When sailfish are off Port Mansfield
Sailfish fishing out of Port Mansfield starts at the Mansfield jetties and runs offshore. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Public Reefing Program reports juvenile sailfish at the Port Mansfield public reef.
Water temperature and season determine where sailfish show up. The Gulf picture (see also the Gulf of Mexico region guide) covers how they move beyond this port.
- Species: sailfish, juvenile fish reported
- Reported by: TPWD Public Reefing Program
- Where: the Port Mansfield public reef
The run and the grounds
Every run starts at the Mansfield jetties. The named structure lies between the beach and about 12 miles out.
| Ground | Depth | Distance and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mansfield jetties | Channel entrance; every run starts here | |
| Port Mansfield public reef | 70 ft | TPWD Public Reefing Program site, 160 acres under an Army Corps permit; juvenile sailfish reported |
| Rocks east and north of the jetties | 48 ft | Productive group 9 to 12 miles east of the jetties; the snapper rock piles |
| North Rocks | Extends about 12 miles from the beach |
The public reef and the rock piles show up clearly against Chart Contours in the app. Chart layers are not for navigation. Check wind, wave height and period on the official NWS marine forecast before the run.
Mansfield jetties
The jetties mark the channel entrance, and every offshore run out of Port Mansfield starts there. Plan fuel and timing from this point.
Port Mansfield public reef
This 160-acre TPWD Public Reefing Program site sits in 70 ft of water and was built under an Army Corps permit. TPWD reports juvenile sailfish there, which makes it the only named ground in this guide with a sailfish report attached.
The rocks east and north of the jetties
A productive group of rock piles sits in 48 ft, 9 to 12 miles east of the jetties. These are the snapper rock piles, and it is simplest to treat them as one group.
North Rocks
North Rocks extends about 12 miles from the beach, which makes it the farthest named structure on this page.
How sailfish are fished here
Boats troll offshore for sailfish out of Port Mansfield. Offshore trolling is the method named on the species lists of both local charters, Bamm Bamm and Capt Josh.
- Method: offshore trolling
- Named by: Bamm Bamm Charters and Capt Josh Offshore Charters
Who fishes for sailfish out of Port Mansfield
Two local charters list sailfish. If you are weighing a hired boat against your own, the billfish captains guide compares the options.
Bamm Bamm Charters
Capt Chad Kinney runs Bamm Bamm Charters on a 70 ft Huckins sportfisher built in 1998, for up to 6 passengers. The Port of Port Mansfield guide list carries the business as Bamm Bamm Fishing Charters.
Port Mansfield Sport Fishing (Capt Josh Offshore Charters)
Capt Josh Zachman runs Port Mansfield Sport Fishing, also known as Capt Josh Offshore Charters. The listing is through FishingBooker.
FAQ
Are there sailfish at the Port Mansfield public reef?
TPWD’s Public Reefing Program reports juvenile sailfish at the Port Mansfield public reef.
How deep is the Port Mansfield public reef?
It sits in 70 ft and covers 160 acres. It is a TPWD Public Reefing Program site built under an Army Corps permit.
How far out are the rocks off Port Mansfield?
A productive group of rock piles sits in 48 ft, 9 to 12 miles east of the Mansfield jetties. North Rocks extends about 12 miles from the beach.
How are sailfish fished out of Port Mansfield?
Boats troll offshore. Offshore trolling is the method named on both local charters’ species lists.
Who runs sailfish charters out of Port Mansfield?
Capt Chad Kinney runs Bamm Bamm Charters on a 70 ft Huckins built in 1998, for 6 passengers. Capt Josh Zachman runs Port Mansfield Sport Fishing, also known as Capt Josh Offshore Charters.
