Texas Gulf Coast fishing report for the week of September 24, 2026. Fall fishing is beginning on the Texas coast. The bull red run is in full swing at the passes, and with the Saturday full moon, the tides are pushing big fish through the jetties. Inside, the trout are feeding along the shorelines, and the flounder are starting to stage for their fall run.
What’s Hitting
What’s hot this week is bull redfish at the passes and jetties along the Texas coast. Speckled trout are feeding along the bay shorelines and over shell reefs, and flounder are starting to stage near the passes. Offshore, king mackerel, ling (cobia), and red snapper in state waters are available for boats that can make the run.
Where to Find Them
Bull reds are at the Galveston jetties, the Freeport jetties, the Matagorda jetties, and the Port Aransas jetties. Trout are along the shorelines and shell reefs in Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay, and the Aransas Bay complex. Flounder are starting to stage near the passes and along the drop-offs.
Tides & Conditions
The full moon on Saturday is producing strong tides, and the bull red bite at the jetties has been best on the moving water. Water temperatures are in the low 80s and slowly dropping. Winds have been light to moderate from the southeast. Check the forecast before running out, and keep an eye on the tropics.
Tackle & Tactics
For bull reds at the jetties, a cut mullet or a live croaker on a heavy setup with a circle hook is the way to go. For trout along the shorelines, a topwater plug early in the morning or a soft plastic on a jig head works well. Live shrimp under a popping cork is always a good choice. For flounder, a Gulp! on a jig head or a live mud minnow worked slowly along the bottom.
Local Intel This Week
The Galveston jetties and the Port Aransas jetties offer great shore access. For boaters, the Texas City Dike ramp, the Freeport Bridge Harbor ramp, and the Port Aransas public ramps are good options. Fish are concentrating at the passes and along the bay shorelines. Texas has a seasonal flounder closure in the fall and specific rules for oversized reds, so check current Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
When wade fishing for trout along the shorelines, move slowly and quietly. Look for signs of bait like nervous water or slicks. That’s where the trout will be.
More Texas Gulf Coast Resources
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