When White Marlin Are Off Port Aransas
White marlin fishing out of Port Aransas runs July through November. Every distance on this page is measured from the Port Aransas jetties. The page is written for anglers running their own boat and covers the run, the charted structure along it, local tournaments and charters. Biology, tackle and general method are in our white marlin species guide.
Season at a glance:
- Window: July through November
- Reference point: the Port Aransas jetties
- Units: nautical miles (nm) for distance, feet for depth
Where Boats Run and the Structure on the Way
Boats run to blue water, the same destination as for white marlin in the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide) generally. No fixed white marlin grounds are named off Port Aransas. The reefs below are the charted structure a boat crosses on the way out, and several belong to the Texas artificial reef program. The table lists the named structure in order from the jetties.
| Structure | Depth (ft) | Distance from jetties |
|---|---|---|
| Port Aransas Reef | 60 | 6 nm SE |
| TPWD nearshore reef (160 acres) | 70 | State waters between Packery Channel and Port Aransas |
| Mustang Island Liberty Ship Reef (MU-802) | 110 | 18 nm SE |
| 828 Reef (MU-828 jacket reefs) | 165 | 27 nm |
| A-16 Reef | 272 | 36 nm |
| A-85 Reef | 274 | 46 nm |
Lonestar Reef and Boatman’s Reef are also listed in state waters near Port Aransas.
Depth climbs from 60 ft at Port Aransas Reef to 274 ft at A-85, which is the farthest and deepest named reef at 46 nm.
The named reefs can be viewed on the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation, so check the official marine forecast before the run.
How It Is Fished Here and Who Fishes It
White marlin here are fished catch-and-release, and the local tournaments and charters follow that practice.
Catch and Release
Catch-and-release is the local method for billfish. Tournaments score releases rather than fish brought to the dock. Release handling and rigging are covered in our billfish fishing guides.
Tournaments
Four tournaments out of Port Aransas include white marlin:
- Port Aransas Deep Sea Roundup: usually July. A white marlin release scores 100 points.
- The Billfish Pachanga: usually July. Catch-and-release only.
- Texas Legends Billfish Tournament: usually August.
- Texas Women Anglers Tournament (TWAT): usually August.
Charters
Anglers without their own boat can fish for white marlin out of Port Aransas through Coastal Charters TX, which lists the species. Its luxury boats, Bellagio and Standaman, are named on the site.
FAQ: White Marlin Fishing Out of Port Aransas
When is white marlin season out of Port Aransas?
July through November.
How far do boats run for white marlin?
Boats run to blue water, and no fixed grounds are named. The named reefs on the way extend to A-85 Reef, 46 nm from the jetties.
What is the deepest named reef off Port Aransas?
A-85 Reef, at 274 ft and 46 nm from the jetties. A-16 Reef is close behind at 272 ft and 36 nm.
Is the Billfish Pachanga release-only?
Yes. It is catch-and-release only, and it is usually held in July.
How many points is a white marlin release worth in the Deep Sea Roundup?
100 points per white marlin release. The Roundup is usually held in July.
Which local charter lists white marlin?
Coastal Charters TX, with the boats Bellagio and Standaman.
