Texas saltwater bag limits and licenses
A quick reference for the fish most Coastal Bend anglers keep. Limits shown are valid September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027.
Red drum (redfish)
3 per day20 to 28 in. One fish over 28 in with a Red Drum Tag, plus one with a Bonus Tag.
Spotted seatrout
3 per day15 to 20 in. One over 28 in with a Seatrout Tag, plus one with a Bonus Tag.
Southern flounder
5 per day15 in minimum. Closed Nov 1 to Dec 14 (bag limit zero).
Black drum
5 per day14 to 30 in. You may keep one over 52 in per day.
Possession limits are double the daily bag, except flounder (equal to the daily bag). Lengths are total length, from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. Fish kept with a tag don't count toward the daily bag. Always confirm with the official TPWD saltwater limits ↗ before you keep a fish.
Fishing licenses
| License | Texas resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Saltwater Fishing Package (year) | $35 | $63 |
| All-Water Fishing Package (year) | $40 | $68 |
| One-Day All-Water License | $11 | $16 |
| Senior Saltwater Package | $17 | n/a |
Year licenses run through August 31. You don't need a license if you're under 17. Texas residents born before January 1, 1931 are also exempt. Buy online at Texas Parks and Wildlife or at most bait shops, and carry it in the Texas Hunt & Fish app.
Red drum and seatrout tags
Your saltwater license comes with a Red Drum Tag and a Spotted Seatrout Tag. Each lets you keep one fish over the maximum length per license year (a red over 28 inches, a trout over 28 inches). You can get a Bonus Tag for each too. With a digital license, report the fish in the Texas Hunt & Fish app instead of attaching a paper tag.
Other rules to know
- Keep fish whole (head and tail on) until you're back on shore, so they can be measured.
- Texas law protects seagrass: don't uproot it with your propeller. Trim up or pole across grass flats.
- Kids under 13 must wear a life jacket while a boat under 26 feet is underway.
- Bag limits are per person. You can't keep a limit for someone who isn't fishing.