Gulf Coast Texas Fishing Report: Redfish, Trout, and More on a Sunny Friday

Howdy there, fishin' folks! Artificial Lure here with your Gulf Coast Texas fishin' report for this sunny Friday morning, May 16, 2025.

Let me tell ya, we're looking at a mighty fine day on the water with temperatures hovering around 76-80 degrees along most of our coastline. The water's been a bit stirred up from those fronts that passed through earlier this week, but don't you worry - the fish don't seem to mind one bit.

Down Port Mansfield way, the redfish have been holding steady in those back bays and flats with scattered grass. Lots of bait flooding into the little drains too. If you're after those reds, tie on a Mansfield Knocker for the shallow flats. Trout fishing's been fair in deeper water along grass lines - Ball Tails and Junior Wigalo's have been producing nicely there.

Over at South Padre and Port Isabel, they're reporting good action with trout on the gas well flats. Live shrimp under a popping cork is the ticket there. Redfish are a bit spotty along the Eastside shoreline, but cut mullet and ballyhoo will get their attention. The south jetties are holding some bull reds and sheepshead, while the end of Brownsville Channel's giving up mangrove snapper, trout and black drum.

Up at Texas City, the Galveston jetties are producing fine catches of sheepshead on live shrimp worked along the rocks. First speckled trout of the season are showing up in the beachfront surf too. Oversized black drum are still hitting on halved crab at both the Galveston jetties and Texas City Dike.

For you wade fishermen, that Texas City levee has been mighty productive from beginning to end. Specks, reds, and black drum, with some sand trout and gafftop mixed in. Live shrimp and finger mullet are your best bets there.

Hot spots this week? I'd put my money on Allen's Bite and Super Flat where the big tides are bringing in fresh recruits from the Gulf. Shadrock Cove and Corpus Christi Bay are firing up nicely too, especially near those incoming channels. For flounder enthusiasts, check out those bayous and guts on the South Shore of West Bay - the flatties have been pulling up shallow in the early mornings.

Remember, them big tides are pouring in all along the coast right now, so pay attention to those channels bringing in fresh Gulf water. That's where you'll find the action.

Y'all stay safe out there and tight lines to ya! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time!