Hello all new to site. I have searched around looking for a little clarification of spearfishing regs in texas and havent found all the answers im needing. My main guestion is, is it leagal to spear sheepshead, and black drum in texas waters. I went diving at the Matagorda ship channel Jettys in Port O connor a couple weekends ago and had black drum all over the place. I was down looking for anenome's and things for my saltwater aquarium, and figured with as many black drum as I saw that if it was legal should would be fun to shoot and the smaller to mid size ones are pretty good eating.

Sincerly,
Calvin

You are not allowed to shoot any Game Fish or fish that are on the list of endangered or threatened species list (like paddlefish, shovel-nosed sturgeon, smalltooth sawfish and others) so you can't shoot anything on this list.

Game Fish (includes hybrids or subspecies of fish on this list):

Bass: Guadalupe, largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, striped, white, yellow
Catfish: blue, channel, flathead
Cobia
Crappie: black, white
Mackerel: king, Spanish
Marlin: blue, white
Pickerel
Red drum
Sailfish
Sauger
Seatrout, spotted
Sharks
Snook
Spearfish, longbill
Swordfish, broadbill
Tarpon
Tripletail
Trout: brown, rainbow
Wahoo
Walleye

So yes you can shoot Sheephead and Black Drum.

Mike's right. We've hashed this sucker seven ways from Sunday because there are a lot of rumors about different things. I've called and talked with TPWD, several other agencies, and talked to game wardens face to face. You can shoot anything that is not on that list.

We were boarded two weeks ago and the only fish in the boat were the ones I shot. Around four sheepies and quite a few mangroves. Speargun in plain sight on a 16' bass boat. They said, "have a nice day."

one of the biggest problems we face here in Texas is that as spearos we are the minority and most people don't know the laws. That even includes most Game Wardens.

Thank you guys for the replies now ill have to get new bands and a point for my Jbl sawed off magnum. thanx again guys.


Calvin

Here is the rub right here:http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/legal_devices/

Spear:
Any shaft with single or multiple points, barbed or barbless, which may be propelled by any means, but does not include arrows.
May be used to take NONGAME fish only.

Speargun:
Any hand operated device designed and used for propelling a spear, but does not include the crossbow.
May be used to take NONGAME fish only.