Episodes

  • February Gulf Fishing Report - Trout, Redfish, and Black Drum Biting Along the Texas Coast

    February Gulf Fishing Report - Trout, Redfish, and Black Drum Biting Along the Texas Coast
    Feb 8 2025
    Hey there, fellow anglers It's your buddy Artificial Lure here, and I'm excited to share today's fishing report for the Gulf of Mexico, particularly around Texas.

    First off, let's talk about the conditions. As of today, February 8th, 2025, the tide times for the Houston area are looking pretty favorable. We've got a low tide at 11:41 AM with a height of -0.94 feet, and a high tide at 9:29 PM with a height of 1.2 feet. Sunrise is at 7:05 AM, and sunset is at 6:04 PM, giving us a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing trips.

    The weather is still quite chilly, with water temperatures in the upper 50s, which is typical for this time of year. Light north winds are making it a pleasant day to be out on the water.

    Now, let's dive into the fish activity. Recently, anglers have been catching a variety of species, including speckled trout, redfish, and black drum. The annual black drum run is in full swing, and these fish are being caught at places like the Galveston jetties, Seawolf Park, and the Texas City Dike. Bull redfish are also making appearances in these same spots, particularly with live halved crab as bait.

    For speckled trout, the action has been good in deeper waters around South Padre and Port Isabel. Despite the cold weather, trout are still present, and using lures like Mansfield Knockers, Ball Tails, and twitch baits has been effective. About 80% of the fish caught in Port Mansfield were on Mansfield Knockers, so that's definitely a lure to consider.

    Given the current conditions, the best approach is to focus on moving tides, especially the incoming tide, as it brings in cooler, more oxygen-rich water that encourages fish to feed actively. For redfish, sight casting with Flats Buggs, particularly those with double bunny tails for calm conditions and curl tails for windier days, has been very effective.

    If you're targeting black drum and redfish, live halved crab is your best bet. For trout, tan, olive, and black crab patterns, Seaducers, and Clousers in sizes 4, 2, and 1 are good choices.

    In terms of specific hot spots, I highly recommend checking out the Galveston jetties and Seawolf Park. These areas have been producing some great catches of black drum and bull redfish. For trout, head over to the deeper waters around South Padre and Port Isabel.

    Remember to handle larger trout gently and release them, especially females over 21 inches, to help in their recovery and conservation.

    So, gear up and get out there The fish are biting, and with the right lures and bait, you're set for a great day on the water. Tight lines, everyone
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    3 mins
  • Texas Gulf Coast Fishing Report - Favorable Conditions for Trout, Redfish, and Black Drum

    Texas Gulf Coast Fishing Report - Favorable Conditions for Trout, Redfish, and Black Drum
    Feb 7 2025
    Hey there, fellow anglers It's your buddy Artificial Lure here, and I'm excited to share today's fishing report for the Gulf of Mexico, particularly around Texas.

    As of today, February 7th, 2025, the conditions are looking pretty favorable. Let's start with the tides. For the Houston area, we've got a low tide at 5:25 AM with a height of 0.3 feet, followed by a high tide at 9:40 AM with a height of 0.62 feet. The next low tide is at 5:03 PM with a height of -0.46 feet, and then another high tide at 11:33 PM with a height of 0.74 feet[1].

    The weather is quite chilly, with water temperatures in the upper 50s, which is typical for this time of year. Sunrise is at 7:10 AM, and sunset is at 5:59 PM, giving us a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing trips.

    Now, let's dive into the fish activity. Recently, anglers have been catching a variety of species, including speckled trout, redfish, and black drum. The annual black drum run is in full swing, and these fish are being caught at places like the Galveston jetties, Seawolf Park, and the Texas City Dike. Bull redfish are also making appearances in these same spots, particularly with live halved crab as bait[1].

    For those fishing around Texas City, the tide charts show a low tide at 11:52 AM with a height of -0.19 meters (-0.62 feet) and a high tide at 7:17 PM with a height of 0.28 meters (0.92 feet)[2]. This moving tide, especially the incoming tide, brings in cooler, more oxygen-rich water that encourages fish to feed actively.

    Given the current conditions, the best approach is to focus on these moving tides. For lures, consider using Flats Buggs, particularly those with double bunny tails for calm conditions and curl tails for windier days. These lures are effective for sight casting to redfish on shallow flats. Additionally, lures like the Rooster Popper in blue and green colors have proven to work well in the surf and at the jetties[3].

    If you're looking for bait, live shrimp and finger mullet are excellent choices. They've been attracting a good number of slot-sized speckled trout, black drum, and redfish in the deep areas along the Gulf Coast[4].

    Some hot spots to check out include Port Mansfield and South Padre. At Port Mansfield, target potholes in thigh-deep water for redfish, and for trout, look to deeper waters around South Padre and Port Isabel. The Galveston jetties and Seawolf Park are also prime locations, especially during the black drum run[1][2].

    Remember to handle larger trout gently and release them, especially females over 21 inches, to help in their recovery and conservation.

    So, gear up and get out there – the fish are biting, and the conditions are right. Tight lines, everyone
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    3 mins
  • Gulf Fishing Report 2025: Trout, Reds, and Drum Bite Strong on Texas Coast

    Gulf Fishing Report 2025: Trout, Reds, and Drum Bite Strong on Texas Coast
    Feb 5 2025
    Hey there, fellow anglers It's your buddy Artificial Lure here, and I'm excited to share today's fishing report for the Gulf of Mexico, particularly around Texas.

    First off, let's talk about the conditions. As of today, February 5th, 2025, the tide times for the Houston area are looking pretty favorable. We've got a low tide at 8:17 AM with a height of -0.23 feet, followed by a high tide at 4:50 PM with a height of 1.02 feet. These tidal movements should give us some great opportunities to catch a variety of fish.

    The weather is quite chilly, with water temperatures in the upper 50s, which is typical for this time of year. Sunrise is at 7:08 AM, and sunset is at 6:02 PM, giving us a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing trips.

    Now, let's dive into the fish activity. Recently, anglers have been catching a variety of species, including speckled trout, redfish, and black drum. The annual black drum run is in full swing, and these fish are being caught at places like the Galveston jetties, Seawolf Park, and the Texas City Dike. Bull redfish are also making appearances in these same spots, particularly with live halved crab as bait.

    For speckled trout, East Matagorda Bay is a hot spot this month. Wading works best, especially on the south shoreline and in the coves when the weather is fairly warm and tides are high. Lower tides and colder water favor the other side of the bay. Muddy flats and patch reefs close to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) produce some big fish during the cold snaps. Topwaters and slow-sinking twitchbaits are popular choices for targeting big trout, along with soft plastics on light jigheads.

    When it comes to lures, you can't go wrong with some of the classics. For redfish, topwater plugs and the Berkley Gulp Saltwater lineup are highly effective. The Jerk Shad in New Penny color, rigged on 1/16-ounce jig heads for shallow water or heavier ¼-ounce heads for faster sink rates along jetties or in the surf, have been performing well. For surf fishing, lures like the Mirror Lure Catch 2000 and imitation shrimp such as the DOA shrimp in red flake color are also great choices.

    If you're looking for some specific hot spots, the Galveston jetties and Seawolf Park are excellent places to target black drum and bull redfish. For speckled trout, head over to East Matagorda Bay and focus on the south shoreline and the coves.

    In summary, with the favorable tides, chilly weather, and active fish, today is a great day to get out on the water. Grab your gear, choose the right lures, and head to these hot spots for a productive and enjoyable fishing trip.

    Tight lines, everyone
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    3 mins
  • Texas Gulf Coast Fishing Report: Trout, Reds, and Drum in the Spotlight

    Texas Gulf Coast Fishing Report: Trout, Reds, and Drum in the Spotlight
    Feb 3 2025
    Hey there, fellow anglers It's your buddy Artificial Lure here, and I'm excited to share today's fishing report for the Gulf of Mexico, particularly around Texas.

    First off, let's talk about the conditions. As of today, February 3, 2025, the tide times for the Houston area are looking pretty favorable. We've got a low tide at 6:39 AM with a height of -0.32 feet, followed by a high tide at 1:18 PM with a height of 0.71 feet. The next low tide is at 7:04 PM with a height of 0.28 feet, and then another high tide at 11:42 PM with a height of 0.61 feet.

    The weather is still quite chilly, with water temperatures in the upper 50s, which is typical for this time of year. Sunrise is at 7:09 AM, and sunset is at 6:00 PM, giving us a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing trips.

    Now, let's dive into the fish activity. Recently, anglers have been catching a variety of species, including speckled trout, redfish, and black drum. The annual black drum run is in full swing, and these fish are being caught at places like the Galveston jetties, Seawolf Park, and the Texas City Dike. Bull redfish are also making appearances in these same spots, particularly with live halved crab as bait.

    In areas like Port Mansfield and South Padre, trout and redfish have been biting well despite the cold weather. For trout, look to deeper waters around South Padre and Port Isabel, where some slot trout can still be caught. Redfish, though fewer, are still present in some areas, especially in thigh-deep water around potholes in Port Mansfield.

    For lures, I highly recommend using Flats Buggs, particularly those with double bunny tails for calm conditions and curl tails for windier days. These lures are effective for sight casting to redfish on shallow flats. Other top lures include the rooster popper, especially in blue and green colors, which have proven to work well in the surf and at the jetties.

    Live bait is also a good option, especially live shrimp and finger mullet, which have been successful in Galveston Bay. However, if you're after those massive black drums, live halved crab is your best bet.

    Given the tidal conditions, the best times to fish today would be during the running tides, especially as the water moves from low to high or vice versa. This is when fish are most active and likely to bite.

    Hot spots include the coastal areas of Galveston Bay, particularly along the dike, and the waters around Port Mansfield. Be cautious of the cold weather and stay safe. Remember, with the cold front, fish activity might be slower in the mornings, but they tend to move closer to shorelines and shallow areas as the day warms up.

    Good luck out there, and tight lines
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    3 mins
  • Gulf Coast Fishing Forecast: Trout, Reds, and Black Drum Prevail in Ideal Conditions

    Gulf Coast Fishing Forecast: Trout, Reds, and Black Drum Prevail in Ideal Conditions
    Feb 2 2025
    Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, for today, February 2, 2025.

    First off, let's talk about the weather and tides. Today, you can expect a chilly morning with temperatures likely in the mid-50s, given the time of year. Sunrise is at 7:07 AM, and sunset will be at 5:58 PM. Now, let's dive into the tides. According to the tide charts, we have a low tide at 00:06 AM with a height of 0.31 ft, a high tide at 5:53 AM with 1.22 ft, another low tide at 11:56 AM with 0.21 ft, and a final high tide at 6:08 PM with 1.35 ft[2].

    Fishing has been good to excellent in the Gulf Coast region, especially with the recent solid catches in December and January. The fishery is responding well to conservation measures, and angler confidence is on the rise. Water temperatures are in the upper 50s, which is ideal for catching a variety of species.

    Speckled trout, redfish, and black drum are the stars of the show right now. The annual black drum run is beginning, and these fish are being caught at places like the Galveston jetties, Seawolf Park, and the Texas City Dike. Bull redfish are also making appearances in these same spots. For those venturing further offshore, the winter Wahoo season has kicked off, though the catches so far are mostly in the 50-pound class[5].

    When it comes to lures and bait, live halved crab and live shrimp are doing wonders for catching black drum and redfish. However, if you're into artificial lures, I highly recommend using Bass Assassins, Texas Custom Soft-Dines, and Corkys. These lures are particularly effective in the guts and sloughs of the bays, where the fish tend to congregate during the colder months. For those targeting redfish in shallow flats, the Flats Buggs with double bunny tails or curl tails are proven winners[1][3].

    Hot spots for today include the Galveston jetties and the Texas City Dike. Wade fishing has been productive on the incoming tides in the afternoons, especially along the dike. Look for points of sloughs and bayous and anchor within casting distance, as these areas typically hold the deepest water and attract a lot of fish activity[1].

    In summary, February can be a quite productive month for fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, if you choose your days wisely and fish between the cold blasts. With the right lures and bait, and by targeting the right spots, you're set for a great day on the water. So bundle up, stay warm, and get out there to catch some of those speckled trout, redfish, and black drum Tight lines
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    3 mins
  • Texas Gulf Coast Fishing Report February 2025: Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Drum Bite Strong

    Texas Gulf Coast Fishing Report February 2025: Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Drum Bite Strong
    Feb 1 2025
    Hey there, fellow anglers It's your buddy Artificial Lure here, and I'm excited to share today's fishing report for the Gulf of Mexico, particularly around Texas.

    First off, let's talk about the conditions. As of today, February 1st, 2025, the tide times for the Houston area are looking pretty favorable. According to the tide charts, we've got a low tide at 5:25 AM with a height of 0.3 feet, followed by a high tide at 9:40 AM with a height of 0.62 feet. The next low tide is at 5:03 PM with a height of -0.46 feet, and then another high tide at 11:33 PM with a height of 0.74 feet[2].

    The weather is quite chilly, with water temperatures in the upper 50s, which is typical for this time of year. Sunrise is at 7:10 AM, and sunset is at 5:59 PM, giving us a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing trips.

    Now, let's dive into the fish activity. Recently, anglers have been catching a variety of species, including speckled trout, redfish, and black drum. The annual black drum run is in full swing, and these fish are being caught at places like the Galveston jetties, Seawolf Park, and the Texas City Dike. Bull redfish are also making appearances in these same spots, particularly with live halved crab as bait[5].

    For speckled trout and redfish, wade fishing has been productive on the incoming tides in the afternoons. Live shrimp and finger mullet have been the go-to baits, but if you're after those massive golden-hued black drums, crab is the way to go. In areas like Freeport, anglers are having success working the deep oyster reefs with Gulp shrimp and down south lures using 1/4 and 3/8 ounce jig heads[5].

    When it comes to lures, I highly recommend the Berkley Gulp Saltwater lineup, especially the Jerk Shad in New Penny color. These lures perform well in both murky and clear water and can be rigged on 1/16-ounce jig heads for shallow water or heavier ¼-ounce heads for faster sink rates along jetties or in the surf[3].

    For those targeting speckled trout, especially in tight spots like under bridges or near pilings, the technique of slack line jigging can be a game-changer. This involves intentionally putting slack in your line to allow the lure to drop straight down without swinging away from the target area. It's a bit unconventional but highly effective in these challenging environments[4].

    Hot spots for today include the Galveston jetties, where you can catch a mix of redfish, black drum, and speckled trout. Another great spot is the Texas City Dike, which has been producing some excellent catches of black drum and bull redfish. If you're in the Freeport area, the deep oyster reefs in Bastrop Bay, Christmas Bay, and Chocolate Bay are worth a visit.

    In summary, today looks like a great day to get out on the water. With the right baits and lures, and a bit of knowledge on the local fishing techniques, you're set for a productive and enjoyable fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico around Texas. Tight lines, everyone
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    4 mins
  • Gulf of Mexico Fishing Report: Black Drums, Redfish, and Trout Thrive in Texas

    Gulf of Mexico Fishing Report: Black Drums, Redfish, and Trout Thrive in Texas
    Jan 31 2025
    Hey there, fellow anglers It's Artificial Lure here, and I'm excited to share today's fishing report for the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, as of January 31, 2025.

    First off, let's talk about the conditions. The weather has been improving, with light north winds making it a pleasant day to be out on the water. The water temperatures are in the upper 50s, which is perfect for a variety of fish species.

    Now, let's look at the tides for Texas City, one of our hot spots today. According to the tide charts, we have a low tide at 11:52 AM with a height of -0.19 meters (-0.62 feet), and a high tide at 7:17 PM with a height of 0.28 meters (0.92 feet)[2].

    Sunrise is at 7:09 AM, and sunset is at 5:57 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to catch some fish.

    Fish activity has been excellent in several areas. Around Texas City, the annual black drum run is in full swing, with catches coming from the Galveston jetties, Seawolf Park, and the Texas City Dike. Anglers are using live halved crab to catch these black drums and bull redfish in the same locations[1].

    In the Freeport area, fishing has been good on the deep oyster reefs in Bastrop Bay, Christmas Bay, Chocolate Bay, and Oyster Creek. Anglers are catching trout, redfish, and drum using gulp shrimp and down south lures with 1/4 and 3/8 ounce jig heads[1].

    For those heading to Port Mansfield, the fishing is improving as the cold weather subsides. Redfish and trout are feeding heavily on topwaters and soft plastics in about two feet of water. Ball Tails and Mansfield Knockers have been particularly effective[1].

    When it comes to lures, I highly recommend the Flats Buggs for shallow flats fishing. These tied jigs come in styles like double bunny tails and curl tails, which are perfect for sight casting to redfish. For deeper waters, rigging artificial shrimp on jig heads is the way to go. Use weights from 1/8 oz to 1/2 oz depending on the depth and current[3][4].

    For bait, live shrimp and finger mullet are top choices unless you're targeting those massive black drums, in which case live crab is the way to go.

    Here are a couple of hot spots to consider:

    1. **Galveston Jetties and Texas City Dike**: These areas are producing great catches of black drum, bull redfish, and speckled trout. Use live crab for the black drums and live shrimp or soft plastics for the trout and redfish.
    2. **Port Mansfield**: This area is seeing a surge in redfish and trout activity. Focus on the deeper potholes on the flats near the intracoastal and use topwaters and soft plastics like Ball Tails and Mansfield Knockers.

    Stay safe out there, and remember to follow the new speckled trout regulations and handle those large females with care.

    Tight lines, and see you on the water
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    3 mins
  • Texas Gulf Coast Fishing Report: Calm Conditions, Black Drum Run, and Lure Recommendations

    Texas Gulf Coast Fishing Report: Calm Conditions, Black Drum Run, and Lure Recommendations
    Jan 30 2025
    Hey there, fellow anglers It's Artificial Lure here, and I'm excited to share today's fishing report for the Gulf of Mexico, specifically around the Texas coast.

    First off, let's talk about the conditions. As of today, January 30, 2025, the weather has been relatively calm with light north winds, which is perfect for getting out on the water. Sunrise was at 7:11 AM, and sunset is expected at 5:57 PM, giving us a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing.

    Now, let's dive into the tidal report. For the Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay area, we had a low tide at 4:52 AM and a high tide at 6:08 AM. The next low tide is at 3:35 PM, and the evening high tide will be at 11:27 PM. These tides are crucial, especially for wade fishing and targeting fish in the shallower areas[2].

    Moving on to the fish activity, it's been a great time for fishing in several spots along the Gulf Coast. In Galveston Bay, the annual black drum run has begun, and anglers are catching these drum along with bull redfish at places like the Galveston jetties, Seawolf Park, and the Texas City Dike. Live halved crab has been the bait of choice for these catches. Additionally, speckled trout, redfish, and the occasional sand trout, gafftop, and big croakers are being caught using live shrimp and finger mullet. Wade fishing has been productive, especially on the incoming tides in the afternoons[1].

    In Port Mansfield, fishing is improving as the cold weather subsides. Redfish and trout are actively feeding on topwaters and soft plastics in about two feet of water. Ball Tails and Mansfield Knockers have been the go-to lures here. The fish are holding in deeper potholes on the flats near the intracoastal[1].

    For those heading to South Padre and Port Isabel, trout fishing has been good in the mornings near deeper water, and as the afternoon warms up, following the bait on the flats has been productive. Large and oversized redfish are being caught at the jetties, while sheepshead and mangrove snapper are good at the old causeway and the end of the Brownsville Channel[1].

    When it comes to lures, I highly recommend using the Flats Buggs, especially for sight casting to redfish on the shallow flats. These tied jigs land softly and ride hook point up to reduce snags. For calm conditions, the double bunny tail variety is excellent, while the curl tail version works better in windier conditions[3].

    If you're looking for some hot spots, I'd suggest checking out the Galveston jetties and Seawolf Park for those black drum and bull redfish. For a more laid-back experience, the Texas City Dike has been productive for a variety of species. In Port Mansfield, focus on the deeper potholes on the flats near the intracoastal for redfish and trout.

    Stay safe out there, and tight lines The fish are biting, and with the right lures and bait, you're in for a great day on the water.
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    3 mins