Redfish and fall trout patterns settle in on the lower Texas coast

What's biting

What's next

Both stations show the next predicted low tide at about 17:44 to 17:52 UTC today, which is roughly 12:45 PM local time. Planning around the hours leading into and out of that low is sensible, since moving water and lower levels tend to concentrate fish in shallow areas. Expect early morning and late evening to be the most comfortable and productive windows while water stays this warm.

With a waxing crescent moon, the nights are dark early, so dawn and dusk are likely the best light-driven feeding periods. Sport Fishing Mag notes that as water temperatures begin to cool in late fall, slow-sinking and suspending plugs become increasingly productive from Texas to the Mid-Atlantic. We are not at that stage yet at 84 to 86°F, but a cooling trend would be the signal to start slowing down presentations.

Context

Mid-October on the lower Laguna Madre is typically a transition period. Water is still warm, but shorter days and the first fronts begin to nudge fish toward fall patterns. Redfish are generally available in shallow flats and along channel edges through this period, and the first real cold fronts usually reshape where and how anglers find them. Check state regulations before harvesting, since size and bag limits apply.