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Texas bay fishing in December
December brings the end of the flounder closure and, some years, freezing weather. Here are this month's rules and the winter notes TPWD, NOAA and the National Weather Service publish, with each bay's latest wind and water temperature.
Flounder reopens Dec. 15. Through Dec. 14 the bag limit is 0, so no flounder may be kept. From Dec. 15 the daily bag is 5 fish with a 15-inch minimum length, and the possession limit equals the daily bag. Flounder dates and limits. (TPWD)
TPWD limits for other bay species
| Species | Daily bag | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Redfish (red drum) One over 28 inches with a Red Drum Tag, and one more with a Bonus tag. (TPWD) |
3 | 20–28 in. |
| Speckled trout (spotted seatrout) One over 28 inches with a Spotted Seatrout Tag, and one more with a Bonus tag. Possession limit is double the daily bag. (TPWD) |
3 | 15–20 in. |
| Black drum One over 52 inches per person per day, counted in the daily bag. (TPWD) |
5 | 14–30 in. |
| Sheepshead Possession limit is double the daily bag. (TPWD) |
5 | 15 in. minimum |
Valid Sept. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027, per TPWD. A saltwater endorsement is required to land fish in state or federal water. Always check current regulations before you keep a fish.
What TPWD says about winter and cold weather
- Speckled trout: In very cold weather TPWD suggests fishing deep rivers, harbors and channels. Generally these deep areas are best after a norther has subsided and clearing skies bring rising temperatures. (TPWD)
- Redfish: Although there is little evidence of seasonal migration, anglers find concentrations of red drum in rivers and tidal creeks during the winter, and large numbers in tidal creeks and rivers during cold spells. (TPWD)
- Black drum: In colder months, drum of all sizes frequent deeper waters and channels and the Gulf surf. TPWD says black drum survive freezing weather better than many other fish. (TPWD)
- Sheepshead: Adults live near pilings and rocks, around hard substrate such as jetties, rock piles and reefs. TPWD gives no month-specific pattern, so we don't state one. (TPWD)
Freezes, cold water and safety
- When coastal water is predicted to fall below 40°F, TPWD may close listed harbors, canals and other sites to saltwater fishing until the freeze threat is over. Notices are posted online and shared with news and social media. (TPWD)
- TPWD says a hard freeze can cause surviving fish to gather in a few deeper areas where they become sluggish and prone to capture. Those are the areas it closes. (TPWD news release)
- The National Weather Service says cold shock can be as dangerous in 50–60°F water as in 35°F water. Wear a life jacket, dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature, and check the weather and water temperature before you go. (NWS)
- Tide tables are astronomical only. NOAA says wind, rain and runoff can't be predicted into them, and that on the western Gulf Coast weather can delay or speed up a predicted tide by an hour or more (Galveston is its example). When the wind is up, check observed water levels too. (NOAA Tides & Currents)
The 9 bay systems right now
| Bay | Wind | Water |
|---|---|---|
| Sabine Lake | W 7 kt | 75°F |
| Galveston Bay | WSW 2 kt | 75°F |
| Matagorda Bay | SE 13 kt | 81°F |
| San Antonio Bay | NE 3 kt | 75°F |
| Aransas & Copano Bays | E 3 kt | 75°F |
| Corpus Christi Bay | ENE 10 kt | 77°F |
| Upper Laguna Madre & Baffin Bay | E 8 kt | 81°F |
| Port Mansfield | E 11 kt | 79°F |
| South Padre Island & Port Isabel | ENE 11 kt | 79°F |
Latest NOAA readings as of Oct 22, 10:21 PM CDT. Open a bay for its forecast, tides and call, or see every bay with our call on the coast page.
These are general patterns from the agencies above, not observed fishing reports. We don't have an official source for bay-by-bay patterns, best baits or ideal water temperatures this month, so we state none. Dated angler and guide reports appear on each bay page when we have them; this page has none. Send us a report.
Sources
- TPWD: Flounder bag & length limits, retrieved Oct 22, 2026
- TPWD: Drum bag & length limits, retrieved Oct 22, 2026
- TPWD: Seatrout bag & length limits, retrieved Oct 22, 2026
- TPWD: Sheepshead bag & length limits, retrieved Oct 22, 2026
- TPWD: Spotted seatrout (species profile), retrieved Oct 22, 2026
- TPWD: Red drum (species profile), retrieved Oct 22, 2026
- TPWD: Black drum (species profile), retrieved Oct 22, 2026
- TPWD: Sheepshead (species profile), retrieved Oct 22, 2026
- TPWD: Saltwater freeze events, retrieved Oct 22, 2026
- TPWD news release: Freeze closures on parts of the coast (Dec. 22, 2022), retrieved Oct 22, 2026
- NWS: Cold water hazards and safety, retrieved Oct 22, 2026
- NOAA Tides & Currents: FAQ (tide prediction accuracy), retrieved Oct 22, 2026
Gear for Texas bays
Our spec comparisons cover the inshore spinning setups and wade-fishing safety gear Texas bay anglers use most:
- Best inshore spinning reels & rods for Texas bays: sealed and saltwater-rated reels, 7'–7'6" rods, braid and leader basics.
- Texas wade fishing gear: stingray boots and guards, wading belts, stringers and fish bags, inflatable PFDs, plus the stingray shuffle.