For anglers heading to the Rio Grande in Texas today, November 16, 2024, here’s what you can expect for a productive and enjoyable day of fishing.

The weather is looking pleasant with clear skies and temperatures ranging from 68°F to 82°F. Expect light winds, making it ideal for both boat and shore fishing, with no significant precipitation predicted. Sunrise is at around 7:34 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 7:04 PM, giving you ample daylight to fish.

Since the Rio Grande is a river, tidal cycles are not a major factor, but the water levels are slightly below normal due to recent receding from the rainfall. The water temperature is around 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the clarity is generally good, although some areas might be slightly stained.

Fishing in the Rio Grande has been good, especially for those targeting white bass and stripers. Yesterday, anglers reported good catches of these species in the deeper waters. White bass are active in 30-50 feet around sheer ledges, particularly where you find deeper bait balls. For white bass, use lures like spoons, Sabiki rigs, umbrella rigs, and deep diving jerkbaits in shad colors.

Stripers are fair in 40-60 feet deep on channel ledges, with bucktail jigs and large flutter spoons being your best bets. Black bass are also biting, though they are a bit slower, and can be found on main and secondary points, ledges, and suspended in 15-25 feet. For black bass, hard stick baits, Carolina rigged and Texas rigged creature baits in colors like watermelon red, kudzu, pumpkinseed, gourd green, and bloodline are effective.

Hot spots include the areas around buoys 20-23 feet up the Rio Grande, where white bass and stripers are following shad bait balls. The section near the dam and the rock lines are also productive, especially for channel catfish, which are biting well on cheese bait and cut bait.

Overall, the conditions are ideal for a great day of fishing on the Rio Grande. Enjoy your time on the water