When blackfin are around South Padre Island
Three local sources point to the same window. REEL Madness lists its 12-hour shrimp-boat trip as most popular July to November, Texas Sportfish chums blackfin to the stern in late summer and fall, and the SPI Wahoo Classic runs a blackfin category in September. All three overlap in late summer through fall. For how blackfin behave across their range, see our blackfin tuna guide.
How far boats run for blackfin
Every run starts at Brazos Santiago Pass, with the North and South jetties flanking the entrance. Our South Padre Island port page covers the pass and the launches.
FishingBooker says you need to head about 30 miles to tuna from South Padre Island, with the best spots farther out. That lines up with the continental shelf edge, which starts to drop around 30 miles offshore.
Boats target deep-water shrimp boats and oil rigs, including Perdido. For the wider picture, see our Gulf of Mexico blackfin guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide). Rigs and shrimp boats come and go, so plan the run around the shelf edge and the FADs.
Before you leave, check wind, wave height and period at NDBC/TCOON station BZST2 (8779749), SPI Brazos Santiago, TX, at 26.067N 97.155W, along with the official forecast.
Blackfin grounds and structure off South Padre Island
The table lists structure in order from the pass outward. These structures show on the Breakpoint chart layers, which are not for navigation.
| Structure | 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 |
| Continental shelf edge | Starts to drop around 30 miles out | |
| Deep-water oil rigs (incl. Perdido) | ||
| Texas FAD network | About 1,300 ft |
Brazos Santiago Pass jetties
The North and South jetties flank the pass entrance to the Gulf, and every run begins here.
Port Isabel Reef
Port Isabel Reef sits in 75 ft. It works as a nearshore waypoint on the way out.
RGV Reef
RGV Reef is also nearshore structure on the way out.
Texas Clipper
The Texas Clipper lies in 134 ft, about 17 nm off South Padre Island. Plot the run in nautical miles.
Continental shelf edge
The shelf starts to drop around 30 miles out, which matches the run distance FishingBooker gives for tuna.
Deep-water oil rigs, including Perdido
Boats troll around the rigs, and Perdido is among them.
Texas FAD network (Hilton and Houston Big Game Fishing Club buoys)
The FADs sit in about 1,300 ft. Like the shelf edge, they are a fixed target you can plan a run around.
How blackfin are fished here
Most local blackfin fishing is either trolling or chumming.
Trolling shrimp boats and rigs
Boats troll around deep-water shrimp boats and oil rigs. Once past the shelf edge, these are what the run aims at. Work one boat or rig, then move to the next.
Chumming to the stern
Texas Sportfish chums blackfin to the stern in late summer and fall, so the fish come up behind the boat rather than having to be searched for.
Who fishes for blackfin tuna out of South Padre Island
If you want a captain aboard for the first run, these operators list blackfin, and our tuna fishing guides cover booking a captain.
Charters
- South Padre Island Sportfishing (REEL Madness): 38 ft sportfisher, up to 6 passengers, Captain Todd Lohry. This is the operator for the 12-hour shrimp-boat trip.
- Texas Sportfish (Miss Directed / Miss Guided): Lists blackfin tuna.
- SaltWalker Sport Fishing Charters: Captain Michael Walker, based at Sea Ranch Marina.
- Epic Charters Unlimited: Captain Roy Songy.
Tournaments
- Ladies Kingfish Tournament: usually August.
- SPI Wahoo Classic: usually September, with a blackfin category.
FAQ
How far offshore are blackfin from South Padre Island?
FishingBooker says about 30 miles to reach tuna, with the best spots farther out. The continental shelf edge starts to drop around 30 miles out.
When is the best time for blackfin out of South Padre Island?
Late summer through fall. REEL Madness lists its 12-hour shrimp-boat trip as most popular July to November, Texas Sportfish chums blackfin in late summer and fall, and the SPI Wahoo Classic has a September blackfin category.
Where do boats fish for blackfin?
Boats work deep-water shrimp boats, oil rigs including Perdido, the shelf edge and the Texas FAD network in about 1,300 ft.
How are blackfin caught locally?
By trolling around shrimp boats and rigs, and by chumming fish to the stern in late summer and fall, as Texas Sportfish does.
Which buoy should I check before running?
NDBC/TCOON station BZST2 (8779749), SPI Brazos Santiago, TX, at 26.067N 97.155W. Read wind, wave height and period, and check the official forecast.
Which tournaments have a blackfin category?
The SPI Wahoo Classic, usually in September. The Ladies Kingfish Tournament is usually in August.
