When red snapper are here
Port Mansfield sits at the south end of the Texas coast, and red snapper fishing out of this port runs year-round in Texas state waters. Every distance below is measured from the Mansfield jetties, which mark the channel entrance. Region-wide coverage is in the wider Gulf of Mexico guide.
- Season: Texas state waters are open year-round.
- Reference point: The Mansfield jetties mark the channel entrance.
- Where to look: Structure runs from 1 mile off the beach out to about 12 miles from the jetties.
Where boats run from Port Mansfield
Snapper structure lies from 1 mile off the beach out to about 12 miles from the jetties. The table gives a direction and a distance for each ground; depths are in the next section.
| Ground | Direction from jetties | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Beach rock piles | North, along the beach | 1 to several miles out, spread over about 17 miles |
| Public reef | Offshore | About 7 miles |
| Productive rock group | East | 9 to 12 miles |
| North Rocks | Along the beach | Extend about 12 miles from the beach |
Rocks along the beach
Rock piles run north of the Mansfield jetties. They spread over about a 17-mile stretch of beach and sit 1 to several miles out.
The 9 to 12 mile group and North Rocks
A productive group of rocks sits 9 to 12 miles east of the jetties. North Rocks extend about 12 miles from the beach. These are the longest runs covered here, and the Regulations section explains which waters they reach.
The reef 7 miles out
The public reef sits about 7 miles off the jetties in 70 ft of water. Details are in the next section.
Grounds and structure off Port Mansfield
Four named grounds hold snapper structure: the public reef, the rocks east and north of the jetties, North Rocks and the jetties themselves.
| Ground | Type | Depth | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Mansfield public reef | Manmade reef (TPWD) | 70 ft | About 7 miles off the jetties |
| Rocks east and north of the jetties | Rock piles | About 48 ft | Group 9 to 12 miles east of the jetties |
| North Rocks | Rocks | About 12 miles from the beach | |
| Mansfield jetties | Channel entrance |
For more on reef and rock bottom, see our reef fish guides. Chart Contours shows the bottom along the 48 to 96 ft band. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Port Mansfield public reef
The public reef is a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Public Reefing Program site. It covers 160 acres under an Army Corps permit and sits in 70 ft of water, about 7 miles off the jetties. Anglers bottom fish this manmade reef.
Rock piles east and north of the jetties
These are the snapper rock piles, at about 48 ft. The productive group sits 9 to 12 miles east of the jetties. The individual piles carry no names.
North Rocks
North Rocks extend about 12 miles from the beach.
Mansfield jetties
The jetties mark the channel entrance and are the reference point for every distance on this page.
How red snapper are fished here
Bottom fishing on the rocks and the manmade reef is the local method. For rigs, tackle and species behavior, see our red snapper guide for the Gulf.
Depth
Prime water runs about 48 to 96 ft, and few snapper hold shallower than 30 to 40 ft. The 48 ft rocks and the 70 ft reef both fall inside that band.
Current and anchoring
Current can make anchoring difficult at the rocks, so plan for it before you drop the hook.
Who fishes for red snapper out of Port Mansfield
Three charters list red snapper trips from this port:
- Bamm Bamm Charters: 70 ft Huckins sportfisher (1998), 6 passengers, Capt Chad Kinney. Also listed on the Port of Port Mansfield guide list as Bamm Bamm Fishing Charters.
- Port Mansfield Sport Fishing (Capt Josh Offshore Charters): Capt Josh Zachman. The listing links only to FishingBooker pages.
- Stuart: 32 ft boat, with Port Mansfield trips on Captain Experiences.
FAQ: red snapper out of Port Mansfield
How far out are the snapper?
Structure runs from 1 to several miles off the beach out to the group 9 to 12 miles east of the jetties. The public reef is about 7 miles out.
What depth holds them?
Prime water is about 48 to 96 ft, and few snapper hold shallower than 30 to 40 ft.
How deep is the public reef?
It sits in 70 ft of water, about 7 miles off the jetties. It is a 160-acre TPWD Public Reefing Program site.
Can you anchor on the rocks?
Yes, but current can make anchoring difficult, so plan for it.
Which charters list red snapper?
Bamm Bamm Charters, Port Mansfield Sport Fishing (Capt Josh Offshore Charters) and Stuart’s Port Mansfield trips on Captain Experiences.
Quick answers on red snapper fishing out of Port Mansfield.
