Mid-Coast Bays: November 2026

Here in South Texas we wait a long time for that first real cold front of fall. When I finally see one in the forecast I get as excited as child waiting for Christmas morning. It’s hard to beat waking up to the cool and crisp air of a fall morning right after a cold front. Those cooler mornings seem to make just about everything feel more alive and energetic and the fish in our local bay waters are no exception. What makes this time of year even better is that, unlike summertime, an early start isn’t a must. With the cooler temperatures, you can take your time getting on the water and still enjoy some great fishing throughout the day.

As our water temperatures begin to cool, fishing locations really start to transition. Fish will begin moving away from hard, sandy shorelines into muddier bottomed back-lakes. There is one drawback to fishing the back-lakes this time of year, though, and that’s dying and decaying seagrass. Dead grass can bunch so thickly that it becomes difficult to drift or even work a lure effectively. As it decays it can also contribute to lower oxygen levels in the water as the bacteria break down the vegetation. When that happens, these areas will often be void of fish. As cold fronts become more frequent, the strong north winds should begin pushing much of this decaying, floating grass out of the water up onto the shorelines, making our back lakes much easier and more enjoyable to fish.

We typically don’t see severe cold fronts until January and February, but now is the time to start paying attention to the changes in atmospheric pressure that follow these fronts. The pressure usually rises the day after a strong front and the sky turns clear blue. As beautiful as those days may be, they can also be some of the toughest to fish. Usually, a day or two after a front has passed, the north winds begin to calm and atmospheric pressure begins to moderate – perfect for wade fishing San Antonio Bay’s mid-bay reefs.

I know you have heard it said time and again that the drop-offs are where the most bites take place, but it is definitely worth repeating because it is true. I like to start my wades on the shallowest part of the reef, otherwise known as the crown, casting toward the drop-off. This area is usually about four to five feet deeper than the crown of the reef. Rather than walking out into that deeper water, I prefer to work my way downwind along the reef, casting toward the drop-off as I go, rarely venturing into water deeper than about three and a half feet.

Most reefs in San Antonio Bay will have a steeper drop-off on one side or the other and the bite can change from one day to the next. Some days the fish will favor the steeper side while on other days they’ll be holding along the gradual drop-off side. If you haven’t found a solid bite, it’s imperative that you fish both sides of the reef before moving on to the next reef. Keep in mind you may have to do a bit of reef hopping before finding steady action.

My lure selection for November will stay pretty much the same as summer and early fall. It is not quite cold enough yet for me to start reaching for the slow-sinking lures. I think those lures really begin to shine during the colder winter months when lower water temperatures make the fish more lethargic and less willing to chase a faster moving bait. You will find me mostly throwing the Bass Assassin 4-inch Sea Shad in Purple Chicken and/or Mama’s Chicken on a 4/0 1/16-ounce red-eyed Bass Assassin jighead. I am addicted to these soft bodied lures because they have consistently produced for me more often than not.

The next few months will bring plenty of changes to our bay system and staying on top of those changes is a big part of consistently finding fish. Pay attention to the forecasted fronts, water temperatures, wind, and where the bait is holding. Don't be afraid to change locations when the conditions tell you to. Fall fishing on San Antonio Bay can be some of the best of the year and with the cooler weather finally on the way I'm more than ready to get out there and take advantage of it.