Gulf Coast Fishing Report - Trout, Reds, and More Biting on the Texas Coast

Howdy there, anglers! This is Artificial Lure coming at y'all with your Gulf Coast fishing report for this beautiful Wednesday morning, May 14th, 2025.

The weather's shaping up nicely today with temperatures hanging around the high 70s. We're seeing some intermittent rain in the forecast with light winds out of the south and southeast. Perfect conditions to get out on the water if you ask me!

Water temperatures are holding steady in the mid-70s throughout most of the Gulf Coast region. The tides are running pretty typical for mid-May, with a moderate morning falling tide that should give way to a nice incoming tide by early afternoon.

The fishing action has been heating up with the warmer temps! Trout fishing remains fair to good, especially along grass lines in deeper water. Folks are having success using live shrimp under popping corks on the gas well flats. If you're an artificial bait enthusiast like myself, try working those Junior Wigalos and Ball Tails along the deeper grass lines for some solid strikes.

Redfish have been holding steady in the back bays and flats with scattered grass. They're particularly active around drains and in shallow marsh areas. Cut mullet and ballyhoo have been effective natural baits, but if you want to go artificial, Mansfield Knockers have been producing in the shallow flats. Some anglers are also having luck with weightless Deadly Dudley Rat Tails.

Down South Padre way, they're reporting good action on mangrove snapper, black drum, and some bull redfish around the jetties and at the end of Brownsville Channel. Sheepshead are also present in decent numbers.

For you shark enthusiasts, some big blacktips have been showing up, particularly off Corpus Christi. They've been so hungry they're even stealing folks' tunas!

Hot spots to check out this week include Moses Lake and Dickinson Bayou for scattered trout and reds using shrimp. Port Mansfield's back bays and flats are producing, and the gas well flats near South Padre and Port Isabel are lighting up with trout action.

Remember, with all this fresh bait flooding the back bays and little drains, the predators ain't far behind. Be patient, work your lures slow, and pay attention to those major and minor feeding times.

Y'all stay safe out there, mind the zebra mussel regulations if you're jumping between freshwater and saltwater, and don't forget to snap a picture of any lunker bass over 8 pounds for the ShareLunker program!

Tight lines and bent rods to all of you! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time.