The Most Instagrammable Fishing Spots In Texas

There’s no such thing as a “fish story” when you’ve got pics to back you up. Gone is the age of the “one that got away“– because you’ve got Instagrammable proof. The fish in Texas are happy to oblige you with a bite — but it’s up to you to post it on the gram. Bring your fishing tackle and your cell phone and enjoy the most Instagrammable fishing spots in Texas!

The Gulf of Mexico

Out in the Gulf, where the snapper and the blacktip sharks swim, is some spectacular, social media-friendly fishing. Book yourself a fishing charter, drop a line, and wait to see what you can reel in. You’ll see plenty of professionals fishing too, and that’s a sign that not only is the shrimping good, but the saltwater trout, the snapper, and the mackerel are biting too. 

The Trinity River

The alligator gar of the Trinity River in southeast Texas is the perfect bait for likes on your Instagram page. These prehistoric monsters can get up to six to eight feet long, and you’ll get a fish tale — complete with pics — to boot. 

Lake Tawakoni

Escape the hustle and bustle of the Metroplex and head 50 miles east of Dallas to find Lake Tawakoni. Before casting your line, take a nature hike and enjoy the state park’s native plants like rock rose and Mexican Buckeye. With five miles of lakeshore, you’ll find plenty of fish in that lake. There’s a four-lane boat ramp here and a fish cleaning station. You’ll reel in bass of the large-mouth, striped, hybrid, and white varieties, crappie and catfish here.

Lake Fork

Any Texas angler is familiar with the large-mouth bass and the catfish on the end of any fishing pole in the fresh waters of the Lone Star State. In North Texas, check out Lake Fork, easily one of the most prominent freshwater fishing holes. There’s a reason for all the talk — the fish are biting, and the Insta posts are pretty epic. 

Matagorda Bay

The waters of Matagorda Bay, south of Victoria, are teeming with some of the big boys — and girls — seen under the #gulfcoast and #huntfishtexas hashtags. You can hook yourself a good-sized trout, or a redfish — popular with the weekend warriors of saltwater fishing in Texas. It’s easy to book a charter too, if you don’t happen to have a boat docked along the Gulf Coast. 

Port Aransas

Port Aransas, Rockport, and South Padre near Corpus Christi are teeming with fish — and within casting distance for vacationers in that part of Texas. It’s not a bad drive from San Antonio either. Look for more redfish here and snook, tarpon, and other close-up ready species. 

Lake Buchanan

There’s plenty of fish in Central Texas — between the lakes of North Texas and the Gulf Coast of south and southeast Texas. Chart a course for Lake Buchanan, one of the upper lakes of the Highland Lakes chain that feeds into Austin and the Lower Colorado River. Lake Buchanan gets you away from the wakes and noise of Lakes Travis and Austin and closer to the largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, striped bass, bluegill, and catfish that make for great Instagram posts — and tasty dinners too. 

Finally, make sure you’re able to enjoy your catch by keeping it legal. Don’t forget to keep your fishing license current, so you’re not on the hook for a hefty fine from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. That Instagram post isn’t worth the bummer — and the fine — of getting caught.

Jodi Hunter is a freelance writer and photographer who enjoys traveling and fishing around the country with her children. Her Instagram and Facebook pages are filled with pictures of landmarks, waterfalls, wildflowers., and oh yeah, big fish.