Fishing guide
Fishing with kids in Rockport-Fulton
Rockport has fished for a living for more than a century, and it is still one of the easiest places in Texas to help a child catch a first fish.
Do kids need a fishing license?
No. In Texas, anglers under 17 do not need a fishing license. Adults 17 and older generally do, with one useful exception: you can fish from the shore or a pier inside a Texas state park, including Goose Island, without a license. Check Texas Parks and Wildlife for current rules, size limits and bag limits before you keep any fish.
The easiest places to start
Rockport Beach Park pier
Restrooms, shade and a playground are close by, so non-fishing siblings stay happy. See the beach listing.
Goose Island State Park
A lighted fishing pier, calm water and no license needed for adults on park property. The park has run a Loan-a-Tackle program for borrowing rods. See the park listing.
Rockport and Fulton harbors
Bait stands sit close to the docks, and kids enjoy watching the boats come in even when the fish are not biting.
A simple rig for beginners
- A short spinning rod with 10–15 lb line.
- A small popping cork about two feet above the hook.
- A size 1 or 1/0 circle hook. Circle hooks are more forgiving for kids because the fish usually hooks itself.
- A piece of fresh or frozen shrimp on the hook.
Cast out, watch the cork and let the child reel when it goes under. Keep the first trip short, about an hour, and stop while they are still having fun.
What you might catch
Piers in the bay often produce pinfish, croaker and hardhead catfish, which bite readily and keep kids busy. Speckled trout, redfish and flounder live in these bays too and make a big day for a young angler. Handle hardhead catfish carefully; their fin spines can cause painful wounds, so let an adult unhook them with pliers.
Safety checklist
- Life jackets for young kids on piers without high rails.
- Needle-nose pliers and a towel for unhooking.
- Sunscreen, hats and water; there is little shade on most piers.
- A small first-aid kit for hook pokes and fin scrapes.
Hours, fees and event dates in this guide were checked in October 2026. Coastal venues can change schedules for weather, holidays and repairs, so confirm directly before you drive out.