Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 29, 2026
This South Padre Island fishing report covers late October, when fall brings bull reds to the jetties and cooler water into the Laguna Madre. Snook are the lead target around the docks and channel edges of the Laguna, bull reds work the Brazos Santiago jetties, and speckled trout spread across the flats. Plan around moving water and wind: tides strengthen as the moon heads toward full, the outgoing tide is the call at the jetties, and the wind decides which Laguna shoreline holds bait.
What’s Hitting
Snook hold around the docks and channel edges of the Laguna Madre, bull reds stack at the Brazos Santiago jetties, and speckled trout spread across the flats. Redfish cruise the grass flats, and flounder and black drum work the channels.
Expect the trout action to improve as the water cools, and fronts to keep the jetties producing. Fall fronts push bait out of the bay and through the pass, which is why the jetties tend to fire after a cold snap.
Where to Find Them
Fish the jetties at Brazos Santiago Pass on the outgoing tide for bull reds. Work the grass flats of the Laguna Madre for trout and redfish, and the docks and channel edges for snook.
Snook use docks and channel edges because shade and current give them an ambush point, while grass flats hold shrimp and small baitfish that draw trout and redfish shallow.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon heading toward full, tides strengthen. Moving water at the jetties is best.
An outgoing tide pulls bait from the Laguna through the pass, and bull reds line the jetty rocks to intercept it. Stronger tides move more water through the pass. Check a current tide chart and wind forecast.
Tackle & Tactics
- Bull reds: cut mullet.
- Trout: live shrimp under a cork. The cork keeps shrimp just above the grass, and its pop draws fish from a distance.
- Snook: a soft plastic or live bait.
On the flats, make long casts and move slowly to avoid spooking fish in clear water. Shallow fish feel pressure waves from a hull or a wading angler, so a quiet approach pays.
Local Intel This Week
Isla Blanca Park sits right at the jetties, so use it for shore access to the bull reds on the outgoing tide. Andy Bowie Park and the Port Isabel launches open up the Laguna for boat and wade anglers. The site’s location guide also lists South Point Marina, the Queen Isabella Causeway, Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier and Adolph Thomae Jr. County Park. Snook rules are specific. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
Fish the wind. On the Laguna, the downwind shoreline often holds bait and fish. Wind pushes bait and warmer surface water toward the downwind bank and predators follow, so start there before trying a calm, protected shoreline.
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