🎣 Top 10 Spots Along the Coastlines of Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas
The Gulf of Mexico serves up some of the best fishing in the country, hands down. And if you’ve got a boat, your access goes way beyond the public piers and surf zones. From marsh-lined bays in Mississippi to Texas’s endless flats and Alabama’s backwater creeks, the Gulf is as diverse as it is productive.
This list rounds up ten of the most rewarding fishing spots across Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. We’ve ranked them countdown-style—some are low-key and underrated, others are destinations for serious anglers who know the water like the back of their hand. If you’re looking to put your boat to work, these are the places worth trailering for.
#10 – Dauphin Island, Alabama
Dauphin Island often flies under the radar, but it offers some of the easiest access to fish in the entire state. A short boat ride puts you in range of everything from bridge trout to surf-running redfish to sheepshead stacked on pilings. You’ve got options here, and the scenery doesn’t hurt either.
What You’ll Catch:
- Speckled trout near bridges and drop-offs
- Redfish cruising flats and around grass beds
- Sheepshead near docks and pilings
- Spanish mackerel and flounder in warmer months
Where to Launch:
- Billy Goat Hole Public Launch
📍 30.2508° N, 88.1036° W
Quick access to Mississippi Sound and Pelican Bay
Local Tip: Incoming tides around the Dauphin Island Bridge can get wild—in the best way. Trout stack up around the pylons chasing bait.
#9 – Biloxi Marsh, Mississippi
This place is for those who don’t mind a little effort and love a good backcountry bite. The Biloxi Marsh is a massive stretch of marshland east of New Orleans that spills into Mississippi waters. Redfish are the main draw, especially for sight-fishing, but don’t be surprised by flounder or black drum either.
What You’ll Catch:
- Redfish (shallow, tailing, and aggressive)
- Black drum and sheepshead around shell banks
- Flounder near drains and cuts, especially in fall
Where to Launch:
- Blair WMA Launch / Bayou Caddy
📍 30.2125° N, 89.4213° W
Closest reliable access to the Mississippi side of the marsh
Local Tip: Keep your eyes peeled. Clear days in fall are perfect for spotting redfish pushing wakes in just inches of water. Quiet motors—or better yet, a push pole—give you the edge.
#8 – Matagorda Bay, Texas
Matagorda is what a lot of anglers picture when they think “Texas fishing.” Wide-open bays, sprawling flats, and a mix of inshore and nearshore species keep this area in rotation for serious boaters. There’s plenty of room to explore—and plenty of fish to make it worth your time.
What You’ll Catch:
- Speckled trout over shell
- Slot redfish cruising marsh edges and reefs
- Big flounder near the river mouth and old cuts
- Sheepshead and black drum around structure
Where to Launch:
- Matagorda Harbor Public Launch
📍 28.6944° N, 95.9717° W
Full-service harbor with marina, bait, and ramps
Local Tip: The East Bay side is known for clear water and big trout—especially in spring. Wade-fishing is common, but with a shallow-running boat, you’ll have the edge on reaching productive water without having to get wet.
#7 – Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Bay St. Louis doesn’t get the hype that other Gulf spots do, but ask the locals and they’ll tell you: the fishing here is consistent, accessible, and often underrated. The bay blends into marshes, tidal creeks, and open flats—all of it packed with bait and predator species, especially in spring and fall.
What You’ll Catch:
- Speckled trout around docks and points
- Redfish in the marsh and around oyster beds
- Sheepshead near bridges and pilings
- Flounder in cuts and sand-bottom transitions
Where to Launch:
- Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor Ramp
📍 30.3131° N, 89.3265° W
Direct access to the bay and Jordan River
Local Tip: This is a great place for night fishing. Many dock owners keep underwater lights on, and trout pile up under them. Small live shrimp or 3” paddle tails work well under the glow.
#6 – Grand Isle, Louisiana
Okay, it’s Louisiana—but it’s hugging the Mississippi border, and we’d be lying if we left it off this list. Grand Isle is a fishing town through and through. You’ve got inshore marsh, offshore rigs, and beach fishing all within short boat runs. This is one of the most productive places in the Gulf, no matter your target.
What You’ll Catch:
- Redfish and trout galore
- Tarpon (in summer)
- Cobia, snapper, and jacks just offshore
- Flounder and drum around structure
Where to Launch:
- Bridgeside Marina
📍 29.2566° N, 90.0229° W
Full-service, right at the bridge to Grand Isle
Local Tip: Don’t overlook the back side of the island in fall. Redfish cruise shallow marshes and ponds—you’ll often see them before they see you.
#5 – Port Aransas, Texas
Port A is where Texas saltwater culture really shows. It’s one of the best places in the state to hit both inshore and offshore waters without burning 50 gallons of gas. You’ve got jetties, flats, reefs, and open Gulf water all within a quick ride from the dock.
What You’ll Catch:
- Redfish and trout in the flats and marsh
- Sheepshead, flounder, and drum along the jetties
- King mackerel, mahi, and snapper offshore (on calm days)
- Cobia in spring and early summer
Where to Launch:
- Dennis Dryer Municipal Harbor Ramp
📍 27.8328° N, 97.0583° W
Central to both the Gulf and protected backwaters
Local Tip: Troll the outside of the jetties in the early morning with ribbonfish or diving plugs—you might hook into kings or even a stray cobia before the sun’s high.
#4 – Bon Secour Bay, Alabama
Bon Secour Bay is one of those low-key gems that delivers year-round, especially for inshore boaters who like calm water and less crowd pressure. It connects to Mobile Bay, but the smaller size and protected layout make it ideal for solo missions, family trips, or just chasing reds in peace.
What You’ll Catch:
- Redfish along marsh lines and docks
- Speckled trout in deeper holes and creek mouths
- Flounder near sandy points and grass edges
- Black drum and sheepshead around pilings
Where to Launch:
- Bon Secour River Public Ramp (County Rd 10)
📍 30.2958° N, 87.7391° W
Easy access to river and bay with plenty of trailer space
Local Tip: Fish the outflow areas from the creeks after a light rain—trout love that mix of fresh and saltwater, especially in spring and fall.
#3 – Galveston Bay Complex, Texas
This is the heavy hitter of Texas inshore fishing. The Galveston Bay system is massive—covering Upper Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay, and West Bay. That means variety, year-round options, and room to spread out. The structure here is ideal for speckled trout, redfish, and even flounder runs when the timing’s right.
What You’ll Catch:
- Big speckled trout over shell beds
- Redfish in marsh drains and back lakes
- Flounder near the San Luis Pass in fall
- Sheepshead, drum, and the occasional tarpon in summer
Where to Launch:
- Fat Boy’s Bait & Tackle Ramp (Galveston Causeway)
📍 29.2957° N, 94.9016° W
Great access to West Bay and nearby flats
Local Tip: Fish East Bay early with topwaters around reefs in spring, then slide into marsh cuts once the sun’s up. It’s a textbook early bite zone.
#2 – Mobile-Tensaw Delta, Alabama
The Delta is like a choose-your-own-adventure for boaters. You can fish bass in the creeks, reds in the open water, or drop shrimp on bottom and catch catfish the size of your leg. It’s one of the most unique fisheries in the Gulf, where fresh and saltwater constantly mix and shift with the tide.
What You’ll Catch:
- Redfish and trout in brackish zones
- Largemouth bass and bream in creeks and back lakes
- Catfish just about everywhere
- Striped bass and hybrid species in cooler months
Where to Launch:
- 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center
📍 30.6745° N, 87.9350° W
Well-maintained ramp with lots of parking and direct access to multiple routes
Local Tip: Watch the tide closely—low tide reveals deeper channels that hold fish. If it’s rising fast, redfish will push into flooded grass and edges.
#1 – Sabine Lake, Texas
Sabine Lake doesn’t get flashy headlines—but ask any Gulf Coast angler who’s put in time there, and they’ll tell you: it’s the real deal. This Texas-Louisiana border water is loaded with redfish and trout year-round, with bonus flounder runs, bull reds, and easy access to both bayous and open Gulf. It’s where salty meets swampy, and the fish love it.
What You’ll Catch:
- Redfish, from slot-size up to bruiser bulls
- Speckled trout — solid numbers, with legit big-fish potential
- Flounder in fall (migration here is strong)
- Sheepshead, drum, and jacks in warmer months
Where to Launch:
- Walter Umphrey State Park Ramp (Port Arthur)
📍 29.8497° N, 93.9333° W
Right on the Texas side of Sabine Pass. Quick runs to marshes, lake, and the jetties.
Local Tip: Fish the Texas side early, then cross into Louisiana if you want quieter water—just be sure you’ve got both state licenses. Sabine’s tidal currents are no joke, so drift-fishing can be deadly effective around shell banks and cuts.
🧭 Wrap-Up – Pick Your Spot, Load Your Cooler
The Gulf of America isn’t one-size-fits-all—and that’s exactly what makes it great. Want to fish marsh drains for tailing reds? Launch from the Mississippi coast. Looking to chase trout over reef structure? Texas has you covered. Prefer a wild, brackish bayou with no cell signal? Alabama’s Delta will keep you busy all day.
No matter your style, these 10 spots offer the kind of fishing that sticks with you. Just match your boat to the water, watch the tides, and bring what matters most: time on the water.
⚓️ Fish Better. Ride Smarter. Trust Ocean Marine Group.
If you’re planning to explore these Gulf fishing spots—or already have your next launch point picked out—make sure you’ve got the right boat to get you there. Ocean Marine Group is proud to serve anglers and boaters across the Gulf Coast, with full-service dealerships in Ocean Springs, MS, Gulfport, MS, and Pensacola, FL.
From inshore skiffs and bay boats to offshore rigs and family-friendly pontoons, our inventory is packed with quality vessels from the top brands in the business. We also offer expert service, genuine parts, electronics installation, and financing options to get you on the water without the hassle.
Three Locations. One Standard.
- Ocean Springs, MS – Right in the heart of Mississippi’s fishing culture
- Gulfport, MS – Full-service sales, parts, and pro-level rigging
- Pensacola, FL – Serving boaters across the Florida-Alabama border and beyond
Whether you’re upgrading your setup, buying your first boat, or just need some honest advice before your next trip—Ocean Marine Group is here to help you fish smarter, run safer, and enjoy every mile of water in between.
👉 Visit oceanmarinegroup.com to browse inventory, check hours, or get in touch with your nearest location.