--- title: "Bait Shops on the Corpus Christi Coast: Flour Bluff to Padre" description: "Every bait counter from Flour Bluff across the JFK Causeway to Padre Island, checked against each shop's own listing: live croaker, hours, ramps, piers." canonical: https://portaransasfishingtx.com/bait-shops/corpus-christi/ source: https://portaransasfishingtx.com/bait-shops/corpus-christi/ --- 1. [Home](https://portaransasfishingtx.com/) 2. [Bait & Tackle](https://portaransasfishingtx.com/bait-shops/) 3. Corpus Christi coast Bait & tackle # Bait and tackle shops on the Corpus Christi coast 8 bait stops on the Corpus Christi side of the water, from the Flour Bluff shops on South Padre Island Drive to the causeway marinas and the downtown L-Head, with what each keeps live and the shop's own published hours. Inland Corpus tackle stores are deliberately left off. 8 shops · every listing checked against the shop's own listing, site or Facebook page, August 2026 [Port Aransas bait shops](/bait-shops/)[Aransas Pass and Ingleside bait shops](/bait-shops/aransas-pass/)[Rockport bait shops](/bait-shops/rockport/)[Fulton bait shops](/bait-shops/fulton/)[Corpus Christi fishing charters](/corpus-christi-fishing-charters/) ## Where can you buy live bait between Flour Bluff and Padre Island? Every stop on this page keeps live shrimp and 5 of the 8 list live croaker, so the causeway run is the deepest live-bait corridor on the Coastal Bend: the Flour Bluff shops open by 5:30 a.m. and stay open into the night, and the causeway marinas add ramps, piers and fuel. Downtown, the L-Head seafood house covers the bayfront. Bait shops compared: live bait, opening time, licences, ice Shop Live bait Opens Licence Ice [Bait Bucket](#shop-bait-bucket) Flour Bluff shrimp, croaker, mullet, mud minnows 5:00 a.m. ? ? [Billings Bait Stand](#shop-billings-bait-stand) Padre Island shrimp, mullet 5:00 a.m. ? Yes [Clem's Marina](#shop-clems-marina) Padre Island shrimp, croaker, mullet, mud minnows, perch, crabs 5:00 a.m. ? Yes [Cos-Way Bait & Tackle](#shop-cos-way-bait-and-tackle) Flour Bluff shrimp, croaker 5:30 a.m. ? ? [Jane's L-Head Seafood House](#shop-janes-l-head-seafood-house) Corpus Christi bayfront shrimp 5:30 a.m. ? ? [Marker 37 Marina](#shop-marker-37-marina) Padre Island shrimp, croaker, mullet, finger mullet, piggy perch, crab 5:30 a.m. ? Yes [R&G Bait](#shop-r-and-g-bait) Flour Bluff shrimp, croaker, finger mullet, crab 5:00 a.m. ? ? [Red Dot Pier](#shop-red-dot-pier) Flour Bluff shrimp, mullet, pin perch, crab 6:00 a.m. ? Yes ? = not published by the shop. Licence = sells Texas fishing licences. [Skip filters and go to the shop list](#shops-list) Show only shops with Live bait Licence Ice Opens early Fuel Boat ramp Show all ## Flour Bluff and the causeway approach - LIVE BAIT · OPENS 5:00 A.M. ### Bait Bucket Bait shop · Flour Bluff Live bait **shrimp, croaker, mullet, mud minnows** Also sells Frozen bait, tackle Hours Sun 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Mon to Thu 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri and Sat 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (from the shop's Google listing) Address [10649 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=10649%20S%20Padre%20Island%20Dr%2C%20Corpus%20Christi%2C%20TX%2078418) Phone [(361) 939-7311](tel:+13619397311) Facebook [Bait Bucket on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Bait-Bucket-Corpus-Christi-61565494748533/) Verified 30 Aug 2026 · [Correct this](mailto:info@portaransasfishingtx.com?subject=Bait%20shop%20listing%20correction%3A%20Bait%20Bucket%20\(verified%202026-08-30\)) - LIVE BAIT · OPENS 5:30 A.M. ### Cos-Way Bait & Tackle Bait shop · Flour Bluff Live bait **shrimp, croaker** Also sells Frozen bait, tackle Hours Daily from 5:30 a.m., open late (from the shop's Google listing) Address [11645 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=11645%20S%20Padre%20Island%20Dr%2C%20Corpus%20Christi%2C%20TX%2078418) Phone [(361) 939-7513](tel:+13619397513) Updates [Bait and fishing updates](https://www.facebook.com/p/Cos-Way-Bait-and-Tackle-100064242987293/) Facebook [Cos-Way Bait & Tackle on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/Cos-Way-Bait-and-Tackle-100064242987293/) The busiest bait shop on the causeway run, open into the night. Verified 30 Aug 2026 · [Correct this](mailto:info@portaransasfishingtx.com?subject=Bait%20shop%20listing%20correction%3A%20Cos-Way%20Bait%20%26%20Tackle%20\(verified%202026-08-30\)) - LIVE BAIT · OPENS 5:00 A.M. ### R&G Bait Bait shop · Flour Bluff Live bait **shrimp, croaker, finger mullet, crab** Also sells Frozen bait, tackle Hours Daily 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. (from the shop's Google listing) Address [10557 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=10557%20S%20Padre%20Island%20Dr%2C%20Corpus%20Christi%2C%20TX%2078418) Phone [(361) 353-4099](tel:+13613534099) Updates [Bait and fishing updates](https://www.facebook.com/p/RG-Bait-and-tackle-61576378223747/) Facebook [R&G Bait on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/RG-Bait-and-tackle-61576378223747/) Shark-bait friendly, with late hours on weekend nights. Verified 30 Aug 2026 · [Correct this](mailto:info@portaransasfishingtx.com?subject=Bait%20shop%20listing%20correction%3A%20R%26G%20Bait%20\(verified%202026-08-30\)) - LIVE BAIT · OPENS 6:00 A.M. ### Red Dot Pier Pier · Flour Bluff Live bait **shrimp, mullet, pin perch, crab** Also sells Frozen bait, tackle, ice Hours Sun to Thu 6 a.m. to midnight; Fri and Sat 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. (from the shop's website) Address [11801 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=11801%20S%20Padre%20Island%20Dr%2C%20Corpus%20Christi%2C%20TX%2078418) Website [reddotpier.com](https://reddotpier.com/) Phone [(361) 937-5347](tel:+13619375347) Facebook [Red Dot Pier on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/RedDotPier/) A lighted pay pier on the Laguna Madre with its own bait counter. Verified 30 Aug 2026 · [Correct this](mailto:info@portaransasfishingtx.com?subject=Bait%20shop%20listing%20correction%3A%20Red%20Dot%20Pier%20\(verified%202026-08-30\)) ## Padre Island and the JFK Causeway - LIVE BAIT · OPENS 5:00 A.M. ### Billings Bait Stand Bait shop · Padre Island Live bait **shrimp, mullet** Also sells Frozen bait, tackle, ice, boat ramp Hours Sun to Tue 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wed to 6 p.m.; Thu to 8 p.m.; Fri and Sat to 9 p.m. (from the shop's Google listing) Address [13428 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=13428%20S%20Padre%20Island%20Dr%2C%20Corpus%20Christi%2C%20TX%2078418) Phone [(361) 949-8692](tel:+13619498692) Updates [Bait and fishing updates](https://www.facebook.com/p/Billings-Bait-and-Tackle-100046495009473/) Facebook [Billings Bait Stand on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/Billings-Bait-and-Tackle-100046495009473/) Verified 30 Aug 2026 · [Correct this](mailto:info@portaransasfishingtx.com?subject=Bait%20shop%20listing%20correction%3A%20Billings%20Bait%20Stand%20\(verified%202026-08-30\)) - LIVE BAIT · OPENS 5:00 A.M. ### Clem's Marina Bait shop · Padre Island Live bait **shrimp, croaker, mullet, mud minnows, perch, crabs** Also sells Frozen bait, tackle, ice, boat ramp Hours Daily 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. (from the shop's Google listing) Address [13304 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=13304%20S%20Padre%20Island%20Dr%2C%20Corpus%20Christi%2C%20TX%2078418) Phone [(361) 949-8445](tel:+13619498445) Facebook [Clem's Marina on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/Clems-Marina-100064011161679/) Bait shop, ramp and lighted pier on the causeway. Verified 30 Aug 2026 · [Correct this](mailto:info@portaransasfishingtx.com?subject=Bait%20shop%20listing%20correction%3A%20Clem's%20Marina%20\(verified%202026-08-30\)) - LIVE BAIT · OPENS 5:30 A.M. ### Marker 37 Marina Marina · Padre Island Live bait **shrimp, croaker, mullet, finger mullet, piggy perch, crab** Also sells Frozen bait, tackle, ice, fuel, boat ramp Hours Mon to Sat 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun to 5:30 p.m. in season; 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. off season (from the shop's website) Address [13317 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=13317%20S%20Padre%20Island%20Dr%2C%20Corpus%20Christi%2C%20TX%2078418) Website [marker37.cc](https://www.marker37.cc/) Phone [(361) 949-4750](tel:+13619494750) Updates [Bait and fishing updates](https://www.facebook.com/Marker37MarinaCC/) Facebook [Marker 37 Marina on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Marker37MarinaCC/) Full-service marina at the JFK Causeway with a ramp, fuel and a pier; the bait counter and fish-cleaning station inside are run by Sunset Bait Co. Verified 30 Aug 2026 · [Correct this](mailto:info@portaransasfishingtx.com?subject=Bait%20shop%20listing%20correction%3A%20Marker%2037%20Marina%20\(verified%202026-08-30\)) ## Corpus Christi bayfront - LIVE BAIT · OPENS 5:30 A.M. ### Jane's L-Head Seafood House Bait shop · Corpus Christi bayfront Live bait **shrimp** Also sells Frozen bait, tackle Hours Mon to Thu 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri and Sat to 11 p.m.; Sun to 10 p.m. (from the shop's Google listing) Address [90 Coopers Alley, Corpus Christi, TX 78401](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=90%20Coopers%20Alley%2C%20Corpus%20Christi%2C%20TX%2078401) Website [janeslheadseafoodhouse.shop](https://janeslheadseafoodhouse.shop/) Phone [(361) 882-2248](tel:+13618822248) Facebook [Jane's L-Head Seafood House on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/Janes-L-head-100066374747274/) Seafood market on the L-Head at the downtown marina with live shrimp for the bayfront piers. Verified 30 Aug 2026 · [Correct this](mailto:info@portaransasfishingtx.com?subject=Bait%20shop%20listing%20correction%3A%20Jane's%20L-Head%20Seafood%20House%20\(verified%202026-08-30\)) ## Where do you buy a fishing licence? Online from TPWD is fastest; on this side of the water the Ace Hardware on North Padre sells licences over the counter, and the Port Aransas and Rockport pages list more vendors. Every angler 17 or older needs a Texas fishing licence with the saltwater endorsement. [TPWD licences](https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses/faqs) Licence, ice and supplies stops that are not bait counters Stop Sells Hours [Ace Hardware North Padre](https://www.acehardware.com/store-details/17532) [15326 S Padre Island Dr #B, Corpus Christi, TX 78418](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=15326%20S%20Padre%20Island%20Dr%20%23B%2C%20Corpus%20Christi%2C%20TX%2078418) · (361) 949-3483 licences, tackle Mon to Sat 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ## What time do bait shops open? The Flour Bluff shops open between 5 and 5:30 a.m. and several run past 11 p.m.; the causeway marinas open at 5:30 a.m. The hours on each card are the shop's own published hours with the source named. Croaker sells out early on summer weekends, so call or check the shops' Facebook posts before a dawn run. Straight answers ## Bait questions, answered ### Where is live croaker sold on the Corpus Christi side of the causeway? Bait Bucket, Cos-Way Bait & Tackle, R&G Bait, Marker 37 Marina and Clem's Marina all list live croaker, and every one of them opens by 5:30 a.m. The Flour Bluff shops sit on South Padre Island Drive before the causeway; Marker 37 and Clem's are on the causeway itself with ramps and piers. ### Is there a bait shop downtown for the bayfront piers? Jane's L-Head Seafood House on the L-Head at the downtown marina opens at 5:30 a.m. with live shrimp, the practical stop for the bayfront and Cole Park piers. Licences are sold [online by TPWD](https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses/faqs) and at the Ace Hardware on North Padre. ## Own one of these shops? Every bait and tackle shop on this coast is listed here free. No paid placement: Shops are ordered alphabetically within each town, nothing else. The facts on each card come from your own listing, site or Facebook page, and each card carries the date we checked them. - [Claim or correct your listing](mailto:info@portaransasfishingtx.com?subject=Bait%20shop%20listing%3A%20claim%20or%20correct) : hours, bait, licences, or a shop we missed. We update within a few days. - [Put today's tide, wind and water temperature on your own site](/embed/) : one line of code, free, no signup, no key. You're welcome to remove it or add rel=nofollow. - [Send us your bait and catch updates](mailto:info@portaransasfishingtx.com?subject=Bait%20and%20fishing%20updates%20for%20the%20directory) : if you post what's in the tanks or how the week fished, we link to it from your card. Port Aransas Fishing Guide sells nothing to shops and takes no commission; the directory exists so anglers find bait. ## What will your trip cost? Pick a trip type, length, and group size — the estimate is instant, free, and from current local market research.