Capt. Jeff Larson
September was an awesome month for sportsmen and all outdoorsmen. Fishing was consistent and so was the hunting. The Mosquitos sucked! LITERALLY! Dove season always kicks off with a BANG. Teal Season soon followed and was very productive. Friends and Family were able to enjoy some great grilled Diablos and Greek Seasoned whole ducks broiled and basted in the oven. Yummm, yumm finger licking good.
Teal hunting in the rice fields and surrounding areas was phenomenal to say the least. The weekend hunts were wrapped up with full limits of blue wing teal quicker than the weekday hunts because of the obvious high volume weekend pressure. Hunters were well pleased this year with the season from the reports that came inro the office. Weekday hunts were really good but you had to wait on the natural flight pattern due to the lack of pressure. The Predawn minutes were the best but they are hard to pick out in low light when they dive bomb through the spread. This is when the spray and pray method comes into effect. Shoot quick, often, pray that you dropped something and your retriever finds the duck. There were also reports that green winged teal were bagged during the early season but not as many as in some years past. This tells duck hunters that the ducks are already on their migration pattern. So get geared up. Start patching waders and testing them now so you will have time to order you another pair because the patch rarely works. Flex Seal sort of works, messy, the commercial got me to.
A quick Teal story (I know nothing is ever quick with hunting stories especially true ones, hey, hunters can fib like fishermen also):
The second weekend of Teal Season, I hunted the bay. Louie, Steve, and Brett had shot their limit the day before in the marsh on the bay. They encouraged me to go back the next day. Of course going back to the same spot on the next day is never good as the day before. Anyway, I went back to their blind, knowing better. Hoping I could prove myself wrong in my theory. As I was pulling up, to the bay brush blind they had constructed the day before, in my boat, I noticed some glowing orange eyes inside the blind. My first thought was hey a raccoon. Then I remembered that there are a bunch of alligators showing up in the back bays due to the rain and high tides. I had my friend immediately tie his dog off to the center console railing of my boat so he couldn’t get out. As I pulled up closer to the blind it was a huge alligator and it was not scared or moving. The massive lizard just went under the water and laid there. We could see him because the water was super clear. If my dog had been there that morning I believe he would have been an appetizer. I don’t tie my dog down when he is in the boat. Some people crate or strap their dog down when running a boat, which is a debate in itself at the boat ramp over coffee. But the moral of this story is always be aware of what’s going on around you and check the area for hazards to you and your dog as you are boating. Needless to say, we had to move out of his blind. So we just backed out and went on down to the next pothole.
This also brings to question why can’t we hunt alligators in the public waters of Texas? We are becoming over populated with alligators all over the State. Is it possible Texas Parks and Wildlife could have a draw for a tag type controlled system? There are plenty of hunters here who would like to harvest an alligator. It would help with research and bring in more funds to the State. We all know they like more funds. The alligator hunters would help in removing the nuisance gators and keep their numbers in check on public waters. Until then, just keep your eyes and ears open for the territorial lizards.
The beginning of every month seems to be the best outdoor action for fishermen and hunters. This October is no exception. There have been full limits of dove being shot in the fields with sunflowers and goat weed. Call the Lodge and get on an Argentina type hunt before they migrate our of the county. Fishing has been picking up with more trout coming across the cleaning table. The best action that has been reported is from waders who target their favorite fall fishing spots. Top water action has been impressive during the major feed and tails are producing trout on the minor feed. October is notorious for flounder. According to the coastal surveyors that have been doing their surveys in the area, also confirm that flounder are healthy and in great numbers. Even on windy nights, gigging limits of flat fish have been a commonplace for guides, boaters and walkers.
Which brings this question to mind. Why are the laws becoming more restrictive and complicated? Just asking. The old timers that I talk to say it’s a natural cycle and enjoy getting them while they are here. The flounder population cycles up and down no matter what laws are in place. We are seeing about twice as many young baby flounder a night while gigging as we are keepers.
Targeting flounder via rod and reel this time of year is rather interesting and challenging. Mud minnows are the bait of choice but for the skilled angler there are a number of baits to use. Visit our local tackle stores and all the owners are there to steer you in the right direction on the latest and greatest flounder baits. The only advice I can give is to have a net ready because flounder have an innate ability to spit a hook. It’s wild how they can fight so hard, you get them right to the boat, you know they see you and PUUUT! they spit the hook. Amazing!
The lodge has a list of flounder guides that are available so book early and often. The jetty guides, back bay guides, and fly guides at the lodge are all catching fish so call the Lodge and Scott will match you with the type of fish catching style you prefer.
Big ducks are showing up every day so start getting your gear ready. Don’t wait to the last minute.
The Saltwater Lodge reservation line is: 361-785-DUCK (3825)
Wishing you a safe trip with awesome memories.
Capt. Jeff Larson
Two limits by Louie and Jeff with Ryder. Thanks, Capt. Jake Huddleston! -Capt. Jeff Larson
