Summer in the Gulf is Prime Time for Anglers Fishing the CCA-STAR Tournament
Feature Article Compiled by TF&G Staff
LISTEN: (4 min, 41 sec)
THE THRILL OF HOOKING INTO a sleek and powerful kingfish, battling a stubborn ling, landing a monster red snapper, or chasing dorado along weedlines makes for an unforgettable experience and can lead to big STAR wins.
King Mackerel
King mackerel thrive in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico during summer, making them a prime target for STAR anglers. They are commonly found near reefs, wrecks, oil rigs, and along current edges where baitfish gather.
Best Gear & Setup: Use a medium-heavy to heavy spinning or conventional rod and reel with a 20-40 lb test monofilament or braided line. A wire leader is essential to prevent their sharp teeth from cutting the line.
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Bait Selection: Live bait such as mullet, menhaden, and cigar minnows are the best choices. A stinger rig increases hookup rates as kings tend to strike from behind.
Trolling Tactics: Troll live bait or brightly colored lures behind the boat at 6-8 knots. Vary depths until you locate the feeding fish.
Some of the biggest kingfish of the summer are landed in June, so now is the time to gear up and hit the offshore waters.
Ling (Cobia)
A big bonus for anglers fishing around rigs is the cobia, also known as ling. These fish love structure and frequently hang around oil platforms, standpipes, jetties, and buoys.
Captain Derek York with a Cobia caught in Texas state waters.
(Photo: Derek York)
Unconventional Technique: Rev up your boat motors, take a paddle, and slap the water’s surface. While it may seem counterintuitive, this noise can bring cobia up from the depths.
Baiting for Ling: Toss a handful of cut pogies overboard and use live crab or fresh cut bait on circle hooks.
Tracking Cobia: Recent research suggests that many cobia return to the same spots year after year. If you missed out on a big one last summer, it might still be there this season—and even hungrier!
In STAR, a solid cobia catch can earn you serious prizes, making it well worth the effort to target these structure-dwelling fish.
Red Snapper
While catching red snapper in the Gulf isn’t difficult, finding and landing big ones is another story. To increase your chances of winning the STAR snapper division, follow these key tips:
Find Lightly-Pressured Structures: While rigs are common snapper hotspots, they are heavily fished. Seek out wrecks or outer structures away from major rig fields.
Use the Right Bait: Live bait like pinfish and croaker is often overlooked but highly effective. If unavailable, jigs tipped with fresh cut bait are a good alternative.
Fish the Right Depth: Snapper are typically found at 50-200 feet. Don’t just drop bait to the bottom—use electronics to locate the fish at specific depths and adjust your technique accordingly.
Red snapper are not only great fighters and excellent table fare, but they also present a valuable opportunity for STAR participants to win big.
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
Dorado, commonly found along Texas Coast weedlines, are aggressive feeders and an exciting target for offshore anglers.
Dorado/Mahi-Mahi are commonly found in weedlines off the Texas Coast.
(Photo: Adobe)
Locating Weedlines: Sargassum accumulates in Gulf currents, creating floating habitats for baitfish and attracting large predators like dorado. Look for dark patches or lines on the water’s surface, using polarized sunglasses for better visibility.
Gear Up Right: A 7-8 foot medium-heavy rod paired with a high-speed reel works best. Use a 30-50 lb braided mainline with a 4-6 ft fluorocarbon leader (40-60 lb test). Live bait options include ballyhoo, blue runners, and mullet.
Trolling Strategies: Troll at 5-7 knots along weedlines, deploying 2-3 lines at different distances. If you spot dorado near the surface, cast live bait toward them and allow it to drift naturally.
Dorado are fast and aggressive, making them a rewarding catch both for sport and in the STAR competition.
Fishing the CCA-STAR offshore division requires skill, strategy, and an understanding of how each target species behaves. Whether chasing king mackerel around wrecks, luring cobia from rigs, searching for big red snapper in lesser-fished waters, or trolling for dorado along weedlines, preparation is key. June presents the best opportunity for some of the largest catches of the season, and with these expert tips, you can maximize your chances of landing a prize-winning fish.
Tight lines and best of luck in STAR!
—story compiled by TF&G Staff
