Castaway Lodge Report — Cool Weather, Hot Action in Seadrift!
Greetings from the shores of San Antonio Bay!
It’s been a great stretch here at Castaway Lodge as we’ve rolled into November with excellent duck hunting and strong fishing across the upper reaches of the bay and the back marsh of Matagorda Island. Cool mornings and light north winds have been the calling card lately — the kind of weather that makes a hunter’s pulse quicken and the redfish tail a little higher on the flats.
Strong Hunts, Building Bird Numbers
The duck hunting has been just what we’ve been waiting for. Cold fronts have pushed fresh flights of birds down the flyway, stacking the marshes with pintails, wigeon, gadwalls, and teal. Capt. Braden Proctor’s new “Death Sled” duck boat has been a real difference-maker — allowing us to slip quietly into those shallow, tucked-away potholes where the birds like to loaf. It’s been all smiles and heavy straps for guests willing to brave the chill at first light.
Fishing Red-Hot in the Bay and Back Marsh
While the hunters have been stacking ducks, the anglers haven’t missed a beat. Fishing has been excellent along the upper bay reefs, drains, and shallow back marshes. Redfish and trout have been the headliners, with black drum filling in nicely on the edge of the shell and mud. The cooler water temps have those reds pushing shallow, and we’ve seen some beautiful fish come off the flats in knee-deep water.
We had the pleasure of welcoming the IES corporate crew in for a great round of fishing, and the Bremer family joined us for a classic cast & blast combo trip — both groups hitting it just right pre cold front red fishing. There’s nothing better than limits of ducks in the morning and a box of reds and trout by the afternoon.
Great Food, Great Company
Back at the lodge, Wendi and staffs cooking has been winning hearts as always — from hot breakfasts before dawn to the kind of hearty dinners that make you linger around the table a little longer. The camaraderie has been top-notch, with guests swapping stories, laughing, and planning the next day’s hunt. Our guide team deserves a big shout-out — they’ve kept everyone “on the X” both in the blinds and on the water.
Looking Ahead
The forecast looks favorable for more cool weather and continued building duck numbers, and the fishing is only getting better. Redfish, trout, and drum are all cooperating, and the bay system is in fine shape. If you’ve been thinking about a winter trip, this is the time — the birds are flying, the fish are biting, and the lodge is buzzing with good folks and great stories.
Until next time, from all of us here at Castaway Lodge Seadrift, tight lines and straight shots!
Capt. Chris Nobles
