Fly Lines
RIO Redfish Fly Line
A heavy front taper for quick shots at tailing fish in warm, humid conditions.
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Saltwater & Coast
Fly Fishing
Spin, Cast & Bait
South Bay Fishing Guide
Texas
A shallow bay of about 3,500 acres behind Brazos Island near Port Isabel and South Padre Island, with red drum, seatrout, flounder, snook, and jacks.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to South Bay for redfish, speckled trout, snook, flounder and jack crevalle. In October, redfish, speckled trout, snook, flounder and jack crevalle are in season, and Clouser Minnow, EP Baitfish and Spoon Fly are a good place to start. There are 10 shops within 25 miles; the closest is South Shore Bait & Tackle in Port Isabel, about 3 mi away. Lower Laguna Madre is about 38 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Season at a Glance
Redfish
Speckled Trout
Snook
Flounder
Jack Crevalle
JFMAMJJASOND
What You'll Catch
South Bay Species
Redfish
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov
Speckled Trout
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Mar to May, Oct to Dec
Snook
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Apr to Oct
Flounder
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Apr to May, Sep to Nov
Jack Crevalle
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: May to Oct
Images: Duane Raver, USFWS; NOAA Fisheries. Public domain.
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
13 picks for October. marks species in season in October.
Clouser Minnow #1/0-8
FlyStreamer · Speckled Trout, Redfish
Shop This FlyEP Baitfish #2/0-2
FlyStreamer · Jack Crevalle, Redfish
Shop This FlySpoon Fly #1/0-2
FlyFlats Fly · Redfish
Shop This FlyWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Jack Crevalle, Snook, Speckled Trout, Redfish
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Flounder, Snook, Speckled Trout, Redfish
Shop This LurePopping Cork Rig 18 to 30 in leader
LureRig · Speckled Trout, Redfish
Shop This LureBucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz
LureJig · Flounder
Shop This LureWeedless Gold Spoon 1/4 to 1/2 oz
LureSpoon · Redfish
Shop This LureLive Shrimp 2 to 4 in
BaitLive Bait · Snook, Speckled Trout, Redfish
Live Pinfish and Mullet 3 to 6 in
BaitLive Bait · Jack Crevalle, Snook
Live Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Flounder · Mud minnows or finger mullet.
Sand Fleas Small
BaitLive Bait · Redfish · Surf.
Cut Mullet Chunk or strip
BaitNatural Bait · Redfish · Surf and passes.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
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.
Flounder
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid, Carolina rig or bucktail.
Matched to These Species
Gear for South Bay
Floats & Rigs
Cajun Thunder Popping Cork
The clacking cork that calls trout and reds to shrimp or a soft plastic.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
Seaguar Tarpon Leader Material
Heavy fluorocarbon shock leader that survives tarpon jaws and gill plates.
Check PriceJigs
Spro Bucktail Jigs
Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.
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Penn Battle III Spinning Reel
A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.
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Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod
A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.
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PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
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Berkley Gulp! Shrimp
Scented shrimp that out-fish plain plastics on a jighead or under a cork.
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Within 25 Miles
Shops Near South Bay
Bait & Tackle
Port "i" Marine Outfitters
Port Isabel, Texas· 3 mi
201 W Queen Isabella Blvd 956-433-5238
Bait & Tackle
Coast Wise Inshore Sport Fishing
South Padre Island, Texas· 6 mi
214 W Hibiscus St 956-502-0629
Bait & Tackle
Captain Bryan Ray Fishing Adventures
South Padre Island, Texas· 9 mi
1 Padre Blvd 956-433-6469
Within 25 Miles
Guides and Charters Near South Bay
Charter
Megabite Sport Fishing
Laguna Vista, Texas· 3 mi
300 S Garcia St 956-420-0719
Per their website: Offshore, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Charter
Old Salt Charters
Port Isabel, Texas· 3 mi
418 TX-100 956-433-3511
Per their website: Inshore, Offshore, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
CharterFly Fishing
Snook On A Hook - Fishing Charter
Port Isabel, Texas· 3 mi
501 Highway 101 956-266-5866
Per their website: Inshore, Full-Day Trips
Charter
SPI fishing charters
Port Isabel, Texas· 3 mi
418 TX-100 956-434-9971
Per their website: Inshore
Charter
Reel Madness Charters
South Padre Island, Texas· 4 mi
826 marina Way 956-299-0444
Per their website: Inshore, Offshore
Make It a Trip