Greater amberjack fishing out of South Padre Island starts with a run through Brazos Santiago Pass to structure: reefs, the Texas Clipper, rigs and the shelf. This guide covers when the fish are around, how far boats run, the grounds from near to far, how they are fished here, and who runs trips. If you run your own boat, it also gives you a list of places to plot at South Padre Island. Species biology is in the greater amberjack guide. The wider picture is in the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico region guide.
When greater amberjack are around South Padre Island
Timing follows method here. Warm months mean drifting, and the longer deep-water trips mean bottom fishing at deeper structure.
| Window | Method | Operator |
|---|---|---|
| Warm months | Drift fishing | Osprey |
| July through November | Bottom fishing deep structure | Reel Madness, 12-hour trip |
Warm-month drift season
Osprey runs drift fishing trips in the warmer months, and amberjack are among the fish targeted.
Deep-water trips, July through November
Reel Madness fishes amberjack on its 12-hour deep-water trip, bottom fishing deeper structure.
How far boats run from Brazos Santiago Pass
Every offshore run starts at Brazos Santiago Pass, where the North and South jetties flank the entrance to the Gulf. From there the distances stack up in this order:
- Brazos Santiago Pass jetties at the entrance.
- Texas Clipper, about 17 nm off South Padre Island.
- Continental shelf edge, which starts to drop around 30 miles offshore.
- Oil rigs and the FAD network, in deeper water beyond.
Through the jetties
Boats leave between the North and South jetties, which are also structure in their own right. The grounds section below covers them.
Out to the shelf drop
The Texas Clipper sits about 17 nm off South Padre Island, inside the line where the shelf starts to drop, around 30 miles offshore. The rigs and the FAD network lie in deeper water beyond it.
Checking BZST2 before the run
The nearest NOAA buoy is NDBC/TCOON station BZST2 (8779749), SPI Brazos Santiago, TX, at 26.067N 97.155W. It sits at the pass and reports conditions at the entrance, not out at the Clipper or the rigs.
For the water offshore, use the NWS Brownsville coastal waters forecast. Read wind, wave height and period as numbers and make your own call from them.
Grounds and structure that hold amberjack
Structure is what holds amberjack off this port. Work it from near to far.
| Structure | Depth | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Brazos Santiago jetties | Flank the pass entrance | |
| Port Isabel Reef | 75 ft | |
| RGV Reef | ||
| Texas Clipper | 134 ft | About 17 nm off SPI |
| Continental shelf edge | Starts to drop around 30 miles out | |
| Oil rigs, incl. Perdido | ||
| Texas FAD network | About 1300 ft |
Brazos Santiago jetties
The North and South jetties flank the pass entrance and are the first structure on the way out.
Port Isabel Reef
The reef sits in 75 ft and is the nearer reef option for smaller-boat runs.
RGV Reef
Friends of RGV Reef names amberjack among the reef’s targets.
Natural rock and artificial reefs
Texas Sportfish fishes natural rock and artificial reefs for amberjack.
Texas Clipper
The Texas Clipper is an artificial reef in 134 ft, about 17 nm off South Padre Island. It is the main step offshore for a center console.
Oil rigs and Perdido
Boats run to oil rigs, and the deep-water rigs include Perdido.
Texas FAD network
The Hilton and Houston Big Game Fishing Club buoys sit in about 1300 ft, the long-run end of the list.
Plot the Clipper and the reef sites on Chart Contours before the run. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How amberjack are fished here
Two methods account for most of the fishing from this port: drift fishing in the warm months and bottom fishing at deeper structure. Tackle and rigging for reef fish are covered in the reef fish guides.
Drifting in warm months
Osprey drift fishes in the warmer months, and amberjack are among the targets.
Bottom fishing deep structure
Reel Madness bottom fishes deeper structure on its 12-hour trips, which cover the Clipper-and-beyond water described in the grounds section.
Who fishes amberjack out of South Padre Island
Five operators list greater amberjack out of South Padre Island:
- South Padre Island Sportfishing (REEL Madness): Captain Todd Lohry. 38 ft sportfisher, up to 6 passengers. 12-hour deep-water trip, July through November.
- Texas Sportfish (Miss Directed / Miss Guided): Fishes natural rock and artificial reefs.
- SaltWalker Sport Fishing Charters: Captain Michael Walker, based at Sea Ranch Marina.
- Epic Charters Unlimited: Captain Roy Songy.
- Osprey Cruises (Osprey II): 70 ft. Warm-month drift trips.
FAQ about greater amberjack fishing out of South Padre Island
When are greater amberjack around South Padre Island?
Warm months on drift trips. Reel Madness fishes amberjack on its 12-hour deep-water trip from July through November.
How far is the Texas Clipper from South Padre Island?
About 17 nm off South Padre Island, in 134 ft.
What depth is Port Isabel Reef?
75 ft, a nearer reef option than the Clipper.
Which buoy should I check before running offshore?
BZST2 (8779749) at 26.067N 97.155W. It reports conditions at the pass, not offshore, so pair it with the official forecast.
Which charters out of South Padre Island list amberjack?
Reel Madness, Texas Sportfish, SaltWalker, Epic Charters Unlimited and Osprey II.
