Well, here it is – the middle of December – less than two weeks away from Christmas – another year almost gone. As I reflect upon this past year, I think about what it has been like for the way the weather has been, the fishing and the duck hunting.

The weather has been tough on our area and the whole state with this lack of rain. Our bays need fresh water to help everything that lives in them. There will be no oyster season this year because of no fresh water and the red tide is still in our bays. I haven’t seen it this bad in a long time.

The good news is the fishermen are still catching lots of fish. I have had a good year on trout and redfish and have caught more flounder on rod and reel this year than I have in over ten years.
The duck season has been great. There are more ducks in our bays than I have ever seen before. My personal opinion is because of lack of fresh water and food on the inland ponds and fields. The ducks have had to come to the bays early this year for food. The inland areas that have water are holding lots of ducks on them. There are types of ducks here that we don’t usually see here – wood ducks and mallards in shallow salt water lakes and ponds. I talked to a local guide a couple of days ago who killed a surf scotter. That doesn’t happen very often in this area.

For those duck hunters who really do not like to get up at 4:00 or 4;30 in the morning and go hunting at 5:00 a.m., there is afternoon duck hunting. I have had as much success in the afternoon as I have in the mornings. Many hunters do not know that afternoon hunting is as good as the morning hunt. I am offering a reduced rate on afternoon hunts this year. If you would like to try an afternoon hunt, give me a call at 361-648-4539. I have openings for afternoon hunting.

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and may God bless you.

Capt. Griff