Spanish mackerel fishing out of South Padre Island starts at Brazos Santiago Pass, where the North and South jetties flank the entrance to the Gulf. From there the port’s structure runs out in steps, from the jetty rocks to a 75 ft reef and a 134 ft wreck. If you run your own bay boat, center console or kayak out of South Padre Island, this page is written for you.
It covers where boats run, which grounds sit off the pass and at what depth, how the fish are worked locally, who fishes for them, and which station to check before you go. We can’t promise fish, but we can help you decide where to look first.
Where boats run out of Brazos Santiago Pass
Every run from this port starts at the same place. The pass is the choke point, the jetties are the first structure, and the named grounds sit beyond them.
The pass and jetties
According to FishingBooker’s South Padre guide, Brazos Santiago Pass and the jetties offer mackerel, which makes them the documented Spanish mackerel water off this port and the place to start. The North and South jetties flank the pass entrance to the Gulf, and anglers fish spoons and jigs from both the pass and the jetties.
Beyond the jetties
Past the pass, boats can reach Port Isabel Reef, RGV Reef and the Texas Clipper. Depths are in the next section. We aren’t claiming Spanish mackerel hold on each one; these are simply the named grounds within reach.
When to go and what to check
For timing, the REEL Madness charter lists a 6-hour inshore-species trolling trip, which shows the trip type built around this fish. For the seasonal and biological picture, read our Spanish mackerel guide.
For conditions, check NDBC/TCOON station BZST2 (8779749), SPI Brazos Santiago, TX, at 26.067N 97.155W. Read its numbers and the official marine forecast before you run the pass. Kayak and jetty anglers use the same station.
Grounds and structure off South Padre Island
The pass and jetties are the documented mackerel water. Everything past them shows how far the port’s structure reaches, and says nothing certain about where Spanish mackerel will be.
| Ground | Depth | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Brazos Santiago Pass jetties (North and South) | Flank the pass entrance | |
| Port Isabel Reef | 75 ft | |
| RGV Reef | ||
| Texas Clipper | 134 ft | About 17 nm off South Padre Island |
| Texas FAD network (Hilton / Houston Big Game Fishing Club buoys) | About 1,300 ft | |
| Deep-water oil rigs (incl. Perdido) | ||
| Continental shelf edge | Starts to drop around 30 miles offshore |
For the Gulf-wide picture, see Spanish mackerel across the Gulf (see also the Gulf of Mexico region guide). You can mark Port Isabel Reef and the Texas Clipper with the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Port Isabel Reef and RGV Reef
Port Isabel Reef sits in 75 ft of water. Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Reef is a named ground off the island.
Texas Clipper
The Texas Clipper lies in 134 ft, about 17 nm off South Padre Island. It is the Texas Clipper reef in the TPWD artificial reef program and the longest named nearshore run in the list.
Deeper structure
Farther out are the Texas FAD network (Hilton / Houston Big Game Fishing Club buoys) at about 1,300 ft, the deep-water rigs including Perdido, and the shelf edge, which starts to drop around 30 miles offshore. Treat these as the outer limit of the port’s reach rather than as Spanish mackerel water.
How Spanish mackerel are fished here
Two methods cover the local water, and kayakers fit into the same picture.
Trolling
Trolling is a local method. The REEL Madness charter’s 6-hour inshore-species trolling trip shows how boats work this fish.
Spoons and jigs at the pass and jetties
Anglers fish spoons and jigs from Brazos Santiago Pass and the North and South jetties. This is the casting side of the program, and it needs no boat past the entrance.
Kayaks
FishingBooker reports that kayakers can find Spanish mackerel here. The pass and jetties are the kayak-reachable structure. Check BZST2 and the official forecast for the numbers before you launch.
Who fishes for Spanish mackerel from South Padre Island
Charter anglers, private boats and kayakers all work this fish from the same port.
- Charter: South Padre Island Sportfishing runs REEL Madness, a 38 ft sportfisher for up to 6 passengers, with Captain Todd Lohry. It lists a 6-hour inshore-species trolling trip.
- Private boats: These work the pass, the jetties and the nearshore grounds.
- Kayakers: These fish the pass and jetty water.
FAQ about Spanish mackerel fishing out of South Padre Island
Can you catch Spanish mackerel from a kayak?
Yes. FishingBooker reports that kayakers find Spanish mackerel here. Work the pass and jetties with spoons and jigs, and check BZST2 and the official forecast before you paddle out.
How far is the Texas Clipper?
The Texas Clipper is about 17 nm off South Padre Island, in 134 ft of water. Rules can differ between state and federal waters on a run that far, so check before you fish.
What station reports conditions at the pass?
NDBC/TCOON station BZST2 (8779749), SPI Brazos Santiago, TX, at 26.067N 97.155W. Read its numbers and the official marine forecast before you run the pass.
Is there a charter that lists Spanish mackerel?
Yes. South Padre Island Sportfishing runs REEL Madness with Captain Todd Lohry. It is a 38 ft sportfisher for up to 6 passengers, and it lists a 6-hour inshore-species trolling trip.
What else is offshore?
The Texas FAD network sits at about 1,300 ft, the deep-water rigs include Perdido, and the shelf edge starts to drop around 30 miles out. For other targets on that structure, see our coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
