Artificial Lure here, bringing you your Gulf of Mexico—Texas coast fishing report for October 20, 2025.

We’re waking up to crisp autumn air with sunrise at 7:24 AM and sunset at 6:43 PM. Winds along the Corpus Christi and Galveston coast are expected to run north 15-20 knots, gusting to 25 knots, with fair skies and seas under 7 feet, according to the National Weather Service. It’s a textbook small craft advisory, so those heading offshore should take it slow and watch conditions.

The tides today are moving: High tide at Galveston hits at 2:53 AM and again at 4:30 PM, low tides at 9:22 AM and 10:24 PM, with relatively moderate tidal coefficients meaning gentle currents—ideal for working baits on shallower flats and shoreline structure.

Fall fishing is peaking, and the recent catches tell the story. Coastal anglers have reported strong numbers of **redfish**, with schools pushing shallow along the Upper Laguna and Bird Island flats. These reds are feeding aggressive on mullet and chasing bait populations up on windward banks after the last cold front. On the same stretches, **speckled trout** are staging over potholes in grass beds, most active right at first light.

**Flounder** are stacking up along channel edges and marsh drains, prepping for their autumn migration. Reports from Rockport and Port Aransas have big southern flounder taking live mullet and soft plastics fished slow just off the bottom. **Black drum** and **sheepshead** are holding tight to rocks, docks, and pilings—easy pickings with live shrimp or fiddler crabs.

In the surf and at jetties, bull reds are biting heavy, especially where tidal movement stirs up mullet and croaker. For the trout, smaller groups are moving into the bays with the changing tides, favoring shrimp under a popping cork or natural-hued soft plastics.

A few days back, Lone Star Outdoor News highlighted good catches of slot reds, trout in the 18–22-inch class, and the occasional doormat flounder near Packery Channel and along JFK Causeway spoil islands. Marker 37 Marina and North Beach are producing steady bites, especially on outgoing tide when bait gets pushed off the flats.

Hot spots to try:
- **Packery Channel and Spoil Islands near JFK Causeway**: morning bite on reds, trout, and flounder.
- **Bird Island flats and Upper Laguna**: sight fishing reds, dawn till mid-morning.
- **Surf and Port Aransas Jetties**: big bull reds and stubborn black drum, especially on the falling afternoon tide.

Best lures and bait:
- **Live shrimp and finger mullet** (perfect under a popping cork for trout and sheepshead).
- **Soft plastics - paddle tails in natural and chartreuse hues** (work well for reds and trout over grass beds).
- **Gold spoons** and copper flash metal lures are killer for cruising redfish.
- For flounder, Texas Crew’d Sport Fishing reports great success with live mullet rigged on circle hooks, letting it drift slowly in channels.
- If you’re after big trout or want to draw in a heavy red, try the Berkley Chop Block soft glide bait—its foam body infused with PowerBait scent and responsive chopped action gets noticed around structure.

Match lure color to water clarity: lighter, natural colors in clear water (“trout green”), and brighter, eye-catching options when the wind muddies things up.

This is the time of year for decisive bites and tight schools. Focus on early morning and late-day sessions when tides are on the move. Keep an eye on points, irregular shoreline breaks, and spots where birds are actively feeding—these are nature’s fish finders.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Gulf fishing rundown. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay hooked for tomorrow’s local report.

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