Corpus Christi is a fishing paradise for many reasons – proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the recently dredged Packery Channel, and the deep Intracoastal Canal to name a few. If you forgot to bring your boat with you to Corpus Christi, don’t worry! Bring your gear to one of these top four places to fish without a boat!
Mustang Island State Park
When: Anytime
Why: There are several reasons to enjoy fishing in a State Park, but for the traveling fisher, the most important is that you don’t have to purchase a fishing license to fish from the shore. All you have to do is show up, check in, and get to fishing. OK, there are a couple more steps, but you get the idea!
Cost: Entry to the park is $5 per person (children 12 and under are free).
Red Dot Pier on the Humble Channel
When: Sunday – Thursday 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., Friday – Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Why: Located directly on the Humble Channel, Red Dot Pier offers a great fishing experience for beginners and experienced anglers alike. Not only does Red Dot provide a well-lit pier for night fishing, but it offers bait, snacks, and pole rentals as well.
Cost: $2.00 Pier Pass
Cole Park Pier
When: You can fish at any time at Cole Park Pier, however, Cole Park Plaza and Park are open 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Why: Corpus Christi's newly renovated pier is an impressive facility boasting plenty of shading, lighting, picnic seating, stainless steel areas with running water to clean your catch, and built-in seating for fisherman and rod holders. You could easily spend an entire day here with the pier, park, skate park, and trails!
Cost: Free
Philip Dimmitt Municipal Pier
When: Anytime
Why: This is another pier that's undergone major improvements! Visitors are welcomed with LED lighting for night fishing, new benches, fish washing stations, and new floorboards and guardrails.
Cost: Free
Fishing licenses are required at most of the fishing spots above, get one here before you cast your line. For more information on fishing in Corpus Christi, swing by the Visitor Information Center at 309 N. Water St., Ste. D.
