October Sight-Casting Options and Opportunities

October on the Middle Texas Coast marks the beginning of many interesting opportunities in the realm of sight-fishing. Typically, depending on prevailing weather patterns, long about mid- to late-September we begin receiving mild cool fronts arriving to the coast. These weak fronts can drop our water temp anywhere from 10- to 15-degrees in shallow backwaters. This decline in water temperature and the arrival of fall’s equinox tides (bull tides) sets up a very action-packed scenario for October.

Think about it this way, as I was explaining to a client on the way out for a sight-cast trip recently. In a typical October, our water level can rise from what we consider normal to a couple feet higher at any given time during the month. As tides rush in from the gulf and cool fronts pass through the region, water temps not only drop, but they also stay down. No more super-heated water, right? Under these conditions, if you were swimming in a pool that was 5- to 15-degrees cooler than the super-heated outside air temperature, wouldn’t you be inclined to stay in longer?

I think of redfish the same way. With shallow grass/sand flats holding cool water anywhere from a foot to two deep from bull tides, and at a comfortable 75- to 80-degree temperature range… why leave? Everything, especially the bait (food source), is comfortable staying there all day, and so are the reds.

Let’s put it another way. If you and I plan a work day outside in July and August, we start early and quit before it gets really hot, right? We likely then wait until it cools off in the evening to go back out and finish up. So, a redfish lingers around the flat until 10-10:30am, then falls off into the adjacent 3-5 foot of depths, lying in wait to return up on top in the evening or overnight. Now, if we go do the same job outside in the fall months, we work and work, with the occasional water break, eventually look down at our watch and say, “Oh man, it’s already 4:00 pm. Where’d the day go?” Never feeling drained, never overly exhausted; the air temps were just right to keep us active for a longer period throughout the day.

Over the years, sight-casting in all the different weather patterns during the seasons, leads me to dissect each month or season as to what makes it tick. I’m always asking myself why this is happening, what is causing fish to do this or that? Some might say it’s a little over the top, but I like to try to figure out where the fish should be and when they will arrive. So many times clients have asked, why this particular pocket or location? I stop and take a minute to explain what I believe is going on in each area and what will influence fish to be there.

October is no different. I like to figure out the changes every week as they might occur with cool and sometimes cold fronts arriving. We can fish in the exact same grounds we did all summer long. It might just have to be at a different period during the day, a different approach, or a longer set than simply drifting or trolling across it. One thing is for sure, though, October will not disappoint. I’ve heard it said, and will say it myself, it can be the best month to be on the water.

Speaking of cooler weather, we are now taking bookings for our Port Mansfield winter trophy trout trips. These trips are all catch and release, in respect to the local guides and resident anglers. Our primary goal is strictly aiming to putting you in position to land your next personal best trout, whatever size that may be. These trips are all wading with artificial lures and three-day minimum bookings to be able to take advantage of the changing Texas weather. If you have never fished in the Lower Laguna Madre, don’t sit at home another winter. Give us a call to fish some of the finest waters on the Texas Coast.

Captain Nathan Beabout
USCG/TPWD Licensed
Full time guide since 2007
Seadrift, Port O’Connor, & Port Mansfield, TX
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