The South Texas Coast offers world-class saltwater fishing year-round for both commercial and game fisher and one of the hot spot is the Laguna Madre. While redfish are arguably the most popular saltwater game fish in Texas, black drum are more popular among commercial fishermen

Abundant black drum populations in the Laguna Madre have long supported an active and highly productive commercial fishery. Black drum commercial landings have always comprised a large portion of the total finfish landings on the Texas coast. As of 2006 these landings were averaging 3 million pounds per year, with 50 percent coming from Laguna Madre. Trotlines with circle hooks baited with array of natural baits such as carrot pieces, oak leaves, crab parts, and even pieces of wooden dowel are used to catch them. Along with the gig, these are the only commercial gears allowed in this coast-wide fishery.

Fish Tale 2014

April 17, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. Emmitt, 50, prepares for his boat before departing. One fishing time lasts around 3-4 hours starting before the sunrise.
March 19, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. Garland, 53, takes the first trotline in the morning.
March 19, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. Emmitt looks for his lines among the sea.
March 19, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. Emmitt and Garland are new to the fishing, they mentor each other during the fishing time.
March 19, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. A brief rest in the middle of the sea.
March 19, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. Garland takes up an anchor to fix the line. They have 18 lines in total.
April 18, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. The fishermen will keep a small number of other legal-to-catch fishes if they get orders.
April 17, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. Fishermen in Texas are allowed to keep black drum in between 14 to 30 inches long.
April 18, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. Emmitt tries to release a baby fish.
April 18, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States.
March 19, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. On the way back to the local fish market.
March 19, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. Fishermen exchange information and techniques before heading home.
March 19, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. Workers from the fish market load up the truck in order to deliver fishes to other cities in Texas such as San Antonio, Houston and Dallas.
April 17, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. One part of the fish will be fillet to sell at higher price.
April 17, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. Pelicans wait for the fish organs.
April 17, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States. Each fishermen in this bay can catch up to 150 pounds of fish each day.
April 17, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States.
April 18, 2014. Corpus Christi, TX, United States.