Gulf Of Mexico

{
  "id": "c2038fab-fa56-4011-8f2c-a1b60acd2362",
  "name": "Gulf Of Mexico",
  "slug": "gulf-of-mexico",
  "type": "region_colloquial",
  "status": "minimum",
  "tier": "t1",
  "centroid": {
    "crs": {
      "type": "name",
      "properties": {
        "name": "EPSG:4326"
      }
    },
    "type": "Point",
    "coordinates": [
      -90.065918,
      25.304304
    ]
  },
  "parentId": null,
  "country": "United States",
  "countryCode": "US",
  "stateProvince": null,
  "county": null,
  "timezone": null,
  "descriptionShort": "The Gulf of Mexico offers year-round saltwater fishing for tarpon, redfish, and snapper across shallow flats, mangrove channels, and deep offshore waters from Texas to Florida.",
  "descriptionLong": "The Gulf of Mexico is North America's premier saltwater fishery, a 600,000-square-mile basin that spans from the Texas coast to the Florida Panhandle and supports distinct regional fisheries shaped by depth, salinity, and seasonal migrations. The shallow flats and mangrove-lined bays of the northern Gulf—particularly around Galveston, Corpus Christi, and the Florida Panhandle—are legendary for redfish and spotted seatrout in water often less than four feet deep. These are sight-casting fisheries where poling skiffs and wade fishing dominate; success depends on reading tides, understanding how freshwater inflow from the Mississippi and other rivers creates salinity gradients, and presenting flies or light spinning tackle to cruising fish. Tarpon—silver kings that can exceed 100 pounds—migrate through the Gulf's passes and deeper channels from spring through fall, with peak activity in May and June. The deeper offshore waters, 40 to 100 miles from shore, hold grouper, snapper, wahoo, and kingfish year-round, accessible by larger center-console boats and charter vessels. Water temperatures range from the low 50s in winter (when many anglers focus on inshore species in the warmest pockets) to the mid-80s in summer. The Gulf's productivity stems from nutrient-rich upwelling, the Mississippi River's influence, and complex bottom structure—reefs, wrecks, and natural ledges that concentrate baitfish and gamefish. Tidal ranges are modest compared to Atlantic coasts, but wind and barometric pressure dramatically affect fishing conditions. Seasonal patterns are pronounced: spring and fall offer the most consistent weather and active fish across all depths, while summer brings heat and afternoon thunderstorms, and winter concentrates inshore action in shallow, protected bays. The Gulf remains accessible and productive for anglers of all skill levels, from first-time flats fishers to offshore specialists.",
  "imageUrl": null,
  "verticals": [],
  "waterCharacteristics": [],
  "searchAliases": [
    "Gulf of Mexico"
  ],
  "tags": null,
  "metadata": null,
  "nhdFeatureId": null,
  "gnisId": null,
  "gnisName": null,
  "reachCode": null,
  "hucCode": null,
  "nhdPlusId": null,
  "streamOrder": null,
  "nhdFcode": null,
  "nhdFtype": null,
  "drainageAreaSqKm": null,
  "slopePercent": null,
  "elevationMin": null,
  "elevationMax": null,
  "lengthKm": null,
  "areaSqKm": null,
  "nhdGaugeIds": null,
  "noaaTideStationIds": null,
  "noaaCurrentStationIds": null,
  "censusGeoid": null,
  "censusLsadc": null,
  "areaWaterSqKm": null,
  "seoKeyword": null,
  "seoSearchVolume": null,
  "seoCompetition": null,
  "adCount": null,
  "advertiserCount": null,
  "source": "editorial",
  "pipelineId": 353901,
  "createdAt": "2026-06-15T22:15:25.877Z",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-15T22:15:25.877Z",
  "destinationSpecies": [],
  "breadcrumbs": []
}