Piers
Horace Caldwell Pier
The 1,240-foot Nueces County pier inside I.B. Magee Beach Park is the only paid fishing pier in Port Aransas, and the only one lit over Gulf surf with bait sold on the deck. Most pages about it copy stale fee tables; this one tells you what is actually knowable.
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How much does it cost to fish Horace Caldwell Pier?
Plan on approximately $3 adult admission plus about $4 per pole; children under 12 free; seniors and active military around $1. Nueces County publishes no current fee schedule, so call (361) 749-5333 to confirm today’s rates before you drive out. Nueces County Coastal Parks
The reason we publish a range and not a table: the county’s pages carry no current fee schedule, the three best available sources disagree on the details, and the pier operates under a private concession that can change rates without a county web update. Figures verified 2026-08-09; the county’s pier line is (361) 749-5333.
Is Horace Caldwell Pier free?
No. It is the one pier in Port Aransas with admission. The three free public piers are Roberts Point Park, Ancel Brundrett on Station Street, and Charlie’s Pasture, all on the ship channel rather than the Gulf. portaransas.org
See the full pier comparison for which one fits your trip. What the admission buys here is the only lighted Gulf-surf platform in town, with restrooms, concessions, and a 2,500-square-foot observation deck.
Does Horace Caldwell Pier sell bait?
Yes. The county lists bait and tackle for rent and purchase plus concessions on the pier, so you can arrive empty-handed and fish. If you want live bait specifically, buy it in town first; the pier listing does not specify live bait. Nueces County Coastal Parks
Is Horace Caldwell Pier open?
No closure was reported as of August 9, 2026: the county’s pier page carries a normal operational description with no alert, and no closure story appears in current local coverage. The county publishes no live status, so call (361) 749-5333 to confirm before a long drive. Nueces County Coastal Parks
What's at I.B. Magee Beach Park?
The park wraps the pier with beach frontage at the island’s north end: restrooms, concessions, the 2,500-square-foot observation deck with educational panels, and a campground with 64 RV sites on full hookups at $50 per night, reservable at (361) 749-6117. Nueces County — I.B. Magee Beach Park
Camping rates verified 2026-08-09 against the county’s published schedule. Beach parking between the pier and the south jetty is free with no city permit, which makes this corner of the island the cheapest full day of fishing in Port Aransas.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
How long is Horace Caldwell Pier?
Nueces County describes it as a 1,240-foot elevated pier extending over the Gulf of Mexico, which makes it the longest fishing structure in Port Aransas after the jetties.
Do you need a fishing license on Horace Caldwell Pier?
Yes. Paying pier admission does not replace a license: Texas has no pier exemption, so anyone 17 or over needs a Texas fishing license with the saltwater endorsement. Licenses are not sold at the pier.
Can you camp near Horace Caldwell Pier?
Yes, right beside it: I.B. Magee Beach Park has 64 RV sites with full hookups at $50 per night, with reservations at (361) 749-6117 per the county’s published rates.
What will your trip cost?
Pick a trip type, length, and group size — the estimate is instant, free, and from current local market research.
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Estimate your cost
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