Mudfish365 ™ is a private, commercial aquaculture facility as defined by Texas regulations and the mudfish produced can be fished in any water body in the state. Our goal is to provide a reliable source of premium live mudfish as bait throughout the year.

The mudfish are grown in closed-system, upland ponds near Palacios, Texas that seek to replicate the natural, estuarine environment. Aquaculture technology is used to breed and hatch the mudfish. Then, they are grown out under optimal conditions and salinity achieved by mixing collected rainwater, fresh well water, and ground brine/saltwater.

Mudfish365 ™ breeds the Fundulus Grandis variety of Killifish a\k\a Gulf Killifish, mudfish, mud minnow, bull minnow, Cocahoe. The mudfish are extremely tough and resilient, capable of surviving low oxygen concentration, hot and cold temperatures, adaptable to a wide range of salinities, and can easily be kept alive in anglers’ bait tanks for several days.

While a highly sought bait by professional fishermen, mudfish are a great bait for the novice fisherman. Once casted, the mudfish does all the work of attracting gamefish and can survive a long time on the hook, reducing the amount of casting and retrieval. But this bait typically doesn’t last long with gamefish in the area. They attract gamefish like magic… a natural bait immediately recognized as food.

Mudfish are effective bait for inshore fish such as redfish, speckled trout, and flounder as well as offshore fish, especially red snapper. Unlike live shrimp, they manage not to be taken by unwanted fish like hard head catfish and pin fish.

They can be fished a variety of ways, including free fishing, with a popping cork or weighted cork, on the bottom with single or double-rigged hooks, and actively worked using a jig head lure.

The best method for hooking the mudfish is to insert the hook under the lower jaw… in the slit just behind the jaw and bring the hook end up through and protruding from the upper lip. It’s a 2-hand maneuver… holding the fish in one hand and inserting the hook with the other. (See 1st video for detail explanation.)

Suggested hook use: 2/0 single / circle hook or #6 treble hook.

ORDER INFORMATION 

Price: $9 per dozen (cash, no checks)

Mudfish size: 3-inch length

Pickup location: Palacios, Texas – FM 3280 at Matagorda Bay, across the street from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Perry R. Bass Research Facility, 12 miles west from downtown Palacios towards Port Lavaca.

ORDERS must be placed in advance. Mudfish365 ™ is a family-owned venture with family residing on site so orders can be filled timely. Site is secured by locked gate/driveway and customers must place orders in advance for bait pickup appointment.

Please send an email to request info or place an order at any time (You will receive a timely call back to confirm order and pickup details or to have your questions answered).

When placing order or requesting info, please provide:

•   First and last name
•   Phone number
•   Quantity of mudfish desired
•   Date/Time wanted for pick-up.