When greater amberjack are around Port Aransas
Greater amberjack fishing out of Port Aransas depends on three things: when the fish are listed as around, how far the structure sits from the jetties, and how deep it is. The tourism table lists August through October and May. Gulf Eagle lists November through March when in season. The two lists come from different local sources and disagree, so treat both as local listings, not a guarantee of fish. The wider picture is in the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico region guide.
This page gives the named reefs with depth in feet and distance in nautical miles, ordered for fuel planning. It also covers who runs amberjack trips from Port Aransas. Open and closed harvest periods are set by the agencies, so check the Regulations section before you plan dates. For biology and general behavior, see our greater amberjack guide.
How far boats run
Local full-day trips run 30 or more miles out, per the tourism summary. The reef table below uses nautical miles.
The Port Aransas where-to-fish guide says amberjack hold around deeper structure. On this list, that means 828 Reef, A-16 Reef and A-85 Reef, which sit 27 nm and beyond from the jetties, the same range the full-day trips cover.
The distances in the next section are one-way, so double them for a round trip. For wind, wave height and period, use the official marine forecast.
| Planning number | Value |
|---|---|
| Local full-day trip distance | 30 or more miles out |
| Deeper named reefs | 27 to 46 nm |
| Structure type | Deeper structure |
Grounds and structure off Port Aransas
The named grounds run from state-water reefs near the beach out to deep jacket and rig reefs at 274 ft. The table runs nearest to farthest.
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Distance (nm) | Waters |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPWD nearshore reef (Packery Channel to Port Aransas) | 70 | not listed | state |
| Lonestar Reef | not listed | not listed | state |
| Boatman’s Reef | not listed | not listed | state |
| Port Aransas Reef | 60 | 6 (southeast of the jetties) | state |
| Mustang Island Liberty Ship Reef (MU-802) | 110 | 18 (southeast of the jetties) | federal |
| 828 Reef (MU-828 jacket reefs) | 165 | 27 | federal |
| A-16 Reef | 272 | 36 | federal |
| A-85 Reef | 274 | 46 | federal |
State and federal here follow the 9 nautical mile state line.
You can plot these reefs against the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint to see the depth around each one. Chart layers are not for navigation.
TPWD nearshore reef
This reef covers 160 acres in state waters between Packery Channel and Port Aransas. Depth is 70 ft, and no distance is listed.
Lonestar Reef and Boatman’s Reef
Both reefs sit in state waters near Port Aransas. No depth or distance is listed for either one.
Port Aransas Reef
Port Aransas Reef sits at 60 ft, 6 nm southeast of the jetties. It is the closest reef on the list with a listed distance, and it lies inside the state line.
Mustang Island Liberty Ship Reef (MU-802)
MU-802 sits at 110 ft, 18 nm southeast of the jetties, beyond the 9 nm line.
828 Reef (MU-828 jacket reefs)
828 Reef sits at 165 ft and 27 nm. The list moves onto the deeper structure here, the same grounds the full-day trips reach.
A-16 Reef
A-16 Reef sits at 272 ft and 36 nm.
A-85 Reef
A-85 Reef sits at 274 ft and 46 nm, making it the farthest and deepest reef on the list. A round trip is 92 nm of running before any fishing starts.
How amberjack are fished from this port
The local approach is full-day trips 30 or more miles out to deeper structure. By depth and distance, 828 Reef, A-16 Reef and A-85 Reef fit that method.
Plan around whichever of these limits you most:
- Distance: 27 to 46 nm one-way to the deeper reefs.
- Depth: 165 to 274 ft on those same grounds.
- Time on the water: a full day, per the local trip format.
For tackle and technique on deep structure, see our reef fish guides.
Who fishes for amberjack out of Port Aransas
Three local operations list greater amberjack:
- Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf (Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf, LLC): vessels Wharf Cat and Scat Cat, which run a 60-hour trip.
- Deep Sea Headquarters fleet: Gulf Eagle (Capt. Kevin Haller), Kingfisher (Capt. Jake Medley) and Pelican.
- Coastal Charters TX: luxury boats Bellagio and Standaman.
If you have not run these grounds before, a party boat or charter trip is one way to see them first.
FAQ: greater amberjack fishing out of Port Aransas
When are greater amberjack around Port Aransas?
The tourism table lists August through October and May. Gulf Eagle lists November through March when in season. The two listings differ. For open harvest periods, see the Regulations section.
How far out are the amberjack reefs?
The named reefs run from 6 nm (Port Aransas Reef) to 46 nm (A-85 Reef). Local full-day trips run 30 or more miles out to deeper structure.
Which reefs are closest to Port Aransas?
The state-water reefs are the closest: the TPWD nearshore reef at 70 ft, Lonestar Reef and Boatman’s Reef. Port Aransas Reef sits at 60 ft and 6 nm southeast of the jetties.
Are any reefs in state waters?
Yes. The TPWD nearshore reef, Lonestar Reef, Boatman’s Reef and Port Aransas Reef sit inside the 9 nm line. MU-802, 828 Reef, A-16 Reef and A-85 Reef sit outside it.
Which charters list greater amberjack?
Fisherman’s Wharf lists Wharf Cat and Scat Cat. Deep Sea Headquarters lists Gulf Eagle, Kingfisher and Pelican. Coastal Charters TX lists Bellagio and Standaman.
