Redfish fall pattern builds along the Texas coast

What's biting

What's next

Each station shows its next low arriving this evening, with predicted times of 22:25 UTC at 8772471, 23:07 UTC at 8771341 and 23:39 UTC at 8771450. In local time (CDT, UTC minus 5) that is roughly 5:25 PM, 6:07 PM and 6:39 PM. Falling water through late afternoon tends to pull bait and predators off the flats and toward channel edges and drains, so plan to work those exits as the tide drains and keep moving until you find fish.

With the first quarter moon, tide swings are moderate, so the timing of the move matters more than the size of it. The early morning bite after sunrise and the last light after the evening low are the windows worth planning around. If water temperatures keep sliding, expect redfish to stay active and to school more tightly, so a productive spot may hold a number of fish. Per Coastal Angler Magazine, artificial lures with changes in retrieve speed are a sound way to sort out what the fish want on a given tide.

Context

Mid to late October is typically the heart of fall on the upper and middle Texas coast. The first real cool fronts start dropping bay temperatures out of the 80s, bait moves toward the passes and marsh edges, and redfish gather into larger groups. Readings in the 70s are right on schedule for this point in the season. Patterns usually stay strong into November, although fishing can change quickly after each front passes, and anglers should check current state regulations before keeping fish.