Blackfin tuna fishing out of Freeport means blue water 30 miles or more out, reached on overnight or 36-hour trips. This page covers when the fish are around, how far boats run, what structure sits on the route, how the fishery is run locally, and who fishes it. Use the Freeport port page as your home base.
When blackfin tuna are off Freeport
Timing shapes every other choice on the run. Biology and behavior are covered on the blackfin tuna species page, so this section stays on the local calendar.
June and summer into fall
The Brazosport calendar lists tuna in June. The Brazosport offshore species page lists blackfin among the summer-into-fall blue-water species. Plan around that span.
| Source | What it lists |
|---|---|
| Brazosport calendar | Tuna in June |
| Brazosport offshore page | Blackfin among summer-into-fall blue-water species |
The run to blue water from Freeport
Blue water from Freeport is a long run, and the distance drives the rest of the planning. For the regional picture, see blackfin across the wider Gulf (see also the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide).
30 miles and beyond
Blue water sits 30 miles or more out from Freeport. This page ties blackfin to that water.
Overnight and 36-hour trips
Boats reach blue water on overnight or 36-hour trips from Freeport. Trip length is a planning variable for your own boat:
- Range: the run out and the run back both count against your fuel.
- Time on the water: an overnight or 36-hour trip is a different commitment than a day on the reefs.
- Crew: a longer trip means more hours of watch and rest to plan for.
Grounds and structure near Freeport
These are named grounds near Freeport and on the route out. The blackfin trip itself points to the blue water beyond 30 miles. The table lists the values available, nearest first.
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| George Vancouver (Liberty Ship) Artificial Reef (BA-336) | 60 | 9 nautical miles from the Freeport jetties |
| Freeport Liberty Ship (Liberty Shipwreck) reef | 100 | |
| Nearshore platform clusters and natural ledges | 60-120 |
Freeport jetties
The Surfside Jetty and the Freeport South Jetty are the departure reference for the distances on this page.
George Vancouver Liberty Ship Reef (BA-336)
BA-336 sits in 60 ft of water, 9 nautical miles from the Freeport jetties.
Freeport Liberty Ship reef
The Freeport Liberty Ship reef sits in 100 ft of water. It is a separate entry from BA-336.
Platform clusters and natural ledges
Nearshore platform clusters and natural ledges sit in 60-120 ft.
East Bank reef system and Buccaneer Field
The East Bank reef system and Buccaneer Field are named structure near Freeport.
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is described as reachable from Freeport on overnight trips. Sanctuary rules are covered in the Regulations section below.
You can mark this structure as waypoints in Breakpoint and check it against the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How blackfin are fished out of Freeport
The local method is a trolling spread, according to the Brazosport guide. For technique beyond that, see tuna technique across species.
Who fishes for blackfin out of Freeport
Smith & Sons Charters lists blackfin tuna. The captain is Matt Smith, and the boat is the M/V Blue Fin, 48 ft, up to 17 passengers.
FAQ about blackfin tuna fishing out of Freeport
When are blackfin around Freeport?
The Brazosport calendar lists tuna in June. The Brazosport offshore page groups blackfin with the summer-into-fall blue-water species.
How far is blue water from Freeport?
Blue water is 30 miles or more out.
How long are blackfin trips from Freeport?
Boats reach blue water on overnight or 36-hour trips.
What is BA-336?
BA-336 is the George Vancouver Liberty Ship Artificial Reef, at 60 ft and 9 nautical miles from the Freeport jetties.
How are blackfin fished out of Freeport?
Locally, blackfin are fished with a trolling spread, according to the Brazosport guide.
Who runs blackfin charters out of Freeport?
Smith & Sons Charters lists blackfin tuna, with Captain Matt Smith and the M/V Blue Fin, 48 ft, up to 17 passengers.
