After considering applications, Seadrift City Council has awarded the contract for administration to Grant Works and the contract for engineering  to John D. Mercer and Associates to begin a sewer and water upgrade project made possible by the recently awarded $275,000 grant from Texas Department of Agriculture.

At its November 3 meeting, Council also voted to renew the Inter-local Agreement with Calhoun County Appraisal District for the collection of Seadrift property taxes. They also voted to cast their allotted (23) votes for Eldon Gaines on the upcoming Appraisal District’s Board of Directions election.

Councilperson Peggy Gaines reported that the theme of the Calhoun County Historical Society’s Seadrift historical sculpture has been selected. It will be a depiction of a 1909 Train Engine and will be installed at the Train Depot. The Historical Society will donate the sculpture to the City and the City will cover the cost of installation.

Police Chief Leon Bermea gave the October Police Department Report: There were 89 traffic stops, resulting in 23 citations and 48 warnings. Citations ranged from speeding to public intoxication and various other traffic violations. There were eleven arrests made, seven of which were the result of traffic stops. They included: three warrants; four public intoxication; one reckless driving; one criminal trespass; one DWLI; and one minor in consumption of alcohol.

The newly purchased, used Tahoe for $15,000, is operational and in use by the Police Department. Grants for three radios have been received. Eros the K9 was utilized four times in October with two positive results. The Chief reported that Seadrift Volleyball games and the Halloween parade, all went off without a hitch.  He extended the Department’s thanks to all the parents who came out and all who helped with the parade. The Chief also said that the Department is ready and willing to help in upcoming holiday events and would be glad to hear from the community about how they can be of assistance.

Mayor DeForest reported that building placements and remodels for October resulted in a $31,900 increase in property valuation. One building was demolished and removed from the tax rolls. Municipal Court Clerk Marilyn Dufner reported that 24 cases were closed in October resulting in fines of $3,685. The amount that the City keeps is $2,441.49, with the remainder going to the State and special funds. There are 23 new cases on the books, bringing the total cases to 94.

Councilman Ranier gave the Animal Control report for October. There were nine dogs picked up and impounded to Port Lavaca; seven dogs picked up and returned to owners with warnings; one dog picked up and returned to owner with ticket; one dog found a new home. Eleven cats were trapped and impounded and 15 wild animals were trapped. Six animals were hit by cars.

The next meeting of Seadrift City Council will be held Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00 p.m. at Seadrift City Hall. All residents are welcome to attend.

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

Duck hunting in Port O’Connor is big time popular and one of the major wintering spots for thousands of ducks like red heads, pintails, scaup and widgeon. However, without ducks there is no duck hunting, which was the case for most hunters during the first split of the season. But as cold fronts move through we’re seeing more birds every day. Typically the second half of the season here in Port O’Connor is outstanding.

Field reports from waterfowl biologists indicated that for the first time in several years Texas duck hunters should see record numbers of wintering waterfowl.

Most species of ducks important to Texas waterfowlers are well above long term averages, with mallards and green-winged teal reaching new all-time highs.

One of the prized ducks along the Texas coast is a drake pintail, a.k.a. bull sprig. Once again the limit on pintails this season is two, ditto that for redheads. There is nothing quite like having about a dozen “pinner’s” circle your blind, then float in on cupped wings.

Last season I had three hunters out and we limited on pintails while hunting one of my blinds in West Matagorda Bay. We had limits of redheads during the first 30 minutes of the hunt. Shortly after that I looked up and we had 15 pintails circling in over the decoys. It was one those classic moments that you never forget. We got six drakes out of that flight, and finished off our limits when another huge group of pintails came in and actually landed in the decoys.

Things that make a good duck hunt

Three things that make a successful duck hunt include a good blind location, a good spread of decoys and well camouflaged hunters. It’s always a good idea to brush up your blind on each hunt. When it comes to decoys, here in Port O’Connor, I like a mix of redheads and pintails.

Blind poachers are SCUM BAGS

The only problem with duck hunting on public water is that there are always lowlife blind poachers looking to steal the use of a blind they didn’t build. That is definitely a problem in POC. Remember this – if you’re a blind poacher you are a SCUM BAG. Sure it’s legal, but even game wardens say it’s unethical.

The 2015-16 duck seasons:

• South Zone: Oct. 31 – Nov. 29 and Dec. 12 — Jan. 24.

• North Zone: Nov. 7-29 and Dec. 12 — Jan. 31.

Bag Limit: 6 per day to include no more than 3 wood ducks, 3 scaup, 5 mallards, of which only 2 may be hens, 2 redheads, 2 pintail , 2 canvasback, 1 “dusky duck” (mottled, black or Mexican-like) after the first 5 days. Mergansers: 5 per day with no more than 2 hooded merganser. Coots: 15 per day. Possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

Guided duck hunts with Capt. Robert Sloan – Call 409-782-6796 or email – sloan288@aol.com.

There are two options. One is a fully guided morning or afternoon hunt with up to three hunters. Cost is $375. Or, I can take you to one of my blinds drop you off and pick you up for $150.

Jim Rankin with a big bull red caught at the jetties on a live shrimp fished in 27 feet of water, while fishing with Capt. Robert Sloan.