Texas Gulf Coast fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. October on the Texas coast is a highlight, with the bull red run at its peak, the speckled trout feeding on shrimp, and the flounder run about to begin. The new moon this weekend should help.
What’s Hitting
Bull redfish are on the jetties and in the passes, feeding on mullet and crabs. Speckled trout are working in the bays, particularly around the grass and the shell reefs, flounder are starting to move toward the passes, and black drum and sheepshead are around the structure. Offshore, kingfish and mahi are around the rigs.
Where to Find Them
The Galveston jetties and the Texas City Dike are prime for bull reds and flounder. Rockport and Fulton Harbor offer trout and redfish in the bays. Surfside Beach and the surf can hold bulls and sharks, and the bay shorelines produce slot reds and trout.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend brings stronger tides, and the falling tide concentrates fish at the passes and cuts. A cold front can push north winds and drop the water level, so check the forecast. After a front, the fish often become more active in the afternoon.
Tackle & Tactics
Live shrimp under a popping cork or a soft plastic is the staple for trout. For bull reds, cut mullet or crab on a fish-finder rig works from the jetties and the surf. For flounder, a Gulp or a live mud minnow on a jig head, worked along the bottom near the jetties, is productive.
The bay systems, such as Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay, Aransas Bay and Corpus Christi Bay, each fish a little differently. The upper bays warm and cool faster, so trout often move to the deeper, warmer water first when a front arrives, while the lower bays stay steady.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes the Texas City Dike, the Galveston Jetties, Surfside Beach, and the Rockport and Fulton harbors. Fish are concentrating at the jetties, the passes and the shell reefs. Check current Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations and seasons before keeping any fish, as slot limits apply to redfish and trout.
This Week’s Tip
Slick spots on the water often mark baitfish and feeding trout. Cast to the edge of the slick, and use a soft plastic or a topwater.
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