What follows is a fishing and eating tour of the upper coast of Texas. For some reason, in spite of its great food and incredible fishing opportunities, this region has never really received the recognition it deserves.
When it comes to fishing, hunting and eating opportunities—and interacting with really nice people, the place is really hard to beat.
The same marshes and wetlands that make the redfish and speckled trout fishing so good produce the shrimp, crabs and oysters that you need to make gumbo, po’ boy sandwiches and crawfish etouffee. In this southeastern corner of Texas Cajun infleunce mingles with traditional Texan culture.
The result makes for a great line of BS and group of people who are culturally (and perhaps even biologically) predisposed to enjoy hunting, fishing and eating all of the wonderful things that can be made with the regional bounty provided by the place that they live.
The blue water fishing is really, really good too.
Crawfish Etouffee from Larry’s French Market 
A Texas swordfish 
You haven’t lived until you’ve met a dozen fried crabs. 
Gumbo. Get some. 
Yes, in Texas crawfish are measured by the shovel full. 
God bless Texas…. and crawfish. 
Offshore fishing in Texas. 
Gulf caught shrimp. Jumbos. 
The upper coast of Texas is the land of bull redfish. 
Open spaces. 
Captain Jeff Wilson– a nice Texas blue marlin. 
Jeff Wilson– a nice blue up top. 
Captain Jeff Wilson– a stud swordfish up top. 
If you like eating, Larry’s French Market might as well be Disney Land. 
Swordfish steak. 
Bellville Meat Market. Meat is their middle name.
Food Recommendations
If you don’t like to eat meat or seafood, you’re missing out on much of what the Upper Coast of Texas has to offer. If you do like meat and seafood, you’ve hit the jackpot.
Bellville Meat Market
Bellville, Texas.
Their slogan is “Meat is our middle name.”
Not only are these folks really nice, but they process, smoke, prepare, sell and ship damned near every type of meat/ meat accessory you could ever want. A visit to the shop not only makes you happy to be alive, but provides a reminder of what is really important in life.
Larry’s French Market & Cajun Cafeteria
Groves, Texas.
Specialties: Louisiana Crawfish Boil, Barbecued Crab, Cajun Fried Turkey, Cajun Seafood Buffet, Etouffee & Gumbo, Fried or Grilled Fish
Were these specialties not enough, Larry’s turns into something of a Cajun honky tonk at night, featuring live music. It’s buffet style lunches feature a broad cross section of incredible cajun dishes– many of which (ie crawfish cornbread and barbecued crabs) are not popularly known for some reason.
Larry’s is a wonderful place that is certainly worth the trip.
Fishing Recommendations
If you’re interested in checking out the Upper Coast of Texas’ fishing opportunities, shoot us an email and we can point you in the right direction. The inshore fishing is great.
The offshore fishing is really good too. It can be bit of a run, but once you’re in bluewater the opportunities to tangle with big fish are plenty.
