Gag grouper fishing out of Port Aransas: the December through April window
Gag grouper fishing out of Port Aransas follows the local grouper window, which is listed December through April. That listing covers grouper as a group and doesn’t break out gag. For the whole coast, see the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide.
Boats leaving Port Aransas run to deeper structure for them. For gag grouper biology and spawning, see the species guide.
How far boats run for grouper
Grouper here are fished over deeper structure. No local grounds are named for gag specifically, so gag come up over the same structure as the rest of the grouper catch.
Named structure ranges from 6 nautical miles to 46 nautical miles out, in water from 60 ft to 274 ft. Port Aransas Reef sits 6 nautical miles southeast of the jetties, and A-85 Reef sits at 46 nautical miles.
A few reefs sit in state waters close to the beach. The rest are long runs where range and fuel determine which one you pick. Check the official marine forecast before any long run.
Reefs and structure off Port Aransas
Most of this structure belongs to the Texas artificial reef program. The table lists it from nearest to farthest.
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Distance (as given) | Waters |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPWD nearshore reef | 70 | – | State waters between Packery Channel and Port Aransas |
| Lonestar Reef | – | – | State waters near Port Aransas |
| Boatman’s Reef | – | – | State waters near Port Aransas |
| Port Aransas Reef | 60 | 6 nautical miles southeast of the jetties | – |
| Mustang Island Liberty Ship Reef (MU-802) | 110 | 18 nautical miles southeast of the jetties | – |
| 828 Reef (MU-828 jacket reefs) | 165 | 27 nautical miles | – |
| A-16 Reef | 272 | 36 nautical miles | – |
| A-85 Reef | 274 | 46 nautical miles | – |
Every reef here appears on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
State-water reefs
The TPWD nearshore reef covers 160 acres in 70 ft of water, in state waters between Packery Channel and Port Aransas. Lonestar Reef and Boatman’s Reef also sit in state waters near Port Aransas. No depth is listed for either.
Port Aransas Reef
Port Aransas Reef sits in 60 ft of water, 6 nautical miles southeast of the jetties. It is the shortest run on the list.
Liberty Ship Reef
Mustang Island Liberty Ship Reef (MU-802) sits in 110 ft, 18 nautical miles southeast of the jetties. It is the mid-range run.
828 Reef
828 Reef, the MU-828 jacket reefs, sits in 165 ft at 27 nautical miles.
A-16 and A-85 reefs
A-16 Reef sits in 272 ft at 36 nautical miles, and A-85 Reef sits in 274 ft at 46 nautical miles. These are the deepest and farthest named structure, and the runs where range planning matters most.
How grouper are fished here
The local method is bottom fishing over deeper structure. Gear and technique for Gulf bottom fish are covered in our reef fish guides.
Who fishes for grouper out of Port Aransas
The charter fleet lists grouper on its menu and fishes deeper structure. Private boaters work the same named reefs, so anyone running their own boat can fish for gag grouper out of Port Aransas.
FAQ about gag grouper fishing out of Port Aransas
When is grouper season out of Port Aransas?
Grouper are listed December through April out of Port Aransas. The listing covers grouper as a group and doesn’t break out gag.
How far offshore do boats run for grouper from Port Aransas?
Named structure ranges from 6 nautical miles (Port Aransas Reef, southeast of the jetties) to 46 nautical miles (A-85 Reef).
What is the deepest named reef off Port Aransas?
A-85 Reef, in 274 ft at 46 nautical miles. A-16 Reef is close behind, in 272 ft at 36 nautical miles.
Which reefs near Port Aransas are in state waters?
The TPWD nearshore reef (70 ft, between Packery Channel and Port Aransas), Lonestar Reef and Boatman’s Reef.
Are there grounds named specifically for gag grouper?
No. Gag come up over the same deeper structure as the rest of the grouper catch.
