Fishing spots
The north jetty
The wilder twin across the ship channel, on the tip of San José Island. Safety comes first on this page because the rock demands it — then the boat that gets you there.
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Is the north jetty safe to walk?
Respect it more than the south side. The most specific published account — 2019 local reporting, still the best available — describes it as more primitive: parts sit lower and are frequently submerged by tides, and winter algae makes the rock dangerously slippery. Skip it in rough or high seas. Port Aransas South Jetty, 2019
The same reporting puts submerged rocks roughly 75 feet out on the Gulf side and about 120 feet toward the channel at the wide terminus — a real hazard for anyone casting or landing fish at the waterline. No amenities exist on either jetty: bring everything, pack out everything, grippy shoes, never alone, and label your plans around the boat schedule below.
How do you get to the north jetty?
Only by the jetty boat from Fisherman's Wharf — there are no roads to San José Island. Fares are round trip $25 ages 13 and up, $12 ages 6–12, free ages 5 and under; no reservations, tickets on-site before departure. Fisherman’s Wharf
Winter departures: 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m.; summer adds a 6:30 a.m. run. Guaranteed returns at 10:10 a.m., 12:10, 2:10, 4:10 and 6 p.m.. Remember the island itself is private — stay on the beach below the mean high tide line, per the San José Island rules.
What do you catch off the north jetty?
The same channel-edge parade as the south side — redfish, trout, sheepshead tight to the rocks, mackerel and tarpon cruising the Gulf face in summer — with less pressure, because everyone on it paid a boat fare and planned a day around it.
Compare it with the south jetty before choosing; conditions on the live report apply equally to both sides of the channel.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions
Is the north jetty better than the south jetty?
It fishes the same channel with a fraction of the pressure, which is a real edge — but it costs a boat fare, a fixed return schedule, and rougher footing. Fish the south jetty for convenience; ride to the north jetty for solitude, and only in settled conditions.
Can you get stranded on the north jetty?
Only by missing the boat: the guaranteed returns are the schedule you plan around, and the operator adds trips on demand in season. There are no facilities and no shelter on the island side, so carry water and sun cover as if the answer were yes.
What will your trip cost?
Pick a trip type, length, and group size — the estimate is instant, free, and from current local market research.
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