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Fishing the Rio Grande - A South Texas Summer Fishing Report
Published 6 months ago
Description
Well, howdy, y’all—Artificial Lure here, comin’ at you live from the waters around Rio Grande, Texas. Pull up a bucket, grab a cold one, and let’s talk fish!
**Weather & Sunlight**
Today’s shaping up to be another classic South Texas scorcher. The KRGV weather team says expect breezy winds and temps pushing into the 90s. That’s right, folks—heat’s on, so hydrate and slather on the sunscreen. Sunrise lit up our skies right around 7:30 a.m., and we’ll catch sunset just past 7 p.m. That gives us plenty of daylight to prowl the water, but don’t sleep on that early morning or evening bite—those are prime times, especially with this heat.
**Tidal Trends**
Now, we don’t have a direct tide station here at Rio Grande, but just up the coast, Aransas Pass NOAA Tides show tonight’s high rolling in around 7:30 p.m. at about 1.9 feet. Keep in mind, tides at the mouth of the Rio Grande can move baitfish around and stir up predator activity—so plan your trips just before or after slack tide for best results.
**Fish Activity—Recent Catches**
This time of year, the marshes, channels, and Laguna Madre flats near the Rio Grande are lit up with life. According to Texas Parks & Wildlife’s private water records, local anglers have been pulling in solid numbers on several fronts.
- **Catfish**—Channel, blue, and even flathead catfish are chewing. Folks are landing channels up near 50 pounds, hittin’ cut bait and bluegill, especially in deeper holes and around structure. Blue cats are showing up on cut shad and live bluegill, and flatheads are out there too—if you want a bruiser, target logjams and undercuts at night.
- **Redfish & Speckled Trout**—While the TPWD site mainly tracks freshwater, local word is that reds are schooled up tight on the falling tide, cruising the grass lines. Specks are holding on the edges of deeper channels, especially near the mouth where the river meets the bay. Topwater early, soft plastics and suspending twitchbaits as the sun gets high.
- **Largemouth Bass**—The river itself and nearby oxbows and resacas have good bass action. Dark green or purple Texas-rigs, creature baits, and spinnerbaits are all producing, especially around laydowns and deeper reed lines.
- **Other Action**—Crappie, white and black, are stacked on submerged structure—try small minnows or marabou jigs. Bluegill and sunfish are always willing if you need a few for the pan or for live bait.
**Best Lures & Bait**
- **Catfish:** Cut shad, chicken liver, and live bluegill. Stink baits and punch baits are working well, too.
- **Redfish:** Gold spoons, paddletail swimbaits, and weedless soft plastics in rootbeer or chartreuse. Topwater frogs at dawn.
- **Speckled Trout:** MirrOlure suspending lures, DOA shrimp, and 3-inch soft plastics in peacock or lime/white.
- **Bass:** Texas-rigged worms, creature baits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits—oxblood, junebug, and green pumpkin are hot colors.
- **Crappie & Panfish:** 1/16-oz jigs, live minnows, and small soft plastics worked slow near submerged trees or docks.
**Hot Spots**
- **Mouth of the Rio Grande:** Where salt and freshwater mix, reds and specks stack up, especially on the outgoing tide.
- **Resaca Lakes & Oxbows:** These backwater jewels off the main river are full of catfish, bass, and panfish. Look for deep holes, fallen trees, and thick reed lines.
- **Laguna Madre Grass Flats:** Just north of the river mouth, these flats are redfish heaven on a falling tide—wade or drift for best results.
**Safety & Friendly Reminders**
Heat’s no joke—pack water, electrolytes, and a hat. Watch out for gators and snakes, and mind the tides if you’re wading the flats.
Thanks for tuning into your local fishing fix, amigos. Tight lines, and remember—subscribe to get the latest straight from the water’s edge every week. Til next time, keep those lines
**Weather & Sunlight**
Today’s shaping up to be another classic South Texas scorcher. The KRGV weather team says expect breezy winds and temps pushing into the 90s. That’s right, folks—heat’s on, so hydrate and slather on the sunscreen. Sunrise lit up our skies right around 7:30 a.m., and we’ll catch sunset just past 7 p.m. That gives us plenty of daylight to prowl the water, but don’t sleep on that early morning or evening bite—those are prime times, especially with this heat.
**Tidal Trends**
Now, we don’t have a direct tide station here at Rio Grande, but just up the coast, Aransas Pass NOAA Tides show tonight’s high rolling in around 7:30 p.m. at about 1.9 feet. Keep in mind, tides at the mouth of the Rio Grande can move baitfish around and stir up predator activity—so plan your trips just before or after slack tide for best results.
**Fish Activity—Recent Catches**
This time of year, the marshes, channels, and Laguna Madre flats near the Rio Grande are lit up with life. According to Texas Parks & Wildlife’s private water records, local anglers have been pulling in solid numbers on several fronts.
- **Catfish**—Channel, blue, and even flathead catfish are chewing. Folks are landing channels up near 50 pounds, hittin’ cut bait and bluegill, especially in deeper holes and around structure. Blue cats are showing up on cut shad and live bluegill, and flatheads are out there too—if you want a bruiser, target logjams and undercuts at night.
- **Redfish & Speckled Trout**—While the TPWD site mainly tracks freshwater, local word is that reds are schooled up tight on the falling tide, cruising the grass lines. Specks are holding on the edges of deeper channels, especially near the mouth where the river meets the bay. Topwater early, soft plastics and suspending twitchbaits as the sun gets high.
- **Largemouth Bass**—The river itself and nearby oxbows and resacas have good bass action. Dark green or purple Texas-rigs, creature baits, and spinnerbaits are all producing, especially around laydowns and deeper reed lines.
- **Other Action**—Crappie, white and black, are stacked on submerged structure—try small minnows or marabou jigs. Bluegill and sunfish are always willing if you need a few for the pan or for live bait.
**Best Lures & Bait**
- **Catfish:** Cut shad, chicken liver, and live bluegill. Stink baits and punch baits are working well, too.
- **Redfish:** Gold spoons, paddletail swimbaits, and weedless soft plastics in rootbeer or chartreuse. Topwater frogs at dawn.
- **Speckled Trout:** MirrOlure suspending lures, DOA shrimp, and 3-inch soft plastics in peacock or lime/white.
- **Bass:** Texas-rigged worms, creature baits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits—oxblood, junebug, and green pumpkin are hot colors.
- **Crappie & Panfish:** 1/16-oz jigs, live minnows, and small soft plastics worked slow near submerged trees or docks.
**Hot Spots**
- **Mouth of the Rio Grande:** Where salt and freshwater mix, reds and specks stack up, especially on the outgoing tide.
- **Resaca Lakes & Oxbows:** These backwater jewels off the main river are full of catfish, bass, and panfish. Look for deep holes, fallen trees, and thick reed lines.
- **Laguna Madre Grass Flats:** Just north of the river mouth, these flats are redfish heaven on a falling tide—wade or drift for best results.
**Safety & Friendly Reminders**
Heat’s no joke—pack water, electrolytes, and a hat. Watch out for gators and snakes, and mind the tides if you’re wading the flats.
Thanks for tuning into your local fishing fix, amigos. Tight lines, and remember—subscribe to get the latest straight from the water’s edge every week. Til next time, keep those lines