A sportfisher glides near an oil rig in Texas, seeking a catch.
Texas Gulf Coast Billfish Classic
It’s quite a distance offshore to reach the Texas rigs, but those who venture out have impressive successes catching blue marlin and yellowfin in the Gulf of Mexico. For example, during last summer’s Texas Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, in its inaugural year, teams managed to reel in 14 blue marlin over three days of fishing. The largest blue marlin, caught by team Synchronicity, tipped the scales at 726.3 pounds.
“During the summer, the marlin seem to migrate away from the Panhandle and come to this area,” states Texas offshore legend Dee Wallace, who serves as the tournament director at Fisherman’s Wharf in Port Aransas. “In late summer, the zones around the Domes reef and the Colt 45 reef burst with activity from white marlin, sailfish, and blue marlin. It’s just a bit farther run than other locales.”
In other words, fishing for blue marlin in Texas isn’t comparable to fishing the Tongue-of-the-Ocean in the Bahamas, where you can go out in the morning and return by afternoon to enjoy drinks, nor is it like Venice, Louisiana, where early departures allow for a same-day return. In Texas, boats might set out on a Thursday and come back two days later.
“You can hit three or four deep rigs on a long one-day trip, but most anglers opt for a couple of days,” Wallace explains. “It’s certainly for the motivated.”
Journeys into the Gulf can involve traveling 100, 250, 300 miles or beyond, targeting optimal oceanic conditions around oil rigs, floating platforms, and drill ships that function as fish aggregating devices (FADs). This sport can be high-risk and high-reward, with numerous summer tournaments for those interested in vying for significant prizes. One of the latest is the Texas Gulf Coast Billfish Classic.
“Throughout the Texas coast, many people dock their boats at their homes,” shares Robbie Carter, director of the Texas Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. “We aimed to create a tournament that allows them to depart from their local docks. They can set out for the rigs on Thursday morning and don’t need to return until Saturday afternoon. It’s a marathon. This year we’ll have weigh-ins at two locations, Surfside and Port Aransas. We also have catch-and-release categories, and we utilize Starlink for real-time scoring updates via video.” After postponements due to Hurricane Beryl, this year’s Texas Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is scheduled for August 15-17. Upcoming tournaments include the Texas International Fishing Tournament (July 31-August 4 in Port Isabel) and the Texas Legends Billfish Tournament (August 7-11 in Port Aransas).
Technology Has Transformed Marlin Fishing
In modern billfishing tournaments, crews may be required to set up live video feeds for marlin captures.
Texas Gulf Coast Billfish Classic
“The era of simply pointing your bow offshore to search for rips and slicks is gone,” claims Tom Hilton, owner of Hilton’s, a company specializing in fishing charts and services. “Currently, with these deep-water rigs well within range for sport fishers, and due to advancements in technology, anglers are thoroughly analyzing their charts to not just identify where to fish, but critically, where to avoid. The key is finding areas with the most converging favorable conditions.”
“Tools like Seakeeper, omni sonar, Starlink, and my collaboration with Sat2Nav, along with our charts and Roff’s, have revolutionized fishing practices,” Hilton goes on. “Additionally, the rise of more deepwater floating platforms known as SPARs (single point anchor reservoirs) has extended offshore fishing possibilities. Live baiting with small tunas and rainbow runners has also significantly altered strategies. While plastic lures are still used, live baits are attracting considerable numbers of large marlin.”
More Texas Deepwater FADs Expected Soon
Moving between rigs is essential in Texas billfishing.
Texas Gulf Coast Billfish Classic
Due to its remote offshore locations, Texas billfishing and tuna fishing may not be as recognized as other Gulf fishing spots like Florida’s Panhandle, Venice, or Biloxi, Mississippi, but that may change shortly. Tom Hilton and his team have been working on deploying fish aggregating devices (FADs), and he reports nearing approval for installation, which would revolutionize offshore fishing in Texas.
“Alex Fogg from Okaloosa County, Florida, has diligently installed deep-water FADs off the Panhandle, with remarkable success,” Hilton states. “These were the first ‘legal’ FADs ever placed in U.S. waters. A variety of species, including white marlin, blue marlin, and sailfish, are drawn to these FADs.”
Hilton is prepared to deploy 14 FADs from 60 to 80 miles offshore, in waters ranging from 1,100 to 1,600 feet deep. This initiative is a collaboration among Hilton Marine, the Houston Big Game Fishing Club, and the Gulf Research Institute for Highly Migratory Species.
“These FADs would make bluewater fishing more accessible to a greater number of center consoles and charter boats along the Texas coast, among other advantages,” Hilton asserts. “Currently, we’re navigating bureaucratic challenges, but once they’re operational, the impact will be significant.”
Another Choice is Texas Inshore Fishing
Capt. Charlie Paradoski showcases a fine Texas seatrout.
Capt. Charlie Paradoski
For those not inclined toward the high-stakes world of fishing at Texas oil rigs, whether due to personal preference or budget, Texas offers a rich estuarine system full of diverse opportunities for beach, bay, and backcountry fishing. Major bay systems include the Laguna Madre in the south, Matagorda Bay on the central coast, and Galveston Bay south of Houston. Smaller bays like Aransas Bay and Corpus Christi Bay provide additional access for wading and boating. Along the coast, beaches, piers, and jetties feature clean, green waters during summer, attracting redfish, Spanish mackerel, flounder, and seatrout along the shoreline and surf.
Capt. Charlie Paradoski has explored the Texas bays for nearly five decades, concentrating on Matagorda Bay for the last thirty years, utilizing both wade fishing and boat fishing methods. This expansive bay covers over 350 square miles, offering abundant fish habitats to explore. West Matagorda Bay is especially famous for summer tripletail fishing. Paradoski also enjoys beach fishing when conditions are favorable, noting that nothing rivals the beauty of a sunrise over Texas beaches.
“Visitors love catching seatrout, with a slot limit currently set between 15 and 20 inches, yet most catches exceed 20 inches,” Paradoski remarks. “The bag limit stands at three trout, and while people often express dissatisfaction with this limit, it is beneficial for preserving the resource and securing future fishing opportunities.”
Although summer fishing can be excellent, it improves significantly as water temperatures drop. “From October to February, fishing becomes much easier,” he notes. “Redfish, flounder, and seatrout thrive in the cooler waters.” Texas coastal fishing is virtually limitless, consistently fruitful, and easily accessible. Some beach areas, such as portions of Matagorda Beach, even permit vehicles to drive onto the sand. Waders and kayak anglers can engage in stunning sight fishing with ease. Perhaps most impressively, many coastal areas still retain a wild, untouched feel. This is a privilege worth preserving, and Texas anglers recognize its value.