Traylor Island, Aransas Bay

Overview

Traylor Island, located in Aransas Bay, offers a diverse and consistently productive environment for redfish. This long, narrow island provides excellent wind protection on its leeward side, creating calm, wadeable flats even when the main bay is choppy. The flats around Traylor are a mosaic of hard sand, scattered shell, and healthy grass beds, all supporting abundant baitfish. Redfish patrol the drop-offs, cruise the sand pockets, and often tail aggressively in the shallow grass during favorable tides. Access is straightforward by boat from Rockport or Aransas Pass. Its accessibility contributes to its popularity, but the island's length ensures there's usually enough room to find solitude. Best fished during fall and spring, though good fishing can be found year-round. Anglers should be adept at reading the water and varying their approach based on wind and tide. The mix of structure provides diverse fishing opportunities, from targeting cruising fish to sight-casting to tailers.

Why it stands out

Long island provides excellent wind protection on its lee side Diverse bottom of hard sand, shell, and grass beds Consistently holds feeding redfish Relatively easy access from Rockport/Aransas Pass Opportunities for both cruising and tailing redfish

Know before you go

Can experience heavy boat traffic, especially on weekends Wakes from passing boats can temporarily disrupt fishing Some areas can be muddy or silty after heavy rains Exposed to direct winds on the windward side of the island

Planning notes

Where: Texas, United States Best season: Spring through fall Good for: Fly Fishing, Fishing Featured on: Top 10 Fly Fishing Flat Spots for Redfish on the Texas Middle Coast (#10) Access point: Traylor Island, Aransas Pass, TX, USA Check current permits, closures and fire restrictions with the managing agency before you commit to dates.

Field notes

• •Long island provides excellent wind protection on its lee side
• •Diverse bottom of hard sand, shell, and grass beds
• •Consistently holds feeding redfish
• •Relatively easy access from Rockport/Aransas Pass
• •Opportunities for both cruising and tailing redfish

Coordinates