April 2026 — Texas Gulf Coast: Spring redfish and trout on back lake flats. April is a spring month with water in the 68-76°F range — cobia peak window; permit on flats (South FL Gulf); snook moving. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — April 2026
Primary targets this month: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook, Black Drum.
Redfish
Redfish in Aransas Bay, Copano Bay, Baffin Bay (trophy redfish capital), Lighthouse Lakes, the Land Cut (Lower Laguna Madre), and the East Matagorda Bay flats. Cut bait, gold spoons, and soft plastics on light jigheads.
Speckled Trout
Trout holding in Baffin Bay (gator trout — 30″+ fish common), the Lower Laguna Madre, the Land Cut, East Matagorda, and the Galveston West Bay grass flats. Live shrimp under a popping cork, soft plastic jigs in natural colors (root beer, new penny, opening night).
Snook
Snook in South Padre Island, Brownsville/Port Isabel, the Brazos Santiago Pass, and the Lower Laguna Madre — Texas’s northern snook range. Live pilchards, scaled sardines, finger mullet. Artificial: white DOA Bait Buster, MirrOdine, walking topwaters at first and last light. Always verify current FWC snook season — slot is 28-33″ with seasonal closures.
Black Drum
Black drum (bull drum 30+ lb) on the bay channels, the jetties, the passes, and the surf during the spring run. Cut blue crab, fresh shrimp, or peeler crab on a 5/0-7/0 circle hook with enough weight to hold bottom. Slow, deliberate fishery — set the rod and wait for the rod to bend.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 68-76°F. Cobia peak window; permit on flats (south fl gulf); snook moving. Texas Gulf tides are minimal (about 1 foot) — wind dominates the bays. Strong south winds push water and bait into the bays; north winds drop water levels and concentrate fish in deeper holes. The jetties run on real tidal current and fish best on outgoing.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Cobia readiness. Keep a heavy spinning rod (8000-class, 40-50 lb braid, 60-80 lb fluoro) ready with a bucktail or live eel — cobia don’t announce themselves.
- Sight-fishing weather. Plan trips around calm seas and sun overhead. Polarized lenses essential.
- Bait migration. Spanish, kings, and predators follow bait pods — watch for diving birds and surface activity.
April Outlook
Peak spring migrations — cobia (Gulf/SE), striped bass (mid-Atlantic), spawning movements everywhere.
Regulations Reminder
Snook: 28-33″ slot (Atlantic and Gulf), one per day; seasonal closures vary by zone — verify FWC. Redfish: 18-27″ slot, one per angler per day (verify FWC zone-specific rules). Seatrout/Speckled Trout: FL: 15-19″ slot, 3 per day (verify zone). TX: 15-25″ slot, 3 per day. LA: 12″ minimum, 15 per day (verify current). Black Drum: 14-24″ slot or 16″ minimum depending on state; 1-5 per day. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Roy’s Bait & Tackle Outfitters (Corpus Christi), FTU (Fishing Tackle Unlimited — Houston/Galveston), Academy Sports Bait & Tackle.
Public Boat Ramps: Galveston Public Boat Ramp, San Luis Pass, Sargent Beach, Port O’Connor, Rockport Marina, Conn Brown Harbor (Aransas Pass), Bird Island Basin (Padre Island).
Charter Fishing: $450-$700 inshore (bay flats); $800-$1,200 nearshore (jetties); $1,400-$2,800 offshore (rigs, deep snapper).
More Texas Gulf Coast Resources
Texas Gulf Coast Fishing Guide · Texas Gulf Coast Seasonal Calendar · All Texas Gulf Coast reports →
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