Any had any success tarpon fishing in Texas, would love to go but just graduating saturday and can not afford a trip to the promised land yet. Would love to catch one on my new 8wt, is it possible around here?

I have seen several in the past around the Port A jetties, seen 1 hook up that did not last long

I have never had one within casting range

I would say an 8wt would have a hard time with the Tarpon I have seen

2coolfishing.com should have some members on the message board that have landed one

I'm on 2coolfishing and have talked to a couple of those guys. Everything else I could find on the web from searches was really old and it seems like they have moved along and I should just save my money or go on an offshore trip and get some mahi

We got into them in sep in poc around the jetties no eats though but they are there. They where rolling at the end of the south Jetty, but the current was to much and I could get down deep enough to them. My buddy and I are using 10wts with sinking line.

There are some medium sized one that will hang to the jetties during the summer the big fish can be anywhere.

If I where you I'd get a guide in aug or sept

Good luck

You won't catch them here like you can in Florida, but they're here and they get caught. I think that part of the problem is that they are making a comeback; they used to be common in Texas then they disappeared. Now that they are being seen again with increasing frequency, you may see increased effort directed specifically at them. Right now there are relatively few people in Texas focused specifically on tarpon. I think as the focus on tarpon increases, the success ratios will increase also. And good luck with your efforts. My first tarpon came on a fly. That was nearly fifty years ago, and I still get a thrill remembering it.

Last year I jumped well over 30 tarpon landing three, this year i didn't quite fish as hard as I did for them last year but jumped about 20 landing two. If you hit it on the right tidal movement with the right fly there is a good chance of jumping multiple in a day.

Most of the tarpon I have landed haven't got me into backing on 8wts and 10wts. I have noticed that only the fish over 100lbs have got me to backing, the only reason I can think of why these fish aren't taking backing compared to Florida fish is the water depth. They are catching tarpon in less than 5' of water, where as around the jetties it can be from 8'-60'.

Intermediate line is a must, IMO. Leaders from 40#-80#, I generally use 5'-7' of straight flourocarbon. As far as fly selection, the only thing I can suggest is have a box full of flies from 3"-10" in various weights. As far as colors, red and white, purple and ginger, blue and silver, solid white , and yellow/chartreuse would be a good place to start. Texas tarpon are much more likely to eat a fly than say a lure or bait in my experiences.

My personal tarpon fly is about 3" long, white hackle and white ep, it is pretty much a vertical toad trimmed to a tear drop profile. The secret is the lead, I use 48 wraps of .20 lead wrap, and leave just enough room at the eye of the hook for the head of the fly. Even with all that weight i'll count the fly down from 5-30 Mississippis, then start a slow steady strip.

I can go on for days about tapron. If anyone wants more info just PM and I'll send you my phone number, or even better come fish with me.

Might suggest South Padre. Have seen lots of tarpon caught around there, though I have yet to catch one myself ...

We have tarpon all along the coast in the summer and fall. The Texas population migrates here from Mexican waters. The fishing is a little different here though. You will see them mainly near shore rolling on the surface. They hang out a lot near transition lines where muddy meets clear water, like the mouth of a river.

You can catch Tarpon on bob hall pier using a slide line with horse mullet.

I make yearly trips to S.Padre Island and snorkel around the jetties both north and south,I see 4-6ft. tarps and 3-4ft. snook within 10 to 30ft. from the end of the jetties, close I seen was a body lenght away from me.One time I saw a 3-4ft snook just less than 5ft. from the rocks. at arm length,we swam right by each other casually. Most fishermen no matter how years they been on the water have never acutually stuck their face in it. I do both pole and spearing so I see the world in both ways. There is a deep drop off about 150 ft.( beach side) from the end of the north jetty where I see them frequently and are not spooked, go to the spearfishing forum(gulf coast/texas) and there are divers that dive the area frequently and get the lastest info. Good luck.

Awesome info thanks so much everyone.

Bob how's the spear fishing and clarity around there? I grew up free diving in Hawaii but haven't done any in the last couple years since I've been in Texas

If you like to hit easy targets, late Feb to early March, sheephead(good eating) will be all over the north and south jetties off Galveston. I would recommend a 75cm to 90cm gun single band cos you can get really close to them. It's amazing to see hundreds of them that close to the rocks but only if you stick your head in the water. High tide is best which bring in clean water. During summer at Freeport a ocean kayak is recommended to reach the platforms, but the best action is chartering a boat to 60miles out. Fed water and bigger game, 200ft vis. but the weather is unpredictable in the gulf. The best off the jetty spearing is South Padre on incoming tide, mangroves,groupers, trigger fish, and all other good eating sub tropical species that vist during mid summer that have no regulations. Spend at least a week down there, the wind can be a problem with the vis. Also check out spearboard.com/gulf coast/texas, some regulars there might need someone to pitch in for gas to hit the offshore platforms. My luck I always out of town when the offer comes up. Good luck!

Thanks vpim I'll have to check out that board to try my luck!

Port A Late August--Sept..We have hooked and caught them at the very end of the North Jetty -very tip-- Jetty Gulf side..Balloon floating live mullet-- no weight.Early morning day light..expect to get very wet and wear shoes with sole grips you will not slip on the moss from the wet rocks..long way back if you are hurt..
You have to take the jetty boat to north island to get there or have your own boat
and you are good...