South Padre: October 2024

Before I get into my fishing report, I have something I want to share. It’s about fish behavior and patterns that I have observed. For the past month or so I have witnessed both guided and non-guided boats stacked in a small area of the ICW, sometimes as many as thirty, encircling a big school of redfish and drum. I have no scientific proof, but from years of experience, I would say these are the same schools that used to roam the flats. The pressure on these fish has become a daily constant; they have adapted and now seem to spend more time in deeper water. We no longer see the huge schools of redfish and drum roaming the flats as they once did.

I believe in catch and release, but I'm by no means a fish-hugger. If my clients want to keep fish, that's fine. However, I offer an incentive program if they release all their fish. I see it this way; the fish are my business partners and I want them to stay healthy for generations. My livelihood depends on it. Yours may not. Fishing for you is entirely for pleasure, and that's why we all fish.

Many anglers, especially on guided trips, want to keep as many fish as possible within the limits, and again, that's fine. It's fine if the fish will be eaten and not go to waste in the freezer. I firmly believe it's up to the fishing guides and accomplished anglers to educate their fellow fishermen who think like my cousin used to say, "If it fits in a tortilla, bring it."

If you think our fishery is healthy today, you weren't around twenty or thirty years ago to see how our bays once flourished. Every spot you stopped had plenty of fish. It was easy pickings. But over the years, people like me had the mentality of keeping everything that was legal, all for returning to the dock with the most fish, showing off the catch, and generally depleting the resource. Yes, the catching is why we go, but please consider keeping only what you will eat fresh and releasing the rest so the next generation can enjoy what we all love so much.

With the tides rising considerably, redfish are beginning to show in good numbers in the back-bays on the west side of the ICW. Redfish will be prowling for tiny crustaceans like crabs and shrimp that like to hide in the grass and burrow into the soft bottoms these backwater areas are known for. Pay attention to the small coves, points and potholes. Topwaters are excellent baits this time of the year. When the redfish want something below the surface, try ZMan's new Big Ballerz or the Kicker CrabZ. Both of these soft plastic baits have been producing very well for us.

The trout fishery is looking good. Lots of small ones, but we’re also seeing good numbers of slot fish, and even some in the oversize category. Currently, the ICW has all the trout you can catch. Slicks are still popping out on the flats; keep an eye out and your nose tuned for that sweet aroma of a trout slick.

The key depth to find a good trout bite has been thigh to waist-deep. An area with a color change is always a plus. As the water continues to cool bigger trout will begin to feed more reliably in shallow water. Bigger trout will favor less-pressured areas, such as spoil island shorelines, westside back-bay shorelines, and way up shallow on the eastside sand. They will also be stationed in potholes on the flats. ZMan Big Ballerz, Paddlerz, and Streakz have been our best producing baits of late.

October is still a good month to target snook before they head to deeper water. They will still be found shallow, but only for a short time, as the first truly cold fronts can arrive anytime in late October.

Flounder will be readily available, and so far, it's been a good year for these bottom dwellers. Fish the ICW, old oil field channels, and guts adjacent to the ICW.

Our fishery has changed so much over the years. The numbers are far from what we had twenty-thirty years ago. It's up to us to take care of this precious resource we love so much. By educating and not belittling others, we can make a difference. I changed my attitude over the years, meaning anyone can be taught to be more conservative about the fishery.

Catch and Release Effort…because we C.A.R.E.