Hey there folks, this is Artificial Lure coming at you live from the Texas Gulf Coast where the salt’s in the air and the fish are biting just right. Today is Tuesday, October 21st, and I’m dropping a fresh narrative fishing report for the bays, jetties, and surf all along our slice of the Gulf of Mexico. Grab a cup of coffee and let’s break it all down, Texas-style.

We’re looking at about 11 hours and 21 minutes of daylight at Freeport today, with sunrise right around 7:26 AM and sunset just past 6:45 PM. That means you’ve got a good stretch for chasing fish under the sun—so don’t sleep in too late. Now, let’s talk tidal action. Over at Freeport, today’s tidal coefficient is hovering around 85, which is a pretty high value—expect some strong tidal movement, bigger water swings, and those currents could really get things stirred up near the passes and jetties. According to the Tides4Fishing charts, the tides are running at their peak for the season right now, so plan your trips accordingly. Higher water tends to give us trout and redfish hanging closer to marsh drains and cuts, while lower water can stack fish behind the bars and in the deep holes.

Offshore and inshore, the weather’s been steady—warm winds out of the southeast, a bit cloudy early, but clearing up by midday. So long as you don’t see too much chop on the surface, you’ll find some good action close to the beach, around the jetties, and up in the bayous.

Let’s get to the good stuff—what’s biting. Reports up and down the coast have been solid for speckled trout on the wade, especially early in the morning on the flats with a soft plastic under a popping cork. The old-timers at Sabine Pass swear by a quarter-ounce jig head with a glow-chartreuse Tidal Surge Split Tail Mullet. Redfish? They’re on the chew early and late, mostly hitting soft plastics in rootbeer or pumpkinseed, but a few anglers have been scoring with live shrimp or finger mullet, especially near the shell pads and grass lines. Flounder are moving now, too—around the passes, try hopping a pink or chartreuse Bass Assassin on a slow drift.

The surf guys up and down Surfside Beach and Bolivar have been picking up bull reds and some big black drum on cut mullet and fresh crab. Some days, you’ll see Spanish mackerel and ladyfish busting bait pods close to the first gut—throw a silver spoon or a Top Dog walker and hang on. For those heading offshore, kingfish are still in range, especially off the Padre Island rigs and the Freeport jetties. Live cigar minnows and ribbonfish are money right now, but a flashy skirted ballyhoo will work, too.

Let’s talk best lures and baits. This time of year, you can’t go wrong with a popping cork rigged with a live shrimp for trout and reds, but if you’re throwing artificials, soft plastics—especially in glow, chartreuse, and rootbeer—are the ticket. The Salt Strong podcast has been raving about shrimp lures for a reason—everything eats ‘em, from trout to snook, so keep a few in your box. For flounder, drag a spinnerbait or a DOA shrimp along the bottom near the passes. And if you’re after big reds, a slow-rolled spinnerbait or a weedless spoon can’t be beat over the grass.

Here are a couple hot spots for today:
**Freeport Jetty**—target rising water with soft plastics or live shrimp for big trout and reds.
**Surfside Beach**—walk past the second gut with cut mullet or crab for bull reds and black drum.
**Rollover Pass**—this classic flounder hole is starting to fire up; drift a live bull minnow or a mullet on a Carolina rig.

Thanks for tuning in, folks. Remember, the tides are strong today, so watch your step and respect the water. If you liked what you heard, make sure to subscribe so you never miss a report. Share what you catch and let’s keep it a quiet day on the bay.

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