UTERBlue marlin fishing in South Padre & Corpus Christi
In South Padre & Corpus Christi, blue marlin peak June–September and are around May–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: Blue marlin on the deep water off Port Isabel.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Blue marlin in South Padre & Corpus Christi, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayArriving
- JunePeak
- JulyPeakBlue marlin on the deep water off Port Isabel.
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberLeaving
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish blue marlin near Port O'Connor, Rockport, Port Aransas
The Laguna Madre — the hypersaline, gin-clear lagoon behind Padre Island — plus Baffin Bay's rock reefs, the Aransas and Corpus Christi bays, the Land Cut, and passes at Port Aransas, Packery, Port Mansfield and Brazos Santiago. Wade-fishing country; the Gulf beaches of Padre run 100 miles.
What to use for blue marlin
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
- Opelu (mackerel scad)Bridled live and slow-trolled or drifted down for ahi, ono and marlin; cut for bottom fishing.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 74–88°F water, best at 78–84°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch blue marlin in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Peak season is June–September. Blue marlin are in South Padre & Corpus Christi May–October. July: Blue marlin on the deep water off Port Isabel.
Where do blue marlin hold in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around Port O'Connor, Rockport, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi, Baffin Bay, Port Mansfield.
What is the best bait for blue marlin in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), goggle-eyes, opelu (mackerel scad). Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for blue marlin in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and change — read the current rule at https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/saltwater-fishing before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses.
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