Sailfish out of Port O’Connor are caught by trolling in blue water, and Capt. Bill Cannan runs trolling trips for them from April to December. This page covers the route out, the named structure you cross, and how the fish are worked locally. Ramps, inlets and conditions stations are in the Port O’Connor port guide.
When sailfish are around Port O’Connor
Cannan’s offshore trolling trips for sailfish run April to December. That is his charter season, not a count of fish on any given day, so plan around the window and then read the day’s water.
The wider migration picture is in the Gulf of Mexico sailfish guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide).
The run from the POC jetties to blue water
Every Port O’Connor run goes through the north and south Port O’Connor jetties and across the flat out to Bird Island, the Gulf entrance for POC boats. Past the jetties it is open Gulf, and blue water is where the sailfish trolling happens.
Wind, wave height and period come from the official NOAA marine forecast. Check the numbers before you leave the dock and decide from them.
Grounds and structure on the way out
These are the named grounds near Port O’Connor, with the depths we hold.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping it Wild Reef | 66-70 | Nearshore reef |
| MI 712 reef | 130 | Reef |
| POC jetties to Bird Island | n/a | Gulf entrance |
The grounds above are marked in the app, and Chart Contours shows the depth around them. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Jetties and the Bird Island flat
The north and south Port O’Connor jetties and the flat out to Bird Island are the Gulf entrance for POC boats. Every blue-water run starts here.
Keeping it Wild Reef
Keeping it Wild Reef is a Port O’Connor nearshore reef site at 66 to 70 ft. It sits inside the run to blue water.
MI 712 reef
The Matagorda Island 712 reef, or MI 712, is at 130 ft. Mark it as a named waypoint with a known depth.
How sailfish are fished out of Port O’Connor
The sailfish fishing guide covers spreads, baits and handling. This section covers what is local.
Trolling
Trolling in blue water is the local method, as listed by Cannan, and it is how the sailfish trips run.
Lone Star Shootout
The Lone Star Shootout is a catch-and-release billfish event, with releases verified by video.
Capt. Bill Cannan
Capt. Bill Cannan’s charter site lists sailfish trolling trips from April to December. He runs a 36′ Yellowfin named BIDNEZ with triple Yamaha F250s. If you are weighing a charter against running your own boat, start with the billfish fishing guides.
FAQ: sailfish fishing out of Port O’Connor
When is sailfish season out of Port O’Connor?
Cannan’s sailfish trolling trips run April to December, which is his charter season.
Where do POC boats go for sailfish?
Blue water. Boats go out through the Port O’Connor jetties and across the flat to Bird Island.
How deep is MI 712?
The Matagorda Island 712 reef is at 130 ft.
How deep is Keeping it Wild Reef?
It is a Port O’Connor nearshore reef site at 66 to 70 ft.
Who runs sailfish charters out of Port O’Connor?
Capt. Bill Cannan, on the 36′ Yellowfin BIDNEZ with triple Yamaha F250s, running trolling trips.
How does the Lone Star Shootout verify releases?
By video. The event is a catch-and-release billfish event.
