When kings are around Port O’Connor
Operator listings out of Port O’Connor show king mackerel fishing year-round, with summer as the peak. Cannan’s site lists kingfish among its all-year bottom trips, and Texas Fins and Feathers says kings are "around most of the year, but summer is prime time." For the Gulf-wide picture, see king mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide).
Where boats run and what they fish
Runs stack by distance: the jetties, then 6 miles, then 15 to 30 miles, then about 40 miles. Blank cells mean no figure is published for that spot.
| Spot | Distance | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port O’Connor jetties and Bird Island flat | Gulf entrance for POC boats | ||
| Keeping it Wild Reef | 6 mi off the jetties | 66 to 70 ft | Kings and cobia named as targets |
| MI 712 reef | 130 ft | Matagorda Island 712 | |
| Oil rigs and submerged wrecks | 15 to 30 mi | 8-hour trips | |
| Texas Fins and Feathers grounds | About 40 mi | Charter run |
Jetties and Bird Island flat
The north and south Port O’Connor jetties, along with the flat out to Bird Island, form the Gulf entrance for POC boats. Every run in the table starts here.
Keeping it Wild Reef
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation release names kings and cobia as targets of the Keeping it Wild reef. It sits 6 miles off the jetties in 66 to 70 feet of water, making it the closest named structure on the ladder. For the other fish that share this water, see other coastal and offshore gamefish.
MI 712 reef
The Matagorda Island 712 reef (MI 712) is the deeper named reef, in 130 feet.
Rigs and wrecks
Kings are fished near oil rigs and submerged wrecks on 8-hour trips that run 15 to 30 miles out. Texas Fins and Feathers goes about 40 miles.
How kings are fished locally
Local boats use two methods, drifting at structure and trolling. Both put bait or iron in front of fish holding on rigs, wrecks and reef. For rigging and tackle for kings, see the species guide.
Drifting fresh bait
POC Offshore drifts fresh menhaden, sardines or ribbonfish near rigs and wrecks.
Trolling live bait and spoons
Texas Fins and Feathers trolls live bait or big spoons.
Who fishes kings out of this port
Three operators list kings out of Port O’Connor: Texas Fins and Feathers, POC Offshore and Cannan’s.
Texas Fins and Feathers
The Texas Fins and Feathers site lists king mackerel. Capt. Robert Peel runs the boat about 40 miles out and trolls live bait or big spoons.
FAQ: king mackerel fishing out of Port O’Connor
When are kings around Port O’Connor?
Cannan’s lists kingfish among its all-year bottom trips. Texas Fins and Feathers calls summer prime time.
How far do boats run for kings?
The Keeping it Wild reef is 6 miles off the jetties. Rigs and wrecks are 15 to 30 miles out on 8-hour trips. Texas Fins and Feathers runs about 40 miles.
How deep is the Keeping it Wild reef?
It sits in 66 to 70 feet, 6 miles off the jetties. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation release names kings and cobia as targets.
How deep is MI 712?
The Matagorda Island 712 reef sits in 130 feet.
What bait do locals use?
POC Offshore drifts fresh menhaden, sardines or ribbonfish near rigs and wrecks. Texas Fins and Feathers trolls live bait or big spoons.
Which local charter lists king mackerel?
Texas Fins and Feathers, with Capt. Robert Peel, lists king mackerel and runs about 40 miles.
