Rio Grande Valley Dawn Bite: Reds, Drum, and Trout Running Hot This April

Hey y'all, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to gal for fishin' in the Rio Grande Valley down here in South Texas. It's 3 AM on April 28, 2026, and the night's still whisperin' secrets from the river. Weather's mild—expect lows around 65°F risin' to 82°F by afternoon, light southerly winds at 5-10 mph, partly cloudy skies perfect for a dawn bite. Sunrise hits at 6:58 AM, sunset at 8:00 PM, givin' us a solid 13 hours of light.Tides in the lower Rio Grande are runnin' moderate today—low at 7:06 AM (0.7 ft), high around 1:23 PM (2.2 ft), then evenin' low at 8:28 PM (0.9 ft), per Tides4Fishing charts. Fish are lovin' these movin' waters; activity peaks durin' major solunar windows mid-mornin' and late afternoon when the moon's influence kicks in low but steady.Recent catches? Folks been pullin' strings of reds up to 28 inches, black drum in the 10-20 lb range, and speckled trout hittin' 3-5 lbs steady from the Texas Insider Fishing Report and local piers. Sheepshead and flounder are active too, with sharks showin' up offshore. Limits on reds and trout are holdin' strong—no slot issues reported.Best lures right now: 1/16 oz jig heads with small soft plastics in chartreuse or mullet—fish are shallow in 8-12 ft, per crappie trends mirrorin' our trout bite. Topwaters like mirrolures at dawn, or spoons for reds. Live bait? Shrimp or mullet under a poppin' cork can't be beat; finger mullet if you can net 'em.Hit these hot spots: Adolph Thomae Park jetties for reds and trout—tide rips there are gold. Or head to the Brazos Santiago Pass for drum and sheepshead; bait balls are stackin' up.Get out early, stay stealthy, and match the hatch. Tight lines!Thanks for tunin' in, y'all—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.