Making The Cast

Castaway Lodge Seadrift Report
By Capt. Kris Kelley
Ghost Writer Free - Authentic Mid-Coast
1-888-618-4868 - TEXT 361-648-3474 E-MAIL: kris@seadriftbayfishing.com

Fishing Report

It's a great time to live and fish in Texas. If you could bottle up the termperatures right now we probably couldn't afford to live in this State...LOL The last week has been a blur with all the excitement building over our newly forming fly fishing division along with lots of trips with guests from all over the State. New approaches, new alliances, new charities and areas where our sphere of influece can benefit folks and change lives. We're very fortunate to have great guides and loyal clients that have stuck by us through the tough times, drought years, hurricanes, you name it. Check out our Photo Gallery

On the bait fishing scene we're transitioning from shrimp to finfish and that's got it's ups and downs. Bait is scarce at present, immature, and generally in poor condition. Bait camps are reporting a coalition in the area joining forces in an effort to bring the market pricing to $10 per dozen in the Port Lavaca, Seadrift, and Port O areas. Rockport which sports the best bait comes in at around $7...so we'll see. 8,100 folks follow us on Facebook.

Water conditions are trying to improve, no great consistency yet and it's hit and miss on the boat fishing scene. Today's trip with a large corporate outing with guests in the legal field produced half limits or better working mid-bay shell reefs and spoils. Capt. Jake Huddleston reported torn up water with limits coming on a chip n chisel bump and move approach. Capt. Chris Cady reported hitting them on a good bite but had trouble getting them all the way in the boat. Capt. James Cunningham had to abandon mid-bay structure because a guest was feeling "brown bottle/sea sick" but managed to close in on limits. Capt. Ricky Carter managed a nice 26" Trout working through schools of Redfish and taking solid numbers of Black Drum. Capt. David Garcia was surrounded by tight lips in Dewberry on slicked off winds. 4,000+ folks follow us on Instagram 

Big winds earlier in the week had us penned down with guests on an afternoon trip, Redfish was in focus. Guests of Judson B. hit a pretty good 5 airboat trip late week taking solid numbers of fish working the back marsh as the front approached. Catch our latest videos on Youtube

Fly Fishing Scene

Capt. Jeff Larson got the tap on the shoulder for another run at spot n stalk by airboat with Lex Hoechner and Michael Fertita. Jeff reported that the tide was bouncing back off lows and the fish were on the flats chasing shrimp. Shrimp flies were the go to today with both guests landing some solid Redfish with the long rods. There's sure to be some market shaping news coming in days or weeks in that arena as new alliances are being formed. We'll be approaching fly fishing like we do everything else, effectively and with the thrill, memories, and experience of our guests in mind. Check out our Fly Fishing Page

Mike and Lex had a good day and enjoyed the opportunity pursuing their passion. Each managed some nice Redfish for the effort and with many hook-ups, successes, and hook-pulls along the way. They absolutley loved the ability of the airboat to deliver them into the coveted and inpenatrable vast shallows inaccessible by any other means. 

Capt. Donnie Heath welcomed Kelly, her mom, and friend Laura in for a light tackle adventure working the shallow back lakes with light tackle. It was a memorable day of top waters and big blow-ups and fish pushing the upper edge of the slot. 

Airboat Spot N Stalk - We'll be flying deep into the back country for ankle deep sight casting opportunities and our guests are just eating it up. This is more often a close-in knife fight than not with casts inside 30' and lumbering and cruising fish basking in the shallows. Big Trout and Redfish will be the target along with some saddle blankets. 

Technical Skiff - We'll be using Micro Skiffs with guests desiring a feet dry approach poling the back country and taking shots where they present themselves. This offers an opportunity to improve your game getting guidance where needed from your guide to elevating that personal best or pushing the boundaries in weight class.

Big Water - When it comes to big water fly angling, we'll be developing spider platforms already in the making for our Cat boats for shots at Tarpon, Jacks, and Tripletail. We don't have to push it in a Technical Skiff, we've got a fleet of fast movers that will conquer anything in these environs. 

Charitable Opportunities

We have accepted "Title Sponsor" roll in this years Sedrift Chamber of Commerce "Shrimpfest" event and Fishing Tournament taking place June 16th & 17th. The event is targeted toward local youth development and schools. We are also supporting a number of Tournaments including The Salty Dog & Mullet Invitational which both support deserving children.

We have also taken on "Emerald Level" sponsor positioning with a new group called Duckwaters that just launched this year. They are teaming with major corporations and partners like us to facilitate the introduction of youth and the handicapped to the world of waterfowl hunting.

Because of your support along with our great sponsors, we are happily in a place to help many in need. Thank you!

Capt. Kris Kelley
Castaway Lodge
1-888-618-4868 
www.seadriftbayfishing.com

Sponsored by: Mercury Marine; Air Ranger Airboats; Haynie Bay Boats; Baysport Marine Victoria; Coastline Trailers; JL Marine; CorrosionX; Pure Fishing; and, Bob's Machine Shop.

Flounder Gigging & Night Vision Hunts

At Castaway Lodge, we own the night whether it's spot and stalk varmints and Hogs during grain season or working blinds over baited locations on private land to stalking the shallow Flats flounder gigging by boat or wading. These trips are a great add-on to any fishing Adventure and we'd love to have you join us! 

Alligator Hunts, Early Teal/Dove, Grain Season Spot N Stalk Hog

September is just one of those special months for us on the coast as we transition into Fall. We are the largest wild alligator hunting outfit in the State of Texas and we welcome you to pursuing your trophy in their natural environs. Tag on an Early Teal, Dove and make it a Cast N Blast or climb aboard our high racks for a South Texas Safari using our late gen Night Vision and Thermal optics. Alligator Season starts on 09/10 and runs through 09/30. This year, South Zone Dove will open on 09/14 and the 14th will be the opening date from now on until the legistlature changes it.

Waterfowl Hunting, Ducks, Geese & Cranes

Season dates for the 2018/19 Season will most likely start on 11/3 and the first split will run through 11/25. We will re-open on 12/8 and run through 1/27/19. We Winter a large portion of the Central Flyway and our Big 5 are Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall, Redheads, and all species of Teal. November and the back half of December are excellent months for Cast & Blast combinations.