White marlin fishing out of South Padre Island is deep-water trolling. The main grounds are the Texas FAD buoys, about 50 miles out in about 1,300 ft of water.
Boats leave through Brazos Santiago Pass from South Padre Island, where the ramps, marinas and pass detail are covered. This guide covers the port: when the fish are listed, the run, the structure, the method and the local boats.
When white marlin show up off South Padre Island
TIFT lists white marlin dockside in early August. Reel Madness lists its 14 to 16 hour marlin trip from November, with no end month given.
The two listings record different things:
- A dockside listing shows fish were brought in.
- A trip listing shows when a charter offers the trip.
Neither is a forecast. For the wider picture of currents and blue water edges, see white marlin in the Gulf of Mexico (see also the Gulf of Mexico region guide).
The run from Brazos Santiago Pass to blue water
The run goes in this order: the pass jetties, Texas Clipper at about 17 nm, the shelf drop starting around 30 miles offshore, then the FADs at about 50 miles. The source figures mix nautical miles and miles, so each is kept in the unit given.
| Leg | Landmark | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazos Santiago Pass jetties | Flank the pass entrance |
| 2 | Texas Clipper | About 17 nm |
| 3 | Continental shelf edge | Starts to drop around 30 miles |
| 4 | Texas FAD network | About 50 miles, about 1,300 ft |
The pass and jetties
The North and South Brazos Santiago Pass jetties flank the pass entrance to the Gulf. Every offshore trip starts here.
Across the shelf
Texas Clipper sits in 134 ft of water, about 17 nm off South Padre Island, and is a familiar reference point for reef fishermen on the way out.
The continental shelf edge starts to drop around 30 miles offshore. Chart contours show where the bottom begins to fall away, though chart layers are not for navigation.
The FADs
The Texas FAD network, the Hilton / Houston Big Game Fishing Club buoys, sits in about 1,300 ft of water, about 50 miles out. It is deep, blue water, and it is where boats run.
Reading conditions before you go
The nearest station is NDBC/TCOON BZST2 (8779749), SPI Brazos Santiago, TX, at 26.067N 97.155W. It sits at the pass and reads the jetties, not the water about 50 miles out at the FADs.
Check wind, wave height and period at BZST2, then pull up the NWS Brownsville coastal waters forecast for the offshore picture. Make the go or no-go call from those numbers.
Grounds and structure
Inshore to offshore, this is the structure on the route:
| Name | Depth | Distance/position |
|---|---|---|
| Brazos Santiago Pass jetties (North and South) | Flank the pass entrance to the Gulf | |
| Port Isabel Reef | 75 ft | |
| Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Reef | ||
| Texas Clipper | 134 ft | About 17 nm off South Padre Island |
| Continental shelf edge | Starts to drop around 30 miles offshore | |
| Texas FAD network (Hilton / HBGFC buoys) | About 1,300 ft | About 50 miles out |
| Deep-water oil rigs (incl. Perdido) |
Nearshore reefs
The Texas Clipper artificial reef is 134 ft deep and about 17 nm out. Port Isabel Reef sits in 75 ft, and RGV Reef is nearby. A Valley reef fisherman passes all of these on the way to blue water.
The shelf edge
The bottom starts to drop around 30 miles offshore, marking the transition toward deep water.
Texas FAD network
The Hilton / Houston Big Game Fishing Club buoys sit in about 1,300 ft, about 50 miles out. They are the main grounds where boats run.
Deep-water rigs including Perdido
Deep-water oil rigs, including Perdido, are structure along the offshore side of the run.
How white marlin are fished here
Spreads, baits and tackle are covered in the white marlin fishing guide. The method here is trolling, and overnight trips also troll deep water for billfish. Trolling narrows where to look but does not guarantee fish.
Who fishes for white marlin out of South Padre Island
Two local charters list white marlin. For the other billfish, see the billfish guides.
South Padre Island Sportfishing (REEL Madness)
South Padre Island Sportfishing runs REEL Madness, a 38 ft sportfisher that carries up to 6 passengers. Captain Todd Lohry lists white marlin and a 14 to 16 hour marlin trip.
SaltWalker Sport Fishing Charters
SaltWalker Sport Fishing Charters is run by Captain Michael Walker out of Sea Ranch Marina. SaltWalker lists white marlin.
FAQ: white marlin fishing out of South Padre Island
How far is the run to the FADs?
About 50 miles. On the way you pass Texas Clipper at about 17 nm, and the shelf starts to drop around 30 miles out.
When are white marlin around?
Two listings exist. TIFT lists white marlin dockside in early August, and the Reel Madness marlin trip is listed from November with no end month. Neither sets a peak.
How deep is the water at the FADs?
About 1,300 ft.
Where do I check conditions?
Read BZST2 at the pass for wind, wave height and period, then check the official forecast. BZST2 reads the pass, not the FADs.
Do local charters target white marlin?
Yes. REEL Madness (Captain Todd Lohry) and SaltWalker (Captain Michael Walker, Sea Ranch Marina) both list white marlin.
What method is used?
Trolling. Overnight trips also troll deep water for billfish.
