South Padre: September 2023

It’s been a busy summer with boat launches and parking areas full from early morning until well into afternoon. Countless times I have noticed people launching before daylight with their vehicle headlights on. Don’t be that guy. It is common courtesy to switch off the main beams to avoid blinding the guy trying to back down in the next lane.

Another courtesy reminder; when running the open bay, especially on weekends, try to use the ICW to get from spot to spot whenever practical. I know this may not always be possible, but when approaching an area occupied by other boaters, especially on the flats, please give your fellow anglers as wide a berth as possible. The same as launch ramp etiquette, we can all contribute to helping one another enjoy this wonderful pastime.

We finished August with a bang. Redfish were plentiful despite low tides and super-heated water. Trout ran toward the small side on average but a handful of keepers could be managed on most trips. The snook bite was phenomenal when the tides were favorable.

September is usually a wet month, which produces a slight decline in water temperatures, while also helping reduce salinity in some areas. The tides, I expect, will begin to rise soon. Higher tides will do two things. It will cause fish to spread over wider areas as the shallowest flats will become more accessible to both bait and game fish, and cooler water coming in from the gulf will allow fish to stay shallow for extended periods compared to recent months. Also, the opening of hunting seasons draws many anglers away from the water and into the fields in September, making our bay waters less congested and our fish more approachable.

Redfish action has been superb, and if that's any indication, I am excited at our prospects heading into the fall season. With the tides continuing to rise throughout the month, I am expecting even more tailing action as the reds move further into the backwaters than we saw in August. The coming of fall also gives us friendlier wind patterns that increases our ability to spot schools cruising the flats and fish tailing and feeding in shallow water. If my memory is good, I believe I have seen more tailing recently than the previous ten years.

Currently, we are seeing redfish gathering in small groups, I call it podding, a prelude to the larger schools commonly seen later in fall. When the reds are tailing, they are head down, grubbing the bottom for small crabs and shrimp. Their tails stick above the water, happily waving as they gorge on crustaceans. Because they are occupied with feeding, they become less wary than normal and very approachable for wading anglers that move forward cautiously. This is when a precise cast is almost a sure bet for a hookup.

We are doing well on redfish with ZMan baits like the Paddlerz in Pearl and the Streakz in Space Guppy. The KickerCrabZ in natural colors have also been steady producers. We are rigging these on Eye Strike and Trout Eye jigs. When fishing heavier grass we use the weedless Texas Eye Finesse.

Our trout have been smaller on average, no surprise given the elevated water temperatures. I am hopeful to see better fish coming to hand as the water begins to cool. If you're looking for plenty of action, stick to the edges of the ICW and shallow areas nearby. Depending the amount of rain in September and potential for reduced salinity, I will likely focus my trout effort closer to the passes with stronger tide influence. Stay away from backcountry drains that dump loads of fresh water into the system.

Slicks, a telltale sign of trout feeding, will remain prevalent this month. Remember that the smaller the slick the better it is as an indicator of the location of feeding activity. Targeting larger trout this month, I recommend drop-offs from shallow flats that are holding concentrations of mullet and other forage species such as shad. Preferred trout baits are ZMan Streakz in Space Guppy and Paddlerz in Pearl, rigged on 1/8 Trout Eye jigs, and 1/4 oz when fishing deeper.  

Here’s a tip if you’re looking to add a new rod. I highly recommend the new Excel G2 Green Rod from Fishing Tackle Unlimited. It is available in three actions; Finesse, Classic, and Corky. Top quality components and craftsmanship make this rod light and durable. The sensitivity and backbone strength are superior. Visit either of their two Houston stores and check them out.