Castaway Lodge Fishing Report

June 23, 2026 – June 29, 2026

Summer has settled in along the Texas coast, bringing beautiful mornings, plenty of bait in the bays, and another week of making memories at Castaway Lodge. Whether it was chasing trout at sunrise, running the airboat after big redfish, or wrapping up the day with a thermal hog hunt, our guests experienced just how much the Texas coast has to offer.

We started the week welcoming Blake White of ADS out of San Antonio and a group of clients he brought down for a couple of days on the water with Captain James Cunningham. The first morning confirmed what we’ve been seeing for weeks now—the trout bite is still producing. Day two was every bit as good, with  steady action throughout the morning and plenty of fish hitting the net. They even had to release several oversized trout, proof that the fishery is healthy and thriving.

“We’ve seen a noticeable jump in the size of the trout over the last couple of weeks,” said Captain James Cunningham. “We’re still catching good numbers of fish, but now we’re seeing more quality trout mixed in. Having to release a few oversized fish is a pretty good sign of how healthy San Antonio Bay is right now.”

Dustin Thornton with IES made the trip to the lodge looking to mix things up. He kicked things off with an evening of floundering alongside Captain Chris Cady before getting right back after it the next morning with Captain Braden Proctor. From the lights at night to the bays the next day, it was a great way to experience two different sides of what makes the Texas coast such a special place.

It was also a pleasure welcoming several first-time guests to Castaway Lodge this week. James Maxwell and a few buddies arrived ready for a South Texas adventure, making a stop in the Pro Shop to pick up some Castaway fishing apparel before climbing aboard the airboat with Captain Chris Cady. Their mission was simple—find some big redfish—and Captain Chris put them right in the middle of the action.

“Watching first-time guests hook into those big reds never gets old. That first run always puts a smile on everyone’s face,” said Captain Chris Cady.

Nathan Craig also made his first visit to Castaway Lodge and made the most of every minute. After spending the day bay fishing with Captain James Cunningham, he traded his rod and reel for thermal optics and headed out with Captain Jake Huddleston on a PM hog hunt. It’s these Cast & Blast-style adventures that give our guests the opportunity to experience everything South Texas has to offer in one unforgettable trip.

As we wrap up the month of June, we’d also like to recognize the work of Castaway Youth Charities in our hometown of Seadrift. This month, we were honored to sponsor a Texas Boater Education Course, helping local youth and families gain valuable boating safety knowledge before spending time on the water. We also made our annual donation to one of our local churches in support of its Vacation Bible School, where nearly 50 children took part in a week of faith, learning, and fellowship. These opportunities are made possible through the support of our community and the success of our signature fundraising event, the Annual Castaway Classic Redfish Tournament, held each February. What started as a fishing tournament has grown into a tradition that brings anglers, local businesses, and supporters together with one common goal—investing in the youth of Calhoun County. Watching the proceeds from the tournament come full circle by supporting programs like boater education and Vacation Bible School is exactly what Castaway Youth Charities is all about, and we’re already looking forward to another great tournament next February.

Whether it’s entertaining clients, welcoming first-time guests, helping friends make lifelong memories, or giving back to the community we call home, every week reminds us why we’re proud to be a part of the Texas coast. We appreciate everyone who chose to spend time with us this week and everyone who continues to support Castaway Lodge and Castaway Youth Charities throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming you back to Seadrift for your next adventure.

Capt. Kris Kelley
Castaway Lodge – Seadrift, Texas
1-888-618-4868