Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters fishes its swordfish deep drop in about 1,500 ft of water or more, and local boats run it as either a dawn-to-dusk day trip or a 14-hour trip. Both formats tell you what the day demands of your own boat and crew. Everything below starts at the Freeport jetties, and the Freeport port guide has the departure details.
When swordfish are around Freeport
A full day of fuel and crew hours only pays off if the window is right. For the wider picture across the basin, see the Gulf of Mexico swordfish picture (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide).
The season question
One local listing describes its swordfish trip as seasonal, yet the same listing says the trip runs 12 months. Confirm timing with the operator before planning a run around it.
Check the NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period before you commit, and plan around those numbers rather than a feeling for the day.
How far boats run from Freeport
Deep-drop water sits well offshore, and the trip lengths below show what that costs in hours.
Day trips
The standard local day trip runs dawn to dusk in a 33 ft Contender. Plan for a full day of daylight on the water.
The 14-hour trip
Fresh Off the Boat Charters sells a 14-hour swordfish trip. That runs well past a daylight day, so plan fuel, crew and tackle for the longer stretch.
Boat and crew size
The local boats give you a yardstick for your own:
- The 33 ft Contender carries a maximum of 4 anglers, per the Texas Deep Sea listing.
- Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters also runs a 31 ft boat for 4-hour trips. Those are not swordfish trips.
- Kidd Fishing Adventures runs a 40 ft Seahunter.
Compare your own boat’s range and crew against these. The Chart Contours layer shows where the deep-drop contour sits relative to your range. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Grounds and structure off Freeport
Every named ground below sits far shallower than deep-drop water. Treat them as landmarks, stops on the run out, or alternate water, since none of them is swordfish structure.
Jetties and nearshore reefs
- Freeport jetties (Surfside Jetty and Freeport South Jetty): the departure point and the reference for distances.
- George Vancouver (Liberty Ship) Artificial Reef (BA-336): 60 ft, 9 nautical miles from the Freeport jetties.
- Freeport Liberty Ship (Liberty Shipwreck) reef: 100 ft.
Platforms and ledges
- Nearshore platform clusters and natural ledges: 60 to 120 ft. These make sensible stops or backup water on the way out.
Farther offshore
- East Bank reef system
- Buccaneer Field
- Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary: reached from Freeport on overnight charters.
How swordfish are fished out of Freeport
Technique detail is on the swordfish species page. This section covers what is specific to this port.
Deep drop at 1,500 ft and deeper
The local method is the deep drop. Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters fishes its deep drop in about 1,500 ft or more, so your rig, electronics and drift all have to work at that depth.
Who fishes swordfish out of Freeport
Four operators list swordfish fishing out of Freeport. Surfside Marina lists Empire Fishing Charters and Kidd Fishing Adventures as specializing in swordfish charters.
| Operator | Captain | Boat | Trip listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh Off the Boat Charters | Captain Jimmy Phan (owner/operator) | Not listed | 14-hour swordfish trip |
| Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters | Not listed | 33 ft Contender (also 31 ft for 4-hour trips) | Dawn-to-dusk day trip, max 4 anglers |
| Empire Fishing Charters | Captain Ryan (Surfside Marina’s Premier Partner guide) | Not listed | Listed by Surfside Marina as a swordfish specialist |
| Kidd Fishing Adventures | Captain Garrett Kidd | 40 ft Seahunter | Listed by Surfside Marina as a swordfish specialist |
If you are comparing guided trips beyond these four, see guided billfish trips elsewhere.
FAQ: swordfish fishing out of Freeport
How deep do boats fish for swordfish out of Freeport?
Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters fishes its deep drop in about 1,500 ft or more. The nearshore reefs and platforms sit at 60 to 120 ft and serve as stops on the way out, not swordfish water.
How long is a swordfish trip from Freeport?
Local boats run a dawn-to-dusk day trip in a 33 ft Contender with a maximum of 4 anglers. Fresh Off the Boat Charters sells a 14-hour swordfish trip for those who want more time on the water.
Is there a swordfish season off Freeport?
One local listing describes the trip as seasonal, yet the same listing says it runs 12 months. Confirm timing with the operator before planning around it.
Which charters fish swordfish out of Freeport?
Fresh Off the Boat Charters, Texas Deep Sea Fishing Charters, Empire Fishing Charters and Kidd Fishing Adventures all list swordfish. Surfside Marina lists Empire Fishing Charters and Kidd Fishing Adventures as swordfish specialists.
Can you reach Flower Garden Banks from Freeport?
Yes. Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is reached from Freeport on overnight charters.
