Rio Grande Spring Bite: Reds, Specs, and Tarpon Whispers in South Texas

Hey y'all, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to fishing guide right here on the mighty Rio Grande in South Texas. It's April 29, 2026, and we're kickin' off the day at 3 AM EDT—prime time for those early bites before the sun cranks up.Tides today are lookin' solid: low at 3:23 AM hittin' 0.52 feet, high at 9:14 AM with 5.05 feet, low again 3:56 PM at 0.62 feet, and evenin' high at 9:20 PM reachin' 4.3 feet. Fish love that movin' water—currents stirrin' up the mullet and shrimp. Weather's mild, mid-70s by noon with light southerlies and partly cloudy skies; sunrise at 7:05 AM, sunset 8:00 PM. Perfect for a full day on the water.Fish activity's heatin' up with spring warm-up. Recent reports show reds and specks hammerin' in the shallows—folks pullin' limits of 20-30 inch redfish on live mullet, plus black drum up to 40 pounds and sheepshead stackin' pilings. Trout are active too, 18-25 inchers hittin' soft plastics, with some slot reds mixin' in. Tarpon whispers startin' from the Gulf side, and catfish goin' strong on cut bait.Best lures? Rat-L-Traps in chrome for twitchin' over grass flats, or paddle tails like DOA Shrimp in natural colors. Top bait's live shrimp under a popping cork or finger mullet free-lined—can't beat 'em for reds and trout.Hot spots: Brazos Island jetties for drum and sheepshead, and the South Bay cuts near Port Isabel—anchor up and let the tide do the work.Y'all stay safe, check regs, and wear your PFDs. Thanks for tunin' in—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1PnThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AIThis episode includes AI-generated content.