Fall Fishing in Texas

In Texas everything is big. Its coastline is huge, some if its flats seem to stretch forever and its trout are consistently among the largest found anywhere. But most fly-fishermen come here primarily to target the gargantuan schools of redfish. It’s not unusual to see a flat covered with dozens of wagging tails, especially in early fall.
 
Typically, when fishing on the flats here you’ll be sight-casting to fish in very shallow water. The clarity of the water varies, depending on where you go, and it can affect the level of difficulty you may encounter. If the water is gin- clear, as it is in the Lower Laguna Madre, the fish tend to be far spookier than on mudflats. This means you’ll have to make longer casts and more accurate presentations. The majority of the fishing here, however, is done over a muddy bottom, which makes the water off-color. Most casts under these conditions can be less than 40 feet, and in fact redfish regularly show themselves a few yards from the boat. Specks, especially big ones, rarely make up-close appearances and require far more planning and skill to chase, but if you want a shot at a trophy trout, Texas is the best place to be.

You’ll need primarily a 7- to 9-weight rod loaded with a floating line. Most local guides recommend short leaders of less than 10 feet. Ask your guide about flies – each one will have his preferences, but for the most part you’ll want spoon flies, shrimp patterns and small baitfish imitations. Bring a selection of weedless flies as well because you may fish over grass flats. To determine whether or not to bring wading boots or even waders for this time of year, ask in advance if you’ll be getting out of the boat to stalk fish. Those interested in kayak fishing will find several excellent opportunities off the Texas coast.