Another Nice Stringer!
-Capt. Todd Jones, Bay Flats Lodge

Cold temperatures will be in store for anglers as we enter the beginning of another new year along the Texas Gulf coast. We can expect periods of exceptionally strong winds out of the north that will almost certainly be pushing a lot of water out of area bays producing lower tides as a direct result. This should signal to boating anglers the need for them to heed extra caution while underway in any body of water, even those they may be fairly familiar with, as they make their way to their January fishing destinations. Additional safety measures this month will include layered-clothing, an extra set of dry clothes, foul-weather gear, and the practice of leaving a copy of the day’s intended float plan at home with family members or friends before heading out onto the water. It is also a good idea to always make sure everyone’s cell phone is fully charged and that each of the phones are stored securely in a dry spot in the boat.

It goes without saying that whenever the water turns cold, the trout are going to get cold, too. And when the trout get cold, they will begin to search for warmer surroundings. For the trout, this might mean locating water that is only as much as a few degrees warmer. And because mud is as efficient as it is in its ability to absorb, store, and discharge heat means that Coastal Bend anglers can increase their odds for success this month as they explore areas comprised primarily of the thick, soft, blackish-gray stuff. The many lake areas like Pringle, Long, Contee, South Pass, and Panther are all good choices, along with Shoalwater Bay.

If January turns really, really cold and consequently causes bay water temperatures to simply plummet, anglers can anticipate the need to look for the trout in some of the deeper locales around the region. One of the more popular deep spots is The Army Hole that’s located out on Matagorda Island. Another deep water alternative that is offered to area anglers is the approximate 19-mile stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) that runs between West Matagorda Bay at Port O’Connor all the way down to where it reaches San Antonio Bay near Seadrift. Occasionally, this particular leg of the ICW serves a dual purpose in that it can also provide protection from nagging winds on most days. Unless we experience an unexpected heat wave, January’s going to be cold, so plan to look for mud and for deep water (or mud that’s in deep water)!

“Big 12 Champion”
-Capt. Lil’ John Wyatt, Bay Flats Lodge

Middle Coast Morning Shoot
-Capt. Jeff Larson

Duck Season is almost done here State Side. We have had an Awesome Duck Season! Lots of Pintails! I understand that we will get two back next year. There was only a hand full of days that we could have shot two Pintails a hunter. Gadwall, Widgeon and Shovelers were also plentiful on most days out in the marsh. Of course we get a ton of red heads which always helps with filling the straps. We also took a number of Buffle Heads and a few Golden Eye. Oh a few Canvasback early during the 1st split.

Weather was always the key for barn burners. The northers always yielded above average numbers. Mild, Warm days, that was another story. Mild days during the full moon were tough and they always are for everyone. The Big Storm in January wasn’t as bad for us on the Coast. Oh it was windy, perfect for the Freeze Out and perfect for the Duck Hunters! We always worry though when storms of that magnitude barrel down on us. When bad weather strikes bad things happen. Sometimes fatalities. So far today I have only Towed one boat. Captain Brennen Larson is running an afternoon Duck Hunt So I can go get a boat off of a sand bar. Fun! Fun! Really ChaChing Cha Ching! Larson’s Marine Services aka Naked Towing is busy when the tide drops. The best advise is always get you a Tow Policy for your Boat. Marine Towing isn’t just throw me an anchor rope! Even though I have done it to help. We live on the water and getting calls all hours of the day and night forced me to get the Towing Endorsement. Get a policy. Heck get two policies especially if you fish up and down the whole Gulf Coast.

This tow I’m on now required an Airboat. Luckily for the STUCK, Captain Jeff Garner was rolling by with his Twin Prop Air Ranger. He did a quick job so the Freeze Out Team could get their Stud Red Fish to the Weigh Master.

Big Monster Trout Time! Do you want to go fish for that 1 Big Sow Trout. Now is the time. You have about 4 months to increase your personal best or catch the new Texas State Record. Good Luck to you if you are a do it yourself’r. If you need some guidance please give us a call. We can chase the Big Ones.

Flounder update! Drama is about all I can say! There is so much to say and valid points based on historical surveys using the same techniques to compile the Doom and Gloom Evidence that is derived from day time surveys and data collection. When you say flounder everyone thinks night time gigging or the fall flounder run. Here’s my take on the Flounder Drama.

Since there has been the same survey techniques, data collection, and it’s been a downward spiral with the Laws cutting Anglers back on their limit with even more regulations coming. How is that working? Sounds like its been the wrong move for over 30 years now. Time to change the system. Flounder have been flourishing based on all the full time guides, Commercial Fishermen and savvy Flounder Fishermen. Quit taking our resource away from us! You get the point. My blood pressure is rising just thinking about the inconsistencies of who is right. I know what I see as a Guide and Commercial Fishermen. Flounder like any other fish cycle up and down. Quit making fishing and gigging for flounder so hard. I can’t even take my kids gigging for Thanksgiving Dinner. I grew up eating stuffed flounder tied into a holiday tradition. Gigging is so much fun and kids get to see so much more or different Marine life while gigging at night. Fishermen need to stick together whether you like a certain technique or despise it. We all know a divided house will indeed fall from within.

Hey, for the Hard Core Duck Hunters. Mexico is open until March. Mexico Wing Shooting is wide open if you want to go south of the border and strap some more ducks. I have plenty of availability for anyone who wants to keep shooting waterfowl. I suggest getting scheduled before February 15th. We missed the Pintails on our third trip last February by 2 days. Oh we killed a bunch of ducks but my favorite is the Whistling Wings of Pintails.

Please give us a call if you have any questions or want to book a trip down to the Lodge. Billy Rhyne’s hotline is 713 907 4796.
It’s been a great Duck Season if you missed it we have our 2020/2021 calendar open.

Start knocking off the dust on your Rods and Reels and let’s go fishing!

Capt. Jeff Larson 281.217.0399

If you happen to be like most other avid saltwater anglers who fish along the Texas coast, you know there’s no better inshore game fish to target than the redfish, whose sheer strength and stamina is unmatched by many other shallow water fish of its size. These strong fish have been providing Gulf Coast anglers with excitement and pleasurable adventure for as long as anyone can remember. But now there’s an even better way to enjoy these beautifully-bronzed brutes that so gracefully roam the grassy flats of our Texas Coastal Bend region, and Bay Flats Lodge is going to show you how!

BAM! We’re turning up the heat in the redfish department here at the lodge. With that said, Bay Flat Lodge is pleased to announce that we are now expanding our business to include fly-fishing services – a portion of the company that’s been under development for quite some time. And although as long and distinguished as it may be, our list of dedicated, devoted, and highly qualified professional fly-fishing guides has slowly been whittled down to just one individual

This new initiative of ours will be conveyed to our guests through the skill, experience, and sight cast fly-fishing passion of Capt. Owen Gayler, who is a native Texan from Nacogdoches. Like many others, he holds a certain fervor for traversing the vast and extensive marshy back country of Matagorda Island in his poling skiff while searching for tailing reds in clear shallow water.

If placing a fly directly in front of a glimmering Texas redfish has always been one of your lifelong desires, or if it’s just something you’d like Capt. Owen’s help in learning how to do, there’s no need to look beyond Bay Flats Lodge Resort & Marina. Capt. Owen can certainly help you straighten up and FLY right! Give us a call today to book what promises to be a fun and memorable fly-fishing adventure – 1.888.677.4868

Testimonial: Folks, I just wanted to commend your group on a job well done. Everything was top notch, the food was great, the staff was perfect, and my guest and I really enjoyed ourselves. *Especially, the fly fishing* I know that is something you just started, and I hope it is something you will continue. Owen is a very good guide, very patient, and very knowledgeable. Next time we come back, we plan to get back out on the fly. See you soon! Brennan Kucera 1/10/2020