THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • January/February 2018 115 TheCoastalBend.com 114 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • January/February 2018 TheCoastalBend.com (1) Mustang Island State Park—Great surf fishing north of Fish Pass Jetties; use Beach Access Rd. 2, north of entrance. (2) Shamrock Island—Crossroads of migra- tions route and feeding areas; wade fishing and clear water in the summer. (3) Port Aransas Beach—Some of the best surf fishing in the Coastal Bend. (4) East Flats—Back side of Mustang Island, good kayak, wade and flats fishing. (5) Island Moorings Marina—Boat launches and ship’s store. (6) Horace Caldwell Pier—Extends 1,230 feet into the Gulf; good year-round fishing. (7) Port Aransas Marina—Numerous char- ters along waterfront; boat ramps at park. (8) St. Joseph’s Island—Undeveloped island with great surf and jetty fishing. (9) Charlie’s Pasture—Park and open area with pier along ship channel. (10) Aransas Pass Wetlands—Regulated no- prop zone in marshes with network of kayak trails; great wade fishing along causeway. (11) Stedman Island—Marina, bait shop, pier and boat launches on Redfish Bay. (12) Aransas Pass—Boat launches and dry dock at Conn Brown Harbor; marina, bait and launches at San Patricio Co. Navigation Dist. (13) Redfish Cove—Little-known, productive spot along boat channel. (14) Ingleside-on-the-Bay—Public boat launches along ship channel. Coastal Bend Fishing Keeping it Legal Texas Bag & Size Limits - Saltwater Fish * Important rules and details denoted with “( )” should be consulted for complete and accurate informa- tion that applies to certain species. This can be found on the TPWD web site: www.tpwd.state.tx.us Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Species Daily Bag Length in Inches (Min-Max) Texas Fishing License Info Obtaining a fishing license in Texas is particularly easy and not particularly expensive, but is required for all forms of fishing in Texas waters—and while Texas Game Wardens are among the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet, they do have search and entry authority that is more broad than any other Texas peace officer. A fishing license is required for any person over age 17 who takes or attempts to take fish, clams, oysters, shrimp, or any other aquatic life in Texas public waters, and for fish brought ashore in Texas but taken in federal waters, which begin nine nautical miles offshore. In addition to children under age 17, fishing licenses are not required for Texas residents born before January 1, 1931, anyone fishing in a Texas State Park, and mentally disabled persons who are supervised. Every year, the first Saturday in June is Texas Free Fishing Day when no license is required. Anglers should know that TPWD fishing regulations prohibit a number of activities including tournament fraud, or to take, kill or disturb sea turtles or their eggs, endangered or threatened fish species such as paddle- fish, smalltooth sawfish and others, diamondback terra- pin (a turtle species), or any marine mammal including dolphins, whales and porpoises. It is also illegal to leave edible fish or bait fish taken from public waters to die without the intent to retain the fish for consumption or bait. Rules also apply to tag and release fishing. Fishing license packages most popular in the Coastal Bend are: Saltwater Package $30 for Texas residents (R) and $63 non-residents (NR); Freshwater Package $30 (R) $58 (NR); All-Water Package $40 (R) $68 (NR); Saltwater Sportfishing Stamp (required) $10 for all; Freshwater Stamp $5 for all; One-Day All Water Fishing $11 (R) $16 (NR); Senior (age 65+ but born after 1930) Resident Saltwater $17; Senior Resident Freshwater $12; Senior Resident All-Water $22. A number of hunting combination licenses are also of- fered along with a Lifetime Resident Fishing License for $1,000. Active duty military members pay the Resident fee; fishing licenses expire in Texas on August 31 each year, and year-from-purchase licenses are available. Fishing licenses are sold in over 1,700 locations includ- ing grocery stores, outfitters, park offices and more. All the info is available online: tpwd.texas.gov