Best Times & Seasons to Catch Tuna in Texas (Full Guide)

Tuna are one of the most targeted fish species in Texas waters. Knowing the best times and seasons to catch tuna in Texas helps anglers get the most out of their fishing trips. 

The best times to catch tuna in Texas are from July to October when tuna are the most abundant and most active in the local coastal waters.   

Texas is a popular tuna fishing destination. It’s possible to target blackfin tuna and yellowfin tuna in the region. Anglers go about 50 miles in offshore waters to catch tuna during their Texas fishing trips successfully. It’s a great idea to target tuna near bluewater oil rigs. Check this guide to uncover the most fruitful fishing times in Texas.

Tuna Fishing in Texas (Best Times)

Blackfin tuna fishing is getting better when the water gets warmed up by the sun. Blackfin tuna fishing is best in Texas waters between June and October. The worst months to fish for tuna in the region are January to March and November to December.

Blackfin tuna bites well in the early morning and late afternoon. It’s recommended to target blackfin tuna during the slack tide. The optimum water temperatures for fishing blackfin tuna are 71 – 80 °F.  

The best months to fish for yellowfin tuna in Texas waters are July to October. Fishing for yellowfin tuna is worst in the region between January and May and between November and December.

Yellowfin tuna feeds in the local waters between dusk and dawn. However, the chance to catch yellowfin tuna is high near sunrise and sunset. Yellowfin tuna fishing is excellent during slack or slow-moving tide. Yellowfin tuna is active when water temperatures are 70 – 90 °F. 

Check out this helpful guide to the best times to catch tarpon in Texas. You may also be interested in this article on the fishing for Texas snapper in the best times.            

Recommended Tuna Fishing Charters in Texas

These Texas-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
What’s On Fishing Charters	South Padre Island, TX
Galveston Offshore	Galveston, TX
Southwest Sportfishing	Port Aransas, TX
Todds Sportfishing	South Padre Island, TX
SPI Freedom Fishing	Port Isabel, TX
Fishin Addiction Charters	Galveston, TX
Come And Take It Fishing Charters	Port Aransas, TX
Frisky Reds Fishing Charters	Galveston, TX
Chachi Charters	South Padre Island, TX
Mike’s Offshore Charters	Aransas Pass, TX
Olivia J Charters – Vertigo	Freeport, TX
Ocean Breeze Charters	Galveston, TX
Galveston Deep Sea Fishing Charters	Galveston, TX

Seasonal Breakdown of Tuna Fishing in Texas

Winter

Winter tuna fishing is possible in Texas waters. Blackfin tuna and yellowfin tuna can be targeted during winter fishing trips. However, anglers usually catch smaller tuna fish in winter. Tuna can be found in warmer nearshore waters and deeper waters.

Galveston and Port Aransas are good places to fish for tuna during the winter months. Cigar minnow hard bait works very well for tuna in winter.    

Spring

Spring tuna fishing is good in Texas. Anglers often catch trophy-sized yellowfin tuna in the early spring. Yellowfin tuna should be targeted in deep waters.

Blackfin tuna is the most active in the late spring. Fishermen should go in offshore waters to catch blackfin tuna successfully. It’s recommended to use pogies as live bait for tuna fishing in Texas waters during the spring months.  

Summer

Tuna fishing is more productive in Texas during the summer months. Both blackfin and yellowfin tuna are active in summer. Tuna can be found in inshore and offshore waters. Fishing for tuna is best in the late summer.

Anglers should go fishing in blue waters if they would like to catch a big tuna at this time of the year. Port Aransas is one of the best places to catch tuna in the region during the summer months. It would be great to use top water lures for catching tuna in summer.    

Fall

Fishing for blackfin tuna and yellowfin tuna in Texas is very productive between September and October. It’s the time of the year when the weather is not hot and not cold. That’s why great tuna fishing opportunities are created in the region during these months.

The waters cool down and that’s why tuna fishing is less productive in the region in the late fall. Chunk baits would be the right choice for tuna fishing in the fall.  

Best Seasons for Texas Tuna (by Region)

Texas Gulf Coast

There are many great fishing spots on the Texas Gulf Coast where anglers can target tuna. Tuna lovers usually prefer to go fishing in the waters near Corpus Christi, Galveston, and Port Aransas.

The best season for yellowfin tuna is between July and September and for black tuna is between June and October. 

South Padre Island

South Padre Island is another popular tuna fishing destination in Texas. It’s necessary to go 30 miles offshore to target tuna. Tuna fishing is best in the region during the summer and fall months.

Blackfin tuna fishing is best between July and October. Yellowfin tuna is best between June and October.

Night Fishing Tuna in Texas

Tuna bite well in Texas waters at night. However, tuna feeds near the surface during the night hours. Moon phases affect tuna fishing. Tuna feeds actively during all phases of the day.

However, tuna fishing is best a few days before and after the new and full moons. Night fishing for tuna in Texas is best between June and September.   

Surf Fishing Texas

Many anglers give preference to surf fishing in Texas. Surf anglers fish on Texas beaches. There are many great spots for surf fishing between Galveston and Surfside. Surf fishing is exciting near San Luis Pass, the Galveston Seawall, North Padre Island, Port Aransas, and South Padre Island. Surf fishing is good on piers. 

Surf fishing along the Texas coast is possible year-round. However, surf anglers achieve the best results between May and October. Surf fishing is less productive in the region between January and March and between October and December. Due to colder water, surf fishing is less productive during these months. 

Best Tidal Conditions for Tuna in Texas

Tuna feeds actively during the so the called slack tide. It’s the period between maximum ebb and maximum flood. Slack tide occurs before and after low and high tides and lasts proximally 15 – 45 minutes. Water is calm during a slack tide.

The chances to catch tuna during these tide periods are high. There is almost no current during the slack tide. On the other hand, ongoing and outgoing tides are worst for tuna fishing.