Freeport Entrance / Surfside Jetties is an upper Texas Coast pass fishery centered on long rock jetties, ship-channel flow, and the adjoining Gulf shoreline. Red drum, spotted seatrout, southern flounder, and sheepshead are the principal supported targets.
Current Coastal Rating
Fair · 56
Beta
Conditions are fair, but confidence is reduced because some coastal inputs are partial or prediction-based.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Should I Go?
Trip conditions only. Target-species activity and seasonal fishery patterns are not yet included.
Consider
Trip conditions may be workable, but important cautions or data limitations remain.
High confidence in the evaluated inputs — observational coverage is partial. — Required data sources were available and the key inputs were current.
Evaluates trip conditions using weather, tides, currents, waves, daylight, and active alerts.
This coastal rating is in public beta.
Missing waves are not calm. Forecast is not an observation. Prediction is not an observation.
Because this rating is in public beta, recommendations are capped at Consider when evidence is limited.
Service Status
Degraded
Coastal conditions are partial, stale, or predictions-only.
Recommended window
Tuesday · 10:00 AM–1:00 PM CDT
Window score
81
Max wind
14 mph
Max gust
18 mph
Daylight
100% of window
Tide state
falling
Max current
0.7 kn
Why
Strong daylight coverage supports the evaluated window.
Current Readings
Updated Oct 20, 2026, 4:57 AM
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Source
NOAA CO-OPS
Freeport Harbor station
0.2 mi from destination
Water level
2.4 ft MLLW
Updated 10 min ago
Water temperature
74.1°F
Updated 10 min ago
Wind
NNE · 8 mph
Updated 10 min ago
Wind gust
11 mph
Updated 10 min ago
Past 7 Days
NOAA Station
NOAA Station selected
Water level
Window Oct 13, 2026, 4:57 AM – Oct 20, 2026, 4:57 AM (rolling 168 hours)
Water level over the past 7 days. 1679 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 5:00 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 4:48 AM Range 0.5 ft MLLW to 3.2 ft MLLW.
Readings increased over the available period.
1679 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 5:00 AM · to Oct 20, 2026, 4:48 AM
These values are tidal-current predictions, not real-time observed currents. They describe conditions near this prediction station rather than the entire surrounding coastal area.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Freeport Entrance / Surfside jetties fishery
An Upper Texas Coast jetty and ship-channel fishery at the Freeport entrance. The East Jetty at Surfside and the dredged Freeport Harbor Channel hold inshore gamefish moving between the Brazos system, the pass, and the Gulf. This is the entrance / Surfside jetties only.
Fishery type
Jetty pass ship channel
Fishing modes
Shore
Inshore boat
Habitat and structure
East Jetty granite at Surfside Beach · Freeport Harbor Channel / ship-channel edges · Gulf-side wash and rock toes along the entrance
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 15, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Red drum, spotted seatrout, and sheepshead are Surfside jetty and entrance targets. They occur here, but they are not typical every month. Southern flounder typically use channels and passes during fall emigration toward Gulf spawning, generally October through December per TPWD; that is not year-round occupancy at this Gulf entrance and is not a legal harvest season.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Red drum
Primary
Sciaenops ocellatus
Also called Redfish
No seasonal pulse known
These fish use the jetty and the pass.red drum is not typical every month.
Spotted seatrout
Primary
Cynoscion nebulosus
No seasonal pulse known
These fish use the jetty and the pass. spotted seatrout is not typical every month.
Southern flounder
Secondary
Paralichthys lethostigma
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: OCTOBER — DECEMBER
TPWD: fall emigration through channels and passes toward Gulf spawning, typically October to December. Spring return and spring/summer fishing are described farther inside bay systems.
Sheepshead
Secondary
Archosargus probatocephalus
No seasonal pulse known
Sheepshead use the jetty structure and are not typical every month.
Typical Seasonal Targets
Southern flounder — OCTOBER — DECEMBER
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
How to Fish Freeport Entrance / Surfside Jetties
Typical October approaches include bottom and structure presentations for Southern flounder.
Bottom and structure presentations
Fish the rocks and channel edges for sheepshead and southern flounder.
Best for
Southern flounder
Modes
Shore
Inshore boat
Setup
Surfside bottom setup
Common Tackle Setups
Surfside bottom setup
Heavier tackle to hold bottom near jetty rock and channel edges.
Rod
Medium-heavy rod for current and rock.
Reel
Reel with a solid drag.
Main line
Abrasion-resistant braid.
Leader
Shorter heavy leader for barnacles.
Terminal tackle
Sinkers or jig heads heavy enough to hold in the channel.; Hooks suited to shrimp around structure.
Presentation
Keep baits near rock and the channel drop without feeding gear into crevices.
Used for
Bottom and structure presentations
Typical October Lures and Flies
Common lure and fly families associated with this month’s techniques.
Hop, swim, or drift depending on depth and current speed
Soft-plastic jig head
Lure
Southern flounder
Midwater, Bottom, Variable · Jig, slow, drift
Keep intermittent bottom contact around structure and soft edges
General seasonal guidance, not a live recommendation, product endorsement, or guarantee of success.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
Brazoria County Surfside Jetty County Park provides paved parking, restrooms, and a paved East Jetty walk of about 0.6 mile, with day-and-night fishing along the jetty and Freeport ship channel. The Village of Surfside boat ramp off Thunder Road accesses the ship channel near the Coast Guard station. Confirm current park hours and ramp rules.
Primary hazards
The East Jetty is a working harbor entrance. Watch ship traffic, current, and slick rock beyond the paved section. Heat, lightning, and wakes are routine. Wear flotation if walking unpaved granite.
Fishery considerations
Tidal exchange through the Freeport entrance and Surfside channel is the local fishing context. Mapped current predictions represent Surfside Bridge/channel conditions.
Exposed jetty and harbor-mouth wind can make casting and boat control harder. A local wave reading is not available here.
Regulations
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
