Texas state waters, out to 9 miles
85-in minimum makes retention trophy-only in practice.
TPWD 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Texas state record
TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Chrome-plated giant scales, upturned bucket mouth, last dorsal ray trails into a filament. More on the tarpon page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Tarpon in other states8 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for tarpon in Texas?
85 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many tarpon can you keep in Texas?
1.
When is tarpon season in Texas?
Open year-round.
What is the Texas record tarpon?
229 lb, Gulf of America (2017).
How current is this Texas tarpon rule?
Source: TPWD 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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