I tried to search some past history, but nothing good came up.

I am headed down to stay in a condo the last week in July. The moon will be waxing gibbous until the last day I am there which is a full moon. I have never fished SPI, but I had heard that it might be decent trout fishing? I am a regular for fishing, and having success, at Surfside Beach. I have a few questions, and I was hoping that I might get some info to help put the family on some fish. We love to throw topwater and arties for trout, and set big rods for Bull Reds/Sharks/anything else. We don't mind fishing in the surf or in the bay, if the bay does not need a boat.

Questions:

1. How is the trout fishing typically that time of year? Will all the 'normal' lures work?
2. How are the reds in the surf?
3. Should I fish mornings in front of the condos, or head to P.I.N.S? I have heard people talk about P.I.N.S., but don't remember what they said)
4. Should I stay in the surf for trout or head to the bay?
5. Is it worth heading to the jetties?
6. What other fish should I target in the surf except for whiting.

Thank you so much for your time. Any information is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions please let me know or PM me.

I don't think anyone fishes the surf down in South Padre. I asked a similar question and didn't get any feedback. Good Luck

It's all about the wind, and what the day looks like. If the surf is flat, that's where you want to be, if it's pumping hard, head to the bay side.

We've caught some impressive stringers of trout in the surf, when it was fairly flat, driving down the beach looking for bait activity. You can wade in at the convention center and have a decent chance there also.

Again, let the conditions tell you where to go.

I have heard about the convention center. My only experience of the center is looking at it on google earth. Where should I park and walk in? Should I fish north or south of the center?

You'll want the wind to your back, just concentrate on the white sand/grass transition area.

Really in July, you can catch a dumpster full of trout at night on the old causeway. There's a lot of choices, you'll see when you arrive.

Outstanding-I'll be there in July on "business".

Pat, I am thinking that you are talking about the bay side when discussing the grass to sand transitions.

I have fished the surf many times at South Padre and haven't caught any trout. Reds yes. Lovestofish, I would suggest maybe going to the park at the south end of the island next to the big causeway and check the action on the jetty. If the water is clear on the surf side there will be a wide variety of fish to be caught. Redfish, spanish mackeral,and mangrove snapper among others.

Thank you for the information!

you can catch plenty of tasty whiting in surf first thing in morning . throw a carolina rig with half ounce sinker small treble hook and small pieces of dead shrimp-you should catch all you want to fillet.wade the bay any where you can gain access and fish pot holes with light jig and gulp and or popping cork with gulp jig.if you are serious hire freddy petty out of laguna vista and have a real fishing trip he is done at noon and you will have your fish.

King mackerel at daybreak on the end of the jetty all summer to fall.

We went 4 for 5 on blacktips from the beach today.

Last year in July, I caught some giant trout on the jetty on the south end on a Santone spinnerbait, casting right along the rocks.
I also waded the grass transitions yall speak of behind the convention center area. I caught big keeper reds all day on a white Zara Spook.
As a matter of fact, going anywhere else on the Gulf is like eating at McDonalds and South Padre is the Steak House! Love it down there!

You could also save up some coin and go fish with Capt. Andrew, he will put you on some fish!

Thanks Jig Man. The afternoon bite was on fire yesterday we caught two limits of solid trout in 30 mins and it was killer time with lots of bit hits and runs.