September 30, 2025
Raw…But Not Like Sushi
Castaway Lodge Seadrift Report
By Capt. Kris Kelley
Sponsored by: Mercury Marine; Air Ranger Airboats; Haynie Bay Boats; Baysport Marine Victoria; JL Marine; Pure Fishing; and, Bob’s Machine Shop.
Raw weather conditions including rain and chilly temperatures have made the hooksets that much sweeter with guests and guides fighting the elements to bend the boards. Focus has been back lakes and shallow bays working mud/grass for Redfish and Trout to 25″ by airboat and bayboat with both approaches working well on higher water. Tides dropped out a bit overnight which will rearrange a few things but not bad. We’ve been enjoying lots of family groups over Spring Break and they’ve been having a ball. Weather is making a turn for the better and that’s setting the stage for a really enjoyable rest of the break.
Looking ahead, we’ll be seeing temperatures stabilize on the warming side and start to transition in April and May toward deeper shell pads and reefs. In the meantime, shoreline action should continue to improve as the fish pull off of mud/grass and head for slightly cooler hard sand bottoms. We’ll be focusing wade fishing efforts over grass beds and sand bar guts and drop offs looking for the big pull. The topwater bite has been awesome since January and we think that’s going to continue into April.
Bay Health Update
Since March of 2015 when the drought here in Texas finally broke, freshwater inflows have continued to heal the bay system especially in the back lakes where hyper salinity has such an adverse effect. Bottom grasses have once again blossomed in most of the skinny lakes all the way to the dunes. During the drought years, we lost a bunch of it as our bottom grasses deplete quickly in shallow lakes and the grass lines retreat in the lakes closer to the deeper bays. That’s something we’d certainly like to avoid any time soon. While rain sometimes can interupt a schedule a bit, we should always be thankful for it. It’s just the life blood of Texas coastal bays and marshes.
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The fishing is always best when you can get away!
Capt. Kris Kelley
Castaway Lodge
1-888-618-4868
www.seadriftbayfishing.com
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Posted on William oppeltTrustindex 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 on John GrahamTrustindex 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 on Bill N Pat HansenTrustindex 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 on Eric NagelTrustindex 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 on Alicia TeggTrustindex 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 on John MilanTrustindex 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 on Ry STrustindex 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.















