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Rio Grande Fishing Report: Largemouth, Cats, and Cichlid Action for November
Published 5 months, 2 weeks ago
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This is Artificial Lure with your Rio Grande, Texas fishing report for Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Sunrise hit at 6:47 a.m., and we’re headed for sunset around 5:49 p.m. The morning started cool and breezy with temps in the low 70s, and we’re expecting the weather to hold steady most of today. That little bite in the air is getting fish on the move, especially since a cold front pushed through early this week, dropping water temps just a hair – perfect for fall action according to KRGV First Warn Weather.
Tidal movement is moderate today, with NOAA and regional forecasts calling for a low tide late morning around 11:58 a.m., and a slower-moving rising tide through the afternoon. That means the best window for chasing game fish is from sunrise through late morning, and again as the tide fills after lunch.
Let’s talk fish. The lower Rio Grande is lighting up with action, especially for largemouth bass and channel cats. Fishers at Town Lake at Fireman's Park in McAllen have been reporting solid bluegill and sunfish catches on worms and small crappie jigs, with some anglers pulling channel cats up to 6 pounds on cut bait this week. Out east toward the lagoons near Arroyo Colorado, white bass and Rio Grande cichlids are feeding well on live minnows and curly tail grubs.
Check Texas Parks and Wildlife private records, and you’ll see some impressive catches from our neck of the woods lately: hybrid and largemouth bass on Clouser minnows, redear and bluegill sunfish on Black Goober Bugs, and those ever-elusive Rio Grande cichlids on crawfish briminators. Fresh reports from local anglers say the cichlids are especially active at the rocky bends near Tres Marias and over by the river islands north of Los Ebanos, where slow presentations near structure are key.
Top baits and lures right now: for bass, go with medium-diving crankbaits in shad or bluegill patterns, or try a slow-rolled spinnerbait during the first light. Live nightcrawlers and cut shad are producing for catfish. If you're after panfish, use 1/16 oz. jigheads tipped with red worms or chartreuse plastics. For the fly crowd, a crawfish pattern or small Clouser minnow is turning heads from cichlid to sunfish.
Hot spots for November? I’d set up at:
- The Hidalgo Pumphouse oxbow, where submerged timber’s stacked with sunfish and cichlids.
- The sweep below Anzalduas Dam – always promising for big cats and the occasional drum.
- And don’t overlook the shallow flats at Town Lake at Firemen’s Park in McAllen if you want guaranteed panfish for the kids.
Bite tends to slow mid-afternoon, so plan your outings around the tidal swing and early morning cool. Remember to move frequently – the bite’s best for anglers who aren’t afraid to switch tactics and cover new ground, just like the top local guides recommend.
Appreciate y’all tuning in to today’s Rio Grande fishing report! For more updates, tips, and on-the-water tales, be sure to subscribe.
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
Sunrise hit at 6:47 a.m., and we’re headed for sunset around 5:49 p.m. The morning started cool and breezy with temps in the low 70s, and we’re expecting the weather to hold steady most of today. That little bite in the air is getting fish on the move, especially since a cold front pushed through early this week, dropping water temps just a hair – perfect for fall action according to KRGV First Warn Weather.
Tidal movement is moderate today, with NOAA and regional forecasts calling for a low tide late morning around 11:58 a.m., and a slower-moving rising tide through the afternoon. That means the best window for chasing game fish is from sunrise through late morning, and again as the tide fills after lunch.
Let’s talk fish. The lower Rio Grande is lighting up with action, especially for largemouth bass and channel cats. Fishers at Town Lake at Fireman's Park in McAllen have been reporting solid bluegill and sunfish catches on worms and small crappie jigs, with some anglers pulling channel cats up to 6 pounds on cut bait this week. Out east toward the lagoons near Arroyo Colorado, white bass and Rio Grande cichlids are feeding well on live minnows and curly tail grubs.
Check Texas Parks and Wildlife private records, and you’ll see some impressive catches from our neck of the woods lately: hybrid and largemouth bass on Clouser minnows, redear and bluegill sunfish on Black Goober Bugs, and those ever-elusive Rio Grande cichlids on crawfish briminators. Fresh reports from local anglers say the cichlids are especially active at the rocky bends near Tres Marias and over by the river islands north of Los Ebanos, where slow presentations near structure are key.
Top baits and lures right now: for bass, go with medium-diving crankbaits in shad or bluegill patterns, or try a slow-rolled spinnerbait during the first light. Live nightcrawlers and cut shad are producing for catfish. If you're after panfish, use 1/16 oz. jigheads tipped with red worms or chartreuse plastics. For the fly crowd, a crawfish pattern or small Clouser minnow is turning heads from cichlid to sunfish.
Hot spots for November? I’d set up at:
- The Hidalgo Pumphouse oxbow, where submerged timber’s stacked with sunfish and cichlids.
- The sweep below Anzalduas Dam – always promising for big cats and the occasional drum.
- And don’t overlook the shallow flats at Town Lake at Firemen’s Park in McAllen if you want guaranteed panfish for the kids.
Bite tends to slow mid-afternoon, so plan your outings around the tidal swing and early morning cool. Remember to move frequently – the bite’s best for anglers who aren’t afraid to switch tactics and cover new ground, just like the top local guides recommend.
Appreciate y’all tuning in to today’s Rio Grande fishing report! For more updates, tips, and on-the-water tales, be sure to subscribe.
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