The Saltwater Lodge Team – Scott, Steve, Scott – with fish to fry.

Cast and Blast Central on the Texas Middle Coast is underway in Calhoun County. We have been experiencing some super mild conditions.  The lack of cold weather has been making the waterfowl hunting a tough task to get on limits of birds in the back bay marshes. Limits of birds are coming when the cold fronts are pushing through the area. The Ducks are also flying through as the fronts hit our area marshes but they dont seem to be sticking around like we have seen in the past. Based on what I’ve seen over the last couple of weeks, they are just flying through the gauntlet.  The nice thing about the mild weather is our fishing is off the charts. Trout, reds, flounder, and black drum are everywhere. Limits of these species have been steady. Pick your quarry and let the hammer down because it will stay consistent until we get Arctic Blasts.

Trout have been consistent on tails no matter what the weather is for any given day you decide to go fish for ‘em. Top waters have been the bait of choice when there has been several days of warm weather. Local bait houses have plenty of live shrimp and that seems to be the best live bait for catching trout.

The other day Steve, Scott, Scott, and myself went for a late morning Wade fishing trip targeting trout. The keys that unlocked the cooler door for that trip was the Solunar Tables were going into a major feeding pattern, Down South Lures (Red Shad, COC, & Pink Flamingo), an out going tide plus a pre cool front was hours away.  This trip was named “ Limits in Minutes “ we literally had our 4 man limit in minutes.  No Big Girls but keepers for the Lodge Fish Fry that night.  The Lodge guests ate fresh fish that was to die for and everyone walked away with swollen bellys.  Fresh fish is hard to beat.  Most all the local restaurants from Port O’Connor to Seadrift will cook your daily catch. Just ask your local guide and they will point you in the right direction to eat that is, not their fishing hole.

Reds and flounder are scattered everywhere from Rockport to Matagorda and all the connecting waterways.  Live finger mullet is by far the best bait to use for catching flounder. Live shrimp is the second best bait to use this time of year for catching flounder on rod and reel. Just remember November and the first two weeks into December You can only have 2 flounder in your possession per licensed person. The bait of choice is Spanish sardines for redfish . You need to make sure you purchase the Spanish ones because our fish come from the Gulf of Mexico. All kidding aside, the best baits are cut mullet, live shrimp, crack crab and the sardine. The artificial bait of choice is down south lures. My favorite Colors are red shad, chicken on a chain and pink flamingo.

The Mineral Wells Gun Range crew came down for a cast and blast excursion.  Trey and Cordy pulled into town just in time for an evening duck shoot and we managed to scratch out a goose and a few ducks before the Sun set over the bay.  The next few days were unseasonably warm and we shot a few more ducks and caught a few trout and flounder in the afternoon on Down South Soft plastics.  The final morning we scrapped the duck hunting plan and went to the jetties.  It was perfect planning and timing, we were able to catch upper end slot reds with Cordy catching a monster Big Bull Red to finish the trip.  It was a perfect catch to finish their 1st father and son cast and blast together in Calhoun County.  They are booked to be back next month hopefully there will be more quackers on the strap.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT:

Captain Scott Wheat called  today and advised me that there is a  Coastal Christmas toy drive from Freeport to Port O’Connor. Capt Scott Wheat has been working with the program for 5 years and would like toy donations to spread the Christmas Cheer to all the Calhoun County Kids.  You can contact him at:(361) 746-8134.

The Saltwater Lodge barrel burning line is: 361 785 3825. DUCK. Ask for Scott and he will book your handle all your accommodations.

Wishing you a barrel burning hunt and a slime filled ice chest!

Capt. Jeff Larson

Father & Son Team Trey & Cordy with 2 slot reds. – Capt. Jeff Larson