Tampico Gulf Mexico fishing forecast
Tampico Gulf Mexico is a saltwater fishing spot in Tamaulipas Mexico, Mexico. Anglers here target Tarpon, Common Snook, Red Drum. The most productive months are typically April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Today’s verdict
Ranks #61 of 437 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today
In line with this spot’s 7-day average
Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals
The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 29.8 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 5 km/h from ENE, gusting 14 km/h |
| Wave height | 0.3 m at 3 s |
| Current | 0.15 m/s toward NNW |
| Pressure | 1015 hPa |
| Depth | 18 m |
| Cloud cover | 100% |
| Chlorophyll | 12.92 mg/m³ |
| Salinity | 35.9 PSU |
| Mixed-layer depth | 11 m |
| UV index | 0 |
| Wind sea | 0.0 m at 1 s |
| Ground swell | 0.2 m at 3 s from E |
| Current shear (surface vs 50 m) | 0.15 → 0.00 m/s |
The water here is 3.4 °C warmer than the September average of 26.4 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 67.3 m, so surface temperature carries well down the water column.
Updated 1 h ago.
What the score means at Tampico Gulf Mexico
Tampico Gulf Mexico currently scores 89 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 29.8 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.
- Water temperature +25.0
- how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
- Current +18.0
- moving water concentrates bait
- Waves +9.0
- swell energy stirring the water column
- Wind +8.0
- surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
- Chlorophyll +5.4
- plankton density — the base of the food chain
- Chlorophyll front +5.0
- a plankton edge — classic feeding line
What’s biting now
The model expects today: spotted-bay-bass, pacific-bluefin-tuna, california-corbina, kelp-bass, california-sheephead, barred-sand-bass, white-seabass, pacific-barracuda
Bite windows
Best months for Tampico Gulf Mexico:
Score history at this spot
30 days tracked at this exact location
Best recent day: 2026-08-13, 97/100
25 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period
4 points below the same day last week
About this spot
Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.
Approximate bottom depth: 18 m
Access & shore
Fishable from shore · offshore-only
What you can catch
-
Megalops atlanticus
-
Centropomus undecimalis
-
Sciaenops ocellatus
Best months by species at Tampico Gulf Mexico
| TarponMegalops atlanticus | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common SnookCentropomus undecimalis | ||||||||||||
| Red DrumSciaenops ocellatus |
Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| TarponOfficial source | 2/day | — | — |
| Tarpon ("sábalo") is limited to 2 per angler per day and is one of the nine species reserved for sport fishing within 50 nautical miles of shore. Counts toward the 10/day overall limit. Catch-and-release is encouraged. | |||
Licensing:
- saltwater-recreational — residents Federal sport-fishing permit (permiso de pesca deportivo-recreativa) required for everyone aboard a vessel fishing in Mexican waters, regardless of age or whether they personally fish. Fishing from shore or a pier does NOT require a permit. Permit terms: daily ~$127 MXN, weekly ~$318 MXN, monthly ~$476 MXN, annual ~$635 MXN. Buy from CONAPESCA online or authorised vendors., non-residents Same federal permit applies to visiting anglers and is sold online by CONAPESCA and by state tourism portals (e.g. Baja California). Charter/panga operators usually arrange permits for clients — confirm before departure. Underwater (spearfishing) requires an individual permit.
FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only and are not a legal source. Mexican sport-fishing rules are set federally by CONAPESCA (NOM-017-PESC) but daily limits, reserved species and protected natural areas (ANPs, e.g. Cabo Pulmo, Revillagigedo, Banco Chinchorro) carry extra restrictions, and rules change. The overall limit is 10 organisms per angler per day, maximum 5 of one species. Always carry a valid permit when fishing from a vessel and verify current rules with CONAPESCA before fishing.
Check Tampico Gulf Mexico before you go
Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.
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Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Tampico Gulf Mexico?
Anglers at Tampico Gulf Mexico target Tarpon, Common Snook and Red Drum.
When is the best time to fish Tampico Gulf Mexico?
The most productive months at Tampico Gulf Mexico are typically April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
What is the fishing forecast for Tampico Gulf Mexico right now?
Tampico Gulf Mexico currently scores 89 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Can you fish Tampico Gulf Mexico from shore?
Yes — Tampico Gulf Mexico is fishable from shore (offshore-only).
Is the thermocline set up at Tampico Gulf Mexico right now?
Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.
How deep is the water at Tampico Gulf Mexico?
The scored point sits over roughly 18 m of water. Depth shapes which species hold here and how the thermocline forms.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Tarpon: The Silver King PlaybookHow to Catch SnookHow to Read Tides for Fishing
Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.