Red snapper fishing out of South Padre Island starts at Brazos Santiago Pass and runs east to reefs and wrecks from about 75 ft to about 134 ft. The grounds below are ordered by distance from the pass. This page covers which ground to run, its depth and distance, which one sits in federal waters, and who fishes for snapper from this port. Region-wide coverage is in the wider Gulf of Mexico guide.
When red snapper are around South Padre Island
Timing here depends on which water you fish rather than on a closing date. The Gulf red snapper guide covers the fish itself; this page stays on this port.
State waters year-round
FishingBooker lists Texas state waters as open to red snapper year-round. That makes the nearshore reefs the starting point for most trips.
As the water cools
Osprey bottom-fishes snapper and grouper as waters cool, the same pattern you will find at the reefs and wrecks below.
Where boats run from Brazos Santiago Pass
Every run starts at the jetties of Brazos Santiago Pass, which flank the entrance to the Gulf. From the pass, the grounds off South Padre Island stack up in this order.
| Ground | Depth | Distance | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazos Santiago Pass jetties (North and South) | Flank the pass entrance | ||
| Port Isabel Reef | about 75 ft | ||
| RGV Reef (Rio Grande Valley Reef) | about 13 miles NE | ||
| Texas Clipper | about 134 ft | about 17 nm | Federal |
| Continental shelf edge | Starts to drop around 30 miles offshore | ||
| Texas FAD network (Hilton / Houston Big Game Fishing Club buoys) | about 1300 ft |
Chart layers are not for navigation.
Port Isabel Reef
Port Isabel Reef sits at about 75 ft, the shallowest named reef on the list.
RGV Reef
The Rio Grande Valley Reef lies about 13 miles NE.
Texas Clipper
The Texas Clipper artificial reef is about 17 nm out in about 134 ft of water. It lies in federal waters, so federal rules apply there.
Beyond the reefs
The shelf edge starts to drop around 30 miles offshore. Deep-water oil rigs, including Perdido, sit farther out, and the FAD buoys float over about 1300 ft. Treat these as the wider offshore picture and not as snapper grounds.
Reading the pass
The nearest NOAA station is NDBC/TCOON station BZST2 (8779749), SPI Brazos Santiago, TX, at 26.067N 97.155W. Read wind, wave height and period there. It reports conditions at the pass, not 17 nm out, so check the official NWS marine forecast before you run.
How red snapper are fished here
The local method is bottom fishing over structure. Rigging detail is in our reef fish techniques guide.
Bottom fishing reefs and wrecks
You drop to the bottom over the reefs and the Texas Clipper wreck. The structure holds the fish, so the work is positioning the boat on it.
Federal-water trips
Federal-water snapper trips can run 6 hours, with trolling added if time allows.
Who fishes for red snapper out of this port
These operators list red snapper from South Padre Island:
- South Padre Island Sportfishing (REEL Madness): 38 ft sportfisher, up to 6 passengers, Captain Todd Lohry.
- Texas Sportfish (Miss Directed / Miss Guided): runs state-water snapper trips.
- SaltWalker Sport Fishing Charters: Captain Michael Walker, based at Sea Ranch Marina.
- Epic Charters Unlimited: Captain Roy Songy.
- Osprey Cruises (Osprey II): 70 ft, bottom-fishes snapper and grouper as waters cool.
FAQ: red snapper fishing out of South Padre Island
How deep is Port Isabel Reef?
About 75 ft.
How far is the Texas Clipper from South Padre Island?
About 17 nm, in about 134 ft of water, in federal waters.
Where is RGV Reef?
The Rio Grande Valley Reef sits about 13 miles NE.
Is red snapper open year-round in Texas state waters?
FishingBooker lists state waters as open year-round. See the Regulations section above before fishing.
What station should I read before running out of South Padre Island?
BZST2 (8779749), SPI Brazos Santiago, for wind, wave height and period. Add the official NWS marine forecast for offshore.
Do South Padre charters run state-water snapper trips?
Texas Sportfish runs state-water snapper trips.
