Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Out of Port Aransas: Reefs and Runs

Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Port Aransas is listed year-round, and the fall and winter push goes to the deeper rigs. The named reefs run from 6 to 46 nautical miles off the jetties, with A-85 the deepest at 274 ft and 46 nautical miles. If you run your own boat from Port Aransas, the distances, depths and trip formats below are the numbers to plan around.

When yellowfin are around Port Aransas

Yellowfin are a listed year-round target out of Port Aransas, so fish are not limited to a single window. For species behavior, see the yellowfin tuna guide.

Year-round listing

Multi-day trips for yellowfin run November through March.

Fall and winter push

Boats run to the deeper rigs in fall and winter. Gulf Eagle runs 24 to 60-hour trips November through March.

Where boats run and the grounds that hold fish

Named grounds off Port Aransas run from Port Aransas Reef in 60 ft at 6 nautical miles to A-85 Reef in 274 ft at 46 nautical miles, and the fall and winter push goes past them to the deeper rigs. Distances are measured from the Port Aransas jetties.

Nearshore reefs in state waters

The inside waypoints are:

• Port Aransas Reef: 60 ft, 6 nautical miles southeast of the jetties.
• TPWD nearshore reef: 160 acres in 70 ft, between Packery Channel and Port Aransas.
• Lonestar Reef and Boatman’s Reef: state-water reefs near Port Aransas.

Deeper reefs off the jetties

From shallow to deep, the next four grounds are:

1. Mustang Island Liberty Ship Reef (MU-802): 110 ft, 18 nautical miles southeast of the jetties.
2. 828 Reef (MU-828 jacket reefs): 165 ft, 27 nautical miles.
3. A-16 Reef: 272 ft, 36 nautical miles.
4. A-85 Reef: 274 ft, 46 nautical miles, the deepest listed reef.

Deeper rigs and multi-day grounds

Multi-day trips run far into the Gulf, beyond the charted reefs. For grounds past this port, see the broader Gulf of Mexico (see also the wider Gulf of Mexico guide).

How yellowfin are fished from Port Aransas

Yellowfin out of Port Aransas are fished on overnight trips and on 36 to 60-hour trips.

Overnight trips

Overnight trips are one of the local formats.

36 to 60-hour trips

Dolphin Docks lists a 36-hour tuna trip offered in fall and winter. Gulf Eagle runs 24 to 60-hour trips November through March. The Fisherman’s Wharf boats run a 60-hour trip, covered in the next section.

Who fishes yellowfin out of Port Aransas

Fisherman’s Wharf, Deep Sea Headquarters and Gulf Magic Charters list yellowfin tuna out of Port Aransas. For guides and charters across the wider region, see these tuna fishing guides.

Charters

• Fisherman’s Wharf (Port Aransas Fisherman’s Wharf, LLC): Wharf Cat and Scat Cat, on a Fisherman’s Wharf 60-hour trip.
• Deep Sea Headquarters:
  • Gulf Eagle, Capt. Kevin Haller.
  • Kingfisher, Capt. Jake Medley.
  • Pelican.
• Gulf Magic Charters: lists yellowfin tuna out of Port Aransas.

Tournaments

The Texas Legends Billfish Tournament runs out of Port Aransas, usually in August.

FAQ about yellowfin tuna fishing out of Port Aransas

How far do boats run for yellowfin out of Port Aransas?

The named reefs run 6 to 46 nautical miles from the jetties. Fall and winter multi-day trips run far into the Gulf to the deeper rigs.

What months are best for multi-day yellowfin trips?

Yellowfin are listed year-round. Gulf Eagle runs 24 to 60-hour trips November through March, and Dolphin Docks offers a 36-hour trip in fall and winter.

Which reef off Port Aransas is deepest?

A-85 Reef, in 274 ft at 46 nautical miles. A-16 follows at 272 ft and 36 nautical miles.

Which charters list yellowfin tuna out of Port Aransas?

Fisherman’s Wharf (Wharf Cat, Scat Cat, 60-hour trip), Deep Sea Headquarters (Gulf Eagle, Kingfisher, Pelican) and Gulf Magic Charters.

When is the Texas Legends Billfish Tournament?

Usually August, out of Port Aransas.