Schooling Reds in South Padre

I have been fishing religously for the entire month of May. I am having trouble locating the schools of Reds that are usually around during this time of year.

Do not get me wrong, I have had success locating some schools in number of no more than 5 or so. I was near 3 Islands and had to really search then out but I know their are some larger schools cruising along somewhere.

Any suggestions?

Since the last posting I've been on a mission to find these elusive schools.

I have found many schools ranging from 5 to 15 redfish behind the bay houses south of the Arroy River. I know that area is vast but with a little searching you will eventually find them.

The largest school I have encountered was numbering between 20-40 redfish and that herd was in Rattlesnake Bay. I was running my boat to a new position and as I was going I happen to scatter them. They were all around the boat. I was with 3 other guys and had a slow day up to that point and within 1 hour we had our limit.

Any one else have any luck?

Do you fish around port a at all...I mainly target trout and would like to catch some redfish so any good spots or tips would help

I have my boat in SPI. So to answer your question no, I do not go that far North.

I have enough challenge trying to find the fish between Arroy and SPI.

I plan to go back the Arroy this weekend to find more schooling redfish.

any good places to wade fish around SPI?

What is your bait of choice when u fish for redfish

When fishing for reds I like to use live mullet especially when fishing in the surf. when in the bays i usually use dead shrimp or cut mullet, but then again I do not have a boat so I usually fish off piers and wading.

Wade fishing in SPI is good behind the Convention Center on top water or Gulp Shrimp. Wade as far as you can and start working the pot holes.


I use a lot of different baits while fishing. Usually the first 30 mins is used to tune in on the fish activity.

The most common natural baits are:

*live mullet(3"-6" in length) - not much action through out the day but when you get a hit it will usually be big.
* cut ballihoo - more action but also get bits from other species like catfish & perch.
* live shrimp & cork - most action but will definitely catch other species like ladyfish, catfish, perch, pompano, etc.

Artificial baits:

*any topwater - spook, she dog, top dog, etc.
* plastic jerk - limegreen / bright yellow, red body/white tail, shad color

I am not limited to these bait when I fish. I usually start of with a combination of these baits and if they are not producing any bits I switch to something completely different. Keep at it, eventually you find what the fish want.

zcore well be down next week, you have any other tips??

Try to fish in areas where not to many people or boats are around. Fish like quiet areas.