Wahoo fishing out of South Padre Island: when and how far
Wahoo fishing out of South Padre Island means a blue-water run off the shelf to the Texas FAD buoys, about 50 miles out. Reel Madness lists wahoo from July through November, with a marlin/wahoo trip from November onward. Our wahoo fishing guide covers the fish itself. This page covers the port.
When wahoo are around South Padre Island
The local window comes from a working operator’s listing rather than a biology text, so plan around it and then check the water.
July through November
Reel Madness lists wahoo from July through November. That is the stretch to plan a self-guided run around.
November onward
Reel Madness also lists a marlin/wahoo trip from November onward. It is a blue-water trip, so the same run applies.
- Local window: July through November
- Later trip: November onward, marlin and wahoo
- Local tournament: usually September
How far boats run
Every run starts at the pass and ends in deep water. The sections below follow the order you meet things on the way out.
Out the Brazos Santiago Pass
Every trip from the bay side goes out through Brazos Santiago Pass, with the North and South jetties flanking the entrance to the Gulf. Read the NOAA Coast Pilot pass notes before you run it.
The shelf edge
The continental shelf edge starts to drop around 30 miles offshore. Past it is the blue water where boats look for wahoo.
The Texas FAD buoys
The Texas FAD network is the Hilton / Houston Big Game Fishing Club buoys, about 50 miles out in about 1,300 ft of water. Reel Madness’s rates page shows a 98 lb wahoo in a photo caption, which tells you what the fish can reach but not what a trip will produce. For the picture beyond this port, see wahoo across the Gulf (see also the wider Gulf of Mexico guide).
Checking conditions at BZST2
The nearest station is NDBC/TCOON station BZST2 (8779749), SPI Brazos Santiago, TX, at 26.067N 97.155W. Read wind, wave height and period there, and pair it with the NWS Brownsville coastal waters forecast. The station sits at the pass, so its readings describe conditions at the pass and not the water 50 miles out.
Grounds and structure off South Padre Island
Listed from the pass outward:
| Structure | Depth | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Brazos Santiago Pass jetties (North and South) | Flank the pass entrance | |
| Port Isabel Reef | 75 ft | |
| Texas Clipper | 134 ft | About 17 nm off SPI |
| RGV Reef | ||
| Continental shelf edge | Starts to drop around 30 miles out | |
| Texas FAD buoys (Hilton / HBGFC) | About 1,300 ft | About 50 miles out |
| Deep-water rigs (incl. Perdido) |
Chart layers are not for navigation.
Port Isabel Reef
Port Isabel Reef is a named reef in 75 ft.
Texas Clipper
The Texas Clipper sits in 134 ft, about 17 nm off South Padre Island. TPWD’s Texas Clipper reef page has the background.
RGV Reef
The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Reef is another named reef on the way out.
Deep-water rigs
Deep-water oil rigs, including Perdido, sit past the shelf and serve as blue-water structure alongside the FADs.
How wahoo are fished here
The local method is trolling in deep water. Boats work the blue water off the shelf, around the FADs and the rigs. Rigging and method detail is in our offshore gamefish guides.
Who fishes for wahoo out of this port
These operators list wahoo. The list is a directory, not an endorsement.
Charters that list wahoo
- South Padre Island Sportfishing (REEL Madness): 38 ft sportfisher, up to 6 passengers, Captain Todd Lohry
- Texas Sportfish (Miss Directed / Miss Guided)
- SaltWalker Sport Fishing Charters: Captain Michael Walker, based at Sea Ranch Marina
- Epic Charters Unlimited: Captain Roy Songy, per its Guidesly profile
SPI Wahoo Classic
The SPI Wahoo Classic is the local wahoo tournament, usually held in September. Details are on the SPI Wahoo Classic site.
FAQ for wahoo fishing out of South Padre Island
When is wahoo season at South Padre Island?
Reel Madness lists July through November, with a marlin/wahoo trip from November onward. That is the window for wahoo fishing out of South Padre Island.
How far are the Texas FAD buoys from South Padre Island?
About 50 miles out. They are the Hilton / Houston Big Game Fishing Club buoys.
How deep is the water at the FAD buoys?
About 1,300 ft.
Where does the shelf drop off South Padre Island?
The continental shelf edge starts to drop around 30 miles offshore.
What station should I check before running offshore?
BZST2 (8779749), SPI Brazos Santiago, at 26.067N 97.155W. Read wind, wave height and period there, alongside the official forecast.
Is there a wahoo tournament out of South Padre Island?
Yes, the SPI Wahoo Classic, usually held in September.
