South Padre July 2023

Putting this article together, I’m wearing a big smile and couldn’t be happier with the quality of fishing we have been experiencing lately on the Lower Laguna Madre. Despite busy waterways, especially on weekends, the fish are where we expect them to be. Deeper waters, such as the Brazos Santiago Pass, have also come alive with tarpon, kingfish, jack crevalle, oversized reds, snook, and Spanish mackerel. I don't usually venture out that way but the action has been so good I just had to join in on the fun.

Meanwhile, in the bays, the fishing has also been consistently good. Hopefully, it will continue to remain so as we enter the hottest season of the year. Wind in July is usually either light or barely a breeze, especially in early morning. Dead calm can sometimes make fish wary, and difficult to get them to bite. Constantly alert, they can sense danger from a long way off. This is where wading offers distinct advantages, but stealth is the byword. One small misstep and they’re gone.

Early to mid-morning will be optimal for targeting fish up shallow. After that, change your tactics to deeper, cooler water. When water temps reach the 90s I switch focus to drop-offs along the ICW and similarly deeper areas within our bays. Having a means of measuring water temperature is crucial in helping you locate cooler water that could be holding fish during the hottest periods of the day.

Let's talk about summertime redfish. Redfish can tolerate surprisingly warm water and I have found plenty of them over the years, even in areas with water temps rising into the high-90s. I can recall finding them in deeper areas of the flats, stacked like breakfast pancakes.

Redfish tailing action will often occur in the coolness as the sun is rising, as redfish grub bottom for small crabs and shrimp. The waving of a spotted tail above the surface is a sign you can't miss, and when they are busy with their nose down and tail up, it's easier to get up close and personal, if you can wade quietly. No time for a surface lure, think soft plastic, maybe a Z-Man Kicker CrabZ on a lighter jighead. If you're lucky, you can sometimes run into pods of tailing reds. When targeting pods, try to pull the hooked fish as swiftly and quietly as possible away from the group to avoid spooking the others.

The state of our trout fishery is the main reason for my big smile the past couple of weeks. While we’re still not seeing many in the 8-plus trophy category, a surprising number of 4- to 7-pounders are being landed regularly by my clients. There have been days that gave us a solid three-hour bite, and on topwaters at that. Of course, there are still lots of little ones in the mix, so please handle them carefully.

Areas to target in July will be potholes early in the day, then the edges of the ICW, and other deeper water. By deeper, I mean anything in the four- to six-foot range. Z-Man’s PaddlerZ, DieZel MinnowZ, and Streakz will continue to be productive this summer. Three of my favorite colors are Pearl, Redbone, and Sexy Penny. Slicks will continue to be a primary indicator of trout feeding activity in July, use your nose and eyes accordingly.

One last trout tip: Work the edges of the ICW when conditions become slick-calm. Cast deep into mid-channel and retrieve your lure slowly. If this doesn't draw a strike, throw along the drop-off and work your bait parallel to the edge. Varying between these two techniques as the tide moves in or out should bring you plenty of action this summer.

Snook fishing will be in full swing this month and, from what I have seen thus far, I expect some very good days ahead. Snook tend to feed more actively during periods of strong tidal movement, so two-tide days are often the best to target. Make sure your leader is fluorocarbon and at least twenty-five-pound test. Snook love topwaters and I highly recommend strong, single hooks. ZMan StreakZ in Pearl color would be my first pick of soft plastics.

Flounder are finally beginning to show in the usual places. We are not experiencing the large numbers we saw two and three years ago, but there are some for the catching along the ICW, old oilfield channels, and the East Cut, to name a few places you might try.

I’m excited and hope you are, too. Please be courteous to your fellow anglers and practice good conservation.