When greater amberjack are here
Greater amberjack fishing out of Corpus Christi centers on a fall window, with a possible reopening in May. The fish hold on deeper structure, and boats find them on reefs, a mid-shelf bank, oil rigs and one long-run rock formation. The wider picture is in the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
Biology and behavior are covered in the greater amberjack guide. This page covers the port: when to go, how far, which structure and who runs there.
The fall window
Fish run here August through November, so plan the trip inside that window.
The May reopening
The fishery reopens in May when quota remains. Treat it as a possibility rather than something to count on.
Where boats run from Corpus Christi
Boats leave through Packery Channel and Port Aransas, and the grounds out of Corpus Christi fall into three bands by distance. Amberjack hold on deeper structure in all of them.
Pull the NWS Corpus Christi marine forecast before choosing a band, and plan from the wind and wave numbers it gives.
| Band | Grounds |
|---|---|
| Nearshore reefs | TPWD nearshore reef, Lonestar Reef, Boatmen’s Reef, Mustang Island-775 |
| Mid-shelf and rigs | 29 Fathom Bank, Ant Hills area oil rigs |
| The long run | Ranzels Rock |
Nearshore reefs
The TPWD nearshore reef sits between Packery Channel and Port Aransas. Lonestar Reef and Boatmen’s Reef lie a few miles out from the barrier islands. Mustang Island-775 is the backup.
Mid-shelf and rigs
29 Fathom Bank is a mid-shelf bank. The Ant Hills area oil rigs are fished in about 200 feet of water.
The long run
Ranzels Rock sits about 65 miles southeast of Corpus Christi.
Grounds and structure that hold amberjack
Greater amberjack hold on deeper structure, and the grounds below are listed from nearest to farthest. The same reefs and rigs hold other species, covered in the reef fish guides.
| Ground | Type | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPWD nearshore reef (Corpus Christi Reef Site) | Artificial reef, 160 acres | About 70 ft | State waters between Packery Channel and Port Aransas |
| Lonestar Reef | Reef | A few miles off the barrier islands | |
| Boatmen’s Reef | Reef | A few miles off the barrier islands | |
| Mustang Island-775 | Backup spot | ||
| 29 Fathom Bank | Mid-shelf bank | ||
| Ant Hills area oil rigs | Oil rigs | About 200 ft | |
| Ranzels Rock | Rock | About 65 miles southeast of Corpus Christi |
TPWD nearshore reef (Corpus Christi Reef Site)
This 160-acre reef sits in about 70 ft of water, in Texas state waters between Packery Channel and Port Aransas. The TPWD Interactive Reef Locator puts it on a chart. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Lonestar Reef
Lonestar Reef lies a few miles out from the barrier islands.
Boatmen’s Reef
Boatmen’s Reef also lies a few miles out from the barrier islands, near Lonestar.
Mustang Island-775
Mustang Island-775 is the backup spot when the first choice does not pan out.
29 Fathom Bank
29 Fathom Bank is a mid-shelf bank.
Ant Hills area oil rigs
The Ant Hills area oil rigs are fished in about 200 feet of water.
Ranzels Rock
Ranzels Rock sits about 65 miles southeast of Corpus Christi. It is the longest run on this list.
How amberjack are fished here, and who fishes for them
Local effort centers on deeper structure: the reefs, bank and rigs above.
Deeper structure
Work the structure in the band your fuel allows. Amberjack hold on it, so the structure itself is the target.
Local charters
Big Al’s Offshore lists greater amberjack on an 8-hour offshore trip aboard Just Joan and Just Joan II. If the long grounds are out of your boat’s range, that listing is the local option.
FAQ about greater amberjack out of Corpus Christi
When is amberjack season in Corpus Christi?
Fish run August through November here, with a May reopening when quota remains. Rules differ between state and federal waters, so check TPWD and NOAA Fisheries before you fish.
Where can I catch greater amberjack near Corpus Christi?
They hold on deeper structure. Nearshore, fish the TPWD nearshore reef, Lonestar Reef and Boatmen’s Reef. Farther out, try 29 Fathom Bank and the Ant Hills rigs. The long run is Ranzels Rock.
How far is Ranzels Rock from Corpus Christi?
Ranzels Rock sits about 65 miles southeast of Corpus Christi. It is the farthest ground on this list, so plan your fuel around it.
How deep is the TPWD nearshore reef?
It sits in about 70 ft of water. The reef covers 160 acres in state waters between Packery Channel and Port Aransas.
Is there a backup spot or a charter option?
Mustang Island-775 is the backup spot. Big Al’s Offshore lists greater amberjack on an 8-hour offshore trip aboard Just Joan and Just Joan II.
