Episode Details
Back to Episodes
September 17th Rio Grande Fishing Report: Catfish, Bass, and More on the Border
Published 7 months, 1 week ago
Description
Good morning from the Lower Valley—this is Artificial Lure, bringing you the September 17th fishing report for the Rio Grande and surrounding waters near Rio Grande City, Texas.
First light cracked at 7:27 AM today, and the sun will duck behind the mesquite and willows right around 7:39 PM. We’re working with about 12 hours and 12 minutes of daylight. The weather’s holding steady—expect temps to start mild in the low 70s at sunrise, climbing to the mid 80s by early afternoon, with a touch of humidity hanging over the river. Conditions are calm this morning, and the wind will stay pretty light—classic early fall on the border.
The major fishing windows today are shaping up from about 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with a minor but very fishable burst from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Lunar conditions feature a thin waxing crescent, so while the moon won’t drive the bite, the cool snap before sunrise and that peak afternoon spell should get fish moving. Tidal influence on the fresh side of the Rio isn’t pronounced, but down towards the brackish mix at Falcon Lake and Boca Chica, you’ll notice it more—expect a slight push around mid-afternoon according to solunar tables from Solunar Forecast.
Recent catches in these waters have been solid, with folks reporting healthy numbers of blue and channel catfish, especially around structure and deeper holes. Channel cats up to 5-7 lbs are hitting consistently on cut shad and stink bait. Largemouth bass are moving a bit shallow at dawn and dusk—soft plastics like white flukes, watermelon worms, and flashy spinnerbaits are drawing nice strikes right along the reeds and undercut banks. Downstream, the Rio Grande cichlid is stacking up in rocky runs and small eddies—live worms or little beetle spins are your ticket there.
White bass activity has picked up just east of Fort Ringgold, with a few anglers pulling in doubles on small silver spoons and Rooster Tails at first light. Sunfish—bluegill and redear—are always dependable along gravel bars and brush piles, especially with bits of nightcrawler or crickets. The occasional freshwater drum has been caught below weirs and dams, especially when using shrimp—word is, a big one topped 10 lbs this past week.
Hot spots today? If you’re sticking close to town, hit the boat launch at Roma Bend for cats and bass. The deep brush just downstream of the city park is producing consistently. For bass and panfish, the La Bota area offers quieter water and good shoreline access. Falcon Lake, south of Zapata, is still a big draw for serious bass anglers, with the north end coves giving up 3- to 5-pounders this week.
Best baits: for catfish, nothing beats fresh-cut shad or punch bait. For bass, go with rattling crankbaits in shad or chartreuse patterns, or Twitch a pearl Super Fluke near submerged timber. If you’re targeting Rio Grande cichlid or sunfish, small live worms or a 1/16-oz Beetle Spin will get bites all morning.
Last tip: With water clarity good and light winds, try lighter line and focus on shaded pockets or undercut banks as the sun climbs. The heat will drive fish deeper after noon, so work your presentations slow and steady.
Thanks for tuning in to the Rio Grande report—don’t forget to subscribe for your daily bite updates, and tight lines to all y’all! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.
First light cracked at 7:27 AM today, and the sun will duck behind the mesquite and willows right around 7:39 PM. We’re working with about 12 hours and 12 minutes of daylight. The weather’s holding steady—expect temps to start mild in the low 70s at sunrise, climbing to the mid 80s by early afternoon, with a touch of humidity hanging over the river. Conditions are calm this morning, and the wind will stay pretty light—classic early fall on the border.
The major fishing windows today are shaping up from about 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with a minor but very fishable burst from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Lunar conditions feature a thin waxing crescent, so while the moon won’t drive the bite, the cool snap before sunrise and that peak afternoon spell should get fish moving. Tidal influence on the fresh side of the Rio isn’t pronounced, but down towards the brackish mix at Falcon Lake and Boca Chica, you’ll notice it more—expect a slight push around mid-afternoon according to solunar tables from Solunar Forecast.
Recent catches in these waters have been solid, with folks reporting healthy numbers of blue and channel catfish, especially around structure and deeper holes. Channel cats up to 5-7 lbs are hitting consistently on cut shad and stink bait. Largemouth bass are moving a bit shallow at dawn and dusk—soft plastics like white flukes, watermelon worms, and flashy spinnerbaits are drawing nice strikes right along the reeds and undercut banks. Downstream, the Rio Grande cichlid is stacking up in rocky runs and small eddies—live worms or little beetle spins are your ticket there.
White bass activity has picked up just east of Fort Ringgold, with a few anglers pulling in doubles on small silver spoons and Rooster Tails at first light. Sunfish—bluegill and redear—are always dependable along gravel bars and brush piles, especially with bits of nightcrawler or crickets. The occasional freshwater drum has been caught below weirs and dams, especially when using shrimp—word is, a big one topped 10 lbs this past week.
Hot spots today? If you’re sticking close to town, hit the boat launch at Roma Bend for cats and bass. The deep brush just downstream of the city park is producing consistently. For bass and panfish, the La Bota area offers quieter water and good shoreline access. Falcon Lake, south of Zapata, is still a big draw for serious bass anglers, with the north end coves giving up 3- to 5-pounders this week.
Best baits: for catfish, nothing beats fresh-cut shad or punch bait. For bass, go with rattling crankbaits in shad or chartreuse patterns, or Twitch a pearl Super Fluke near submerged timber. If you’re targeting Rio Grande cichlid or sunfish, small live worms or a 1/16-oz Beetle Spin will get bites all morning.
Last tip: With water clarity good and light winds, try lighter line and focus on shaded pockets or undercut banks as the sun climbs. The heat will drive fish deeper after noon, so work your presentations slow and steady.
Thanks for tuning in to the Rio Grande report—don’t forget to subscribe for your daily bite updates, and tight lines to all y’all! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This episode includes AI-generated content.