Port Aransas Fishing Report – November 2026: Redfish, Black Drum & Speckled Trout
Fishing around Port Aransas, Texas, has been on fire during the first week of November! Cooler water temperatures, shifting tides, and plenty of bait activity have made for some fantastic fall fishing. Redfish and black drum have been feeding aggressively across the shallow grass flats, while speckled trout have been holding along channel edges and deeper grass drop-offs.
If you're planning a fishing trip around Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, or Redfish Bay, November is one of my favorite times of the year to target these fish.
Port Aransas Redfish and Black Drum Fishing on the Grass Flats
The shallow grass flats around Port Aransas and Redfish Bay have been producing some excellent redfish and black drum fishing this past week. Cooler water temperatures have helped get the fish moving and feeding, especially during the morning outgoing tides.
I've been having success fishing live shrimp and cut skipjack under popping corks with approximately a 2-foot leader. Carolina rigs have also been productive when fishing sandy potholes and areas where the fish are feeding closer to the bottom.
One of the biggest keys to catching fish right now is locating bait activity. Before I spend much time fishing an area, I look for signs of baitfish moving, nervous water, or fish actively feeding.
If there's no bait activity, I don't waste much time sitting in one spot. Instead, I slowly move across the grass flats until I find more activity, then work my way through the area while fishing.
Finding Redfish in Sandy Potholes and Along Mangroves
One of my favorite techniques for targeting redfish in Port Aransas is casting into sandy potholes scattered throughout the grass flats.
These potholes are the tan-colored openings surrounded by darker grass. Redfish and black drum frequently hold in these openings, making them excellent places to target with live bait or artificial lures.
I've also been working the mangrove shorelines and the first set of sandy potholes just outside the mangroves. These areas can hold fish as they move through the shallows looking for food.
Pay attention to the bait. Finding active bait around the mangroves and nearby potholes can make the difference between a slow morning and an excellent day of fishing.
Best Artificial Lures for Port Aransas Redfish in November
Artificial lures have also been producing fish across the grass flats. Some of my favorite choices right now include:
Topwater lures for aggressive redfish feeding in shallow water.
1/4-ounce gold spoons worked across grass flats and sandy openings.
4-inch Berkley Gulp! Swimming Mullet in root beer with a chartreuse tail, rigged on a 1/16-ounce jig head.
When fishing the Gulp Swimming Mullet, I use a fairly fast retrieve to keep the lure from sinking into the grass. The lighter 1/16-ounce jig head helps keep the bait higher in the water column.
Casting across the edges of sandy potholes and retrieving the lure over the grass has been an effective way to cover water and locate feeding redfish.
Port Aransas Speckled Trout Fishing Report
Speckled trout have been holding in slightly deeper water along channel edges and grass flat drop-offs.
I've been targeting trout in approximately 3 to 6 feet of water, concentrating on areas where shallow grass flats transition into deeper channels.
Popping corks have been productive, along with the Marker 54 Jerk Shrimp in pink.
These grass edges and drop-offs provide excellent feeding opportunities for trout as bait moves between shallow and deeper water.
When targeting speckled trout, I pay close attention to current movement and bait activity along the edges. Finding the right combination of moving water and bait can lead to some excellent trout fishing.
How Cold Fronts Affect November Fishing in Port Aransas
November is one of the best times of the year to fish the Port Aransas area, but passing cold fronts can temporarily slow the bite.
I've found that fishing can be fantastic ahead of an approaching front. Fish often feed aggressively before the weather changes.
The day a strong cold front moves through can be tougher, especially when high winds and rapidly changing conditions make fishing the shallow flats more difficult.
However, once the front has passed and conditions begin to stabilize, the fishing can turn right back on. Two days or more after a front can provide some excellent opportunities for redfish, black drum, and speckled trout.
Planning a trip around these weather changes can make a big difference in your success.
Morning Outgoing Tides Have Been Producing
The morning outgoing tides have been especially productive during the first week of November.
As the water moves off the shallow grass flats, baitfish and shrimp begin moving toward deeper potholes, drains, and channel edges. Redfish, black drum, and speckled trout take advantage of these feeding opportunities.
I've been concentrating on areas with moving water, visible bait activity, and nearby grass or structure.
Instead of staying in one location waiting for fish to show up, I prefer to keep moving until I find active fish and then slow down and work the area thoroughly.
Weekly Fishing Report Videos & Fishing Spots Membership
Want to know where the fish are biting and what techniques are working? Join my Clean Fun Fishing Spots Membership for weekly fishing report videos covering Port Aransas, Rockport, Aransas Pass, Ingleside, Corpus Christi Bay, and Portland, Texas. I share fishing locations, seasonal patterns, productive structures, bait choices, and techniques that help me catch redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and mangrove snapper. I also use Google Earth to break down fishing spots and explain what to look for before heading out on the water. Whether you're fishing from your own boat or just looking to improve your success, my weekly reports can help you spend less time searching and more time catching fish. Visit my Fishing Spots Membership page to learn more and get access to my weekly fishing report videos.
Port Aransas Fishing Charters & Guides Near Me | Clean Fun Fishing
If you're looking for a Port Aransas fishing charter or an experienced fishing guide in Port Aransas, I'd love to get you out on the water. I'm Captain Justin with Clean Fun Fishing, and I offer private, family-friendly inshore fishing trips targeting redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and mangrove snapper when they're available. Whether you're an experienced angler or bringing the kids fishing for the first time, I'll help you enjoy a productive day exploring the bays and grass flats around Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, and Redfish Bay. I provide the fishing equipment for live-bait trips, and fish cleaning is included. You can learn more about my guided fishing trips and book directly through my website
Port Aransas Fishing Outlook for November
With cooler water temperatures settling in and fish actively feeding across the flats, November is shaping up to be an excellent month for inshore fishing around Port Aransas.
Redfish and black drum are providing plenty of action in the shallow grass, while speckled trout are holding along channel edges and deeper drop-offs.
My biggest advice right now is simple: find the bait, pay attention to the tides, and don't be afraid to move until you locate feeding fish.
The fall fishing is fantastic, and there should be plenty more opportunities as we move further into November.
Captain Justin Coghlan
Clean Fun Fishing
Port Aransas, Rockport & Aransas Pass Fishing Charters
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