Redfish and fall specks on the move along the Texas coast

What's biting

What's next

Next low tides are predicted at 17:19 UTC at station 8772471, 18:02 UTC at 8771341 and 18:45 UTC at 8771450. In local time (CDT) that puts the lows between roughly 12:20 and 1:45 PM, so the falling tide into the early afternoon is the window to plan around. Morning hours ahead of the low should offer moving water on the shallows, where redfish typically push up to feed as the tide drains.

With water still in the low 80s, early morning and the evening hours are the better bet before midday heat settles in. If the next few cool fronts drop temperatures, expect fish to shift toward deeper edges and structure. Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes that slow-sinking and suspending baits become more productive as water cools, so that approach is worth having ready. The waxing crescent moon means darker nights, with tide timing mattering more than moonlight this week.

Context

Mid-October on the upper and middle Texas coast is typically a transition period. Bait is moving out of the bays, and redfish often stack up in predictable spots as the fall run gets going. Water in the low 80s is on the warm side, so the full cool-water pattern may arrive a bit later than usual. Check Texas regulations before harvesting, since flounder closures are in place in November and proposed rule changes are under review per Texas Fish & Game Magazine.