The Gulf of Mexico stretches over 1,600 miles of coastline across five states, and it's packed with some of the best fishing in the world. From the marshy backwaters of Louisiana to the crystal-clear flats of the Florida Panhandle, every stretch of this coast offers something special.
We've put together this guide featuring 15 incredible Gulf Coast fishing destinations — including a few hidden gems that don't get the attention they deserve. For each spot, you can check real-time tides, weather, and fishing conditions on Fishn Buddy.
🐊 Florida
1. Apalachicola, FL
The "Forgotten Coast" lives up to its name — most anglers drive right past it heading to Destin. Their loss. Apalachicola Bay is one of the most productive estuaries in the entire Gulf, famous for its oyster bars that hold redfish, trout, and flounder year-round. The barrier islands offer outstanding surf fishing, and the offshore reefs are loaded with grouper and snapper.
Check Apalachicola Conditions →2. Carrabelle, FL
Just east of Apalachicola, Carrabelle is an under-the-radar launching point for some of the best offshore fishing in the northern Gulf. The Continental Shelf is closer here than almost anywhere else in Florida, meaning shorter runs to deep water. Inshore, the Dog Island reef system and St. George Sound produce excellent trout and redfish action.
Check Carrabelle Conditions →3. Steinhatchee, FL
Steinhatchee is the gateway to Florida's Nature Coast — miles of unspoiled, undeveloped coastline with vast grass flats that stretch to the horizon. This is scalloping and redfish heaven. The shallow flats are perfect for sight-fishing on calm days, and the Steinhatchee River holds snook and tarpon during warmer months. Minimal development means minimal pressure.
Check Steinhatchee Conditions →4. Cedar Key, FL
A quirky, Old Florida fishing village surrounded by islands, oyster bars, and endless grass flats. Cedar Key is a sight-fishing paradise where you can pole a skiff across shallow flats targeting tailing redfish. The area around the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge is remote, pristine, and absolutely loaded with fish. Don't skip the offshore grouper fishing either — the nearshore reefs are productive year-round.
Check Cedar Key Conditions →5. Port St. Joe, FL
St. Joseph Bay is one of the clearest bodies of water on the Gulf Coast — you can see the bottom in 6 feet of water. This makes it outstanding for sight-fishing redfish, flounder, and pompano on the flats. The bay's seagrass beds are among the healthiest in Florida, supporting a diverse ecosystem. Cape San Blas offers phenomenal surf fishing for whiting, pompano, and the occasional cobia.
Check Port St. Joe Conditions →6. Mexico Beach, FL
Mexico Beach rebuilt after Hurricane Michael and remains one of the Panhandle's best-kept secrets. The pier offers easy access for shore-bound anglers targeting whiting, redfish, and Spanish mackerel. The nearshore artificial reefs hold excellent numbers of red snapper and grouper, and the quiet beaches mean far less competition than neighboring Panama City Beach.
Check Mexico Beach Conditions →🤠 Texas
7. Port Aransas, TX
Port Aransas is the heartbeat of Texas saltwater fishing. The Lydia Ann Channel, the jetties, and the vast Redfish Bay system offer something for everyone — from wade fishing the flats for specks and reds to running offshore for kingfish and ling. The annual migration of tarpon through the jetties in late summer is a bucket-list experience. This town lives and breathes fishing.
Check Port Aransas Conditions →8. Rockport, TX
Rockport and its neighbor Fulton sit on Aransas Bay — one of the most consistently productive inshore fisheries in Texas. The shallow grass flats are perfect for wade fishing, and the redfish population is nothing short of spectacular. Rockport hosts multiple redfish tournaments and is widely considered the redfish capital of Texas. Black drum, trout, and flounder round out the catch.
Check Rockport Conditions →9. Port O'Connor, TX
Port O'Connor sits where Matagorda Bay meets the Gulf, creating a fishery that's both diverse and remarkably uncrowded. The Matagorda Island shoreline offers wade fishing with virtually no one around, and the jetties produce outstanding catches of bull reds, snook, and tarpon. POC is where Texas guides go on their days off — that tells you everything you need to know.
Check Port O'Connor Conditions →10. Matagorda, TX
Matagorda Bay is massive — the largest bay system on the Texas coast — and it's teeming with speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. The East and West Matagorda Bay systems offer different characteristics, with the East side known for bigger trout and the Colorado River delta providing excellent redfish habitat. Offshore, the artificial reefs and natural bottom produce outstanding snapper fishing.
Check Matagorda Conditions →⚜️ Louisiana
11. Venice, LA
Venice is where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf of Mexico, and it's arguably the best offshore fishing destination in the entire United States. The nutrient-rich river discharge creates an ecosystem that supports everything from yellowfin tuna and blue marlin to cobia and mahi-mahi. Inshore, the marsh is a labyrinth of channels holding bull redfish that average 30+ pounds. This is a pilgrimage every serious angler should make.
Check Venice Conditions →12. Grand Isle, LA
Louisiana's only inhabited barrier island is a fishing powerhouse. The Grand Isle jetties are legendary for tarpon, and the surrounding waters hold specks, reds, and drum in staggering numbers. The annual Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo (running since 1928) is the oldest fishing tournament in the US. Whether you're surf fishing from the beach or running offshore to the rigs, Grand Isle delivers.
Check Grand Isle Conditions →13. Cocodrie, LA
Cocodrie sits at the end of the road — literally. Below here, it's nothing but marsh, water, and fish. The Terrebonne Parish marshes are some of the most productive inshore waters in the Gulf, with seemingly endless bayous, cuts, and ponds holding redfish and speckled trout. It's raw, wild, and uncrowded. Bring mosquito spray and a sense of adventure — you'll be rewarded with incredible fishing.
Check Cocodrie Conditions →🦀 Alabama
14. Dauphin Island, AL
Dauphin Island guards the mouth of Mobile Bay, one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America. The west end of the island offers outstanding surf fishing, while the bay side features grass flats loaded with speckled trout. The artificial reef system offshore of Dauphin Island is one of the most extensive in the Gulf, holding red snapper, triggerfish, and amberjack. The annual "Jubilee" — when fish and crabs crowd the shoreline — is a phenomenon unique to Mobile Bay.
Check Dauphin Island Conditions →15. Orange Beach, AL
Orange Beach has grown into one of the premier charter fishing destinations on the Gulf Coast. The offshore fleet targets the massive artificial reef system — Alabama has deployed more reef material than any other Gulf state. Inshore, Perdido Bay and the ICW offer sheltered fishing for redfish, trout, and flounder. The Perdido Pass jetties are outstanding for pompano, Spanish mackerel, and the occasional king mackerel cruising through.
Check Orange Beach Conditions →🎣 Check Real-Time Conditions for Any Spot
Fishn Buddy shows tides, weather, solunar periods, and fishing scores for all 15 of these locations — updated in real time with NOAA data.
Explore All Locations →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fishing spot on the Gulf Coast?
It depends on your target species. Venice, LA is the top offshore destination for tuna and marlin. For inshore redfish, Rockport, TX and Apalachicola, FL are consistently ranked among the best. Each spot on this list excels in different ways.
What fish can you catch on the Gulf Coast?
The Gulf offers incredible variety: redfish, speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead, snook, tarpon, king mackerel, red snapper, grouper, cobia, tripletail, yellowfin tuna, blue marlin, mahi-mahi, and many more. Both inshore flats fishing and offshore deep-sea fishing are world-class.
When is the best time to fish the Gulf Coast?
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are prime seasons for most locations. Summer brings excellent offshore action but hot inshore conditions. Winter fishing is productive in southern Florida and Texas. Check our best fishing times guide for more detail on timing your trips.