Laguna Madre - Willacy, TX Fishing Report on 8th Jun, 2026

The fishing across the Coastal Bend remains productive as we settle into the summer patterns. The hyper-salinity of our local lagoon system continues to hold aggressive fish, and the bite has been strong for those focusing on the right depths and water movement.

We have seen excellent activity along the shallow grass beds during the early morning hours. Redfish are roaming the flats in search of baitfish, and we have had success using both live shrimp and popping cork setups to draw them out. The water clarity is currently ideal for sight-casting, which has made for some very rewarding sessions as we work the edges of the 965,000-acre King Ranch shoreline.

For those targeting speckled trout, the focus has shifted to the slightly deeper drop-offs near the Intracoastal Waterway. As the afternoon sun warms the shallows, the trout are moving toward these cooler channels. Drift fishing with light tackle has been the most effective technique lately, allowing us to cover ground and locate the roaming schools. The black drum are also holding in these deeper pockets, responding well to bottom-fishing rigs with natural bait.

Overall, the ecosystem is healthy and the fishing is reliable. Whether you are looking to target specific species on the flats or enjoy a steady day of mixed-bag action in the channels, now is a great time to be on the water. We are seeing plenty of healthy fish coming over the gunwales, and the outlook for the coming weeks remains very positive.