Wahoo fishing out of Port Aransas peaks October through December, when fish stack along the 100-fathom curve and temperature breaks 60 to 80 miles offshore. Boats leave from Port Aransas and run past a line of named reefs to get there. This page covers the season, the run, the waypoints with depths, the operators that list wahoo, and where the state line falls.
When wahoo are off Port Aransas
The peak runs October through December, and some sources extend it through January. The local tourism table lists wahoo as a year-round target. Fish are possible in any month, but the long runs make the most sense in fall.
The seasonal and migration picture for the wider Gulf (see also the wider Gulf of Mexico guide) is a separate topic. The local tournaments run in July and August, outside the fall peak, and are listed under Tournaments below.
- Core peak: October through December
- Extended peak: into January
- Local listing: year-round
- Tournament months: July and August
How far boats run
Boats run 60 to 80 miles offshore to the 100-fathom curve and the temperature breaks along it. Plan the day around that distance before committing to a trip.
The 100-fathom curve
100 fathoms is 600 ft. The named reefs off Port Aransas sit in 60 to 274 ft, all inside the curve, and they serve as waypoints on the run rather than marking the curve itself.
To trace the curve, set Chart Contours to the 600 ft line. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Temperature breaks
Wahoo stack along temperature breaks in the 60 to 80 mile band. OBS SST shows where the break sits on a given pass.
The data has limits. Cloud cover blocks satellite passes, and a break moves between passes. Use the layer to decide where to start looking, and check the official marine forecast for wind and sea state before you leave the dock.
Grounds and structure off the jetties
These are the named structures between the jetties and the curve, listed from shallow to deep so the lengthening run is easy to see.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Distance | Waters |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPWD nearshore reef (160 acres) | 70 | Between Packery Channel and Port Aransas | State |
| Lonestar Reef | n/a | Near Port Aransas | State |
| Boatman’s Reef | n/a | Near Port Aransas | State |
| Port Aransas Reef | 60 | 6 nautical miles southeast of the jetties | State (inside 9 nm) |
| Mustang Island Liberty Ship Reef (MU-802) | 110 | 18 nautical miles southeast of the jetties | Federal |
| 828 Reef (MU-828 jacket reefs) | 165 | 27 nautical miles | Federal |
| A-16 Reef | 272 | 36 nautical miles | Federal |
| A-85 Reef | 274 | 46 nautical miles | Federal |
Past A-85 at 46 nautical miles, the run continues to the 60 to 80 mile band.
How wahoo are fished here and who fishes them
The local trips that name wahoo are long-range. Trolling spreads, lures and speeds are covered in our wahoo fishing guide.
Long-range trips
The 56-hour and 60-hour deep sea trips name wahoo. The 60-hour trip runs on the Wharf Cat and Scat Cat out of Fisherman’s Wharf 60-hour trips.
Charters that list wahoo
These operators list wahoo:
- Fisherman’s Wharf (Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf, LLC): Wharf Cat and Scat Cat, on the 60-hour trip.
- Dolphin Docks (Dolphin Dock, Inc.): Dolphin, Dolphin Express and La Pesca (Safari boats), plus Flipper (private charter).
- Gulf Magic Charters: lists wahoo among its offshore trips.
- Hot Spot Fishing Charters: a 39-foot Yellowfin center console with 4 engines and 1200 combined HP.
- Coastal Charters TX: luxury boats Bellagio and Standaman, with Coastal Charters TX wahoo notes on the species.
Tournaments
Three tournaments out of Port Aransas include wahoo, all outside the October to December peak:
- Port Aransas Deep Sea Roundup: usually July
- Texas Legends Billfish Tournament: usually August
- Texas Women Anglers Tournament (TWAT): usually August
FAQ about wahoo fishing out of Port Aransas
When is wahoo season in Port Aransas?
The peak runs October through December, and wahoo are around into January. The species is listed year-round.
How far offshore do boats run for wahoo?
Boats run 60 to 80 miles, to the 100-fathom curve (600 ft) and the temperature breaks along it.
What reefs are on the way out?
Port Aransas Reef (60 ft), MU-802 (110 ft), 828 Reef (165 ft), A-16 (272 ft) and A-85 (274 ft). All sit inside the curve.
Are the deep grounds in state or federal waters?
Federal. The state line sits at 9 nautical miles, so the grounds from MU-802 outward fall under federal rules.
What else is caught on the same offshore grounds?
The 60-hour trips name wahoo alongside other offshore targets, and you can find more in the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
