Summer patterns wrapped up

The long Texas summer has finally wrapped up, and we’re already seeing signs of change across the bays around Rockport, Aransas Pass, and Port Aransas. The tides are back in, a few cool north fronts have rolled through, and water temperatures are dropping into that perfect range for redfish on the fly. These shifts have broken up some of the thick grass mats that built up during late summer, creating cleaner flats and stronger flow—ideal conditions for sight fishing redfish in the fall.

Looking back, the end of summer fly fishing on the Texas coast was nothing short of phenomenal. Water levels stayed on the lower side, winds were consistently light, and redfish activity was steady across specific flats with good tidal movement. The key areas were the ones with deeper channels running through the flats. As tides dropped, these channels funneled schools of redfish right into predictable zones, often pushing them directly toward the boat. For fly anglers, this set up incredible sight fishing opportunities, with fish cruising in tight groups and feeding actively as they moved with the tide.

One of the highlights of late summer fishing in Rockport was how concentrated the redfish became in those drains and cuts. With limited water, the fish had fewer places to scatter, which meant plenty of close encounters and aggressive eats for anyone with a fly rod in hand. These conditions are why summer is such a special season on the Texas coast, and this year did not disappoint.

Now, with fall setting in, the entire system is coming alive again. Cooler north winds are refreshing the bays, tides are consistently higher, and the grass has started to thin out. This not only makes casting and presentation easier for fly anglers, but also creates wide-open feeding lanes over sand and mud bottoms. The redfish are already adjusting to these conditions, and as we move deeper into fall and toward winter, things are shaping up for a strong season ahead.

For anglers planning a fly fishing trip to Rockport this fall, expect to see classic Texas coast patterns: redfish tailing in shallow water, schools cruising shorelines, and plenty of action around shrimp hatches and bait movement. These transitional months offer some of the most visual fly fishing opportunities of the year.

Another awesome summer has wrapped up here on the Texas coast, and with conditions lining up perfectly, we’re excited to see what the fall brings. If the early signs are any indication, it’s going to be a fantastic season for sight fishing redfish on the flats. Stay tuned for more updates, and if you’re ready to experience fall fly fishing in Rockport firsthand, now is the time to book your trip.

As of right now, my open dates coming up are: October 13-19, 21-22 and November 3, 6, 17-23, 29-30