Free shipping over $45Small batch, Gulf Coast inspiredNo ghost pepper. Not now, not everEvery bottle its own journeyGood mood. Bold flavor.

Nueces County, the Coastal Bend

Port Aransas, Texas: the town that used to be called Tarpon

Mustang Island's fishing village was named for a fish before it was named for a port, and the Texas Legislature now calls it the Fishing Capital of Texas. Our Port A Shrimp Shack seasoning is named for this town. Here is when the boats come back loaded, and what to do with the catch.

Five JollyGringo'z bottles on the counter of a bait and tackle shop

A fish camp that kept its name in the water

The Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce tells the island's story in a few steps. The Karankawa lived here first. Spanish horses gave Mustang Island its name. By the early 1890s the settlement was called Ropesville, and by 1899 it had become Tarpon, after the fish anglers were pulling from the pass in such numbers. Around 1910 residents started calling it Port Aransas, and the 1919 storm left only a few buildings standing.

Tarpon is still the right word for the place. Anglers came from all over the country for the silver king and fished from locally built wooden Farley boats, and Texas Highways reports that Franklin Roosevelt tried his luck here in 1937. The Tarpon Inn is one of the town's historical markers.

In 2025 the Legislature filed a concurrent resolution naming Port Aransas the official Fishing Capital of Texas for ten years, through 2035. The bill analysis lists red snapper, redfish, flounder, tarpon, marlin and tuna in the surrounding water, and calls the Deep Sea Roundup the oldest fishing competition on the Texas coast.

The food follows the fishing. The chamber keeps a list of island restaurants that will cook your catch: hand over a cleaned fillet and they will grill it, fry it, blacken it or sauce it the way you ask. Charter crews often clean the fish at the dock, so the trip and the dinner can happen on the same day.

Snapper season, and why the date moved this year

Red snapper is the summer prize offshore of Port A. In Texas state waters, out to nine nautical miles, the fishery is open all year with a four fish bag and a 15 inch minimum. Federal waters farther out have a shorter private angler season with a two fish bag and a 16 inch minimum.

That federal season usually opens June 1. Texas Parks and Wildlife opened it on May 22 in 2026 to take in Memorial Day weekend, while the federal charter season kept its June 1 start. The chamber says June through August is when most visitors book a snapper trip, with party boats running out of Fisherman's Wharf, Dolphin Dock and Deep Sea Headquarters.

What is in season

The Port A fishing calendar

Snapper and flounder rules are set by Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Gulf shrimp pause by NOAA Fisheries and the state together. Peak charter months are the chamber's. Any of it can shift next year.

  1. Red snapper open in Texas state waters, four fish a dayAll yearIn season now
  2. Federal red snapper season opens for private anglers; May 22 in 2026Late May or June 1 Official datesIn season now
  3. Shrimp trawlers stay tied up while young brown shrimp growMid May until about mid July Official datesIn season now
  4. Peak months for offshore snapper chartersJune to AugustIn season now
  5. Deep Sea Roundup weigh ins at the harborSecond week of JulyIn season now
  6. No flounder kept anywhere in Texas during the fall spawning runNovember 1 through December 14In season now

Festivals and events

Port Aransas weekends worth planning around

The chamber's annual calendar has something every month. These are the ones with the most to eat or the most fish on the scales. Dates update every month: confirmed means the organizers posted it, expected means it follows the usual pattern.

Texas SandFest

Three days each spring, on the beach

Next Usually March to May 2027

Not a food festival, but food trucks line the sand lanes between master sculptures, and the chamber counts more than 100,000 visitors a year.

Official site

The next twelve months in Port Aransas

  1. Nov2026
  2. Dec
  3. Jan2027TBA
  4. Feb
  5. MarTBA
  6. Apr
  7. May
  8. Jun
  9. Jul8
  10. Aug
  11. Sep
  12. Oct

Eat and shop local

Where to eat and what to bring home from Port Aransas

The places we would send a friend: kitchens locals swear by and shops worth the stop. Every one was open when we checked in October 2026. Hours run seasonal on the coast, so call ahead.

Moby Dick's and Oceans of Seafood have closed. Many places keep shorter hours in winter, so check before you go.

Where to eat 10 picks, 2 on the water

  1. Seafood & Spaghetti Works

    Family seafood and Italian

    A family-owned favorite for more than 40 years under a round, octagonal roof that locals use as a landmark. Seafood plates, pastas and pizza are all made from scratch.

    910 Hwy 361seafoodspaghettiworks.com

  2. Trout Street Bar & Grill

    Waterfront seafood grillWater view

    Seafood with a long veranda over the ship channel, a good place to watch boats come in while you eat the fresh catch.

    Harbor, on the ship channeltsbag.com

  3. Virginia's on the Bay

    Waterfront seafood houseWater view

    Serving fresh Gulf seafood on the water since 1996, with docks so you can arrive by boat. Order the fried or grilled catch of the day.

    Harbor, on the bayvirginiasonthebay.com

  4. Grumbles Seafood Co.

    Seafood on Fisherman's Wharf

    A seafood house on Fisherman's Wharf known for its hushpuppies studded with shrimp, crab or bacon. Fried shrimp, fried oysters and a shrimp burger with fried green tomato round it out.

    850 Tarpon St, Fisherman's Wharfgrumblesseafoodco.com

  5. Lisabella's Bistro & Bar

    Coastal bistro, seafood and steaks

    A relaxed but polished bistro at Cinnamon Shore best known for Mermaid Soup, a lobster coconut broth with shrimp and curry. Seafood enchiladas and grilled fish are good bets too.

    5009 Hwy 361, Cinnamon Shorelisabellas.com

  6. Castaways Seafood and Grill

    Fried seafood, cook your catch

    Hand-battered fried seafood and grilled plates, and they will cook the fish you caught that day.

    Port Aransascastawaysporta.com

  7. Crazy Cajun

    Cajun seafood boil

    Boiled crawfish, crab legs and shrimp dumped on the table Cajun style, with an outdoor beer garden.

    Port Aransascrazycajunrestaurant.com

  8. Roosevelt's at The Tarpon Inn

    Seafood and steak dinner

    The dinner spot inside the historic Tarpon Inn, for an evening out with upscale seafood and steak plates and daily specials.

    Tarpon Inn, Cotter Averooseveltsatthetarponinn.com

  9. La Playa Mexican Grille

    Tex-Mex and seafood

    A locals' pick for Tex-Mex with daily fresh fish specials, seafood enchiladas and a list of more than 70 tequilas.

    222 Beach Avelaplayamexicangrille.com

  10. MacDaddy's Family Kitchen

    Barbecue and comfort food

    A break from fried fish, with meats smoked in house, scratch-made sides and homemade desserts.

    Port Aransasmacdaddysfamilykitchen.com

Souvenirs and local shops 6 picks

  1. Port Aransas Art Center

    Local art gallery and shop

    Rotating shows of island and regional painters, potters, jewelers and photographers, with a gift shop selling their work. First Friday receptions add live music and new exhibits.

    104 N Alister Stportaransasartcenter.org

  2. Port Aransas Museum Gift Shop

    Museum shop, local history

    Books by local historians, handmade pieces by island artisans, and ready-to-hang prints from an archive of over 12,000 old Port A photos. The Farley Boat Works caps and tees make good souvenirs.

    400 N Alister St at Brundrettportaransasmuseum.org

  3. Indigo Eclectic

    Vintage and coastal boutique

    A one-of-a-kind mix of coastal vintage, mid-century decor, bohemian clothing, art and coffee table books, mostly from small designers.

    1023 SH 361Instagram

  4. Island Tackle of Port Aransas

    Bait and tackle shop

    A local tackle shop for lures, bait and advice on what is biting, named in the chamber's 2025 island gift guide.

    Port Aransasportaransas.org

  5. Coastal Closet

    Coastal clothing and gifts

    Island clothing, coastal stationery and gear like Turtlebox speakers, a good stop for a beach-town outfit or gift.

    Port Aransasportaransas.org

  6. Port Aransas Welcome Center

    Visitor center gift shop

    The chamber's own shop sells Port A Fishing Capital shirts and other island-branded goods you will not find elsewhere.

    403 W Cotter Aveport-aransas-tourism-welcome-center.myshopify.com

From the lineup

What we would bring to a Port A rental kitchen

One seasoning that carries the town's name, one for the fillets, and a sweet hot glaze for the grilled stuff.

Port A Shrimp Shack

Some Heat, 3.5 oz, $9

Named for this town. A shrimp boil blend you can shake on dry, with citrus over celery and coriander.

Gulf Coast Blackening

Some Heat, 3 oz, $9

Deep, smoky and herby with a pepper build. Our blend for red snapper, redfish and any firm white fillet from a charter cooler.

Knock Your Sauce Off

Some Heat, 8 fl oz, $12

Our wing sauce, made with fresno chiles, guajillo, honey and lime. It glazes shrimp in the final minute on the fire.

Cook it at home

Blackened snapper topped with Port A shrimp

A cook your catch plate for the rental condo: snapper fillets blackened in a hot skillet, then a handful of shrimp seared in the same pan and spooned over the top.

What you need

  • 4 red snapper fillets, skin off, about 6 oz each
  • 1 lb peeled Gulf shrimp, 31 to 40 count
  • Gulf Coast Blackening
  • Port A Shrimp Shack
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • Lemon wedges

How it goes

  1. Pat the fillets dry, brush both sides with melted butter and coat them well with Gulf Coast Blackening.
  2. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat with the vent fan on. Lay in the fillets and cook about 2 to 3 minutes a side, until the crust is dark and the fish flakes at the thickest point.
  3. Move the fish to a warm plate. Toss the shrimp with a little butter and a good shake of Port A Shrimp Shack.
  4. Sear the shrimp in the same pan for 1 to 2 minutes a side, until they turn pink and feel just firm.
  5. Pile the shrimp on the fillets, pour the pan butter over everything and serve with lemon.
Worth knowing. Blackening smokes. Cook it outside on a grill side burner if the condo smoke alarm is touchy.

Another one from our kitchen: Blackened Redfish

Questions

Questions about Port Aransas

Why is Port Aransas called the Fishing Capital of Texas?

The Texas Legislature gave it the title by concurrent resolution in 2025, for a ten year period ending in 2035. The resolution points to its snapper, redfish, flounder, tarpon, marlin and tuna, its charter fleet and the Deep Sea Roundup.

When is red snapper season in Port Aransas?

Texas state waters are open all year. The federal season for private anglers usually opens June 1, but in 2026 Texas opened it on May 22. Charter boats follow the federal for hire season, which opened June 1.

Is Port A Shrimp Shack named after Port Aransas?

Yes. It is our boil seasoning that also works as a dry rub, with citrus, celery and coriander, and it is made for fried and grilled shrimp first.

Will a Port Aransas restaurant cook the fish I catch?

Several will. The chamber keeps a cook your catch list of restaurants that take cleaned fillets and cook them to order, and many charters clean the fish for you at the dock.

Do you ship to Port Aransas?

Yes. We ship anywhere in the U.S. Orders go out within two business days, and shipping is free over $45.

Run a shop, market or kitchen in Port Aransas? Carry JollyGringo'z by the case. Tell us about the shop and the price sheet, the case packs and a sample bottle come straight back.

Get the price sheet

Keep going

More Texas towns near Port Aransas

San Patricio, Aransas and Nueces Counties

Aransas Pass, Texas

Shrimporee, Conn Brown Harbor and the old Shrimp Capital of Texas name

Aransas County

Rockport, Texas

Fulton Oysterfest, SeaFair crab races and Aransas Bay oysters

Nueces County

Corpus Christi, Texas

Birthplace of Whataburger in 1950, Buc Days and a bayfront built for eating

Nueces and Kleberg Counties

North Padre Island, Texas

Surf fishing, beach camping and 66 miles of national seashore

All 17 Texas town guides

Before you go

The organizers

More from us

Where our facts come from

We checked every date and title on this page against these sources in October 2026. Festival dates move, so confirm with the organizers before you travel.

Ships anywhere in the U.S.

Cook like Port Aransas, wherever you are

Ten small batch rubs and sauces, low on salt so you can season heavy. Any four, 15% off, and free shipping over $45.

Shop the lineupAll the recipes

Areas we serve

Serving all of the U.S., cooking from the Gulf

Wholesale, a tasting at your shop, or bottles for a festival near you? Say hey.

Contact usShop the lineup

Read the guideShop the lineupCarry it in your shop

We ship here, free over $45. Want it on your shelf? Wholesale. A tasting near you? Contact us
The lineupFree shipping over $45Shop the lineup

Listed by weight, most first.