Offshore Bounty Off Texas Coast texas saltwater fishing, texas fishing, wadefishing, wading, bay fishing, speckled trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, texas redfish, texas speckled trout As summer enters its homestretch, the days typically become hotter and calmer. With the lighter winds, seas are more often becalmed. And, cleaner currents tend to swing closer to shore. All of these conditions lead to more anglers getting the itch to head offshore in August. Most of these outbound anglers have red snapper on their mind when they clear the jetties. Very often, they are grumbling about the current tight regulations imposed on their favorite gamefish. Indeed, the red snapper is an icon in the Lone Star State. It is symbolic of fishing and fishermen along the Texas coastal curve. However, once anglers clear the beachfront, there is so much more than snapper lying beyond, in the dark, deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, not all of the species available to Texas offshore anglers are as delectable on a dinner plate as red snapper. Some aren't considered suited for serving at all. But, for anglers looking for a fight, each of these fish is willing to comply. The following is a description (listed alphabetically) of a dozen such offshore foes that await anglers willing to look beyond snapper. AFRICAN POMPANO - These blunt-headed bruisers are typically found around wrecks and rigs. They are hard fighters and, despite their outward appearance, are excellent table fair. Natural baits, such as cigar minnows, mullet and squid are good choices, as are artificial jigs and jigging spoons. AMBERJACK - Another hard-fighting, excellent-eating fish, the amberjack are usually found near offshore structure. A variety of live and dead baitfish will draw strikes from amberjack, as will jigs, feathers and plugs. Whatever you intend to toss to an AJ, make sure it's tethered to a stout outfit, as these fish are known for punishing unprepared anglers. Furthermore, since they are habitually found close to structure, heavy tackle is essential to avoid losing fish to line wraps and cutoffs. BONITO - Though not typically retained for the table, bonito are one of the most striking fish to look at and provide some real thrills on light tackle. They can typically be found from just off the beachfront to as far as most offshore boats can range. The most common way of locating bonito is to find them in a feeding frenzy on the surface. When this occurs, virtually anything thrown into the melee will result in a strike, although small jigs, flies and spoons are preferred. Though they are spirited fighters, most anglers prefer to hook them on light (12-pound) tackle or fly rods to ensure they get maximum enjoyment from the fight. DORADO - A fish of many names (dolphin, dolphinfish, mahi-mahi, etc), the dorado ranks highly on most offshore anglers' wish list. Their brightly colored fins and skin make them a joy to look at, as do their aerial acrobatics when hooked. But, despite all of their other redeeming qualities, there is no question dorado are also highly sought for their food value. Dorado can be encountered virtually anywhere offshore, but have a particular knack for showing up around weedlines and floating debris such as barrels and logs. Jigs, feathers, spoons and live baitfish are tops for tricking dorado. GROUPER - In virtually every area red snapper are found, there will be at least one species of grouper as well. Although the Gulf of Mexico is home to several varieties, gag grouper are the most prevalent across the coast. Regardless of which species of grouper is found, it's safe to assume it is good to eat and will put up a brutish fight. Grouper can be caught in much the same manner as snapper - bait on or near the bottom - but will also readily hit trolled jigs and plugs, especially over shallower structure. JACK CREVALLE - Most everyone in Texas is well aware of jack crevalle. These hard-fighting fish can be found in both inshore bays, as well as along the beachfront and well out into offshore waters. As with bonito, they are most easily found when in a feeding frenzy on the surface. Unlike bonito, they have sufficient muscle to test even the heaviest of tackle - especially the brutes encountered offshore. Big plugs, spoons and jigs will usually draw strikes, as will virtually any natural bait thrown in front of a feeding jack. KINGFISH - Perhaps the most accessible of all offshore gamefish, kingfish often roam within sight of land. Depending on which section of Texas coast an angler is fishing, they may be found inside jetties and passes. In other areas, offshore wrecks, rocks and rigs provide the most common ambush points to smoker kings. Regardless of where they're found, kings provide line-sizzling fights and, depending on your taste, adequate table fair. When kings are seen feeding on the surface, trolled plugs and jigs work well to locate them. Natural baits such as ribbonfish, cigar minnow and ballyhoo can be drifted or trolled as well. When kings are balling bait for feeding on the surface, jigs, plugs, spoons and flies can be cast in their direction and often result in strikes. LING - Often mistaken for shark when first seen on the surface, ling are one of the more muted fish one is likely to encounter offshore. However, despite their drab appearance, ling (which are also known as cobia or lemonfish) are hard fighters and excellent eating. Because of their habit of lingering on or near the surface, particularly around offshore structure such as rigs and buoys, ling make excellent sight-casting targets for light-tackle anglers and fly fishermen. Live crab and baitfish, as well as jigs and (for fly fishermen) streamers are usually the surest bets for getting a ling to strike. MARLIN - Both blue and white marlin are common along the Texas Gulf Coast. Along the Lower Coast, white marlin are found surprisingly close to the beach. However, when tracking either marlin species, it is usually essential to find good, blue water and cover as much of it as possible. As a result, most marlin are hooked on trolled baits - both natural and artificial. When chasing whites, manageable baits are key - ballyhoo being among the most popular. With blues, on the other hand, bigger is better and bonito usually get the nod. SAILFISH - Like marlin, sailfish are typically taken by trolled baits. However, they typically can be found much closer - and in much greater numbers - than marlin. Ballyhoo and blue runners are usually considered the top natural baits, while a variety of artificial jigs, feathers and plugs will also draw interest from sails. SHARK - The nearshore and offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico are teeming with a vast variety of sharks. Among the more common catches are blacktip, Atlantic sharpnose, bull, tiger, hammerhead and mako. With the exception of tigers and hammerheads, each of these species is considered to provide good- to excellent-tasting fillets. And, though anglers often consider sharks a nuisance when targeting other species, these very same shark can often save the day when the bite slows. TUNA - Texas offshore anglers are able to chase both black and yellowfin tuna on a near year around basis. Blackfin are typically found closer to shore and, therefore, more easily targeted. Both species usually range closest to the beach during summer and fall. At this time, anglers on the Lower Coast may seen blackfin as close as 10 or 12 miles and yellowfin as close as 30 to 40. As you travel up the coast, the run to the tuna grounds becomes progressively further. However, regardless of how far you have to run to find them, tuna always make for a spectacular catch. Both species are extremely hard fighting and are renowned for their food qualities as well. Small baitfish such as pilchards or pogies are usually the best natural offerings, while jigs, plugs, spoons and flies are ideal artificials. So, as you can see, although snapper regulations become tighter every year, there are still plenty of reasons for anglers to head offshore. After all, the Gulf of Mexico offers so much more than snapper. texas saltwater fishing, texas fishing, wadefishing, wading, bay fishing, speckled trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, texas redfish, texas speckled trout