Louisiana: Venice – Redfish and Speckled Trout
Venice isn’t just for offshore anglers, and I can tell you from personal experience, the inshore action here is absolutely phenomenal. The waters around the Mississippi River Delta are teeming with redfish and speckled trout in August. The grassy flats and marshes are prime for redfish, often called “Louisiana pumpkins” for their vibrant color and fight. I’ve had numerous successful trips in August here, and the speckled trout are also abundant, especially in the back bays where water temperatures hover in the mid-80s.
How to Catch: I recommend using live shrimp or crab under a popping cork for redfish, targeting grassy patches and oyster beds. For speckled trout, I like to fish early mornings or evenings with live shrimp or artificial lures like Matrix Shad on a 3/8-ounce jighead. Incoming tides are best for trout, especially around channel markers. Charter guides in Venice can pinpoint the best spots, leveraging their knowledge of local feeding patterns.
My Advice: One of my favorite spots is the marshes near South Pass or the edges of Barataria Bay for consistent action. I’ve never been disappointed fishing these waters in August.
Alabama: Gulf Shores – Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder
Gulf Shores offers a diverse inshore fishery in August, and I absolutely love the variety you can target here. With redfish, speckled trout, and flounder thriving in Mobile Bay, Little Lagoon, and Perdido Bay, the warm waters (around 86°F) make these species active, especially during cooler parts of the day. I’ve had numerous successful trips in August here, particularly when targeting multiple species in one outing.
How to Catch: For redfish, I recommend trying live shrimp or mullet free-lined near oyster bars or under Undertaker popping corks in 3-4 feet of water. Speckled trout bite best on live croakers or topwater lures during early morning or late evening. I like to get out there right at dawn. Flounder are active in August, and I’ve found that gigging at night with a light source or fishing with live mullet near sandy bottoms works well. Perdido Pass is a favorite among the local fishermen and a year-round hotspot for all three species.
My Advice: I recommend wade fishing in Mobile Bay’s shallow guts or near the Gulf State Park Pier. These areas can yield solid catches and are some of my go-to spots.
Mississippi: Biloxi – Redfish and Speckled Trout
Biloxi’s coastal marshes and quick access to inshore waters make it a gem for August fishing, and I’ve consistently had great luck here. Redfish and speckled trout dominate the scene, with the grass flats and bayous offering prime habitat. I like the fact that you can get to productive water quickly from the launch points here.
How to Catch: I recommend targeting redfish along mangrove edges with live shrimp or Johnson Silver Minnow spoons. Speckled trout are hitting soft plastics and live bait under popping corks, particularly around rocky jetties and grass flats. Early morning trips during outgoing tides can be productive under bird activity.
My Advice: One of my favorite areas is the waters near Deer Island or the Biloxi Bay channels. These are reliable for both species.
Texas: Port Aransas – Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Black Drum
Port Aransas, on Mustang Island, is a hotspot for inshore anglers in August and one of my absolute favorites along the Texas coast. The bays and grassy flats around Aransas Pass are loaded with redfish, speckled trout, and black drum, with water temperatures in the high 80s driving feeding frenzies. I’ve had numerous successful trips in August here, especially when the drum are schooling.
How to Catch: I like to use live shrimp or croaker under popping corks for redfish and trout, focusing on mid-bay shell reefs or the south shoreline. Black drum are schooling in channels and can be caught with dead shrimp or fish bites. I recommend being patient with these bruisers. Wade fishing with artificial lures like soft plastics or topwaters works well on calm mornings.
My Advice: I recommend the flats near Aransas Bay or the jetties at Port Aransas. These are consistent producers, and I was told by numerous charter captains that these are where all the boats are fishing right now.
Florida: Destin – Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Tarpon
Destin’s crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches make it a favorite for inshore fishing, and I absolutely love the sight fishing opportunities here. August sees strong action for redfish, speckled trout, and tarpon in Choctawhatchee Bay and along the 30A corridor. The tarpon fishing here is something special.
How to Catch: For redfish and trout, I recommend using live bait like finger mullet or white bait with a cast net, targeting grass flats and oyster bars. Tarpon are a thrill and one of my favorite species to target, requiring stealth with live mullet or crabs in shallow, clear waters. Sight fishing is effective, especially near channel edges. I like the visual aspect of this style of fishing.
My Advice: A favorite among the locals is the grassy patches in Choctawhatchee Bay or near the East Pass jetties. These areas are prime for multi-species action and I’ve had numerous successful trips in August here.
Conclusion
August 2025 is shaping up to be a great month for Gulf Coast inshore fishing. From the redfish-filled marshes over here in Venice to the clear flats of Destin, there are fish being put in the boat. This summer pattern will continue strong through September until the first cool fronts roll in, usually around the end of September. That gives you plenty of time to get out there and take advantage of these hot conditions. Whether you’re wade fishing for speckled trout or sight casting to redfish, I recommend making the most of this extended summer pattern. Tight lines!
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