How was your 1st half of duck season? I just finished measuring my trigger finger; it was 15% larger than last year at this time, same dry splitting skin areas, but 5% smaller than the year before last. That’s how I measure my 1st half. I think its natural, but most hunters measure their success in number of ducks strapped. Common comments we hear are, “we limited out”, “killed limits”. My favorite is, “we shot a Port O’ Connor limit”. Do you know what that one means? The Port O’Connor limit is 2 pintails and 2 redheads. When we were younger the numbers measured the success of the hunt. The more we duck hunt, get older, hopefully wiser, the successful duck hunt definition changes; we begin to appreciate the days where we shoot near limits, pay closer attention to sunrises and sunsets, getting through the hunt without incident. That’s really how I measure the hunt or season, Not how many times I pulled the trigger; that was a joke. Speaking of an incident, I need to tell you about the accident that occurred last month.

The tides are receding, which most of you are aware of, it’s an annual phenomenon; hopefully you are making your boating adjustments and you are taking safer routes. The accident that was at the Fulghams Cut. It happens to even the best mariner. There were three fishermen coming back into the cut from a great day on the water.

The Fulghams Cut is silting in, plus with the low tides there is a very narrow channel that is only a few feet wide. There are PVC poles that are marking the cut but they are not as close to the deepest part of the cut as you might think. These fishermen missed the deepest part of the cut, running at a pretty good clip, slammed into the sand and one of the fishermen went OVERBOARD! The boat ran over the fisherman causing serious injuries. I was at the scene after he went to the hospital and watched the other good Samaritans pull the stuck boat to the channel so they could get to their buddy.

Over the years, this cut has been the scene for many accidents and I have been told of a fatality, years ago. The other cut that has been the scene of boating accidents is the entrance to Pringle Lake. These are the two trouble areas that when we get into the winter time low tides that you need to proceed with caution. That’s really the best advice I can give you other than if you are not familiar with this area, hire a guide, there are plenty of us who would like to take you fishing and show you the trouble spots in our area.

December has been a great month for fishing and catching. Whatever you target and however you target your fish of choice, fish catching should be good all month. If you are looking for a specific fish to target call Scott at the Lodge and he will hook you up with a guide that specializes in catching your fish of choice.

YES! Duckseason reopens and there seems to be plenty of birds from Matagorda to Mexico. So good luck this 2nd half.

Hog hunting is getting cranked up and with colder temperatures approaching they seem to be coming out during the day on a regular basis. The Lodge has some availability for duck hunts so don’t wait because the 2nd half is underway and it closes next month. Capt. Jake is killing plenty of specs, snows and blues. He had a great shoot the other day with customers Ron Smith and Bret Price. December is going to be rockin’ so book now and often.

Hope to see you on the water. Please be careful as you run through the channels and back bays. It’s OK to get stuck but getting thrown out of a boat usually results in someone going to the hospital.

The Saltwater Lodge reservation line is: 361-785-3825. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Simms Waders, and a new shotgun with plenty of shells!!!

Captain Jeff Larson 281-217-0399.