Tuna Fishing in Galveston, Texas

Galveston, Texas, lies on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and provides deep-sea fishermen with an excellent base for tuna fishing expeditions. Regulations for fishing in Texas state waters is handled by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

  1. Tuna Regulation

    • The state of Texas does not set limitations on which tuna can be caught and kept. Any species of tuna is fair game for fishermen, and there is no state limit on the number of fish that can be caught in a day or that can be in possession at one time. Also, there is no length requirement to keep tuna. To fish in state waters, fishermen must have a valid Texas fishing license and a saltwater fishing stamp endorsement.

    Federal Waters

    • Fishermen who travel more than nine miles off shore in the course of fishing will be in federal waters. Although the state of Texas has no jurisdiction over these waters, fishermen still need a Texas fishing license and saltwater fishing endorsement stamp to bring a tuna caught in federal waters ashore in Texas.

    Chartered Fishing Trips

    • Galveston is home to privately owned ships whose owners will charge for taking fishermen to a location where tuna can be found. Because tuna swim in deep water, these boats will go dozens of miles offshore to find the best catches. These trips may last more than 24 hours, and the ship may have eating and sleeping quarters.