September 7, 2026

Castaway Lodge – Where September Comes Alive

September has officially arrived here at Castaway Lodge, and with it comes one of our favorite times of the year on the Texas coast. Fishing is still rolling along, dove season opened September 1, gator season is right here, and Early Teal is coming up fast. This is the time of year when things around here start shifting from strictly fishing into a little bit of everything.

Travis Cagney made his way back down this week with a buddy for a couple days of our version of a Cast & Blast. They started their mornings on San Antonio Bay with Captain James Cunningham, getting their fishing in early before heading back to the lodge for some lunch and a change of clothes.

Once September 1 rolled around and dove season officially opened, Captain Jake Huddleston took over for the afternoons. Travis and his buddy spent two days going from rods in the morning to shotguns in the afternoon. That’s a pretty good way to spend a couple September days in South Texas.

Captain James Cunningham probably summed it up best: “That’s what makes this time of year fun. Get your fishing in early, come back and eat a good lunch, then head to the dove field for the afternoon.”

Dove season is only the beginning of what September has in store for us. Our Texas alligator dates are just about gone, and we’re looking forward to getting those hunts underway. Gator season is always something a little different around Castaway, and it doesn’t take long for those dates to disappear once September gets here.

Early Teal is also right around the corner, and from what we’re seeing, it’s looking solid. Those early mornings in the marsh are one of the first real signs that fall hunting season has arrived on the coast. Before long, we’ll have boats leaving the lodge in several different directions—some headed for the bay, some for the marsh and others getting ready for a gator hunt.

And while hunting season gets a lot of attention this time of year, don’t count out the fishing. September and October can be some great months to spend on San Antonio Bay, and apparently plenty of folks have the same idea. Our October fishing calendar is jam-packed, and we’re looking forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces along with some new ones coming through the lodge.

That’s one of the things I enjoy most about this stretch of the year. One group may be here strictly to fish, another may be chasing birds, and somebody else may be trying to squeeze as much as they can into a couple days. Around Castaway, we just roll with it.

We’ve also been staying busy around the lodge getting everything lined out for what’s ahead. Boats, rooms, grounds, gear and all the little things behind the scenes have to be ready because once September gets rolling, it doesn’t take long for the calendar to start moving. Dove season is open, gator dates are almost gone, Early Teal is looking good, and October fishing has the books packed.