October 1, 2025
Back Home Where A Downward Dog Is A Topwater Hung In The Grass!
Castaway Lodge Seadrift Report
By Capt. Kris Kelley
Sponsored by: Mercury Marine; Air Ranger Airboats; Haynie Bay Boats; Baysport Marine Victoria; Castaway Rods; JL Marine; Pure Fishing; and, Bob’s Machine Shop.
It was nice to climb back in the saddle after vacation and I couldn’t have been happier to return to a seamlessly smooth running outfit. Capt. Chris’s wife Bianca had the lodge polished to a “T” ahead of our arrival and from all accounts, Chris and Bianca executed on all levels for our guests while we were away and Wendi and I can’t thank them enough for the hard work!
My first day back on the water, Capt. James Cunningham saved my bacon dialing me in on a bite after I’d hauled water looking for fish. The day was met with all boats taking full limits of solid Redfish pushing the outside of the slot. Capt. James Eastep wade fished the Ken M. group pre-fishing for the POCO Inshore Tournament and also reported nice action on soft plastics taking upper slot Redfish on a number of stops locating fish.
We’ve been dealing with strong winds and very low water levels and a break in the wind on Saturday was just enough to light the Trout up a bit off open bay reefs. While nothing about Trout fishing this year may be up to our expectations, we continue to make a push at them under “prudent” situations. That led Jim L. and his wife Sarah to “September Limits” of Trout pushing 22″ with me working shell tapers in SAB. Capt. James Cunningham reported a frustrating attempt at wade fishing Saturday as it seemed like there was a boat on every concievable piece of structure “with potential”. Capt. Chris Cady has been taking solid numbers and size working the back marsh by airboat and is encountering numerous schools including wads of Black Drum. He’s been running into some “attitude” back there and getting the fish to open their mouths is something he’s challenged with daily.
Lodge News
The pace and ferocity of Alligator Hunt bookings has me reminded, and reiterating, that we are quickly approaching one of the best months on the calendar for experiencing the Texas Gulf Coast, September. It will find us heating up the barrels on Early Teal hunts; burning up the drags with just outstanding fishing opporunities; meandering the back bayous and brackish haunts of Wild Texas Alligators; bruising up the shoulders on Mourning; White-wing; and Ring-neck Dove; and working the harvested fields during Grain Season with Night Vision for Hogs. Note: we’re seeing harvest way ahead of the usual late August schedule so we are expecting Grain Season spot and stalk night vision hunts to start early, in fact, here in a couple of days.
We would like to welcome you to take advantage of our available dates and give us a shot at some memories of a lifetime! Please inquire with some date options and we will do our best to make it happen.
Check dates and inquire at https://seadriftbayfishing.com/Calendar
Like us on Facebook or check our photos on Flickr and we promise to “love you back”!
Capt. Kris Kelley
Castaway Lodge
1-888-618-4868
www.seadriftbayfishing.com
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Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thoroughly enjoyed our time at Castaway Lodge during our duck hunt. Class act from the food, to the lodging & duck hunting. The entire facility was top rate & I really appreciated the effort. And thanks for supporting Serve Outdoors Texas charity by donating the hunt. Jody O.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very nice clean place. Everything is very nice and new looking. Very well maintained.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great father day fishing trip, we will return again! The lodge was wonderful and breakfast and dinner was great! Bill Hansen Medford Ma. Austin TxPosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We did a blast and cast and had a successful day getting a few birds and a lot of bites. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable which made our adventure a great learning experience too. The accommodation and hospitality at Castaway is top notch and I look forward to returning for another experience!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great day fishing! Excellent guide and super meal! Thanks for having us. We will be back!!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great time hunting! Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable and made it a great time for my daughter and myself.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great group of people, lodging and food. Definitely a great experience and plan to book another trip.
