Spanish mackerel fishing out of Port Aransas centers on the jetties and the water just past them. Local listings put the season anywhere from May through September to spring and fall. The named reefs off the port run from 60 feet at 6 nautical miles to 274 feet at 46. The sections below cover when to go, where to point the bow, and what sits at each depth and distance.
When Spanish mackerel are off Port Aransas
Two framings of the season exist, and both hold up. Port Aransas tourism listings give May through September. Local South Jetty guidance gives spring and fall.
The two overlap in late spring and in September. If your dates are fixed, plan around that overlap. June through August is the less certain stretch, since only the tourism listing supports summer.
For the wider migration picture, see how Spanish mackerel across the Gulf (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide) move through the season. This page stays local.
| Framing | Window | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism listing | May through September | Port Aransas tourism listings |
| Jetty guidance | Spring and fall | South Jetty guidance |
| Overlap | Late spring and September | Both framings |
Spring
Spring falls within the jetty guidance, and May falls within the tourism window. The South Jetty is the spot named for this window, covered in the next section.
Summer
June through August appear only inside the tourism listing’s May through September window. The local guidance doesn’t name summer, so this is the thinnest-supported stretch.
Fall
Fall appears in the jetty guidance, and September also falls inside the tourism window. This is the fall nearshore run, when boats work the jetties and closer-in water.
Where boats run from the jetties
The Port Aransas jetties are the starting point, and every distance on this page is read from there. The South Jetty and the closer-in water are the first places to look, and the reefs below are the next step out.
- South Jetty: a named Spanish mackerel spot in spring and fall.
- Closer in: the jetties and nearby water during the fall run.
- Reefs: state-water structure near the beach, then offshore grounds from 6 to 46 nautical miles.
South Jetty
The South Jetty is a listed Spanish mackerel spot in spring and fall. Start here if you are timing your trip to either window.
Closer in during fall
In fall, boats run the jetties and closer-in water. No mileage is listed for this run, so work it outward from the jetties.
Reefs and structure by depth and distance
The grounds run from state waters near the beach out to 46 nautical miles. The table below orders them from the beach outward.
| Ground | Depth (ft) | Distance (nm) | Waters |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPWD nearshore reef (160 acres) | 70 | Not listed; between Packery Channel and Port Aransas | State waters |
| Lonestar Reef | Not listed | Not listed | State waters near Port Aransas |
| Boatman’s Reef | Not listed | Not listed | State waters near Port Aransas |
| Port Aransas Reef | 60 | 6, southeast of the jetties | Offshore |
| Mustang Island Liberty Ship Reef (MU-802) | 110 | 18, southeast of the jetties | Offshore |
| 828 Reef (MU-828 jacket reefs) | 165 | 27 | Offshore |
| A-16 Reef | 272 | 36 | Offshore |
| A-85 Reef | 274 | 46 | Offshore |
Chart layers are not for navigation. Plot each reef against an official chart before you run. In Breakpoint, the Chart Contours layer shows depth contours around these grounds, and it is a planning aid only.
State-water reefs
The TPWD nearshore reef covers 160 acres at 70 feet, in state waters between Packery Channel and Port Aransas. Lonestar Reef and Boatman’s Reef sit in state waters near Port Aransas. No depth or distance is listed for those two.
Port Aransas Reef
Port Aransas Reef sits at 60 feet, 6 nautical miles southeast of the jetties. It is the closest reef with a listed distance.
Mid-range reefs
Mustang Island Liberty Ship Reef (MU-802) sits at 110 feet, 18 nautical miles southeast of the jetties. The 828 Reef (MU-828 jacket reefs) sits at 165 feet, 27 nautical miles out.
Far reefs
A-16 Reef sits at 272 feet, 36 nautical miles out. A-85 Reef sits at 274 feet, 46 nautical miles out, the farthest listed ground. Check the NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period before a run of this length.
How Spanish mackerel are fished from Port Aransas
Local fishing splits by structure type. In spring and fall, it centers on the jetty rocks, the South Jetty in particular. Beyond that, it moves to the reef sites, which range from 60 feet to 274 feet.
The people running these grounds are private boat owners working the jetties and the reefs. For tackle and technique, see our Spanish mackerel guide.
FAQ: Spanish mackerel fishing out of Port Aransas
When is the best time for Spanish mackerel at Port Aransas?
Both season framings support spring and fall. Tourism listings extend the window from May through September. In fall, boats work the jetties and closer in, so plan around those windows first.
Why do some listings say May through September and others say spring and fall?
Tourism listings use May through September, and jetty guidance uses spring and fall. The two overlap in late spring and September. Plan around the overlap, and treat summer as the less certain stretch.
What is the closest reef to the Port Aransas jetties?
Port Aransas Reef is the closest with a listed distance, at 60 feet and 6 nautical miles southeast of the jetties. The state-water reefs have no listed distance.
Which reefs near Port Aransas are in state waters?
The TPWD nearshore reef covers 160 acres at 70 feet, between Packery Channel and Port Aransas. Lonestar Reef and Boatman’s Reef, both near Port Aransas, are also in state waters.
What is the farthest listed reef, and what else can I target nearby?
A-85 Reef is the farthest listed ground, at 274 feet and 46 nautical miles. For other species, see our coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
Where do I check the rules before fishing?
Check with TPWD, the Texas saltwater regulations page and the federal rules for the deeper grounds. All three are covered in the Regulations section above. This page states no limits.
