Anglers can fish for spotted seatrout in a variety of places utilizing different techniques on each trip out.

Story and photography by Danno Wise

July is the quintessential summer month along the Texas Coast. Hot weather, warm water, Fourth of July, fireworks and beach crowds are all hallmarks of summer on the coast. Another enduring summer tradition in Texas is fishing the surf for speckled trout. Although plugging the surf for specks is a sentimental seasonal favorite, it is far from the only way to target trout during summer.

Fishermen can also catch plenty of speckled trout in the bays and passes during the summer months. As a result anglers looking for speckled trout have a myriad of options during mid-summer. From beach to bay, there are plenty of places and ways to tangle with trout along the Texas coastal curve in July.

Once surf conditions get right, working the guts for speckled trout is a popular pastime among saltwater anglers in the Lone Star State. In fact, a good many fishermen – especially along the Middle and Upper Texas coast – will be found along the beachfront at every opportunity through summer.

Not only are the surf waters productive they are also very accessible. While some stretches of shoreline must be reached by boat, there are miles and miles of beach that can be reached by vehicle. Some of these beaches do require 4-wheel-drive, but there are plenty of other spots that are accessible with 2-wheel-drive or via park and walk access points.

Regardless of how they access their favorite stretch beachfront surf, fishermen can expect plenty of speckled trout in the first gut, the deeper trough that runs parallel to shore, at first light and through much of the early morning. Topwaters are usually effective during the lowlight periods.

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