Fishing

Due to the large variety of both inshore and offshore game fish near Port Aransas, fishermen of all styles and skill levels will surely have an enjoyable experience.  Anglers can expect to find many different game fish including redfish, black drum, speckled trout, flounder, yellowfin & blackfin tuna, grouper, snapper, kingfish, blue & white marlin, sailfish, cobia, snapper, amberjack, shark, pompano, wahoo, and dorado.

In-shore Strategies and Species

The inshore targets of Port Aransas include some of the most popular targets in the southeastern United States.  The primary game species of Port Aransas are redfish, sea trout, and flounder.  Fishermen can rely on basic casting methods to catch these targets.  

Redfish can be targeted near beaches, jetties and piers.  They are commonly captured at 5 to 60 pounds.  Swimming plugs and other light tackle options are ideal for catching red drum.  Good baits include small baitfish, crabs, shrimp, and minnows.  The speckled trout is a favorite target because of its tastiness as a meal and its equally exciting fighting ability.  This species commonly weighs from 1 to 4 pounds, and is a hard fighter.  Fishermen should target this species near the flats and beaches.  Good tackle includes bait-tail jigs, swimming plugs, topwater plugs, large streamers, and poppers.  Shrimp, live baitfish, cut mullet, and pinfish are all ideal baits. 

The flounder is a species that is commonly targeted in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean and are awesome table fare.  Flounder are best targeted within inshore waters during the autumn migration season between the months of September and November.  Ideal locations to target usually include ledges and drop-offs.  Anglers should equip a medium-weight casting rod with a bottom rig setup and a line of 12lb test.  Ideal baits include minnows, mullet, and clams.

Off-shore Strategies and Species

Port Aransas offshore targets attract many anglers that are in search of adventure and excitement.  The species found deep in the Gulf of Mexico are often strong fighters.  These species include yellowfin & blackfin tuna, grouper, kingfish, sailfish, white & blue marlin, snapper, amberjack, shark, pompano, wahoo, cobia, barracuda and dorado.  These species can all be captured through casting and trolling strategies.  

The yellowfin tuna is regarded as one of the most challenging species of tuna regardless of size.  This species commonly weighs in between 20 and 200 pounds and is a prized meal. This species can be targeted offshore by chumming the waters near reefs in deep “blue” water.  When targeting yellowfin tuna, fishermen should rely on heavy rigs and strong tests while using baits such as mackerel and sardines.  The yellowfin’s smaller cousin the blackfin can be caught using similar methods and is also great table fare.

For the ultimate excitement sailfish, blue and white marlin (the Texas slam) roam the deep waters off the South Texas coast.  As the continental shelf draws closer to shore the further south you travel, it runs only 60 miles off the coast of Port Aransas.  There are ample charters that will take you to the areas these fish roam and trolling baits such as mullets, dolphin or bonito along the shelf often provides action.  Texas billfish range from 150-300lbs with much larger fish nearing 1200lbs always a possibility. 

During the summer, fishermen can target grouper at 20 to 25 miles offshore.  A bottom rig with 5 to 8 ounce weights and a line with a strong test is the ideal outfit.  Baits such as squids and sardines are usually effective.  Once hooked, fishermen should be share to keep the rod pointed upwards and begin to reel the rod in quickly and immediately.  If the angler does not do this quick enough, the grouper will dive deep into a rock den until the rod or the line snaps.  For snapper, fishermen should target offshore reefs of 50 to 60 feet in depth and deep drops in areas of strong currents.  The snapper is a hard fighter, but it does not run and jump like some other species; it relies solely on thrashing its head in order to rip the hook out or break the fishing line.  This species is commonly captured at one to eight pounds, but heavy rigs and strong test should be used when fishing in strong currents.  Ideal baits include cigar minnows, pilchards, and squid.  Amberjack can be targeted offshore near wrecks, reefs, and other similar obstacles.  This species commonly weighs over 50 pounds and can offer a significant challenge to anglers.  Those who decide to target amberjack should rely on tackle such as top-water plugs, jigs, spoons, and diving lures.  Ideal baits include small fish such as blue runners, pinfish, pigfish, cigar minnows, and sand perch. 

The sharks off the Texas coast vary in size significantly and include blacktip, spinners, bull, dusky, silky, tiger, greater hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead and makos.  May and June and prime months for big sharks as they move into Texas waters to breed.

The pompano is a small but tasty game target that weighs up to two to three pounds and 18 inches long.  It can be found near bridges and oil rigs.  Fishermen should rely on a basic bottom rig setup and surf tackle.  Fiddler crabs are among the best baits for catching pompano.  For wahoo and kingfish offshore fishermen should target floating debris or grass by trolling at speeds of six to 14 knots. Dorado should be targeted near the edges of reefs, floating debris, and oil rigs in open waters.  Chumming the waters with sardines from a boat is an effective practice for attracting this species.  When targeting dorado in reefs, anglers should use a 30 to 50 pound test with ballyhoo.  If targeting a school, fishermen can rely on a fly rod or small jigs. 

Facilities, Services, and Accommodations

Visitors of Port Aransas can expect all of the facilities and services that make trips successful and enjoyable.  There are charter boats, marinas, fishing piers, fueling stations, hotels, restaurants, and tackle shops available around Port Aransas. 

Those who visit Port Aransas will surely return to their homes with stories of great and exciting fishing adventures. 

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