions, effective March 16, 2022, to August 31, 2023, drop the per-day bag limit to three fish and the slot size limit to 17-23 inches.
The Lower Laguna Madre restrictions will apply to inshore waters south of the JFK Causeway in Corpus Christi, ranging from Packery Channel to the Rio Grande.
Why Do We Limit How Much You Can Take Home Each Day?
The Texas Parks & Wildlife determines daily size limits. Each state enacts limits because it aids in the growth and survival of the population. And it also aids in the maturation and reproduction of fish and other animals.
Daily bag limits vary by type, with each having a certain number of fish anglers can harvest per day.
States have unique bag restrictions, so you will want to know the Texas saltwater limit for whatever species of fish you want to catch or release.
Fishing License Options For Saltwater
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department regulates recreational fishing regulations. To saltwater fish in the public waters of Texas, anglers must purchase a fishing license with a saltwater tag. It comes with a single Redfish tag required to take one red drum longer than 28 inches per license year.
Residents under the age of 17 are exempt. Residents 65 or older are discounted.
Texas Saltwater Package License Prices (2023)
- Resident: $35 / year
- Resident 65 years and older: $17 / year
- Non-Resident: $63 / year
Frequently Asked Questions
The Texas redfish limit is a 3-fish daily limit and a slot size of 20 to 28 inches, with the option to keep one fish over 28 inches long with a red drum tag.
The Texas red snapper limit is 4 per day, at least 15 inches in state waters. International harvesting is only allowed from June 1 to the quota meeting, with a 2-fish daily limit and a 16-inch minimum size.
The Texas black drum limit is a 5-fish limit per day and a slot size of 14 to 30 inches. One Black Drum greater than 52 inches is allowed and is part of the daily bag limit.
The Texas flounder bag and possession limit are 5 per day, with a 20 to 28 inches slot size. Due to the closed coastal fisheries, there is a 0 bag restriction from November 1 to December 14.
The speckled trout fishing limit is five fish per day in Texas, with a 15 to 25 inches slot size. The Laguna Madre has a 3-fish daily maximum with a slot size of 17 to 23 inches.
There is no Texas sand trout fishing size limit or bag limit.
Conclusion
In this article, I provided:
- List of state game fish bags and size limits
- How to measure a fish’s length
- Purpose of the state saltwater fish size limits
- Temporary Speckled Trout Regulation Change
- State saltwater fishing license requirements
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