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Saltwater & Coast

Lower Laguna Madre Fishing Guide

Texas

A shallow, clear lagoon behind South Padre Island with sight-fishing for reds and trout.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Lower Laguna Madre for redfish, speckled trout and snook. The best months overall are Mar to May, Sep to Nov. In October, redfish, speckled trout and snook are in season, and Clouser Minnow, EP Baitfish and Spoon Fly are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles; the closest is Bait Shop in Port Mansfield, 2 mi away. Baffin Bay is 49 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Mar to May, Sep to Nov

In October

Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Lower Laguna Madre Species

Redfish

Prime Now
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F
M
A
M
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J
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S
O
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Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

Speckled Trout

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
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S
O
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Best: Mar to May, Oct to Dec

Snook

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Oct

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

11 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Speckled Trout, Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • EP Baitfish #2/0-2

    Fly

    Streamer · Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • Spoon Fly #1/0-2

    Fly

    Flats Fly · Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Snook, Speckled Trout, Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Snook, Speckled Trout, Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Popping Cork Rig 18 to 30 in leader

    Lure

    Rig · Speckled Trout, Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Weedless Gold Spoon 1/4 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Shrimp 2 to 4 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Snook, Speckled Trout, Redfish

  • Sand Fleas Small

    Bait

    Live Bait · Redfish · Surf.

  • Cut Mullet Chunk or strip

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Redfish · Surf and passes.

  • Live Pinfish and Mullet 3 to 6 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Snook

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Redfish

Fly 9 ft 8 wt rod, floating redfish line, 16 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Speckled Trout

Fly 9 ft 7 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, 15 lb leader, Clousers and shrimp flies.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 15 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Snook

Fly 9 ft 8 or 9 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, 30 to 40 lb bite leader.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 reel, 20 lb braid with a 30 to 40 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Lower Laguna Madre

Fly Lines

RIO Redfish Fly Line

A heavy front taper for quick shots at tailing fish in warm, humid conditions.

Check Price

Floats & Rigs

Cajun Thunder Popping Cork

The clacking cork that calls trout and reds to shrimp or a soft plastic.

Check Price

Leaders & Tippet

Seaguar Tarpon Leader Material

Heavy fluorocarbon shock leader that survives tarpon jaws and gill plates.

Check Price

Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

Check Price

Rods

Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod

A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.

Check Price

Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

Check Price

Soft Plastics

Berkley Gulp! Shrimp

Scented shrimp that out-fish plain plastics on a jighead or under a cork.

Check Price

Soft Plastics

Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ

A tough, stretchy paddle tail that survives toothy fish.

Check Price

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Lower Laguna Madre

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · Texas · 49 mi

Baffin Bay

A remote bay with rocks and grass that produces some of the largest speckled trout on the coast.

Speckled Trout · Redfish