South Padre is at its spring peak. The Lower Laguna Madre is firing on every cylinder, the first tarpon of the year have arrived, and the snapper countdown is on.
Lower Laguna — Peak Time
The LLM is at its spring high. Speckled trout are stacked on the grass flats and along the spoil banks at first light. Topwater plugs (Skitter Walks, Heddon Spook Jrs) the first hour, then soft plastics on a 1/16-oz jighead — KWiggler Ball Tail Shad in plum and bone is the regional favorite. Trophy trout in the 25-plus inch class are getting caught daily.
Redfish are blowing up on the flats from the Arroyo Colorado south to the Brownsville Ship Channel. Tailing fish at low tide in the back lakes are sight-casting opportunities. Gold spoons, weedless soft plastics, and live shrimp under a popping cork all work.
Snook on the Causeway
Snook are stacking around the Queen Isabella Causeway pilings at night. Live shrimp or pilchards free-lined into the lights. Bigger fish are coming off the deeper pilings on the south side.
Tarpon Arriving
First tarpon of the year have shown at the Brazos Santiago jetties. Live mullet drifted on outgoing tide. Numbers will build through June.
Red Snapper June 1
Federal red snapper opens June 1. Scout your numbers now in 80–120 feet. Vermilion snapper are open and biting on the bottom on cut bonito or squid.
Specific Spots This Week
The Arroyo Colorado mouth and the spoil banks south to East Cut are producing peak trout action — topwaters at first light, then KWiggler Ball Tail Shads on a 1/16-oz jighead in plum-chartreuse or pumpkin-chartreuse. The Saucer area and the flats around the Land Cut are giving up trophy trout in the 25-plus inch class. Redfish anglers are sight-casting at low tide in the back lakes north of Port Mansfield and on the spoil islands near Three Islands. The Queen Isabella Causeway pilings at night are loaded with snook on live shrimp drifted into the lights — the southern pilings hold the biggest fish. The Brazos Santiago jetties on outgoing tide are producing the first tarpon shots of the year.
Conditions and Outlook
Water temp 78–80°F. New moon Saturday. Light SE winds through Friday, building Saturday. Get out at first light for the LLM trout bite.
Local Intel This Week
The Arroyo Colorado spoil banks at first light for trout — KWiggler Ball Tail Shad in plum or bone on a 1/16 jighead. The Lighthouse Flats north of Port Mansfield for trophy trout over 25 inches if you can get there on calm water. South Bay back lakes at low tide for tailing redfish. Queen Isabella Causeway pilings at night for snook on live shrimp. Texas saltwater license required ($30 residents), trout 15-25 inch slot 5 fish, redfish 20-28 inch slot 3 fish. Tight lines.