The View: November 2026

I don’t get much sleep this time of year, but it’s hard for me to sit down when ducks are decoying and hearty Matagorda trout are gobbling topwaters. There are not many places in Texas where you can shoot a limit of ducks in the morning and catch a limit of speckled trout and redfish before sunset. You have a great chance in Matagorda.

Birds may work above schools of hungry trout and redfish in November. Our bays have plenty of shrimp, and the first trickle of bird action actually occurred in late August and early September. We like to toss topwaters under the birds as well as Bass Assassins and Down South Lures on heavy jigheads. Don’t be surprised to find 1–2-pound Gulf trout in the mix as well. They are great bonus fish for ceviche or fish tacos.

Wading anglers should continue to work the same terrains as we’ve been, but more methodically this month. In East Matagorda Bay that means Boiler Bayou, Kain Cove, Hog Island, Catch-All Basin and Brown Cedar Flats. All of these have mud bottoms and are known to hold solid trout. Super Spooks, She Pups, Skitter Walks, Corkys, and your favorite soft plastics get the job done.

Waders also find good fish in West Matagorda Bay along the south shoreline, casting to points of shell. Topwaters and soft plastics are the ticket. As always, this time of year encourages slot-sized redfish to school in bunches of two dozen or more along the grass line.

Sight-casting to redfish along a muddy grass line is always fun. Watch for ripples, wakes and jumping shrimp near the grass and wait for the freight train to pass. Then toss a spoon, shrimp, or soft plastic in front of the school and loosen your drag. Listen for crunching jaws when a large school of reds work through the grass. Small crabs do not have a chance.

Obviously, the mouths of bayous and marshes on a falling tide are fall hotspots. Places like Oyster Lake and Crab Lake are good choices, while back lakes like Lake Austin and Boggy are also players. Live shrimp under a popping cork, plum Bass Assassins, Gulps or small topwaters worked across points are choice offerings. Don’t be surprised if birds work in the back lakes, especially on a strong falling tide.

Good numbers of fish will be in the Diversion Channel this month. It's a lot like bass fishing – pitching baits to timber and fallen logs from previous river rises. Don't be afraid to toss a topwater along the bank. Solid trout hang on the edge in 5-8 feet of water and will bang a Super Spook, Skitter Walk or She Pups. It’s a great place to get out of the wind as November cold fronts blow through the region. As a bonus, the Colorado River is running green, which normally spells good catches of trout under lights at night from the piers and docks.

Please continue to be good stewards of the land and water and take it personally when you see others abusing our natural resources. Give thanks for all our blessings when you celebrate this month. What a blessing to live in Texas and enjoy all our bays, beaches and estuaries…not to mention all the great people.