Texas fishing reports
579 reports for Texas — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
East Texas bass settle into fall transition pattern
Fall is moving largemouth bass into a new rhythm on East Texas reservoirs. Per Texas Fish & Game Magazine, bass on Texas reservoirs are in transition as water temperatures drop and shad move into creeks and coves, with bass following. The same piece points to shallow-water opportunities, while anglers after truly big fish can work main-lake humps and ridges. Lake Fork Trophy Bass calls October a prime month, noting quality fish are catching well and that hunting season thins out boat traffic, so anglers often have the lake to themselves. Nearby USGS gauge 08017044 read 77°F this morning, 08017118 read 71°F, and 08017095 read 69°F. Those spreads show water cooling at different rates across the area, which suits a search-and-find approach. Gauge 08030500 on the Sabine system was running 672 cfs.
Fall redfish window opens along the Upper Texas Coast
Water temperatures across three Galveston-area NOAA CO-OPS stations ranged from 68.5°F at station 8771341 to 78.6°F at station 8771450, with 8772471 at 75.2°F in between. That spread of about ten degrees inside one stretch of coast is a classic mid-October sign, with fish sorting themselves by comfort and bait. Salt Strong's fall write-up points to big schools of redfish moving into certain areas right now, and its Upper Texas Coast Weekend Game Plan for October 16th to 18th is live for members. Redfish are the species to plan around this weekend.
Fall bass and catfish settle into a steadier autumn pattern
Water around the Coastal Bend gauges is still warm, with USGS gauge 08211200 reading 71°F and USGS gauge 0821150305 at 68°F. That is comfortable for active fish. Gauge 08211200 shows a modest 65 cfs of flow, so rivers are low and clear to moderate rather than running high. Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes that as water temperatures begin to drop on Texas reservoirs, shad move into creeks and coves and largemouth often follow, which sets up shallow-water chances. North Texas Catfish Guide described a late-summer grind with a ghost bite and plenty of small fish before the first signs of fall arrived on Eagle Mountain Lake.
Hill Country bass settle into the fall transition
Water is still warm across the Hill Country gauges, with USGS gauge 08155500 reading 72°F, gauge 08105891 at 73°F and gauge 08170990 at 70°F this morning. That is comfortable water for largemouth, and per Texas Fish & Game Magazine, fall is a transition period on Texas reservoirs. As temperatures begin to drop, shad move into creeks and coves, and bass often follow. That sets up shallow-water opportunities, with bigger fish also found on main-lake humps and ridges.
Redfish and snook fall pattern builds along the Lower Laguna Madre
Water temperatures are holding in the upper 70s across the Lower Laguna Madre and South Padre area, with NOAA CO-OPS station 8775237 reading 77.5°F and station 8779770 reading 76.8°F this morning. That is warm enough to keep inshore fish comfortable and feeding through the day, while the seasonal cooling trend sets up the fall bite. Salt Strong reports that MASSIVE schools of big redfish are moving into certain areas this fall, and that is the pattern worth watching as the water slowly eases down. Salt Strong also describes popping corks as one of the most effective rigs for redfish and snook, and a pre-trip setup that lets you switch depth and leader length quickly keeps you fishing instead of re-rigging.
East Texas bass shift toward fall shad patterns
Water in the region is cooling into the low to upper 70s, with USGS gauge 08017044 reading 78°F, gauge 08017118 at 76°F and gauge 08017095 at 72°F. That spread points to a fall transition underway. Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes that as water temperatures begin to drop, shad move into creeks and coves and largemouth bass often follow, which opens up shallow-water opportunities. Lake Fork Trophy Bass calls October a great month on the water, with cooler weather and quality fish and less pressure as hunters head for the stands.
Big redfish schools push in as Texas coast fall pattern builds
Water along the upper Texas coast is still warm for mid-October. Our readings from NOAA CO-OPS station 8771450 show 78.3°F, station 8772471 sits at 76.5°F, and station 8771341 is the cool spot at 72.5°F. That spread tells you where fish may be holding as the season turns. Per Salt Strong, fall is one of the best times of year to fish, with massive schools of big redfish moving into certain areas right now. Their weekend game plan roundup for October 16th to 18th also lists the Upper Texas Coast among its covered regions. The Galveston Daily News Reel Report passes along a Seadrift captain, Capt. Jeff Larson, who describes mid-coast fishing as on fire. The same column covers the King of the Dike tournament at the Texas City Dike, which drew 175 rods.
Fall bass and catfish patterns take shape on South Texas waters
Water temperature readings of 68°F and 73°F at two USGS gauges (0821150305 and 08211200) put this stretch squarely in early fall. The 08211200 gauge shows 62.3 cfs of flow, a modest, stable current. Per Texas Fish & Game Magazine, largemouth bass on Texas reservoirs are in a fall transition. Shad move into creeks and coves as water cools, and bass follow, which opens up shallow-water chances.
Hill Country bass and crappie settle into the fall pattern
Water is cooling into a comfortable fall range across the Austin-area gauges, with USGS gauge 08155500 reading 72°F and gauge 08170990 reading 70°F. Gauge 08105891 sits warmer at 77°F, a reminder that shallower or slower water still holds summer heat. Per Texas Fish & Game Magazine, fall is a transition period for largemouth bass on Texas reservoirs: shad move into creeks and coves as water temperatures drop, and bass often follow. That creates shallow-water chances, while anglers after bigger fish can work main-lake humps and ridges. Tactical Bassin's October video points to jigs, soft jerkbaits and topwater in shallow water as an old-school way to find fall fish.
Redfish fall push gets going on warm Lower Laguna Madre water
Water temperatures are holding in the upper 70s across the Lower Laguna Madre and South Padre area, with NOAA CO-OPS station 8775237 reading 78.3°F and station 8779770 reading 77.5°F in the pre-dawn hours. That is warm for mid-October and keeps fish comfortable and feeding through the day. Salt Strong (articles) says big redfish are gathering in fall, and their popping cork piece calls the rig one of the most effective for redfish. That is the setup to have rigged before you leave the ramp.
Redfish season builds along the Upper Texas Coast
Water temperatures across the three Gulf Coast tide stations read 73.2°F, 76.3°F and 77.9°F as of the latest NOAA CO-OPS observations (stations 8771341, 8771450 and 8772471). That is still warm for mid-October, but the fall pattern is already in motion. Salt Strong calls fall one of the best times of year to fish and reports big schools of redfish moving into certain areas, a pattern worth keying on as the water cools.
Texas catfish and fall bass set up as water cools
Two USGS gauges on the south Texas coastal plain both read 74°F water this weekend, with gauge 08211200 moving 61.1 cfs. That is a gentle, stable flow, and it holds fish in predictable spots rather than scattering them. Per North Texas Catfish Guide, the late-summer pattern on Eagle Mountain Lake has been hot water, little wind and a light "ghost bite" where Channel Catfish barely touch the bait, with plenty of small fish to sort through before reaching better keepers. Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes that bass on Texas reservoirs are in a fall transition, with shad moving into creeks and coves and bass following them.