Fall Mullet Run Reaches the Texas Gulf Coast
Water along the upper Texas coast held in the mid-80s this week — NOAA CO-OPS readings came in at 85.1°F at Galveston Pier 21, 83.8°F at the Galveston Bay Entrance North Jetty, and 83.3°F at Port Isabel. That's warm for the first full week of October, and it coincides with what Saltwater Sportsman describes as the fall mullet run now underway along the Gulf of Mexico, with millions of baitfish streaming out of rivers, bays, and estuaries. That bait push is the signal worth watching this time of year, since predator fish key in on the moving schools. Texas Fish & Game Magazine also reports TPWD is weighing new rule proposals that touch redfish tagging, worth checking before your next trip.
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Expect the mullet run to keep building through the rest of October, per Saltwater Sportsman's coverage of a migration that typically runs from September into November. With the new moon bringing stronger tidal swings, bait and the fish following it should stack up tighter around passes and channel mouths over the coming days. Water still sitting in the mid-80s tends to keep fish spread rather than schooled, so a sharper bite likely follows once temperatures start easing toward the 70s later this month. Anglers planning a redfish trip should also watch for TPWD's proposed tagging changes, reported by Texas Fish & Game Magazine, to see where that process lands before the rules take effect.
Context
Mid-80s water in the first week of October is normal for the Gulf Coast's extended summer pattern — this stretch typically holds onto summer temperatures longer than the rest of the state before a real cool-down arrives in November. The fall mullet run itself is right on schedule for this region. Redfish regulations are reviewed periodically by TPWD, and proposals like the one in play now are a routine part of that cycle rather than an unusual event.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
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