Texas Gulf Coast Fishing Report: Trout, Reds, and More Biting Strong in Late Spring

Howdy there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Monday morning fishing report for May 19th, 2025. Let me tell y'all what's happening on our beautiful Texas Gulf Coast today. The water's been a bit stirred up after those fronts we had last week, but don't you worry - the fish don't seem to mind one bit! We've had our fair share of north wind, but fishing has remained mighty consistent, especially around shell structure in 2 to 4 feet of water. Weather-wise, we're looking at typical late spring conditions. Keep your eyes peeled for bait flipping on the surface - that's your sign the fish are nearby. If you don't see any action, best move on to another spot after a few casts. For you trout enthusiasts, the bite has been on fire, particularly in East Galveston Bay and along the surf. Early morning and late afternoon have been prime time for topwater action, so if you enjoy throwing those walking baits, now's your chance to shine. The lighter jig heads are performing best - stick with 1/16 to 1/4 ounce depending on wind and current. Those tails without paddles have been outperforming the rest. My top producer this past week? Fish Smack Popping corks with a 1-to-2-foot leader above an artificial shrimp. Give it a hard pop, wait 5 to 8 seconds, and hold on tight! For colors, that Purple Haze from Wac Assassin's out of Anahuac has been doing the trick. Redfish have been holding steady in back bays and flats with scattered grass. There's plenty of bait flooding those back bays and little drains. For reds, Mansfield Knockers have been producing in shallow flats, while Ball Tails and Junior Wigalo's are your best bet in deeper water along grass lines. Hot spots? You can't go wrong at Port Mansfield right now - fishing remains fair to good despite some wind. South Padre and Port Isabel are showing good action on gas well flats, with live shrimp under a popping cork being the ticket for trout. The south jetties are yielding some nice bull reds and sheepshead, while the end of Brownsville Channel has been good for mangrove snapper, trout, and black drum. Spring is definitely here, folks, and fishing will only heat up as the water warms. So grab your family and friends and get out there before the crowds take over. Remember, the early bird gets the worm - and the fish! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time. Tight lines, y'all! This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.