Tarpon Fishing in Texas
TPWD ratings, records and statewide rules for tarpon.
- 229 lbstate record
Photo: Kris Mikael Krister, CC BY 3.0
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The Texas story on tarpon
Scientific name Megalops atlanticus, tarpon is a saltwater fish in Texas. On rod and reel, the Texas record weighs 229 pounds from Gulf of America, set in 2017.
Finding tarpon in Texas through the year
When
No seasonal note is listed.
Where they hold
Adults in open Gulf off the beachfront; young in brackish marsh channels; Southern Texas has the most directed tarpon fishing
Tarpon facts from the TPWD species profile.
The tarpon rules in Texas
| Rule | Daily bag | Minimum | Maximum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarpon | 1 | 85 in |
Tarpon limits from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027).
The biggest tarpon on record in Texas
| Category | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rod and reel all tackle | 10.12 | 37 | Victor Braunig | 1986 |
| rod and reel all tackle | 229 | 90 | Gulf of America | 2017 |
Tarpon records: TPWD state records list, October 2026.
Inshore water for tarpon
Bays with their own page: Boca Chica Bay, South Bay, Lower Laguna Madre, Laguna Madre (whole), Baffin Bay, Upper Laguna Madre, Oso Bay and Corpus Christi Bay.
- Pirates LandingPort Isabel, $2.17
- Queen Isabella CausewaySouth Padre Island
- Rio Hondo Public Boat RampRio Hondo
- Adolph Thomae Jr County Park
- Laguna Port Recreation AreaPort Mansfield
- Honey Hickman Public Fishing DockPort Mansfield
- Fred Stone ParkPort Mansfield
- Riviera Beach PierRiviera
- Riviera BeachRiviera
- Kaufer-Hubert Memorial Park
Tarpon spots: Texas General Land Office pier and coastal access inventory.
Texas tarpon: what anglers ask
Which piers produce tarpon in Texas?
Piers and jetties along the coast hold them, and Pirates Landing and Queen Isabella Causeway are two of the GLO listed piers on this page.
Where are tarpon found along the coast?
Start with Boca Chica Bay, South Bay and Lower Laguna Madre, which have pages covering piers, ramps and guides.
Who can take me fishing for tarpon in Texas?
212 inshore guides are listed across the coast on the bay pages.
What is the heaviest tarpon caught in Texas?
The all tackle rod and reel record is 229 pounds, caught at Gulf of America in 2017.
What is the Texas limit on tarpon?
The daily bag is 1 statewide with a 85 inch minimum.
Where do tarpon live in a lake?
Adults in open Gulf off the beachfront; young in brackish marsh channels; Southern Texas has the most directed tarpon fishing.
Is a license required to target tarpon in Texas?
Adults targeting tarpon need a Texas license plus the saltwater endorsement.
What Latin name do tarpon have?
Megalops atlanticus.
Can I keep tarpon caught from a state park pier?
Saltwater limits for tarpon still apply, though no license is needed in the park.