The Texas Gulf Coast inshore fishery is in late-spring form this week. Speckled trout are stacked on the outside grass beds and oyster reefs from Galveston down through Port Aransas, redfish are tailing on the flats in the early morning windows, and the offshore fleet is preparing for the June 1 federal snapper opener. Persistent south winds (15-25 knots) shaped trip planning this week — boats fished the leeward sides of structure.
Inshore — Trout, Wade Fishing
The speckled trout bite has been excellent on the outside structure. Big trout (5-10+ lb fish) are being caught wading the flats around Baffin Bay, the Lower Laguna Madre, and the Aransas Bay system. The dawn windows have been productive on topwater walking plugs (Texas Custom Lures She Dog, Heddon Spook Jr.) in bone or pearl.
The deeper trout fishery on the outside grass beds in 4-8 feet of water is producing limits when fish are located. Live shrimp under a popping cork, 4-inch Bass Assassin paddle tails, and Berkley Gulp! Shrimp on 1/4 oz jigheads are the standard. The Lighthouse Reef area, the Espiritu Santo Bay flats, and the Matagorda Bay back areas have been the consistent producers.
Redfish are tailing on the lower tides on the back flats throughout the system. Sight casting with weedless gold spoons, DOA C.A.L. paddle tails on 1/8 oz weedless jigheads, or live shrimp on light tackle. The Lower Laguna Madre and the South Padre back bay have been the most productive for sight fishing.
Wade Fishing — Texas Specialty
Texas wade fishing is in its prime window. Anglers wading the flats at first light from the Matagorda Bay system down through Baffin Bay have been finding tailing reds, big trout, and the occasional snook on the lower coast. Topwater early, soft plastics through the day.
Wading boots, stingray protection, and a wade-fishing belt with light tackle is the standard kit. The early morning calm before the south wind builds is the productive window.
Offshore — Snapper Opening, Kingfish
Federal red snapper opens June 1 in the Gulf (verify NOAA dates). The Texas offshore fleet is preparing for the heaviest fishing day of the year. The natural bottom in 80-180 feet, the artificial reef numbers, and the deep-water structure are the standard productive zones. Cut bait (squid, sardine chunks) on heavy bottom rigs with circle hooks.
Kingfish are reliable on the artificial reefs in 50-90 feet of water. Slow-trolled blue runners and threadfin herring on stinger rigs are producing fish in the 20-40 lb class.
Mahi-mahi are scattered on the outside water. Trolled ballyhoo over weed lines produces the action.
A few cobia continue on the buoys and the deeper reefs. Sight casting to surface fish with bucktails on heavy spinning gear.
South Padre, Lower Laguna Madre
The Lower Laguna Madre and the Brownsville area continue to be the headline destination for traveling anglers. Clear water, white sand, tailing reds, and big trout. Wade fishing the flats at first light is the experience.
What’s Ahead
Federal red snapper opens June 1. The summer wind pattern is settling in — consistent 15-25 knot south winds will shape trip planning through summer. Water temperatures climbing through the upper 80s.
For this weekend: dawn wade fishing on the leeward flats, trout on the outside structure mid-day, pre-snapper offshore prep.
Tight lines.