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

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

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

Texas is a popular tuna fishing destination for tarpon fishing year-round. In this guide, we’ll break down the best times, tides, and seasons to catch tarpon in Texas waters. Gain insights into the best times to go fishing in the state of Texas with this guide.

Best Times: Tarpon Fishing in Texas

Tarpon tend to migrate from the eastern coast of Mexico up to the shores of the continental U.S., passing by the Texas coast in the spring and summer. For this reason, tarpon fishing is at its greatest in Texas from the months of June to October. During the winter season (December-April), they can still be caught but nowhere near the frequency as during the summer. 

The tarpon migration is dependent on one major factor: water temperature. These behemoth fish prefer water between 75° to 90° Fahrenheit, avoiding water below 70°F.

Like most ocean fishing, the falling tide is the best time to catch tarpon. The surge of water from the rivers and streams inland out to the Gulf provides an abundance of bait for the predatory fish in the ocean.

Smaller bait fish, shrimp, and crabs will all be swept out to sea, allowing tarpon to feast. This increase in feeding activity can result in a happy fisherman. Evidently, more activity equals more bites.

Not only do the tides affect this fish’s behavior, but the time of day also plays a key role. Tarpon prefer feeding at night, so the best time to catch them is during the early morning hours before the sun rises.

Tarpon charters will often leave in the dark hours of the morning to ensure their customers are in the right location as the morning bite begins. 

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

Texas Tarpon Fishing: Best Seasons by Region

The coastal cities of Texas are well-known for their tarpon fishing. However, knowing the best time of year to go on the hunt for them is essential to your success. Tarpon tend to migrate from the Mexican coast up to the southern coast of Texas, eventually making their way to the eastern coast.

As late spring hits, South Padre Island will be the first to see an increase in tarpon activity. As the summer goes on, they will move up the coast past Corpus Christi, eventually ending their Texas run past Galveston on the eastern coast.

Galveston also experiences a migration of tarpon from the Floridian coast, resulting in a longer peak season. Ultimately, the summer will be the most productive for any of the waters off the Texas coast.

The larger tarpon will arrive from both the waters off the coast of Florida and the Mexican coast during the summer, increasing your chances of catching a 100-pounder. However, fish in the 25-50-pound range may be caught year-round as they tend to not follow the migratory patterns of the others. 

Region	Peak Months
Southern Coast (South Padre Island)	July-October
Central Coast (Corpus Christi)	August-October
Eastern Coast (Galveston)	June-October

Recommended Tarpon 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
Galveston Offshore	Galveston, TX
Port Aransas Guide Service	Port Aransas, TX
Emilio’s Fishing Adventures	South Padre Island, TX
Dunkin Guide Systems	South Padre Island, TX
2k Fishing Addiction	Port Aransas, TX
Henry’s Charters	South Padre Island, TX
Capt. Brando’s Saltwater Fishing	Galveston, TX
Land Yacht Fishing Charters	Port Aransas, TX
Capt. Andrew’s Inshore Charters	South Padre Island, TX
Galveston Fishing Charter Co. #3	Galveston, TX
Texas Deep Sea Fishing – Freeport	Freeport, TX
Fly Fishing – Port Aransas, Texas	Port Aransas, TX
Galveston Fishing Charter Co. #2	Galveston, TX

Year-Round Tarpon Fishing Expectations

While the fishing slows down in the colder, winter months, tarpon can still be caught year-round. From December to March, tarpon are typically found in the southernmost point of Florida. It is possible, however, to catch a few stragglers in the Texan waters. If you are not from the area, booking a charter may be a wise decision to increase your chances of hooking into one of these fish. 

As the spring rolls around in April to June, the fishing picks up. Depending on the weather, the bite can be very good. Once the temperature of the water consistently hits 70°F, it’s game on. Swimbaits as well as live bait can be used on the jetties.

Spring fishing is challenging at times, but it has the potential to produce a healthy bag. The Texas state record tarpon was caught in late March, proving that they are out there in the early spring months. However, if you want a tarpon-filled fishing experience, the summer is the best time to go. 

Starting in July, with water temperatures regularly hitting 75°F and above, tarpon become more active and pass through the waters off the coast of Texas. Tarpon will bite at night and during low-light conditions such as dawn or dusk, so the best times to go are either very early in the morning or very late in the afternoon. 

Similarly to the summer, the fall can be productive. September and October still fall into peak tarpon season. As long as the water temperatures maintain above 70°F, tarpon will be found roaming the shores. With the colder weather knocking on the front door, however, the bite may slow down as you head into late October and November. 

Surf Fishing for Tarpon

For those who do not own boats and don’t want to book a charter, surf fishing for tarpon is possible in the area. The most common way to reel in these giants from shore is to fish the jetties that line the coast of Texas. Large jigs with paddle tail swimbaits are often used, as you can see balls of bait swirling the water, indicating where the tarpon may be. 

To optimize your shore fishing experience, it’s crucial to know where and when to find these fish. Tarpon will be most active during the summer months, as they follow the warmer water. From June to October is prime tarpon season in Texas.

Fortunately for shore fishermen, these nocturnal predators can be found inshore as they chase bait. As the tide is falling, water from the rivers returns back to the ocean, bringing a multitude of bait with it. This causes estuaries to be very productive, as long as the timing is right.

Key Tips for Tarpon Fishing

Tarpon are often regarded as elusive fish and difficult to catch. Although this may seem daunting for a first-time angler, knowing when and where to find these fish will make you all the more successful. A few tips to remember are that tarpon are most populous during the summer months, and prefer to feed during low-light conditions (at night, dawn, and dusk).

When in doubt, book a local charter as the guides will have extensive knowledge of the area and will put you in the best position to catch amazing fish like the tarpon.