Texas state waters, out to 9 miles
TPWD 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Texas state record
TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Long flowing dorsal and pectoral filaments; venomous spines. More on the gafftopsail catfish page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Gafftopsail catfish in other states2 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for gafftopsail catfish in Texas?
14 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many gafftopsail catfish can you keep in Texas?
No bag limit.
When is gafftopsail catfish season in Texas?
Open year-round.
What is the Texas record gafftopsail catfish?
13.33 lb, Gulf of America (1981).
How current is this Texas gafftopsail catfish rule?
Source: TPWD 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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