South Padre: December 2025
Fishing offers enjoyment and relaxation, but it also presents challenges that require decisive thinking — and I’m motivated by those challenges. Figuring out the puzzles of fish behavior means combining past experiences with current water and habitat conditions. We don’t always get it right; just when you think you have them figured out, the fish will send you home humbled.
While scouting for a tournament recently, I found three areas packed with redfish — our target species for the next day. Later, during the captain's meeting, an angler from another team asked, “Did you find them?” My confident smile and nod conveyed my optimism.
We headed out early, hoping nobody would beat us to our spot. Arriving to find no other boats present, I expected an easy session. Since the tournament was catch-photo-release, our camera phone would be our main tool for recording catches.
As the day began, I realized things had changed — the wind was stronger and the tide was about four inches lower. That subtle shift had moved the hundred-plus redfish I’d located the day before. We only saw five, hooked one, and it got away.
Moving to the second spot, where I’d previously seen many redfish and large trout in clear water, I now found it much shallower and dirty — and the fish were gone. My mind raced: What now? Fortunately, our luck turned at our third spot, where we finally found plenty of redfish.
This experience reinforced a timeless truth: no matter how much knowledge, experience, or skill you have, fishing can still be unpredictable. And even when you find fish, it doesn’t guarantee a catch. At the end of the day, it’s still the fish — and the prevailing conditions — that call the shots.
During winter, I tend to pay closer attention to water birds — ospreys, pelicans, cormorants, and seagulls. These birds depend on baitfish to survive. If they’re concentrated in an area, whether feeding or not, you can bet their prey isn’t far away, even if it’s not visible.
A water-temperature gauge is another great tool. Knowing the temperature where fish are congregated can guide you to other productive areas with similar conditions. Since fish move slowly in the cold, starting later in the morning to allow for some warming can often be a smart strategy.
In November, we found good numbers of redfish on calf-deep flats. They happily showed their backs as they belly-crawled across skinny mud flats. This month, the redfish will continue to be found in the shallows — but in areas with quick access to deeper, warmer water when sudden cold snaps hit.
Potholes around spoil islands will become strong attractors for redfish since they’re located near deeper, warmer sections of the ICW. Keep in mind that landmasses like spoil islands retain heat longer, which attracts baitfish — and not far behind are the gamefish we seek.
Our lure selection in December will include Z-Man’s PaddlerZ, MinnowZ, and Big BallerZ. Floating and suspended grass remains a problem, and Z-Man’s Eye Strike Texas Eye jigheads help us fish through it effectively.
Our trout fishery continues to show signs of steady recovery, and limits are easily attainable when working along the ICW and other deeper sections of the bay. All one needs to do is look for slicks to locate them. December isn’t quite trophy month for trout, but it’s an excellent month for numbers — and seeing a few big ones certainly isn’t out of the question.
Bigger trout are leery by nature and prefer staging in areas with plenty of potholes, where they can lie in wait to ambush prey. The edges of spoils, where they can adjust depth easily without expending much energy, also attract them. Most areas that hold big trout have quick access to deeper water nearby.
If your goal is simply to catch “keeper” trout, December can be one of the best months of the year for sheer numbers. Water temperatures should remain in the upper 60s to low 70s — an ideal range for active fish all day long.
If you study Google Maps, look for deeper pockets of water within our bay system. You’ll often see larger sandy areas surrounded by grass beds — these zones can hold plenty of fish. They may not all be trophy trout, but the action can be steady and exciting.
Z-Man’s five-inch PaddlerZ in Pearl and Sexy Penny; StreakZ in Space Guppy; and Big BallerZ in Troutcicle, Gold Fire, and Plum/Chartreuse will all be go-to baits this month.
Here’s wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and tight lines!
