UTERSpotted seatrout fishing in South Padre & Corpus Christi
In South Padre & Corpus Christi, spotted seatrout peak October–June and are around year-round, spawning in May–June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Trophy season on the Lower Laguna: big trout on the muddy, sun-warmed flats from Port Mansfield south; wade with a slow plastic or a Corky.
Fall feed: trout under the birds on the Laguna and the Arroyo mouth.
Spotted seatrout in South Padre & Corpus Christi, month by month
- JanuaryPeakTrophy season on the Lower Laguna: big trout on the muddy, sun-warmed flats from Port Mansfield south; wade with a slow plastic or a Corky.
- FebruaryPeakThe big sows feed on the warmest afternoons over mud and grass; slow-sink twitchbaits.
- MarchPeakStill big-fish time; topwater on the warm, calm mornings.
- AprilPeakTrout on the grass edges and potholes; the bite turns on at first light.
- MaySpawningSpawning fish on the sand-grass edges and the spoil banks along the ICW.
- JuneSpawningSpawn continues; dawn topwater then drop to the deeper guts.
- JulyAroundDawn trout, tarpon off the jetties, blue water offshore. Fish the first two hours; tarpon on calm green days; offshore for sails, mahi and blue marlin.
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeakFall feed: trout under the birds on the Laguna and the Arroyo mouth.
- NovemberPeakBig trout back on the mud as the fronts cool the water.
- DecemberPeakDeep guts and channels on the cold days; mud flats on the warm ones.
Where to fish spotted seatrout near Port O'Connor, Rockport, Port Aransas
The Laguna Madre — the hypersaline, gin-clear lagoon behind Padre Island — plus Baffin Bay's rock reefs, the Aransas and Corpus Christi bays, the Land Cut, and passes at Port Aransas, Packery, Port Mansfield and Brazos Santiago. Wade-fishing country; the Gulf beaches of Padre run 100 miles.
What to use for spotted seatrout
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- PigfishFree-lined or under a cork on a 2/0 circle hook for gator trout; on the bottom for grouper.
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- CroakersHooked through the back on a 2/0 to 3/0 circle hook, free-lined or on a Carolina rig — big trout and redfish can't leave them alone.
- Leader15–25 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–1/0
- Jig head1/8–1/4 oz
- Braid10–15 lb
Feeds in 54–86°F water, best at 62–78°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch spotted seatrout in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Peak season is October–June, with fish spawning in May–June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Spotted seatrout are here year-round. January: Trophy season on the Lower Laguna: big trout on the muddy, sun-warmed flats from Port Mansfield south; wade with a slow plastic or a Corky.
Where do spotted seatrout hold in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Look on grass flat, channel edge, pass / inlet — around Port O'Connor, Rockport, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi, Baffin Bay, Port Mansfield.
What is the best bait for spotted seatrout in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Live bait: live shrimp, pilchards (whitebait), pigfish, pinfish. Live shrimp: Under a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait. Tackle: leader 15–25 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–1/0, jig head 1/8–1/4 oz, braid 10–15 lb.
What are the rules for spotted seatrout in South Padre & Corpus Christi?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and change — read the current rule at https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/saltwater-fishing before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores spotted seatrout for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about spotted seatrout · The Lower Texas Coast, the whole year