Millions of fish had died in the Laguna Madre in the summer of 1938 and it was believed that the Laguna's high salinity was the culprit. Therefore a pass was proposed to allow the less salty Gulf waters to dilute those of the Laguna Madre. Yarborough Pass was dredged in 1941 at a spot then known as Murdock's Landing. It was named for W.O. Yarborough, a former member of the Texas Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission in recognition of his work. Over the next several years sand filled it up again and again forcing the Pass to be dredged again and again. Eventually the State gave up on dredging the Pass and let nature reclaim it. By 1950 the pass had filled and the beach was once again unbroken.

The flats on the the Laguna Madre side can be a very productive fishing spot. Primitive camping is available here with no facilities. The road to the fishing and camping area is just before the 15 mile marker on the beach. Be aware that the road through the dunes is sometimes filled with exceptionally deep and soft sand in which even 4-wheel-drive vehicles may occasionally become stuck.

A history of fishing reports for Yarborough Pass. Maybe you can find a seasonal pattern or a bait or technique that has worked in the past.

Aug-02-06 • Redfish are good at Yarborough Pass on live bait and gold spoons.
Jul-19-06 • Redfish are good at Yarborough Pass on live bait and gold spoons.
Jul-20-05 • Redfish are good at Yarborough Pass on live bait and gold spoons.
Jun-16-04 • Trout are fair to good at Rocky Slough on strawberry/white Hogie's, Kelley Wigglers, Bull Minnows andlimetreuse Bass Assassins. Trout and redfish are good while drifting the drop-offs of Yarborough Pass.
Jun-09-04 • Trout are fair to good at Rocky Slough on strawberry/white Hogie's, Kelley Wigglers, Bull Minnows andlimetreuse Bass Assassins. Trout and redfish are good while drifting the drop-offs of Yarborough Pass.
Jul-23-03 • Redfish are good at Yarborough Pass on live bait and gold spoons.
Jun-20-01 • Redfish are good along the edge of the Intracoastal near Yarborough Pass on shrimp and spoons.
Jun-13-01 • Trout are good at Rocky Slough on strawberry/white Hogie's and Norton Bull Minnows, limetreuse Bass Assassins and Trout Killersand chartreuse/red Top Dogs. Trout are good along the drop-offs of Yarborough Pass.