🎣 Fishing the PIYC Fall Fishing Tournament?

PIYC Fall Fishing Tournament - Fishing Game Plan (Best Spots, Times & Strategy)

Tournament Game Plan

PIYC Fall Fishing Tournament

Padre Island Yacht Club, Corpus Christi, TX β€’ Oct 10, 2026

Calculating tide, solunar, species, and wind scores…

Every tournament day is different.

Tournament success starts with today's conditions β€” not yesterday's. This personalized Tournament Game Plan analyzes today's tide, wind, solunar activity, tournament hours, local fishing structure, and target species to recommend where to start, when to move, and how to maximize your time on the water.

⬇️ Scroll down for today's Best Starting Spot and Suggested Tournament Rotation.

βœ… Best Starting Spot

East Flats geo: 27.8189165,-97.1044332
Score: 73/100 — Approx. 13.1 nm from launch

Why This Spot Is Ranked #1 Today:
Structures: drain, shoreline, flats, other | Best tide: Incoming | Species: redfish, trout, other

Recommended lures:
Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)

Notes:
Grass Flat, species_other: Black Drum. Large grass flat. Best for sight-casting reds and drifting trout early morning.

Guide reports regularly mention East Flats for trout and reds, especially during stronger incoming tides.

πŸ” Suggested Tournament Rotation

  1. East Flats (geo = 27.8189165,-97.1044332)
    Why ranked here today:
    • βœ“ NW wind is favorable for this spot.
    • βœ“ Good match for target species: redfish.
    • βœ“ Longer run, but conditions still support the spot.
    — Approx. 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
    Score: 73/100 — ~ 13.1 nm from launch
    Structures: drain, shoreline, flats, other | Best tide: Incoming | Species: redfish, trout, other
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
  2. Flato Cut (geo = 27.7844738,-97.1172108)
    Why ranked here today:
    • βœ“ Good match for target species: redfish.
    • βœ“ Moderate run from launch with good upside.
    — Approx. 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
    Score: 52/100 — ~ 11.1 nm from launch
    Structures: drain, channel | Best tide: outgoing | Species: redfish, trout
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
  3. Lighthouse Lakes (geo = 27.8759,-97.0638)
    Why ranked here today:
    • βœ“ Good match for target species: redfish.
    • βœ“ Longer run, but conditions still support the spot.
    — Approx. 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Score: 43/100 — ~ 17.2 nm from launch
    Structures: drain, shoreline, flats | Best tide: incoming | Species: redfish, trout
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
  4. Trout Bayou / Dagger Wells (geo = 27.8429,-97.0709)
    Why ranked here today:
    • βœ“ Good match for target species: redfish.
    • βœ“ Longer run, but conditions still support the spot.
    — Approx. 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
    Score: 42/100 — ~ 15.3 nm from launch
    Structures: drain, shoreline, channel | Best tide: outgoing | Species: redfish, trout, flounder
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)

Times are approximate based on the selected fishing window and top-ranked spots. Adjust on the water as conditions change.

πŸ—Ί Rotation Map

πŸ“‹ Complete Spot Rankings

  1. East Flats
    geo: 27.8189165,-97.1044332
    Score: 73/100 — ~ 13.1 nm from launch
    Structures: drain, shoreline, flats, other | Best tide: Incoming | Winds: N, NE, W, NW | Species: redfish, trout, other | GPS: 27.8189165, -97.1044332
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Grass Flat, species_other: Black Drum. Large grass flat. Best for sight-casting reds and drifting trout early morning.

    Guide reports regularly mention East Flats for trout and reds, especially during stronger incoming tides.
  2. Flato Cut
    geo: 27.7844738,-97.1172108
    Score: 52/100 — ~ 11.1 nm from launch
    Structures: drain, channel | Best tide: outgoing | Winds: N, NE, E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.7844738, -97.1172108
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Tidal cut connecting shallow flats and deeper water.
  3. East Flats
    geo: 27.8189165,-97.1044332
    Score: 49/100 — ~ 13.1 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, flats | Best tide: incoming | Winds: N, NE, E, SE | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8189165, -97.1044332
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Shallow grass flats near Port Aransas.
  4. Lighthouse Lakes
    geo: 27.8759,-97.0638
    Score: 43/100 — ~ 17.2 nm from launch
    Structures: drain, shoreline, flats | Best tide: incoming | Winds: NE, E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8759, -97.0638
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Legendary sight-casting flats with grass, lakes, and potholes. Redfish tailing on incoming tide; trout sit at grassline edges during falling water.
  5. Trout Bayou / Dagger Wells
    geo: 27.8429,-97.0709
    Score: 42/100 — ~ 15.3 nm from launch
    Structures: drain, shoreline, channel | Best tide: outgoing | Winds: NE, E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout, flounder | GPS: 27.8429, -97.0709
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Tidal drains that funnel bait into Redfish Bay system. Trout sit on edges; reds ambush shallow. Excellent flounder movement zone during fall.
  6. Estes Flats
    geo: 27.8509,-97.0739
    Score: 41/100 — ~ 15.6 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, reef, flats | Best tide: incoming | Winds: N, NE, E, SE | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8509, -97.0739
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Weedless Spoon (Amazon)
    MirrOlure MirrOdine (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Large shallow grass-flat complex between Rockport and Port Aransas.
  7. East Flats / Dagger Island
    geo: 27.8409,-97.0739
    Score: 37/100 — ~ 15.1 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, flats, other | Best tide: incoming | Winds: NE, E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8409, -97.0739
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Healthy grass flats with sand pockets and spoil islands. Reds in potholes; trout along spoil edges. Very productive on rising tide.
  8. Conn Brown Harbor Drain Outflow
    geo: 27.9097,-97.1403
    Score: 36/100 — ~ 17.3 nm from launch
    Structures: drain, channel | Best tide: outgoing | Winds: E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.9097, -97.1403
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Outgoing tide pulls bait out of Conn Brown into the channel. Fish current seams and edges for reds and trout.
  9. Ship Channel – St. Joe Shoreline
    geo: 27.8259,-97.0459
    Score: 35/100 — ~ 15.4 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, channel | Best tide: incoming | Winds: E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout, flounder | GPS: 27.8259, -97.0459
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Deep Aransas Pass channel meets grassy St. Joe shoreline. Trout hold on drop-offs; redfish cruise shallow grass; flounder lie on transitions.
  10. Brown & Root Flats
    geo: 27.8469,-97.0739
    Score: 35/100 — ~ 15.4 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, flats | Best tide: incoming | Winds: NE, E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8469, -97.0739
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Classic Port Aransas grass flat. Reds tail shallow; trout roam deeper grass edges. Excellent wading area with consistent bait activity.
  11. Estes Flats
    geo: 27.8509,-97.0739
    Score: 34/100 — ~ 15.6 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, flats | Best tide: incoming | Winds: NE, E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8509, -97.0739
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Massive grass flat bordered by deeper water along Aransas Bay. Redfish tail shallow; trout hold near drop-offs. Topwaters and paddletails are staples here.
  12. Shamrock Cove
    geo: 27.8419,-97.0732
    Score: 34/100 — ~ 15.2 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, flats | Best tide: incoming | Winds: NE, E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8419, -97.0732
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Clear, shallow sand/grass flats with defined guts and pockets. Redfish sight-casting is excellent; trout roam deeper adjacent edges.
  13. Lydia Ann Channel – Pilings & Drop-offs
    geo: 27.8309,-97.0459
    Score: 34/100 — ~ 15.6 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, channel | Best tide: either | Winds: E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout, flounder, other | GPS: 27.8309, -97.0459
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Deep, clear channel with strong tidal flow. Redfish along pilings; trout suspended on ledges; flounder on bottom transitions; summer snook and tarpon sightings.
  14. Lighthouse Lakes Flats Edge
    geo: 27.8759,-97.0638
    Score: 33/100 — ~ 17.2 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, flats | Best tide: incoming | Winds: NE, E, SE | Species: redfish | GPS: 27.8759, -97.0638
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Shallow grass and potholes ideal for sight-fishing reds on higher incoming water. Work edges and sand holes.
  15. Redfish Bay – Center Flats
    geo: 27.8709,-97.0909
    Score: 33/100 — ~ 16.2 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, flats | Best tide: incoming | Winds: NE, E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8709, -97.0909
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Extremely consistent grass flat for redfish and trout. Crystal-clear water on calm days. Drift large areas and target grass edges and pothole networks.
  16. California Hole
    geo: 27.8419,-97.0732
    Score: 30/100 — ~ 15.2 nm from launch
    Structures: flats | Best tide: either | Winds: E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8419, -97.0732
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Deeper grass/sand basin near Redfish Bay. Excellent winter trout location; reds slide into potholes early morning. Soft plastics and suspending baits excel.
  17. Port Aransas North Jetty
    geo: 27.8339,-97.0589
    Score: 29/100 — ~ 15.3 nm from launch
    Structures: reef, channel | Best tide: incoming | Winds: NE, E | Species: redfish, trout, flounder, other | GPS: 27.8339, -97.0589
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Weedless Spoon (Amazon)
    MirrOlure MirrOdine (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Deep trough and rock structure with strong Gulf tide flow. Trout on cleaner incoming water; reds and flounder on outgoing tide near the rocks. Excellent for snook and tarpon in warm months.
  18. Port Aransas South Jetty
    geo: 27.8329,-97.0582
    Score: 28/100 — ~ 15.3 nm from launch
    Structures: reef, channel | Best tide: either | Winds: NE, E | Species: redfish, trout, flounder, other | GPS: 27.8329, -97.0582
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Weedless Spoon (Amazon)
    MirrOlure MirrOdine (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Jetty with deep Gulf access and strong currents. Trout under calm/NE wind, redfish and flounder tight to rocks. Summer kings, jacks, and tarpon at the jetty end.
  19. Turtle Bayou
    geo: 27.9758533,-97.0699895
    Score: 27/100 — ~ 22.4 nm from launch
    Structures: drain, shoreline, channel | Best tide: outgoing | Winds: N, NE, E, SE | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.9758533, -97.0699895
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Bayou and drain structure in the Port Aransas area.
  20. Shamrock Cove Reef Edge
    geo: 27.8419,-97.0732
    Score: 23/100 — ~ 15.2 nm from launch
    Structures: reef | Best tide: outgoing | Winds: E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8419, -97.0732
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Weedless Spoon (Amazon)
    MirrOlure MirrOdine (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Shell humps and edges that set up well on moving tide. Drift across shell with plastics and twitchbaits.
  21. Aransas Pass Channel
    geo: 27.8355824,-97.0413769
    Score: 23/100 — ~ 16.0 nm from launch
    Structures: channel | Best tide: either | Winds: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8355824, -97.0413769
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Major current channel near Aransas Pass.
  22. Lydia Ann Channel
    geo: 27.8703029,-97.048044
    Score: 22/100 — ~ 17.4 nm from launch
    Structures: channel | Best tide: either | Winds: N, NE, E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8703029, -97.048044
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Major tidal channel near Port Aransas.
  23. Mud Island
    geo: 27.9439103,-97.0210998
    Score: 21/100 — ~ 21.9 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, flats | Best tide: incoming | Winds: N, NE, E, SE | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.9439103, -97.0210998
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Shallow shoreline and flat complex in the Redfish Bay area.
  24. Traylor Island
    geo: 27.9494657,-97.0724893
    Score: 21/100 — ~ 20.9 nm from launch
    Structures: shoreline, flats | Best tide: either | Winds: N, NE, E, SE | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.9494657, -97.0724893
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Island shoreline and adjacent flats in Redfish Bay.
  25. Piper Channel – Redfish Bay
    geo: 27.8659,-97.0859
    Score: 20/100 — ~ 16.1 nm from launch
    Structures: channel | Best tide: outgoing | Winds: E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout, flounder | GPS: 27.8659, -97.0859
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Channel with grass edges and deeper cuts. Trout stack along deeper edges; reds move along grass shorelines. Flounder ambush on falling tide.
  26. Ransom Island Channel
    geo: 27.8655809,-97.1294338
    Score: 20/100 — ~ 15.0 nm from launch
    Structures: channel | Best tide: either | Winds: N, NE, E, SE, S | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.8655809, -97.1294338
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Channel structure near Ransom Island.
  27. Blind Pass
    geo: 27.9455769,-96.9947106
    Score: 19/100 — ~ 22.7 nm from launch
    Structures: channel, flats | Best tide: either | Winds: N, NE, E, SE | Species: redfish, trout | GPS: 27.9455769, -96.9947106
    Recommended lures:
    Gulp Shrimp (Amazon)
    Popping Cork + Shrimp (Amazon)
    Down South Lures Paddle Tail (Amazon)
    Notes:
    Narrow pass with tidal current and adjacent flats.

πŸŽ’ Gear for This Tournament Gameplan

These lures cover every recommended presentation in today’s plan:

🌊 Tournament Day Conditions - Tide & Solunar Outlook

πŸŒ™ Solunar Activity
Solunar loading...
πŸ’¨ Wind Information:
Summary: NNW wind around 10 mph
Note: Light wind β€” more open water options
NWS: Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Click For Weather, Solunar Fishing And Tides Table

Location: 27.634, -97.237

Date: 2026-10-10 — Lines in: 06:00–14:00

Tide Highs/Lows:

  • H 5:27 AM β€” 0.90 ft
  • L 2:26 PM β€” 0.66 ft

NOAA station: 8775792

Use these windows with the ranked spot rotation below. Best tournament starts usually happen where moving tide overlaps bait, structure, and a solunar major/minor period.

Target species: redfish, speckled trout

Tide phase (auto): slack (station 8775792 Click for real time )

Wind direction (auto): NW

Spot radius: 35.0 nm from tournament location.

If you have comments on any one of the listings let us know! Click here