July 1st, 2008
Strange days just goes to show that “every year is different than the last” and just when you think “you’ve seen it all”, something new comes along. Shoulder to shoulder Trout? Maybe that would explain an unusual number of “foul-hooked” fish this season. I can remember seeing a foul hooked fish on 1 out of 20, maybe 30 or 40 trips. This year, we are seeing foul hooked fish on all of our boats and multiples everyday. Trout so thick you can walk on them? That may be the explanation of the feeding frenzy that surrounds the peculiar means to which they are hooked. To add further mystery, most of the fish are solid Trout. Something else that’s peculiar, but more of a testament to the high salinity in San Antonio Bay presently, is an unusual number of small Black Tip Sharks. The toothy critters are jockeying for position on some structure with Trout and I’ve already seen some Specks showing signs of a “close encounter” of the Jaws variety.
We are in a definite rhythm heading into July as San Antonio Bay is responding nicely when the winds ease up. “She’s blushing” I told a client as the waters in SAB went from brown to green quickly on calming winds during a recent trip. We made a few stops early only to find the little 15 knot South wind at break light had everything stirred up. As we eased into some protected shallows, we managed a few fish on a slow bite. While fishing, the winds laid down and I noticed the Bay began to green up on the incoming tide. Timing can be everything and I busted off the slow grind in protected water and hit some solid structure with transitioning water. We found a feeding frenzy underway on Trout to 22” combined with some slightly heavy Skip Jack action that died off as the Trout bite took serious hold.
Castaway Lodge News
The Lodge would like to welcome our newest addition to the Team at Castaway Lodge, Capt. Steven Boldt. Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven Boldt left the Navy after a four year tour to return to his home in Victoria, Texas where he has been fishing with his Dad since he was old enough to crank a reel. Between Commercial diving and fishing, Steven is at home on the water. Steven is running a 25’ Majek Redfish Line and has a “can do” attitude and a “hands on” helpful approach to fishing and working with clients on new techniques.
Our new line of low-profile ball caps and polo shirts have been a huge hit. We are expanding our retail line and “Corporate Gift Packages” to include fishing shirts, Koozies, fishing towels, and T-shirts. When you want to say thanks for a “job well done” or “we appreciate your business”, do it with a custom embroidered Gift Pack from Castaway Lodge. Prices and combinations vary, contact us for customization of your gifts, prizes, and souvenirs.
Capt. Kris Kelley
President/CEO
Castaway Lodge, Inc.
109 W. Austin
Seadrift, Texas
Office: 1-888-618-4868
Fax: 361-785-4487
Cell: 361-648-FISH
GUIDE ROSTER
- Capt. Kris "Double K" Kelley has been professionally fishing the greater Seadrift/Port O'Connor area since 1993.
- Capt. James Cunningham was born in Seadrift and has a heritage and former occupation in commercial fishing. With James, catching fish is a given along with a pleasant personality.
- Capt. Jake Huddleston has joined the Team at Castaway Lodge. Jake is a solid fisherman and a hard worker. Welcome!
- Capt. Steven Boldt running a 25 Majek Redfish Line has got command of the shallow's like no other. Steven has been fishing the area "hard" for years and brings a lot of experience to the Team.
- The above Guides represent our core. For trips requiring more Captains, we have an excellent relationship with many other professionals and will arrange for additional qualified Guides as needed
References
I have fished the Texas coast for 25 yrs. and have had many great fishing trips. Capt. Kris Kelley, however, provided the most impressive boat ride I've ever been on and proceeded to surpass that with the fishing experience of a lifetime by putting us on top of limits of both Trout AND Redfish. Our entire party is still talking/bragging about it a month later. A truly life-enriching experience.
Luis Garcia
Austin, TX