The largest fish an angler is likely to hook in Texas inshore water, and among the most spectacular:
huge flat scales up to three inches across, a long trailing ray on the dorsal fin, a deeply forked
tail and an upturned bony lower jaw. The Texas record is 229 pounds and 90 inches, set in 2017;
historical Texas accounts describe fish over 300 pounds. TPWD acknowledges that little is known
about tarpon spawning or growth. Juveniles use river mouths, lakes, ditches and brackish marsh
channels; adults live in open Gulf water and can run far up the larger South Texas rivers. They eat
live pinfish and mullet and will take trolled spoons and jigs. TPWD attributes the decline of the
Texas tarpon fishery to river damming, drought, pesticides and overfishing, and notes that southern
Texas now has the most directed tarpon fishing in the state.
Source-backed field notes
- TPWD lists spotted seatrout, redfish, flounder, snook and tarpon as the species anglers pursue in the Arroyo Colorado depending on season. (Visiting the Arroyo Colorado - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)
- The Texas state rod-and-reel record tarpon weighed 229.00 pounds and measured 90.00 inches. (State Saltwater Records: Rod and Reel — TPWD)
- No tarpon entry appears in TPWD's all-tackle water-body record list for the Lower Laguna Madre. (All-Tackle Records for Lower Laguna Madre — TPWD)
- As of the 2026-09-02 check, TPWD's saltwater fly-fishing record table contains no row for tarpon, bonefish, permit or lookdown. (State Saltwater Records: Fly Fishing — TPWD)
Observe responsibly
Wildlife, tides and access conditions change. Keep a respectful distance, do not feed wildlife, stay out of dunes and marked nesting areas, and use current official rules before fishing or handling any catch.