Redfish and snook window opens as Laguna Madre stays warm
Water in the Lower Laguna Madre area is running warm, with NOAA CO-OPS station 8775237 reading 83.1°F and station 8779770 at 84.4°F on the afternoon of October 11. That is still summer-range water for mid-October, which keeps inshore fish comfortable and feeding through the day. Per Saltwater Sportsman, the fall mullet run is on across the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, with mullet pouring out of bays and estuaries from September into November. Redfish typically key on that baitfish movement along shorelines and passes. Coastal Angler Magazine's October roundup also notes snook taking live bait, a reminder that warm fall water keeps them active where they are present.
New to these readings? What water temp, tide, and moon phase mean for fishing →
What's biting
Fish this water?
We're light on local intel here. Send us your report and we'll credit you.
Send a reportWhat's next
Expect little change in water temperature over the next few days, so plan around light rather than temperature. Early mornings and the last hour of daylight are the best windows, when the water is a touch cooler and baitfish move shallow.
The New Moon means small tidal swings for the next several days. Moving water around any tide change still concentrates bait, so focus on the hours when current is running rather than slack periods. Per Saltwater Sportsman, mullet schools are the thing to watch: birds working, nervous water or a mullet bump along the shoreline all point to where predators will be.
A front would drop water temperatures and push fish into a more aggressive fall pattern, but nothing in our readings shows that yet. Until it does, think shallow, early and near bait.
Context
Mid-October on the lower Texas coast is typically a transition period. Summer heat is fading, bait is migrating and redfish tend to school and feed more aggressively as days shorten. Water in the low-to-mid 80s is on the warm side for the date, so the full cool-water fall pattern is probably still a few weeks out.
It is a good time for anglers to check current state regulations before harvesting, as seasons and limits can change. Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes TPWD has proposed some rule changes, though the November flounder closure is not expected to go away.
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.
EVERY SATURDAY MORNING
Weekly fishing intelligence
Nationwide conditions, what's biting, and honest gear deals. One email, no noise.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.