Texas Lake ReportLast updated:
Matagorda Bay fishing conditions
Port O'Connor, Palacios, Port Lavaca. Marine forecast, tides, water temperature and wind from NWS and NOAA. Snapshot taken Oct 20, 1:08 PM CDT. Always check the live sources and any advisories before you go out.
NWS marine forecast
Matagorda Bay (GMZ330)
Issued 1229 PM CDT Tue Oct 20 2026 by NWS Houston/Galveston TX. Expires Oct 21, 1:15 AM CDT.
.THIS AFTERNOON...Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay waters slightly choppy. .TONIGHT...Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay waters slightly choppy. A slight chance of showers after midnight. .WEDNESDAY...Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay waters slightly choppy. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT...East winds 10 to 15 knots, diminishing to around 10 knots after midnight. Bay waters slightly choppy, diminishing to smooth after midnight. .THURSDAY...East winds around 10 knots. Bay waters smooth to slightly choppy. .THURSDAY NIGHT...East winds 10 to 15 knots, diminishing to around 10 knots after midnight. Bay waters slightly choppy, diminishing to smooth after midnight. .FRIDAY...East winds around 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Bay waters smooth, increasing to slightly choppy in the afternoon. .FRIDAY NIGHT...Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay waters slightly choppy. .SATURDAY...East winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay waters slightly choppy. .SATURDAY NIGHT...East winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay waters slightly choppy.
Source: tgftp.nws.noaa.gov/data/forecasts/marine/coastal/gm/gmz330.txt
Tide predictions
| Date / time (local) | Tide | Height (ft, MLLW) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-20 06:32 | High | 1.21 |
| 2026-10-20 20:04 | Low | 0.57 |
| 2026-10-21 06:10 | High | 1.11 |
| 2026-10-21 20:44 | Low | 0.66 |
NOAA CO-OPS predictions for station 8773701 (source). Predictions are astronomical. Wind and river flow can push actual water levels well above or below them, especially in Texas bays.
Water temperature: NOAA CO-OPS 8773701 Port O'Connor, 2026-10-20 12:54 local, source. Wind: NDBC MBET2, source.
Local guides & marinas on Matagorda Bay
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Gear for this bay
Fishing Matagorda Bay for redfish, speckled trout or flounder? Our spec comparisons cover the inshore spinning setups and wade-fishing safety gear Texas bay anglers use most:
- Best inshore spinning reels & rods for Texas bays: sealed and saltwater-rated reels, 7'–7'6" rods, braid and leader basics.
- Texas wade fishing gear: stingray boots and guards, wading belts, stringers and fish bags, inflatable PFDs, plus the stingray shuffle.
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Inshore species basics
General notes for Texas bays, not a report for Matagorda Bay. Size limits, bag limits and seasons change, so check the current TPWD Outdoor Annual before keeping fish.
Redfish (red drum)
Found across Texas bays, from shallow grass flats and shorelines to marsh drains, oyster reefs, jetties and passes. Commonly caught on live or cut bait (shrimp, mullet, menhaden), gold spoons, soft plastics and topwaters. Texas has a slot limit with a special tag rule for oversized fish. Check the current rules.
Spotted seatrout (speckled trout)
Often around grass beds, reefs, guts and drop-offs, and under birds working shrimp. Popular methods include live shrimp under a popping cork, soft plastics and topwaters early and late. Trout are sensitive to sudden cold snaps, and TPWD has adjusted trout limits in recent years, so verify the current bag and size limits.
Southern flounder
Ambush feeders on muddy or sandy bottoms near structure, drains, channels and pass edges. Fished slowly near the bottom with live bait or soft plastics. Flounder migrate toward the Gulf passes in fall, and Texas has special seasonal harvest and gigging rules in late fall. Check the Outdoor Annual.
Matagorda Bay fishing reports from readers
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