3-man limit of Flounder walking the flats for Flatys.
Capt. Jeff Larson

July has been and is an Awesome Month! Fishing is Red Hot just like the weather. Our Coastal County starts to rock the State of Texas with lots of Celebrations and Fishing Tournaments inshore and offshore. The Firework Displays for the 4th ranged from Seadrift to Port O’Connor and everywhere in between. They were off the charts!!!  Great job to all the pyro techs that put ‘em up in the air.  Our pyros never ran out of  “Spleen Splitters, Husker do’s, Husker donts, Whisker Biscuits, or Kitty Chasers.”  A Big Shout Out and Special Thank You to the 1st Responders who were on the scenes keeping us in line and safe.  We appreciate ya’ll working as we celebrated what our forefathers fought for, Liberty, Freedom and Independence.

To Wade or Not To Wade, That is the Question?

The benefits of wade fishing this month have been fish-catching phenomenal.  Plain and simple, waders are catching larger numbers.  The fish to the cooler, to the fryer, to the table ratio is definitely out weighing the alternative of boat fishing. Even flounder gigging is the case.  Unless you are wading in shark, alligator, snake, bacteria, sting ray infested waters or the Jetties, then you are glad you are in a boat.

I would like to encourage all fishermen and fisher-ladies to get out of the boat and into the water.

The best fish catching days so far in the bay are coming from guided wade fishing trips. The local guides are always ahead of the curve for starters. Plus, you can really see all the different wade fishing techniques and spots when you book different captains.

Wade fishing has been producing more boxed fish than drifting or anchor fishing.  Not everyone wants to or is able to wade fish but if you really like catching fish, wading for your quarry has been the best way to beat the heat and get you a full box of trout and reds with bonus flounder rounding out The Texas Slam.

There have been exceptions in the surf where the trout bite has been just as good out of the boat as in the water.  There are plenty of hazards while wade fishing but let me strengthen your desire to get in the water and become one with the Speckled Trout.

July will continue to be a great month to catch fish.  Flounder giggers are doing real good with easy limits or near limits depending on water clarity, moon phase and the tide.  Call the Lodge and Scott will get you with the guide that best meets your needs to fill a cooler with some fish.

Floundering out of the boat or walking late evening or early morning have both been great times to get you some of those flat fish.

Here’s a side note to the wade or boat fish this time of year:  Recently, I helped run a big group of flounder giggers for Captain James Cunningham; he was walking and I was in the boat.  James’ clients were done with their individual limit of flattys considerably sooner than my group was in the boat.  Just another example where wading is more effective than in the boat during the dog days of summer.

Hey, Duck Hunters, the numbers are looking good again this year so start looking at your calendars and lock down some dates for this coming season.  Opening weekends are close to being filled so call ASAP if you know you are coming down to whack quack.

The Saltwater Lodge Outdoor Hotline is 361 – 785 – DUCK (3825).

Wade often, Shoot some Skeet and get ready for Cast and Blast Wild Action,
Captain Jeff Larson 281 217 0399

New Wader Darren White with Veteran Wader Brennen Larson.

Limits while wading with local guides Pat Lester, Chris Cady, Jeff Larson and Charles Gremminger.

Duck numbers remain strong at 51 percent above long term average.

It might seem a little bit odd to talk duck hunting in July, but a recent report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates that we’re heading into a November season opener with high expectations.

Something duck hunters can look forward to is another banner teal season in September. Both blue and green winged teal numbers are through the ceiling, so I don’t see any reason why the feds would not give us a September season with liberal limits. Green-winged teal numbers are at 4.1 million, which is 19 percent above the 2014 estimate and 98 percent above the long-term average.  The blue-winged teal population is right at 8.5 million, which is similar to the 2014 estimate and 73 percent above the long-term average.

The only negative in the latest report from the USFWS is that pintails are 24 percent below the long-term average. Field studies show that there are roughly 3 million pintails which is similar to the 2014 estimates.

The report shows that duck numbers in the survey area are statistically similar to last year and remain strong. Total populations were estimated at 49.5 million breeding ducks in the traditional survey area, which is 51 percent above the 1955-2014 long-term average and the highest count on record. Last year’s estimate was 49.2 million birds.

The main determining factor for duck breeding success is wetland and upland habitat conditions in the key breeding areas of the prairies. Conditions observed across the U.S. and Canadian survey areas during the 2015 breeding population survey were drier than last year. Total pond counts for the U.S. and Canada combined were 6.3 million, which is 12 percent below the 2014 estimate of 7.2 million and 21 percent above the long-term average, according to  Eric Keszler, with the USFWS.

“The spring surveys provide the scientific basis for many management programs across the continent, including hunting season dates and bag limits,” says Keszler. “The four flyway councils and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regulations Committee will meet in late July to recommend the season structure and bag limits for 2015-16. Individual states will make their specific selections within a federal framework of season length, bag limits and dates.”

Species estimates are as follows:

Mallards – 11.6 million, which is similar to the 2014 estimate and 51 percent above the long-term average.

Gadwall – 3.8 million, which is similar to the 2014 estimate and 100 percent above the long-term average.

American wigeon – 3.0 million, which is similar to the 2014 estimate and 17 percent above the long-term average.

Northern shovelers – 4.4 million, which is 17 percent below the 2014 estimate and 75 percent above the long-term average.

Redheads – 1.2 million, which is similar to their 2014 estimate and 71 percent above the long-term average.

Canvasbacks – 0.76 million, which is similar to the 2014 estimate and 30 percent above the long-term average.

Scaup – 4.4 million, which is similar to the 2014 estimate and 13 percent below the long-term average.

Black ducks – 541,000, which is 11 percent below the 2014 estimate and 13 percent below the long-term average.

Excellent trout and redfish numbers over sand and grass

Fishing for trout and reds with topwater plugs and soft plastics has been outstanding the past few weeks. During the first week of July we were catching easy limits of reds on Super Spook Jr.’s in spectrum and bone colors. Once the topwater bite plays out a white/chartreuse Money Minnow was the ticket in 3 to 4 feet of water.

Trout are excellent over sand and grass in 3 to 4 feet of water with croakers fished on Carolina rigs or under rattle floats. Incoming tides are holding good numbers of trout to 4 pounds.
For duck hunting and fishing trips call Capt. Robert Sloan at 409 782 6796, email at sloan288@aol.com or check out our web site at www.luckystrikeguide.com.

Poco Bueno – July 15 – 19

Lone Star Shootout – July 21-26 – www.thelonestarshootout.com

Nails & Tails – July 25 – 361-578-7711

Readin’, Ritin’ & Reeling – July 31 & August 1 – 361-485-2044

Port O’Connor Offshore (POOT Tournament) – August 14 & 15 – 361-648-9326; Fishpoot.com

Speedy Stop Kids Fishing – Saturday, August 8 – www.speedystop.com

Chris Ragusin Memorial POC Grand Slam – October 2 – 3 – 361-935-8745; 655-3521

The Seadrift City Council held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 7. Reports were given by the various departments:

Police Chief Bermea reported there were 417 calls for service during the month of June, 100 more calls than usual. The calls ranged from information to calls resulting in arrest. Citations ranged from speeding to public intoxication and various other traffic violations. There were a total of six arrests, including three traffic stops that led to arrests. Chief Bermea reported that everything went smoothly during Shrimpfest, with no disorderly conduct whatsoever.

Mayor DeForest reported that there were three building permits issued during the month, with a valuation of $35,200.00.

Court Reporter Marilyn Dufner informed the Council that 26 cases were closed during the month. Fines in the amount of $3,433.00 were collected. Of this amount, the City keeps $1,682.51. There are currently 102 cases on the City Court docket.

Reporting for Code Enforcement, Animal Control, Councilman Ranier said there were four call outs for animals hit by cars during June. Five dogs were picked up and impounded to Port Lavaca; seven dogs were picked up and returned to owners with warnings; and one dog was picked up and returned to owners with tickets. Fifteen verbal/written warnings were issued; eight cats were trapped and impounded; 11 wild animals were trapped. There was one call out for a dog bite and one dog was found a new home.

Councilman Hunt reported that work was done on the 6th and 8th Street drainage projects during the month, and the 60’ new ditch and new culvert on the 6th Street project completed.

Among other items on the agenda, Council voted to close the intersection of West Toledo Ave. and 9th Street, remove the damaged culverts, allowing the free flow of drainage, and erect a safety barricade. This action would allow golf carts to legally have access to the Family Dollar store. The money that would have gone toward the culvert repairs will be used to improve West Toledo from 9th to 11th Streets.

Council read and discussed a new ordinance governing unopened streets and their improvement and voted to approve the ordinance (SD-03).

Having advertised for sale and having received one sealed bid on the five acre tract (CCAD Property ID #35447), Council voted to accept said bid of $10,000.00 by Mr. Robert Davenport. Proceeds from the sale will be deposited in the City’s Contingency Fund.

The next City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, August 4, at 7:00 p.m. at Seadrift City Hall. All interested citizens are invited and encouraged to attend.