South Texas Fishing Report | Redfish & Black Drum Bite Strong Despite Storms

Castaway Lodge Fishing Report

Seadrift, Texas | May 18–25, 2026
Capt. Kris Kelley
888.618.4868

Mother Nature sure kept us on our toes this past week here at Castaway Lodge. As we rolled into the middle of May, all eyes were locked on the weather forecast with heavy rain and thunderstorms lined up across the Texas coast. Around here, you learn real quick that flexibility is just as important as fuel in the boat tank. The key was staying ready and making every weather window count — and that’s exactly what our crews did.

The week kicked off with a familiar sight rolling into the parking lot as Remus Key and the crew from Centex Materials made their return trip back to the lodge. It’s always good seeing these guys back in Seadrift. Captains James Cunningham, Chris Cady, Braden Proctor, and Terry were quick to get them dialed in despite the changing conditions. The bays produced a solid mixed bag with good numbers of redfish, black drum, and trout keeping rods bent throughout their stay.

We also welcomed Jesse Schuurman with IES, who sent his crew down to spend some time on the water with Captain Braden Proctor. Between dodging storms and finding clean water, they stayed on fish and made the most of every opportunity the weather gave them.

Thursday brought in Dylon Schaaf and a group of buddies for what can only be described as an all-out four-day pre-wedding adventure. These guys didn’t waste a minute. Their trip included nighttime wade floundering and thermal hog hunting with Captains Jake Huddleston and Devin Spenser. Sleep was definitely optional for this crew. It seemed like every time they shut their eyes another alarm clock was going off and they were headed back out with Captains James Cunningham and Chris Cady chasing the next bite between thunderstorms. Rain gear got tested all week, but so did the fishing — and both held up just fine. Captain James Cunningham summed it up best saying, “Those boys flat wore us out this week. Between the storms, the late nights, and early mornings, they never slowed down once — but they stayed after it and made memories they’ll be talking about for a long time.”

Another special trip this week was Darin Freshour returning to the lodge, this time bringing along his 9-year-old daughter Rose for her very first saltwater fishing adventure. Those are the trips that matter most. Captain Doug Russell had Rose hooked up on drum almost immediately, and before long they were back at the dock with smiles that said it all. Watching kids experience coastal fishing for the first time never gets old around here. Captain Doug Russell said it best: “Seeing that smile every time Rose reeled one in reminded all of us why we love doing this. She was fired up from the first fish to the last, and I’d say her first saltwater trip was one she won’t forget anytime soon.”

Rounding out the weekend were Douglass Bissett and Dustin Thornton, who helped close out another busy stretch at the lodge as we continued working around the unpredictable weather patterns. Even with the rain and lightning in the area, the fishing this week remained productive whenever we could safely get on the water. Redfish continue cruising shorelines and drains, black drum are stacked up around deeper mud and shell, and trout are still being picked up early when conditions allow. The key this week was timing — making the most of those small weather windows and staying mobile. As we head into the last week of May, we’re hoping for a little more stable weather and lighter winds. The fish are here, the bait is thick, and once these systems move through, the summer bite should really start turning on.

Until next time, we’ll see y’all at the dock.

Castaway Lodge
Capt. Kris Kelley
888.618.4868