Mahi-mahi fishing charters in Port Aransas, TX

Port Aransas, on the north end of Mustang Island, calls itself the “Fishing Capital of Texas.” The town sits at the Aransas Pass, a deep ship channel lined by long granite jetties, with shallow bays on one side and the open Gulf on the other. Deep water is reachable sooner here than in much of Texas, which makes Port A a favorite for deep sea trips.

Deep sea and offshore

Offshore charters fish reefs, wrecks and oil platforms for red snapper, king mackerel, cobia (ling), amberjack and vermilion snapper. Long trips head far out to deep-water rigs for yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi and billfish — the town’s Deep Sea Roundup each summer is one of the oldest fishing tournaments on the Texas coast. Large party boats run daily bottom-fishing trips at a per-person price.

Bays and flats

Behind the island, Redfish Bay, Aransas Bay and the surrounding flats are prime water for redfish, speckled trout, black drum and flounder. Guides drift, wade and sight-cast in shallow water, and the jetties hold big reds, trout and sheepshead much of the year.

Good to know

Texas requires every angler to have a fishing license with a saltwater endorsement, so get one before your trip. Red snapper rules differ between Texas state waters and federal waters, and seasons and limits change; check current Texas Parks and Wildlife and NOAA Fisheries regulations if you’re planning around a specific fish.